We just took this shuttle for 2nd time. Since we had taken it a few years back, we wondered if we should hike down instead, which we could have always done. However, shuttle can access private land, which is out of reach if you hike. This was a big plus as there are some great photogenic sites from private properties. Douglas is knowledgeable and enthusiastic.
The guide is very knowledgeable and the tour is well organized. However, the price seems a bit over the top. For $60 each you do get to go further into the valley then if you would walk or take your own car, due to the land owners restrictions but it doesn't really show a lot more.
We had a very engaging guide named Jade who knew every single plant, because he farms them all off the fat of his land. Real enjoyable listening to him, excellent at navigating the bumpy, windy, and narrow roads of the valley.
When you walk down (which doesn't look to hard for a young couple like us) you can just take the shuttle back up and only pay $10. The shuttle goes back up from the fork in the road around 90min after the listed start of the tour.
2 hour trip definitely worth the time as you slowly ride a van with all windows taken out so you really have room to take pictures on the way down. Tour goes all the way back into the Valley, stops half dozen times to show off all the plants, take a gander at the waterfall, hear a story about it's creation, pet some wild horses, gaze at the river, and hear stories of the valley history.
Tour was advertised as narrated. Our guide volunteered zero commentary and answered three questions with monosyllabic answers. Learned nothing.
Took the shuttle for 2 reasons. 1) Didn't have a 4x4 2) Wanted to see Waipio Valley.
When you want to be dropped off and picked up with the next tour you need to pay an additional $10 per person (why?), making it $140 for 2 people. You should really get dropped off because the black sand beach at the end of the valley is absolutely amazing.
Also, I didn't want to walk up that hill.
Jade was a fantastic tour guide. Knowledgeable, very kind, and patient on the crowded drive down a narrow road. Highly recommend if you're hiked out or don't have a proper vehicle to make the steep drive down to Waipio. You'll thank yourself when you pass exhausted fellow tourists trudging up the hill. Jade - look up and download venmo so you can accept tips from patrons without cash - you deserve it.
Waipio Valley Shuttle is a US Point Of Interest based in Honokaa, Hawaii. Waipio Valley Shuttle is located at 48-5416 Kukuihaele Rd, Honokaa, HI 96727, USA.
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