Waipio Valley Lookout
Waipio Valley Lookout
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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2 within 5 kms
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2 within 10 kms
See what travelers are saying
- smhrPickering, Canada298 contributionsNice pleasant views, but not spectacular.Waipo Valley can only be visited by locals but Waipo Valley lookout is open to all visitors. It is located about 30 mins North of Hilo and is a very easy drive. The views from the lookout is pleasant but not spectacular. From the parking lot, you will need to take a steep walk to get to the lookout. If someone has mobility issues, then this will be a challenge. If you want to get to the Waipo valley itself then locals do take you there via a shuttle. The cost is about $75/person (though I am not sure about that) I will recommend it if its convenientVisited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 15, 2023
- Mike FAntigo, Wisconsin523 contributionsWhat a view!!What a view! The history here is really cool, and you can just imagine it! At some point I'd love to get a ride down, too bad you can't just go on your own...but definitely worth the 12 min drive from Honoka'a to see this overlook! This is definitely a favorite family pic!! Beautiful!Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 19, 2024
- CADallas, Texas767 contributionsStunning!This was the most beautiful spot we visited on the island. We parked along the street and it’s just a short walk down to the lookout. There isn’t anything to do except the overlook. It is just a quick stop, but the views are incredible. I recommend anyone who visits here to stop at Tex Drive In!Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 25, 2024
- CumTresLunae24 contributionsDefinitely go and see this beautiful place.We enjoyed this spot while vacationing in Hawaii. This is a great alternative for seeing the Waipio Valley, since the road to the actual valley is closed to the public. It was somewhat overcast while we were there, but it was STILL beautiful despite the weather. Highly recommend!Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 30, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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maitaimike2015
Laguna Hills, CA253 contributions
Feb 2021
This is one place that always merits a visit when on the Big Island. The sun illuminates this sacred valley in the earlier hours. It was so green this time of year. It was raining on the way out there, yet the sun peeked out for some nice photos once we got got out of the car. They installed a new colorful sign marker, yet the historical timeline metal panels down at the viewing/picnic area, are badly faded and scratched.
Parking was a breeze due to the sparse crowd. Covid-19 made for many uncrowded stops this visit to the islands. It can be an absolute zoo during peak months. The toilets on site were pretty clean, and feature flush, not pit, toilets. The road down to valley floor is pretty narrow, and you must have a 4WD for that part. I have been down it only via guided tours, and can attest to the frustration they incur when having to navigate around rookie tourists. Also, avoid feeding the feral cats that seem to hang around here.
Mahalo.
Parking was a breeze due to the sparse crowd. Covid-19 made for many uncrowded stops this visit to the islands. It can be an absolute zoo during peak months. The toilets on site were pretty clean, and feature flush, not pit, toilets. The road down to valley floor is pretty narrow, and you must have a 4WD for that part. I have been down it only via guided tours, and can attest to the frustration they incur when having to navigate around rookie tourists. Also, avoid feeding the feral cats that seem to hang around here.
Mahalo.
Written March 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
audrey m
New York20 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
We have been coming to this valley and walking down to the valley from the road and sometimes crossing the river and continuing on with our hike. This year we could not do the hike as the road is closed to hikers and cars. The only way to get down to the valley is to pay a driver $72.00 per person to drive you down and back. It is a money grab from the locals and absolutely sends the wrong message to tourists. I also want to note that we always stopped at the town nearby for lunch and shopping. Now we will do neither: we will not pay someone to drive us down to the beach and we will not be stopping in the town. How shortsighted of the locals -- within five years most of the shops in town will probably be closed due to lack of tourists.
Written December 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smhr
Pickering, Canada298 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Waipo Valley can only be visited by locals but Waipo Valley lookout is open to all visitors. It is located about 30 mins North of Hilo and is a very easy drive. The views from the lookout is pleasant but not spectacular.
From the parking lot, you will need to take a steep walk to get to the lookout. If someone has mobility issues, then this will be a challenge.
If you want to get to the Waipo valley itself then locals do take you there via a shuttle. The cost is about $75/person (though I am not sure about that)
I will recommend it if its convenient
From the parking lot, you will need to take a steep walk to get to the lookout. If someone has mobility issues, then this will be a challenge.
If you want to get to the Waipo valley itself then locals do take you there via a shuttle. The cost is about $75/person (though I am not sure about that)
I will recommend it if its convenient
Written November 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hellohangry
21 contributions
Feb 2020
Park your car in their lot and you are already at the lookout sign. If you want to go further in, it's a quick 2 minute downward walk to the lookout. Tis beautiful to see.
Would I go again? Nope.
In hindsight would I go if it was my first time? If that's the only reason I'm traveling down the Waimea path from kona to see this place then no. It's not worth the extra drive for a place that I'd realistically only stay 15-20 minutes for. Especially as I would not do the hike. If I was doing something more along the way like the polulu trail, then maybe.
Would I go again? Nope.
In hindsight would I go if it was my first time? If that's the only reason I'm traveling down the Waimea path from kona to see this place then no. It's not worth the extra drive for a place that I'd realistically only stay 15-20 minutes for. Especially as I would not do the hike. If I was doing something more along the way like the polulu trail, then maybe.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen M
17 contributions
Dec 2020
The view is worth the drive up the coast. No need for 4 wheel drive if you just view the look out. If you drive down to the valley its not scary nor to you need to be a rockcrawler. All 4x4 (not all wheel drive) vehicle will make it.
