--- title: "Big Island: Hakalau Forest Reserve Bird Watching Adventure" lang: en type: tour city: Big Island country: United States price: 262 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 4.98 reviews: 51 duration_minutes: 720 languages: [en] free_cancellation: "true" rank_in_category: 1 of 4 (Nature, Hiking & Wildlife Tours) schedule_checked: 2026-11-07 data_updated: 2026-11-08 canonical: https://guidekin.com/usa/big-island/tours/big-island-hakalau-forest-reserve-bird-watching-adventure/ --- # Big Island: Hakalau Forest Reserve Bird Watching Adventure **Guidekin's take:** Look for birds in Hakalau Forest Reserve's Pua Akala tract, which is not open to the public. Lunch, binoculars, trekking poles and rain gear are included; moderate fitness and the ability to hike uneven, rocky terrain are required. 4.98 from 51 reviews at €262 per person for 12h. In our comparison: #1 of 4 in Nature, Hiking & Wildlife Tours, by rating weighted by review volume (table below). ## Overview Hakalau means “many perches.” Named by Hawaiians long ago, it is still recognized as critical bird habitat today. Once part of a large cattle ranch, it was the first National Wildlife Refuge in the country established for forest birds and it’s home to some of the rarest plants and animals on earth. The Pua Akala tract we access is not open to the public and is an excellent example of successful conservation practices. Enjoy first-class comfort adventuring in our 4-wheel drive Short Wheel Base Mercedes Sprinter along with a more intimate experience with a small group size of 10 guests. Join your interpretative naturalist expert birding guide to search for rare native plants, animals, and endemic Hawaiian birds such as the Akepa, Akiapolaau, Amakihi, Apapane, Hawaii Creeper, Iiwi, Elepaio, Omao, Io and Pueo. Riding in style with our best-in-class field guides to a restricted-access nature preserve, you’ll experience a truly unique Hawaii Island adventure. **Pickup:** Hotel pickup included ## Key facts - Price: from €262 per person for the Full-Day Hakalau Forest Reserve Bird Watching Adventure option; other options up to €421 - Duration: 12h - Rating: 4.98/5 from 51 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: Hawaii Forest &Trail - Group: Shared tour · private option available - Guide languages: English - Start times: 06:30 - Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-11-07 ## Reviews 4.98 from 51 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor. 100% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 51 of 51. - 5 stars: 50 (98%) - 4 stars: 1 (2%) - 3 stars: 0 (0%) - 2 stars: 0 (0%) - 1 star: 0 (0%) ## Tour options Prices are the operator's current list price for two travellers (whole euros); options sold only to bigger parties say so; pick the option on the booking page. | Option | Price | Guide languages | Details | |---|---|---|---| | Full-Day Hakalau Forest Reserve Bird Watching Adventure | €262 / person | English | - | | Private Ohana Outing | €421 / person (for 6+ people) | English | Private Tour: Experience a Hakalau Forest Reserve Bird Watching Adventure exclusively with your family or small group Private Sprinter Van Pickup included | ## What's included - Small Group Bird Watching Adventure - Binoculars, Trekking poles, daypacks and rain gear - A deli-style sandwich or gluten-free salad with your choice of turkey, ham, pastrami, or veggie, served with chips, a locally baked cookie, and chilled beverages and water. - Local Taxes - Please bring your own water bottles, re-fillable filtered water provided - Private Reserve Access - Interpretative Birding Guide - Central Meeting Locations for Pick-up & Drop off ## Not included - Gratuities ## Schedule - Runs: Tue, Thu - Departures: 06:30 - Schedule last checked: 2026-11-07 - These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout. ## Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. ## Meeting point Please park in a non-reserved parking stall. Ends: back at the meeting point ## Good to know - Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries - Not recommended for pregnant travelers - Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health - Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness - Guests on this tour should not be physically challenged or unable to hike on uneven or rocky terrain. Must be able to do short hikes of 1.5 to 4 miles. ## Compared with other Nature, Hiking & Wildlife Tours | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #1 of 4** | €262 | 12h | 4.98 (51) | shared | | [Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary Pantropical Tour (1.5 hrs)](/usa/big-island/tours/kona-cloud-forest-sanctuary-pantropical-tour-1-5-hrs/?format=md) | €100 | 1h 30m | 4.96 (114) | shared | | [Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary Montane Jungle Tour (2.5 hrs)](/usa/big-island/tours/kona-cloud-forest-sanctuary-montane-jungle-tour-2-5-hrs/?format=md) | €136 | 2h 30m | 4.93 (418) | shared | | [Big Island: Hidden Craters Hike of Kona](/usa/big-island/tours/big-island-hidden-craters-hike-of-kona/?format=md) | €181 | 5h | 4.92 (171) | shared | Ranked #1 of 4 in Nature, Hiking & Wildlife Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €100 to €262, median €159; typical length 3h 45m. 0 of 4 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Full list: https://guidekin.com/usa/big-island/big-island-nature-hiking-tours/?format=md ## More in Big Island - All Big Island tours: https://guidekin.com/usa/big-island/?format=md - This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/usa/big-island/tours/big-island-hakalau-forest-reserve-bird-watching-adventure/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/usa/big-island/?format=md