Hawaii Adventure

Enroll Now

Hawaii Adventure

Destination

Hawaii

Current Grades

8th-10th

length

18 Days

view dates and prices
Airports

Arrive: Kona, HI (KOA)
Depart: Kona, HI (KOA)

Surfing, snorkeling, sailing, and hiking up volcanoes—the most epic outdoor activities you can do on our Hawai’i summer program! We will explore from the top of the Big Island’s parched volcanoes down to its lucious rainforests. We’ll swim with manta rays, exotic fish, and sea turtles, and we’ll learn how to help protect Hawaii’s fragile reef ecosystems. We will work with locals and give back to their communities with various service projects aimed at learning about the region’s ecology and connecting with community members. We’ll hike to thundering waterfalls and get up close and personal with wild dolphins!

Overview Image
Play Button

Itinerary

DAY 1-3: SNORKEL AND LEARN REEF ECOLOGY IN KAHALU’U BAY

This is a favorite among our teen adventure programs, so we’ll start this trip in Kahalu’u Bay! Here we will discuss reef ecology with marine biologists and study different types of coral and exotic fish, along with reef etiquette to help protect the fragile ecosystems in the bay. This Hawai’i summer trip will include swimming and snorkeling alongside large populations of brightly colored marine life (parrotfish, peacock bass, eels, goatfish, and more) in Kahalu’u Beach Park. The water is shallow, allowing the sunlight to reach all the way to the floor and creating incredibly abundant coral and sea-life. Hawaiian sea turtles are known to frequent the area, so keep an eye out for them!

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 4-6: SURF THE KONA COAST AND NIGHT SNORKEL WITH MANTA RAYS

You can’t visit Hawai’i without learning how to surf! Throughout our trip, we’ll have three different days of professional surf instruction on the Kona coast, back at Kahalu’u Beach Park. This area is extremely well-suited for beginner surfers: A barrier rock wall shelters the cove, keeping the waves gentle. During our time on the coast, we’ll spend the afternoons relaxing on the white sands of the nearby Hapuna Beach, regularly voted one of the best beaches in the world. One night will be dedicated to a Kona specialty: snorkeling with manta rays! These gentle rays do not have sharp teeth or tail stingers, and we’ll get to float above and with them as they feed on plankton and glide in the lit-up water below. This is sure to be a huge highlight of the trip.

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 7: SAIL THE KOHALA COAST

It’s time to harness the tradewinds for a day on the Kohala Coast. On this part of our program, we’ll learn how to sail a catamaran and cover topics like safety at sea, knot-tying, trimming sails, and more! Students love gliding atop the water they have been exploring underneath! As we sail, we’re likely to cruise alongside spinner and bottlenose dolphins and maybe even false killer whales! We’ll take snorkeling breaks, joining the sea turtles for a swim in the cool Pacific waters. The stony coral colonies here are part of a semi-contiguous system, making it one of the longest reefs in Hawai’i.

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 8-9: HIKE IN HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Put on your hiking shoes and get ready to explore Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, home to the famous Kilauea and Mauna Loa, for two days. Kilauea, meaning “much spreading,” is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and we’ll get up close and personal with a hike around the Halemaʻumaʻu Crater! According to Hawaiian mythology, Halemaʻumaʻu is the home to Pele, goddess of fire, lightning, wind, and volcanoes. Because of Kilauea’s continuous activity, the nearby landscape is largely barren, with a few endemic species thriving. This designated International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site is always a crowd pleaser for our groups!

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 10: HIKE TO GREEN SANDS BEACH

Officially known as Papakōlea Beach, Green Sand Beach is a beautiful secluded beach on the southern tip of the Big Island that we will have the pleasure of hiking to. Part of the base of Mauna Loa, the bright green olivine crystals covering the beach were formed during an eruption about 49,000 years ago. Olivine is a Hawaiian mineral found in its volcanoes’ lava. After a meadowland hike down to this geologic oddity, we’ll explore the walls around the beach and admire the gorgeous teal water.

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 11-13: HIKE TO WATERFALLS AND EXPLORE HILO

The historic town of Hilo brings many more adventures! Over two days, we’ll hike to the 80-foot-tall, 100-foot-wide Rainbow Falls, officially known as Waianuenue. On sunny days, dazzling rainbows dance around the area as the water plunges over a lava cave and into the river below. To top off our trip to Hilo, we’ll explore a lava cave system north of town!

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 14: ZIPLINE OVER UMAUMA RIVER AND EXPLORE AKAKA FALLS

You may have to pinch yourself to make sure you aren’t dreaming as you zipline over 14 rushing waterfalls, suspension bridges, and treetops. We will see beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the top of Mauna Kea and a view of a 100 foot waterfall! We will also cross a 200 foot suspension bridge that will take us 100 feet over a water filled lava tube! We will come down from the exhilaration of ziplining by hiking to see a view of 422 foot Akaka Falls. We will meander through the lush rainforest filled with wild orchids, bamboo groves and draping ferns to reach this magnificent view.

