Itinerary
The hike is composed of ‘A‘ā lava fields & hills, boulder fields, & jungle. A‘ā lava is very jagged. Some sections are flatter and easy to walk while others are more rugged. There are several sections where you must ascend & descend a small hill of solid lava rock. There's always a good place to put your feet or hands, and the lava is stable, so it's relatively safe. In terms of difficulty, it's a level below scrambling. I don't recommend this hike for children under 8 or anyone with a disability. If you bring children under 8, you'll have to be hands-on with them. Plenty of people who are out of shape have successfully completed the hike.
The tide pool is formed from a basin of ‘A‘ā lava rock. While it's full much of the time, sometimes it's 50% or 25% full. Almost always there's an area to submerge yourself. Rarely, the tide pool levels are too low or the conditions too rough for swimming. When this occurs, there's still plenty to explore at the pool.
Some information about me: My name is Josh: I'm 32; I moved to Big Island in 2018; I graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in philosophy; I live off-grid in an Ohia forest.
Stop At:
• Hilo, Hilo, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
• Pahoa, Pahoa, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
See Availability.
Kahakai Park, Pāhoa, HI 96778, USA
2 hours 30 minutes(approx.)
Returns to original departure point
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Hiking shoes are the most ideal option for the hike because they tend to have better traction on lava rocks than athletic shoes/hiking sandals. However, many people wear athletic shoes/hiking sandals and do fine. Other people wear them and wish they had gone with hiking shoes. See the "what to expect" section for more information about the terrain.
Wear "water shoes" at the tide pool. I don't recommend flip flops. The ideal shoe is one that has sturdy soles and good traction on wet rocks, although many people wear less than ideal shoes and do fine.
Bring a bathing suit and towel. Most people wear their bathing suit on the hike because there are no bathrooms at the pool.
Some people bring snorkeling gear or goggles.
Apply sunscreen before the hike so it doesn't get in the water. You don't need bug spray because there are hardly any bugs or mosquitoes.
Some people bring their own first aid kit because I do not provide one.
Feel free to bring food to the pool, although most people eat at a restaurant afterwards.
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Posted By : annemariel985
The tide pool and views were amazing! Water was not too cold and crystal clear. Description of the experience is 100% accurate. We were alone on the hike and in the tide pool. Josh was personable, friendly, and professional. He sent a text the day before with explicit instructions, and he was there waiting for us at the designated spot(which was easy to find) We also had his cell phone number to contact him if any questions came up. It was absolutely worth it!!!
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Posted On : 2024-05-19
Posted By : Qianye_Z
This is a real wild exploration experience that you can meet the true environment of Big Island. The trial is not able to find on a map but local people may know. Climbing up and down on lava rocks is challenging and exciting. Josh is a very experienced tour guide and excellent hiker can always bring you to the secret pool safely.
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Posted On : 2024-04-26
Posted By : Lorenzo_C
This experience was absolutely amazing! Josh is a super chill guy and knew the area extremely well so we all felt very safe in his hands! The hike was moderate, you just want to make sure you take one step at a time and you are golden! The views were spectacular and well worth the trek!! Thank you Josh for showing us this!
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Posted On : 2024-04-12
Posted By : tanyabH3010LH
Amazing romantic getaway - do not miss this one out. But do pay attention to the instructions for you will need both good hiking shoes and sturdy water ones :)
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Posted On : 2024-04-02
Posted By : Devon_B
There are some mixed reviews so hopefully this helps…My family and I are in pretty good physical shape, I did have my two children, 5/7 with us.
Josh is nice enough, he is quiet and not your “tour guide” type personality which is why I think people were uncomfortable with the location.
We followed him in our car to a remote location, parked on the side of the road and got out to start walking through plants/woods towards the water.
At first sight the views are gorgeous BUT what is not explained by (I learned on a real tour the next day) the volcanic rock is A HA. Sharp, unstable, high peaks and ridges that with one wrong move or loss of balance you (or your children) could easily break your neck or take a life changing fall.
We only hiked about 50ft through this rock and refused to go any further because we saw our kids lives flashing in front of us…don't get me wrong, they were climbing like champs but it was WAY too close to 20-30 ft cliff falls that could kill someone. Not to mention I doubt this tour is properly insured incase of death
This excursion is ideal for young adventure seeking adults 20/30/40 who are well aware they are putting their lives in danger NOT FAMILIES!!
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Posted On : 2024-03-31
Posted By : Andrea B
Family with teens - Would very much recommend this tour. It’s different than any tour we have ever done. Josh was an awesome guide, he was knowledgeable about the area and did great with our 3 teens. I would take the hiking boot/shoes recommendation into consideration especially if you already own a pair. We wore sneakers and it was definitely doable, however sturdy shoes with good traction and adequate coverage would make it potentially easier at times.
Very cool, kids loved it and did awesome with the hike.
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Posted On : 2024-03-26
Posted By : Aussiebitz
There is no doubt that the tide pool is a gorgeous spot. Josh is a nice guy but is not running a professional business. He basically takes you on walk and charges $100 per person. You DO have to have sturdy shoes for this hike. You absolutely MUST have water shoes to navigate the water in the tide pool. Josh takes you on this private lane, when we left there were three notes on our card asking us to respect the private road and their homeowners. Also if you do cut your hand or toe, Josh does not carry anything on him as far as first aid. Glad I saw the spot and I wish Josh good luck in the future. The walking tour business is unfortunately not one of his strengths.
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Posted On : 2024-03-15
Posted By : Regina_D
The pools themselves are glorious and magical. Also potentially dangerous. I’m sure there are times of year when that cliffside walk is more treacherous. Wear good hiking shoes and bring water shoes for the pools. Respect and appreciate the fact that the hike requires walking across private property. That privilege can be revoked at any time. Be good.
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Posted On : 2024-03-08
Posted By : Lydia_H
Absolutely incredible. Crystal Clear water, exciting “fireworks” display of crashing waves. And the weather Gods shined down on us. Thanks Josh.
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Posted On : 2024-03-08
Posted By : DAVE_M
The hike was a short jaunt, first through a forest of walking palms, then out onto the rugged coast. **Wear hiking boots or water shoes - the lava is sharp and unstable - definitely not tevas/sandals!! I’ve seen other reviews saying there was climbing involved. Hey, I’m 61 and no gym rat, and it was fine. Don’t get intimidated and miss out!
The spot is a secluded tidal pool where the waves will crash all around you. (If you are thinking that this will be like “The Blue Lagoon”, it’s not. This is a full-on exposed tidal pool, 3 to 6 feet deep - no shade.)
Josh was our guide - nice guy, and truly loves the place - just a chill dude taking like-minded folks to a nice spot he found. We were there for a little over an hour just watching the waves crash against the lava walls. On the way out, he took us by the 2014 lava flow.
Take water and snacks/food, eco-friendly sunscreen, hat, and waterproof camera or case for your phone.
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Posted On : 2024-03-03
