Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa Highway, Papaikou, Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
Along the Big Island’s lush Hamakua Coast, the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is a nonprofit, rain forest nature preserve promoting education and ecology. The beautifully maintained living museum hosts thousands of native Hawaiian and international plant species, plus a variety of wildlife including birds, crabs, mongooses, and geckos.
Visitors to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden can take a self-guided walking tour of the grounds past waterfalls and streams, and along a manicured path winding among more than 2,000 species of trees and plants. The 1-mile (1.6 kilometer) loop takes about 90 minutes to complete. The 500-foot (152-meter) scenic boardwalk down to the ocean offers stunning views of the coastline. The garden also offers guided tours for a fee.
The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is a must for plant and nature lovers, and photographers.
Children under 5 are admitted for free.
Guests must register inside the visitor center upon arrival.
The garden is accessible to wheelchair users, though the boardwalk is not. Golf carts to help traverse the garden are available for a fee.
The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is in the Big Island’s Onomea Valley, about 7 miles (11 kilometers) north of Hilo. Take Route 19 to mile marker 7, turn right at the Scenic Route sign, and continue about 2 miles (3.25 kilometers) to the garden. Parking is in front of the visitor center.
The garden is open from 9am to 5pm daily, with last entrance at 4pm. It is closed on July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The Big Island has generally warm, tropical weather year-round with a rainy season in the winter and high tourist traffic in the summer. Off-peak months (April to June and September to November) can be less crowded, with milder temperatures.
About a 10-minute drive south of the botanical garden is the Onomea Tea Company, a certified organic tea plantation overlooking Onomea Bay. The plantation welcomes visitors to its educational tours and classes, which walk you through the tea cultivating, harvesting, and brewing processes—and include delicious tea tastings. Tours, tastings, and classes must be booked in advance.
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