4 Best Kauai Zipline Tours (Tried & Tested)
Kauai is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, and what better way to see it than from a zipline?!
But not all zipline tours are created equal. Some are shorter, while others offer more excitement and adventure. How do you know which one is right for you?
We’ve researched for you and compiled a list of the best zipline tours in Kauai. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly tour or something more adventurous, we’ve got you covered.
This Travel Dream contains affiliate links. We may receive compensation at no extra cost to you if you purchase using one of these links. You can read my disclaimer for more information.
Don’t have time to read about all the tours on this list? No worries — We have shortlisted the best zipline in Kauai below to make things easy for you.
Editors Pick: The Best Zipline in Kauai
AdrenaLine Kauai Zipline Tour
Prepare for a thrilling adventure with AdrenaLine Kauai Zipline, featuring three ziplines, including the famous FlyLine Kauai Zipline. With speeds up to 60 mph, flyers will enjoy breathtaking views of Kipu Ranch, famous for its appearances in blockbuster movies.
Why should you trust us? We’ve spent several hours researching and gathering consumer feedback on the best zipline tours in Hawaii and Kauai, but most importantly, we’ve tested most of the tours on the island. We know all about the thrills, the views, and the operators that make these experiences memorable.
Without further ado, let’s dive into our top zipline tours in Kauai!
1. AdrenaLine Kauai Zipline Tour (Lihue)
Operated by: Outfitters Kauai
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
AdrenaLine Kauai Zipline Tour is one of the most exciting ziplining experiences in all of Kauai. You’ll soar through the air along three different ziplines, reaching speeds up to 60 mph on the FlyLine Kauai Zipline!
On your way to the ziplines, you’ll enjoy a gorgeous drive through Kipu Ranch, a 3,000-acre private working cattle ranch.
As you soar through the air, you can take in breathtaking views of Kipu Ranch, made famous by movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, Jurassic Park, and The Descendants.
While there are no beginner lines on this tour, we considered the first zipline, an 800-foot single line at 150 ft above the valley floor, a good warm-up before the more prominent ziplines.
Our tour guides, Khaiman and Ryker, were very professional during our visit and made everyone feel safe. I remember being very scared on the first zipline since I hadn’t ziplined in years, but Khaiman and Ryker’s expertise was very reassuring.
The second zipline is an 1800-foot side-by-side tandem zipline, allowing you to go upside down if you dare. This zipline has the longest airtime on Kauai and is breathtaking! Cody decided to go upside down on this one, but I played it safe! While I didn’t do any zipline aerobatics, I had an absolute blast. If you are feeling competitive, you can also race against your partner.
The third zipline is the grand finale, the famous FlyLine Kauai Zipline. This line is not for the faint of heart—you’ll be flying superhero-style headfirst at speeds up to 60 mph! I was so excited and scared simultaneously, but it’s a thrilling experience that I won’t forget anytime soon!
The FlyLine is the biggest and longest Zipline in Hawaii, at over 3/4 mile in length, and offers spectacular views of the island.
Other activities: After the second zipline, there is a bamboo pool and a natural lava rock swimming hole where you can cool off or enjoy the scenery. We were given 20 minutes to swim before heading to the last zipline.
Why we love this tour: There is so much to love about this tour! The ziplines are thrilling, the scenery and views of Kipu Ranch are breathtaking, and the staff is friendly and professional.
Plus, you get to take in some of Kauai’s most beautiful scenery from a unique perspective—the sky! Also, since most of the lines are tandem, this tour seemed to move faster than other single-line tours we’ve been on. By far, its one of our top things to do in Kauai.
Cons: The website says snacks are included; we did not receive any during our tour.
What’s included:
- Three zip lines plus WaterZip at the swimming hole
- All zipline and safety gear
- Bottled water
- Fresh, locally baked cookies
- Free parking
Important information: Flyers must be at least seven years old, 4ft tall, and between 60lbs and 275lbs.
Tips: Bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan to swim in the pool. Also, the trails from the ziplines are pretty muddy, so wear appropriate shoes. We wore hiking shoes and were happy we did.
2. Kauai Backcountry Adventures Zipline Tour (Lihue)
Operated by: Kauai Backcountry Adventures
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
The Kauai Backcountry Adventures Zipline Tour is a great way to explore Kauai’s lush and beautiful backcountry. This incredible tour offers stunning views of Mt. Wai’ale’ale, the second-highest point in Kauai and one of the wettest places on Earth.
You’ll soar across seven ziplines that zigzag over the Wai’ahi Stream and through native forests. This tour is excellent for beginners and experts, with lines up to 250 feet above the water.
The first line is a test line about 450ft long but not too high. Your guides will ensure everyone is comfortable moving on to the next lines before proceeding. During our tour, our guides Cody and Esera told us that over the 10+ years they’d done zipline tours, no one has ever quit after the first “bunny” zip.
The second line is one of the highest ziplines in Kauai, soaring up to 250 feet in the air and 270 feet over the valley when you’re on the platform.
After the second zipline, the lines get progressively longer as you move through the course and descend down the valley.
Overall, this tour is a great way to experience Kauai’s beauty, exercise, and create memories with friends or family.
Other activities: The tour ends with lunch under a small outdoor pavilion and consists of locally-sourced sandwich meat and everything else needed to make a sandwich. You’ll also get water, chips, and cookies.
Why we love this tour: The unbelievable views you’ll see throughout this tour make it one of our favorite zipline tours. Also, since the groups are relatively small, you only wait for a short time between the ziplines.
And lastly, the tour guides are extremely friendly, fun, and professional, making the tour comfortable and enjoyable.
Cons: The ride to the mountain top where the ziplines are takes about 30 minutes each way and can get bumpy in some spots. The views along the way are excellent though!
