Kona Cloud Forest

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Welcome To The

Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary

The Best Kona Cloud Forest Guided Walking Tours!

Please note that reservations are required to visit the Sanctuary

What makes the Sanctuary unique?

This cloud forest, frequently veiled in mist, is an inspiring reforestation effort and a dynamic educational environment offering daily guided tours and wellness experiences.

What is the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary?

Founded in 1982, the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary is an uncommon lush ecosystem situated on the Kona side (the dry side) of Hawai’i island.

What does the Sanctuary offer?

At the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, you’ll discover a variety of offerings focused on cloud forest education and well-being within a vibrant botanical haven. Visitors highly appreciate our informative eco-tours, revitalizing sound bath meditations, engaging workshops, retreats, and a host of other enriching experiences.

A statue covered in lichen at the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary

Our mission is to elevate connection, awareness, restoration and preservation of forest ecosystems.

Experience The Sanctuary

On Hawai’i island, step into an otherworldly experience on the slopes of Hualālai, conveniently located 15 minutes up the mountain from the Kona airport. Allow yourself to feel grounded and rejuvenated by the enchanting beauty of an often mist-laden tropical cloud forest. Whether you come to see the diverse plant life that thrives in this very rare ecosystem, learn about cloud forests and the important role they play, be inspired by an incredible reforestation effort, cool off from the coastal heat, or seek solace in mindfulness practices – we welcome you here at the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary for guided walking tours, sound bath meditations, and more! 

Guided Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary Tours

Join us for an enlightening guided walking tour led by our knowledgeable guides, ensuring an enriched experience. Are you aware that cloud forests represent less than 1% of the world's forested areas? Immerse yourself in the magnificence of this unique Hawaiian tropical montane cloud forest - the only one of its kind worldwide! You will see a remarkable diversity of native, endemic, and worldwide species thriving harmoniously in this exceptionally rare ecosystem. As mist gently drifts through the treetops, our visitors gain insights into the geology, biology, and human impact, along with the sanctuary’s inspiring history. Our natural trails are feathered with surface-level roots and present some short, manageable inclines. Should you have any concerns regarding their compatibility with your physical abilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We look forward to sharing an adventurous and enlightening experience with you!

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Sound Bath & Meditation Journey

Lay down, relax, and let the journey begin! The essence of existence is vibration. A sound bath is an immersive auditory encounter that calms and harmonizes your energetic, emotional, and mental states, bringing them into equilibrium. Achieved through the resonance of harmonic sounds and frequencies produced by crystal bowls, gongs, and other vibrational instruments. You will be gently led through a tranquil meditation accompanied with rejuvenating sounds. Surrounded by the native ohi’a lehua forest, experience the deep state of relaxation that you truly deserve!

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Cloud Forest Cleanse (Sanctuary Tour + Sound Bath)

Come cleanse your body, mind, and soul by treating yourself to a Cloud Forest Cleanse!

Get the full Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary experience including the extended guided trail walk AND the sound bath journey, all in one morning!

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Guided Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary Tours

  • We offer a variety of guided walking experiences to explore the Sanctuary that appeal to the interests and needs of all our visitors.Did you know that cloud forests make up less than 1% of all forested land around the world? Come immerse yourselves in this beautiful Hawaiian tropical montane cloud forest! On your guided tour you will discover trees, ferns, bamboo, flowers, and wildlife that you have never seen before, and learn about the geology, meteorology, biology, and human impact of this unique ecosystem, and the inspiring story of the  Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary. The trails have surface level roots to navigate around and over, and there are some inclines. If you are not sure it will be conducive to your physical limitations, please give us a call. 

Sound Bath & Meditation Journey

Everything is vibration! A sound bath is an immersive sound experience intended to sooth and align your energetic and emotional body, and mind, into balance. This is done by utilizing harmonic sounds and frequencies generated by crystal bowls, gongs, and other vibrational instruments. Surrounded by the native ʻōhiʻa lehua forest, you will be guided through a relaxing meditation and bathed in sound as you allow yourself to fall into the deep state of relaxation that you deserve.

Unique Workshops and Experiences

Are you interested in joining us for a customized workshop with expert guides and facilitators in their field? Such as: guided painting workshops, Forest connection and plant medicine hikes, Educational plant and forest workshops, Group circles and cacao ceremonies, Guided dance and sound journeys, and many others! Check out our calendar to see what upcoming workshops and events we are offering in the Sanctuary!

