Zipline or E-Bike in South Kauai: Which Is Better?
4 min read
Our selection for South Kauai has one zipline tour and one e-bike tour, and they suit different people. The Koloa eight-line zipline tour costs €150.89 and has a rating of 5.0/5 from 30 reviews. The Scenic E-Bike Tour of Poipu and Koloa costs €138.95, with 10 reviews so far. Book the zipline for a thrill, the e-bike for history and scenery at a gentle pace.
The two compared
| Tour | Duration | From | Rating | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koloa: Kauai’s Longest 8-Line Zipline Tour | 3 to 3.5 hours | €150.89 | 5.0 from 30 reviews | Not suitable under 7 |
| Scenic E-Bike Tour of Poipu and Koloa | 2.5 hours | €138.95 | 5.0 from 10 reviews | Not suitable under 15 |
The zipline
Koloa Zipline runs eight lines over what the page calls Hawaii’s first sugar plantation, with views of the Haupu mountain range. You can ride upside down, backward or hands-free, and children can ride tandem with an adult. The listing includes the eight lines, snacks and drinks, harness and helmet and a ground school for beginners; gratuities are not included. The meeting point is 1 Mahaulepu Rd in Koloa; the page gives this address as the start, so plan how you get there. Check-in is required at the assigned time, and tours are not held for late guests.
The booking page lists as not suitable: children under 7, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people afraid of heights and people over 280 pounds (127 kg). Closed-toe shoes are required and open-toed shoes are not allowed. The page also notes that mosquitoes are more prevalent on cloudy or rainy days. The description gives about 3 hours and the notes about 3.5, so leave some slack after the tour.
The e-bike tour
The e-bike ride starts early. Check-in is at 7:15 AM and the ride starts at 7:30 AM at 1571 Poipu Rd in Koloa. It covers about 14 to 15 miles (22 to 24 km) with 5 to 6 stops, including Shipwrecks Beach, Koloa Sugar Plantation, a local fruit stand, Prince Kuhio’s Birthplace and Spouting Horn. The bike has a small motor that helps on hills, but you still pedal. The listing includes the bike, a local guide, a helmet and water. Hotel pickup and drop-off also appear in the page’s list, but the page gives 1571 Poipu Rd as the meeting point, so check on the booking page whether pickup is offered before you plan your own way to the start in Koloa. The group is capped at seven.
The page excludes children under 15, people with back problems, people who cannot ride a bike, people under 5 ft 1 in (155 cm) and people over 300 pounds (136 kg). Closed-toe shoes are required.
Who should book which
- Families with children aged 7 to 14: only the zipline accepts them, and only from 7.
- Anyone nervous about heights or with heart or back problems: both pages exclude back problems; the zipline also excludes heart problems and fear of heights.
- Early risers who want the island before the traffic: the e-bike, with its 7:30 AM start.
- Short riders: the e-bike page sets a height minimum of 155 cm.
Both pages list free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start. More active options are on the things to do on Kauai page, and the waterfall, kayak and hiking tours cover the wetter side of the island.
Our recommendation
Most visitors who want an adrenaline half-day should choose the zipline tour. Choose the e-bike tour if you want a guided look at Poipu and Koloa and are 15 or older.
