Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian in Big Island of Hawaii
Big Island of Hawaii, United States

Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian

Outty Ranking 534 hoursFrom $250

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$250
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Outty Ranking

53/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

Not yet rated

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Quick answer

Is Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian worth booking?

Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian is a 4-hour experience in Big Island of Hawaii, United States, from $250 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
53 / 100
Rating
Not yet rated
Duration
4 hours
From
$250 per person

Embark on a one of a kind Native Hawaiian adventure hike filled with Hawaiian language, history, and ʻike Hawaiʻi (ancient knowledge) from Puʻu Kuʻili cinder cone to the beautiful white sands of Makalawena! Our journey

What you get

    About this experience

    Embark on a one of a kind Native Hawaiian adventure hike filled with Hawaiian language, history, and ʻike Hawaiʻi (ancient knowledge) from Puʻu Kuʻili cinder cone to the beautiful white sands of Makalawena! Our journey begins at Puʻu Kuʻili, a scenic cinder cone tied to Laʻamaomao, goddess of the winds. From the summit, beautiful views of the ocean and our islands volcanoes can be seen! Our destination is Makalawena, one of the most pristine and beautiful beaches in the world. Our lava trail through coastal Kona flora will guide us there! Once arrived at this incredible oasis we will enjoy the refreshing crystal clear ocean and hear the awe inspiring legacy of the Hawaiian Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Exploring the white sands and coastal life after our swim we will end our journey with a plunge in a freshwater spring hidden in the lava flows at Puʻu Aliʻi to wash the salt off before our return! Distance & Duration: • Approx. 4.5 miles round trip • Total duration: 3.5–4 hours

    What's included

    Included

    • Lei awapuhi from Waiākea

    What you'll see and do

    1. Makalawena/Pu'u Ali'i

      This ancient oasis of crystal blue waters and white sands that stretch the coast house life, beauty, and history. From the beautiful ocean swimming to our dip in the freshwater spring, this place brings our adventure to life!

      60 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Big Island of Hawaii

    Directly off the Queen Kaʻahumanu highway, enter the Kua Bay Access road! One fourth of a mile in the large volcanic cinder cone of Puʻu Kuʻili will be seen on the left side with the trail head, and gravel parking area on the right side of the road. This parking area will be our meet up location!

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Directly off the Queen Kaʻahumanu highway, enter the Kua Bay Access road! One fourth of a mile in the large volcanic cinder cone of Puʻu Kuʻili will be seen on the left side with the trail head, and gravel parking area on the right side of the road. This parking area will be our meet up location!

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Christian Kealohapauʻoleokeali’iahokulaninuiākea Phillips

    Know before you go

    • 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

    Photos

    Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian in Big Island of Hawaii, photo 2Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian in Big Island of Hawaii, photo 3Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian in Big Island of Hawaii, photo 4Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian in Big Island of Hawaii, photo 5Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian in Big Island of Hawaii, photo 6Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian in Big Island of Hawaii, photo 7

    Good to know

    Duration
    4 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    0
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 53

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)83
    Review evidence (18% weight)0
    Booking momentum (14% weight)0
    Value for money (12% weight)60
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)50
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Big Island of Hawaii.

    How much does Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian cost?

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    Prices start at $250 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Big Island of Hawaii usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian take?

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    Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Big Island of Hawaii is not rushed.

    Is Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Big Island of Hawaii, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian?

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    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian?

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    Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Big Island of Hawaii can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Big Island of Hawaii and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Makalawena Hike and Swim with Native Hawaiian start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Big Island of Hawaii within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Big Island of Hawaii?

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    The Big Island is volcano country: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tours, Mauna Kea summit stargazing, night manta ray snorkels off Kona, Waipio Valley lookouts and coffee farm visits. Summit tours have real altitude rules, so we weight safety detail. On Outty we rank every Big Island of Hawaii experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel - FREE re-ride if no Sightings, Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History, Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Big Island of Hawaii?

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    April to October, though the island runs year round. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Big Island of Hawaii?

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    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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