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 verdant 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!
Ultimate Hawaii
Enroll NowUltimate Hawaii
Destination
Hawaii
Current Grades
10th-12th
Airports
Arrive: Kona, HI (KOA)
Depart: Kona, HI (KOA)
Itinerary
DAY 1-3: 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 4: 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
Dates and Prices
-
Departure Day
06/30/24
-
Return Day
07/17/24
-
Grade
10–12
-
Price
$6,088
-
Availability
Limited
-
Departure Day
07/21/24
-
Return Day
08/07/24
-
Grade
10–12
-
Price
$6,088
-
Availability
Limited
Departure Day | Return Day | Grade | Price | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|
06/30/24
|
07/17/24
|
10–12
|
$6,088
|
limited
|
07/21/24
|
08/07/24
|
10–12
|
$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
Hiking
Sailing
Surfing
Ziplining
Snorkeling
Reviews
I just loved my community. I couldn’t have asked for a better group to share such amazing experiences with. Bold Earth has got everything right.
We have been huge fans and advocates of Bold Earth for years. For our older daughter I feel the experience was life-changing and super positive. Overall, it has been great.
My son had a wonderful time in Hawaii; he saw spectacular scenery, was engaged in all dimensions, enjoyed the cohort of kids, and loved snorkeling, sailing, and all the activities.
The coolest thing was when we went to Mauna Kea and looked at the stars in our sleeping bags. Bold Earth was an amazing experience, and I got to try things I never would have otherwise.
I had a lot of favorite parts: surfing, snorkeling, riding the catamaran with the dolphins, stargazing, Waimanu Valley, the lava tubes, Rainbow Falls… I enjoyed pretty much everything! It’s such a cool experience to do stuff that you can’t with your family.
Bold Earth has fabulous leaders, and this trip was in a great location where my daughter made good friends. The trip leaders handled all issues very responsibly. Alex and Casey were a ton of fun, according to Jillian. They never failed to keep Jillian entertained and were very good listeners. They were always trying new things and getting out of their comfort zones. It’s the experience of a lifetime.
[Bold Earth is] the ultimate experience for a teen to challenge them in a safe, positive environment, gain confidence and leadership skills, all the while living in the present moment (which is sorely lacking in our digital world), learning new skills, growing an appreciation for the environment, helping local communities, and developing deep and positive relationships.
I would describe [Bold Earth] as a once in a lifetime opportunity. I can’t imagine doing such fun activities without this kind of organization. The connections you make are just so amazing and it’s one hundred percent worth it!