I loved my birding in Hawaii with Mandy. I highly recommend her guided birding tours. Mandy found us the local specialties across the three islands we visited without rushing or stressing over logistics. I appreciate her local knowledge and her ability to put the birds and environment in context. It is encouraging to see the efforts being invested to preserve and improve sensitive Hawaii habitats. Seeing the results, in terms of wild spaces and the birds that thrive there, was a great counterweight to understanding how and why some species will not continue to survive in the wild. I was on the April 10-19, 2023 “Hawaii’s Best Birding Tour: Endemics to Palagics” with a fun group of birders. Thank you, Mandy, for making it a great experience.
Explore the Island of Hawaiʻi’s Windward Side in Search of Endangered Birds Found No Where Else on Earth
Join us on an adventure through a forested oasis in lush native mesic forests amongst vast lava fields, in search of colorful endemic forest birds, before returning to the coast in search of visiting shorebirds and endemic waterbirds. During these gentle walks, you’ll traverse through one of Mauna Kea’s most productive areas for rare and endangered species. What truly sets this tour apart is not just the scenic beauty or the unique birdlife, but your guide’s deep understanding of the nature here. This tour isn’t just a walk in the wild; it’s a chance to learn about the conservation efforts and discover how you can help to ensure Hawaiʻi remains a place to go birding for generations to come. We are Hawaiʻi’s only bird tour operator and our guides are real birders, trained naturalists, and passionate conservationists. We invite you to bird our favorite locations in comfort, no matter what your birding experience.
Why Choose This Tour?
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Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
Group tour: $210 per person plus tax
Private tour: $1,175 plus HI tax for up to 9 people
Meeting points
6:30am at the Hilo Safeway parking lot: 381 E Maka’Ala St, Hilo, HI 96720. Safeway is open 24 hours and the Starbucks inside opens at 5am. (FOR GUESTS STAYING OUTSIDE OF HILO)
6:45am at The SCP Hotel: 126 Banyan Way, Hilo, HI 96720
6:50am at The Grand Naniloa Hotel: 93 Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI 96720
6:55am at The Hilo Hawaiian Hotel: 71 Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI 96720
Availability
Weekly (week days only), throughout the year
Duration
5 hours
Group size
Minimum 4, maximum 8
Included
- Water
- Snacks
- Transportation to and from meeting points in Hilo
- Online checklists
- The use of a walking stick if needed
- The use of our Kowa Spotting Scope if needed for shorebirds, waterbirds, and raptors; as our forest birds are usually moving quickly through the canopy
Not included
- Guide gratuity
- The use of binoculars (Available for rental at an additional cost)
What to bring
- Lightweight long pants
- Lightweight sweater/ fleece
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Sun protection
- Quick dry layered clothing
- Waterproof jacket, and pants if you have them
- Closed-toed, waterproof shoes with good grip and support
- A refillable water bottle
Participation requirements
- This tour involves a 1 mile walk on an uneven gravel tail and short walks in grassy areas along the coast.
- The trail difficulty is not challenging but conditions may be cool, wet and slippery. We will start out birding between 5,000’ and 5,500’ above sea level on Mauna Kea with temperatures between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, in an area that receives over 150” -200” of rainfall per year, before we return to humid coastal areas that can be above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
About your guide
Target Species List
Important Info
Read Why People Love Us
Mandy just dropped us off after a wonderful day of birding in Hakalau on the Big Island. She is a superb birder and guide. Our group was not a high level birding group but she patiently lead us to all but one of the target rare native Hawaiian birds. Her knowledge is extensive about all things Hawaiian – geology, native species, and history. She has traveled extensively to bird watch and brings much knowledge of many bird species into our discussions. Mandy is more than a great guide for bird watching – she covers all the unappreciated things – patience with needed stops, food, any request – all with good humor. She is passionate about Hakalau – a rare corner of Hawaii most people never see. Hurry if you want to see the few remaining beautiful birds on the island
I have birded regularly with Mandy, and she is top-notch. Excellent birder, very personable, and thorough in her preparation. Everything is fully compliant with all permits, insurance and trip details. The pelagic trips from Kona, when combined with some forest birding for the endemic passerines, will build your list and show you the real magic of these islands. Mandy is the Best!