Written January 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CumTresLunae
24 contributions
May 2024 • Family
We enjoyed this spot while vacationing in Hawaii. This is a great alternative for seeing the Waipio Valley, since the road to the actual valley is closed to the public. It was somewhat overcast while we were there, but it was STILL beautiful despite the weather. Highly recommend!
Written May 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zimminaroundtheworld
Okinawa Prefecture, Japan1,972 contributions
Sep 2022
Waipio Valley in Hawaii is possibly the best view in the States. I've traveled a lot around America and was absolutely blown away by the beauty of this place. The beach, cliffs, ocean, everything. I so wish I could go down to the valley, at least the lookout is open. I was here for about 20 minutes and it was sunny at first then started to pour rain so I got great photos of the two scenarios. Beautiful place and well worth a visit.
Written September 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brown_Samantha
Kennewick, WA1,765 contributions
Apr 2022
Stunning coastline view with amazing color contrasts. It is easy to find and part of our drive through Waimea (coming from Kona). It is a stop over place, quick valley lookout with bathroom facilities and free parking.
They do control 4x4 access to the valley, not sure if we will allot time for that next trip. This was perfect, as after this stop, we went to Tex Drive In for their famous malasadas!
They do control 4x4 access to the valley, not sure if we will allot time for that next trip. This was perfect, as after this stop, we went to Tex Drive In for their famous malasadas!
Written April 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada12,737 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
The Waipi'o Lookout is just down the coast from the Polola Lookout reviewed earlier. It too offers beautiful views of the ocean and the cliffs created when Kohala Volcano (the oldest volcano on the big island) suffered a massive landslide - only from the other side.
There is a narrow, one-way path to the bottom of Waipiʻo Valley and people actually live there. The path has a sign that says "local residents only" and "4-wheel drive only". It looked like the guard at the top had a radio to ensure that vehicles only traveled in one direction at a time but I never checked.
There is a narrow, one-way path to the bottom of Waipiʻo Valley and people actually live there. The path has a sign that says "local residents only" and "4-wheel drive only". It looked like the guard at the top had a radio to ensure that vehicles only traveled in one direction at a time but I never checked.
Written April 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wohdonkey
Newark, OH2,237 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
This location has unforgettable views and great photo ops. It was so beautiful at this lookout and so peaceful. It is a quick stop if you just do the lookout. Or there is a hike or a drive down to the beach if you have the right vehicle. It is a very steep hike. We only went halfway down as we spoke to someone who told us it was high tide and we would have had to go thru some water to get to the beach. We weren’t dressed appropriately so we did not go all the way down. It is definitely a challenge to walk down and back up as well but we saw plenty of people doing it. There were also 4 wheel drive vehicles going down as well because those are the only vehicles allowed on this road. It is a must stop if in the area.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
?. How many hours should I dedicate to the full adventure?
Written March 21, 2022
Yes. There is little parking so go early.
Written February 5, 2019
Is 4WD must in order to drive into the vally or a regular jeep without 4WD is ok?
Thanks
Written December 13, 2017
Hi, while visiting Waipi'o Valley, we'd also like to take a look at Hi'ilawe Falls from afar. Since I have read that locals don't appreciate tourists on their land down in the valley, I'd like to know how far (or if at all) down the valley we'd really have to get in order to see the falls. I keep finding images of a "Hi'ilawe Falls Lookout" with a dirt road full of parking ATV's that seems to sit on the ridgeline above the valley but I can't find out where exactly it is. Such a look would basically suit our needs. Thanks in advance.
Written November 29, 2017
If you want to get a drive from the Lookout to the valley, do you need to book in advance?
Written November 9, 2017
No reservations required! It’s got a very small parking lot so you will probably have to park on the street and walk back.
Written February 3, 2019
How is the drive from hilo? Do you need a 4x4 just to get to the lookout? We don't plan on driving down to the valley. Thank you!
Written August 24, 2017
Drive is about 45 mins from Hilo. No 4x4 required for the lookout. Have fun!
Written August 25, 2017
Aloha,
I am sorry I can't answer your question. However, I did find this local provider (Horseback above Waipio:Waipio Ridge Stables) who may be able to respond to you.
Mahalo
Written August 27, 2016
Could someone please let me know long it takes to drive from Waikoloa Village (Hilton) to this look out area? And could we sit at the lookout and eat our picnic lunch? is there a picnic area nearby?
Thanks so much!!
Written April 8, 2016
From there to Marriott was about 90 minutes or so but depends on traffic. It is just two lane roads and the speeds are no more than 40-45 on average. There were picnic tables on the top and was covered. We did not trek down to the bottom as we did not have a 4WD. IN town, there were a bunch of eateries. There is one that the food was ok but everyone goes for the portugese donuts called masalada or something like that, Was very good. Worth a stop. Tex Drive IN...
Written April 8, 2016
Is the Valley still closed? We will be going in two weeks and would love to hike down the valley.
Written February 23, 2016
A Tripadvisor member
North Dakota
No. Maybe by March 13.
Written February 24, 2016
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