What’s included:
- All ziplining gear
- A delicious lunch and cold water
- Free parking
Important Information: Flyers must be at least six years old and weigh between 100-250lbs. Also, children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
3. Koloa Zipline (Koloa)
Operated by: Koloa Zipline in Kauai
Duration: 3.5 hours (approx.)
Koloa Zipline is probably the most popular zipline on this list. On this tour, flyers will soar through the lush valleys and woodlands of the south shore of Kauai across eight ziplines featuring some of the longest lines on the island, including the 1/2-a-mile Waita Zipline.
The tour starts with a safety course and basic instructions on how to use the equipment. Once you have the basics down, you’ll move on to the ziplines.
You’ll get to scream through some of the most beautiful scenery in Kauai with plenty of time to take pictures and admire the views. The land you’ll fly over is about 22,000 acres and was Hawaii’s first sugar plantation. The gorgeous views of Waita Reservoir from the lines are truly breathtaking.
You’ll get opportunities to fly tandem with handlebar pulleys and practice aerobatics throughout the eight ziplines.
Note: Out of all the tours we did, Koloa Ziplines had the most diverse groups of people, from young kids to adults!
Why we love this tour: The scenery is spectacular, and the tour guides are very knowledgeable and entertaining. Justin, Payton, and Derrick were our guides, and they did a fantastic job of making everyone feel safe.
Cons:
- Flyers must check in at the office before driving to the meeting point about half a mile away. The stop added more time to our trip than going directly to the meeting point.
- Flyers must carry their own pulleys, which can be inconvenient. Most tours keep your pulley attached to you. We didn’t like this since we had too much camera gear. However, other people didn’t seem to mind.
What’s included:
- All equipment and gear
- Snacks and beverages
- Free parking
Important information: Flyers must be at least seven years old and not weigh over 280 lbs.
4. Kipu Ranch PowerLine Zipline (Lihue)
Operated by: Outfitters Kauai
Duration: 2.5 hours (approx.)
Kipu Ranch PowerLine Zipline is another adventure tour operated by Outfitters Kauai, one of the best tour companies on the island.
During this tour, you’ll experience three ziplines over Kipu Ranch, a 3,000-acre working cattle farm. This PowerLine Zipline is very similar to the Adrenaline Kauai Zipline mentioned above. The only difference is that the AdrenaLine Kauai Zipline offers a swimming option at a natural lava rock swimming hole. Outside of that, everything else is the same.
Why choose this tour? This option is best for those that do not like swimming in natural water holes. Also, if you want to save 30 minutes, this tour is your best bet since it’s 30 minutes shorter.
Why we love this tour: As mentioned before, the ziplines are a lot of fun! The views are stunning, and we felt safe with the staff’s experience and knowledge.
Cons:
No snacks were provided during our tour. However, this might not be the case during your tour, as snacks are supposed to be included.
What’s included:
- Three ziplines
- All zipline and safety gear
- Bottled water
- Fresh, locally baked cookies
- Free parking
Important information: Flyers must be at least seven years old, 4ft tall, and between 60lbs and 275lbs.
Tips for Ziplining in Kauai
Below are some tips to help you get the most out of your ziplining adventure in Kauai:
- Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. I hope this goes without saying, but many people forget. You’ll be walking on uneven terrain, so you need proper footwear. Also, you want something other than sandals or open-toed shoes for safety reasons.
- Arrive early for your tour. Most companies require you to check in 30 minutes before the tour starts. We made the mistake of arriving late (10 minutes before the start time) on our tour with Koloa Ziplines, and it was pretty stressful thinking we would have to reschedule. Luckily, we made it just in time with 0 minutes to spare! Don’t be that person that makes everyone late.
- Wear sunscreen and bug spray. You’ll be outdoors for most of the tour, so coming prepared is essential.
- Bring a raincoat if rain is in the forecast. Kauai is known for its rain, so bring a waterproof jacket if it’s going to rain during your tour! It rained a lot during our tours, but luckily, we had raincoats.
- Please don’t litter. We all want to leave Kauai better than we found it, so please make sure not to litter during your tour (or any other time)!
- Listen to your guides. They’re there to keep you safe, so please take their instructions seriously.
- Remember to bring a camera or your phone! The views are stunning, and it’s nice to have some photos to remember the experience.
Side note: Going to Kauai and need recommendations on what to do on the north shore? Check out our list of the best things to do in Princeville and Hanalei.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Wear Ziplining in Hawaii?
We recommend wearing hiking outfits. We always wear our hiking clothes and hiking shoes. Long sleeves and pants are usually better than shorts, especially since the harnesses may rub on your legs.
Is Ziplining in Kauai Worth it?
Absolutely! Kauai has some of the best ziplining in the world! The views are stunning, and you experience the island from a different perspective. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!
Is Ziplining Better in Kauai or Maui?
Both islands offer amazing ziplines, but if we had to choose one, we would say Kauai. When it comes to nature and scenery, Kauai is hard to beat. Plus, the unspoiled rainforest settings provide an extra level of adventure that you may prefer over Maui.
What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Zipline?
Kauai is the best Hawaiian Island for ziplining. The island’s lush rainforest, rugged terrain, and stunning views make it a perfect place to enjoy an exhilarating zipline tour. Most of Kauai consists of untouched nature, so you’ll get to experience the beauty of Hawaii from a unique perspective.
Final Thoughts
Kauai has some of the best ziplining tours in Hawaii. If you’re looking for an adventure and want to experience Kauai’s beautiful views from up high, these tours are absolutely perfect! Follow all safety instructions and have an incredible time!
Mahalo for reading our post. Until next time, aloha!