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What Our Visitors Are Saying

Excellent
Based on 387 reviews
Kevin1256
Kevin1256
2024-02-29
Verified
Highly recommend!!! We did the sound bath. Brook was incredible. Had a ton of knowledge to impart and is very talented with here guided mediation and sound generation.
Thomasclan
Thomasclan
2024-02-26
Verified
Tranquil Forest Hike The cloud forest is one of the most tranquil spot I’ve ever visited. Our guide was amazing and so full of energy. Her knowledge of the local fauna was spot on and the level and depth of conviction really drew our group closer together.
Keri
Keri
2024-02-23
Verified
Big Kahuna at the sanctuary I went to the sound healing meditation, and it was an amazing, other worldly experience. Feeling the cool air on your face as you lie down under the covered gazebo type structure, close your eyes and are brought through a guided meditation - the experience was very healing. I recommend this to everyone, even if you don’t usually meditate!
james w
james w
2024-02-22
Verified
Epic forest experience In short, the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary tour is an absolute must-do. It's not just a walk; it's an experience that feeds your soul and makes you appreciate the incredible beauty of our planet. So, if you're on the Big Island and looking for something truly special, this is it. Trust me, you won't regret it.
gozer87
gozer87
2024-02-10
Verified
Like going to Avatar Completely unique experience. You drive up the mountain into the forest and are transported to a magical primeval place. Our guide, Taryn, had such positive energy and deep love for the forest that I carried a great vibe all day.
Aussiebitz
Aussiebitz
2024-02-07
Verified
Outstanding Our guide Teryn was super knowledgeable, energetic and passionate. Loved our experience. Left feeling with wonder, appreciation and great pictures!
Kelly O
Kelly O
2024-01-28
Verified
Beautiful, unique, meaningful experience! Brooke did an exceptional job as our tour guide! She was able to accomodate a large group of all ages. She was knowledgable, intentional, and engaging. Her energy was so pure, genuine, and exciting! You can tell she - and everyone with the forest - love & respect it immensely! The Kona Cloud Forest family is one-of-a-kind and offers a truly unique, one-of-a-kind experience!
Pervez T
Pervez T
2024-01-24
Verified
An unparalleled walk through the best of the Island. Not to me missed This place is the definition of a hidden gem. I shoot all over the world and have seen the most stunning places on earth, and this easily tops into my top 5 worldwide. The amount of lush untouched and preserved nature, the incredible walk through by our guide Drew felt like going to an inner sanctum of the island . If you visit the Big Island, this should be the first place you see . Truly breathtaking!!
momofstudents
momofstudents
2024-01-24
Verified
Forest Bathing in a Beautiful Sancturay Drew was such an excellent guide - teaching us while drawing out responses to his questions, and providing us with a true "forest bathing" experience in his family's stunning forest. We learned so much and enjoyed how personal the experience was. The bamboo walking poles he lent us were super helpful, and the trees and plants were truly beautiful. It informed the rest of our stay on the Big Island. Definitely 1 of the best things we've done there. Loved the family stories and the way his family has contributed to the world in growing and nurturing these trees and plants.

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Most Common Questions

Preserving the wellness of the forest and ensuring the safety of our visitors is our family’s top priority. Therefore, we only offer guided walks through the Sanctuary. This allows us to preserve the health of the forest, ensure the safety of our guests, and provide you with an authentic and rich experience unlike any other as you adventure through the Sanctuary with your highly trained and educated tour guide!!

We ask that you  wear close-toed  shoes that you will be comfortable hiking in, bring water, a camera to take photos, and a light rain jacket in case of showers. Always be prepared to get wet, in a cloud forest it can rain at any time! And of course, remember your adventure hat!

Yes, Hawaii has a Winter-Dry Tropical Montane Cloud Forest on the leeward side of Hawaii Island, also known as “the Kona side of the island” or “west Hawaii”.
This cloud forest is the only cloud forest in the United States and is a unique ecosystem situated between 2,500 to 5,000 feet elevation on the slopes of Mt. Hualalai.
Cloud forests are very rare to come across and only make up ~1% of all forests around the world.
Historically, the Kona Cloud Forest region has been mismanaged and deforested by ranching, agricultural practices and residential construction.
The Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary is a private Sanctuary situated within the Kona Cloud Forest region. The Sanctuary is a 4 generation family stewarded passion project of reforesting and restoring the damaged and deforested areas of the cloud forest into a dense cloud forest jungle, containing sacred plants and trees to Hawaii as well as sacred plants and trees from all over the world.
It is critical to protect and restore this unique ecosystem as the health and vitality of the Kona Cloud Forest region is fundamental to providing clean water to Kona, protecting the health of the coral reefs, allowing for a thriving coffee and agricultural industry lower on the mountain, and being a home to endemic plants and birds only found in Hawai’i and no where else in the world.
The mission of the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary is to elevate connection, awareness, restoration, and preservation of forest ecosystems.

We offer guided tours everyday of the week! Check out our tour schedule for the most up to date availability.

We ask that you arrive 10 minutes before your experience begins. Late arrivals impact other guests, therefore we always aim to start promptly. If you’re late and we need to start without you, you may be subject to the terms of our ’no show’ policy. Please arrive on time. Mahalo for respecting others and our collective experience together.

Yes people can donate to the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary.

MAUI STRONG FUND

Please donate directly to the Maui Strong Fund to provide immediate support to the people of Maui