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 15-18: SERVICE LEARNING

Get ready to learn about Hawaiian culture, native plants and invasive species as we dive into the community service portion of our program. We’ll camp with local families on their farms, and engage in projects like rehabilitating banana and macadamia nut trees, learning more about sustainable agriculture and how the local community utilizes abundant native species in the region. In addition, we’ll also volunteer at the local market garden and food hub while learning about sustainable Hawaiian farming practices. We will participate in a vetiver class, and if time allows we’ll also work to help eradicate damaging invasive species. Students love this portion of the program to learn more about their surroundings and connect with local families that Bold Earth has long standing relationships with. We are welcomed into local’s homes and are treated like family. We are so thankful for our partners in Hawaii who are able to expose us to Hawaiian culture and teach us more about the beautiful island we spend so much time exploring!

Accommodation: Camping

*Listed above is Bold Earth’s intended itinerary for this trip. All itineraries are subject to change in order to provide the best possible program quality.

Dates and Prices

Departure 1
  • Departure Day
    06/30/24
  • Return Day
    07/17/24
  • Grade
    8–10
  • Price
    $6,088
  • Availability
    Limited
Departure 1
  • Departure Day
    07/21/24
  • Return Day
    08/07/24
  • Grade
    8–10
  • Price
    $6,088
  • Availability
    Limited
Departure Day Return Day Grade Price Availability
06/30/24
07/17/24
8–10
$6,088
limited
07/21/24
08/07/24
8–10
$6,088
limited

Accommodations & Service

Community Service: Approximately 8 Hours
  • Hilo Coast: Environmental project, where we remove an invasive species from a wilderness area.
  • Waipio Valley: Help the local elderly population with various projects in the community.
Accommodations:
  • 17 nights of camping. All campgrounds are designated campgrounds with access to bathrooms. Bold Earth will provide comfortable 3-person tents.

Activities

Community service: 8 hours

Sailing

Snorkeling

Hiking

Surfing

Reviews

Nancy S, parent from Phoenix, AZ

I HIGHLY recommend this program. From the amazing leaders, the great kids in his group and the challenges they faced, I can without a doubt say that Andrew came back a different kid! His self awareness and connection with others has greatly improved! I am beyond proud of him and can’t wait for his next adventure with Bold Earth!

Parker, student from Durham, NC

Bold Earth gave me lots of opportunities to grow. I made so many new friends, learned new things, and became a better person overall. Doing a beach clean up made was amazing for the community and made us all feel accomplished.

Lily, student from Atlanta, GA

Bold Earth is such a special experience where I formed so many genuine memories and connections at, wouldn’t have wanted to be spending my summer doing anything else.

Polly W, parent from Scottsdale, AZ

Bold Earth was a great experience. Jordan was pushed out of her comfort zone and excelled and grew. 

Michelle S, parent from Maplewood, NJ

Our daughters have been talking about their trip and how amazing it was since they arrived home. We would definitely recommend Bold Earth to other families. 

Gately, student from Hudson, OH

Bold Earth pushed me out of my comfort zone. It introduced me to a new place and culture, as well as people I never would have met if I hadn’t gone on this trip. Spending time with everyone and doing life-changing activities with them was amazing. This was an experience I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

Sunn C, parent from Moraga, CA

Philip’s trip leaders were super friendly, and my son totally trusted them. He had all of the fun that I wish I’d had when I was young. He wants to do another trip with the same trip leaders next year! 

Kyle K, parent from Avondale, PA

I loved that kids had no phones! Kyle bonded with those kids in ways that he’s never bonded with ANYONE. I honestly think that this was because of your no-electronics policy! Kyle talks so highly of his trip leaders. They seemed like great, fun people that could be friends and responsible trip
leaders at the same time.

Steph, student from Pelham, NY

My favorite parts of the trip were the connections and memories I made with every single person in my group. I really enjoyed the hike into the Wai-pio and Waimanu valleys.

Katherine, student from Montclair, NJ

I loved the experiences Bold Earth enabled me to have in Hawaii that were unique and unlike that of typical tourists. I especially loved the day at Green Sand Beach, the hiking, and sunset and sunrise atop Mauna Kea. All while doing so, I had the opportunity to break out of my shell and create close bonds with the fellow students, creating countless memories full of laughter and  smiles.

Sam, student from Baltimore, MD

I loved getting to see and experience the amazing wildlife, like sea turtles, eagle rays, dolphins, fish, and so many more. I made great friends who I’ll keep in touch with.

Helen B, parent from Los Angeles, CA

Families should absolutely send their children [to Bold Earth]. They also need to prepare their hearts because the child they sent will not be the same the person upon return; we received a young adult whose eyes were opened to the endless potential of life and opportunities that await him.