What it is
CLIMB Works Keana Farms Zipline Tour is a guided zipline experience located on a working agricultural farm on Oahu's North Shore in Kahuku. The tour features eight dual ziplines, meaning guests can ride side-by-side with a companion. The ziplines range in length from 500 feet to nearly half a mile, making them some of the longest and tallest on Oahu.
Beyond just ziplining, the 2.5 to 3-hour experience also includes an ATV ride to the ridgetop, two controlled rappels, three to four sky bridges, and educational components about Hawaiian history, culture, and the working farm itself. Guests will learn about the produce grown on Keana Farms, which produces over a million pounds of crops annually, and may even get to sample some local fruits. The course is designed with an automatic braking system (ZIPKEA) to eliminate the need for hand-braking.
Visitor experience
Travelers choose CLIMB Works Keana Farms for an adventurous and scenic experience that combines thrilling ziplining with cultural and agricultural education. It's a popular choice for families, couples, and adventure seekers looking for panoramic ocean and mountain views of Oahu's North Shore. The side-by-side ziplines allow groups to share the experience together. The tour is lauded for its well-trained guides who focus on safety, fun, and storytelling, enhancing the overall experience. Guests frequently praise the beautiful views and the unique aspect of ziplining over a working farm. The tour is considered a half-day anchor activity.
Logistics
- Area: The activity is located in Kahuku, on Oahu's North Shore.
- Access: CLIMB Works Keana Farms is about an hour's drive from Waikiki. The meeting point requires turning off Kamehameha Highway at a sign that says "ZIPLINE NORTH SHORE" and following a dirt road.
- Reservations: Reservations are highly recommended and can be booked online or by phone, as tours often sell out, especially during holidays and school breaks. Reservations made within 48 hours of the tour are final.
- Timing: The guided tour lasts approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. Guests should check in 30-40 minutes prior to their booked tour start time.
- Parking: Free parking is available on-site.
- Permits: Visitors do not need to acquire permits directly.
- Likely duration: This is a half-day activity.
- Transportation: Roundtrip transportation is available from designated pickup locations in Waikiki and from the Ritz Carlton Turtle Bay on Monday-Saturday as an add-on, but not for package bookings.
- What to wear/bring:
- Closed-toe shoes are required (no sandals, flip-flops, Chacos, or Five Finger shoes).
- Comfortable, athletic clothing is recommended. Avoid short shorts, baggy clothing, dresses, skirts, swimsuits, and loose or dangling jewelry (including long necklaces and hoop earrings).
- Bring a thin rain poncho if rain is in the forecast, as tours operate rain or shine unless there's lightning or thunder.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended.
- Long hair should be tied back.
- Cameras and GoPros are permitted if securely fastened with a strap. Phones are allowed if secured with a lanyard or strap. Lockers are available for small items like car keys and wallets.
- Bring any necessary medications (e.g., inhalers, EpiPens).
Safety and cautions
- Age and Height Requirements: Participants must be at least 5 years old and 42 inches tall.
- Weight Requirements: Guests must weigh under 270 lbs. For those under 5'10" tall, the weight limit is 250 lbs. Everyone is discreetly weighed at check-in.
- Height Maximum: No one over 6'8" can participate.
- Children: Participants ages 5-14 must have an adult on the tour with them. Those under 15 must have an adult on the tour, and those under 18 require a parent/guardian waiver signature. Children under 70 lbs may be required to ride tandem with a guide or sibling for safety.
- Physical Fitness: Participants should be in moderately good health, able to stand for a couple of hours, and comfortable walking about half a mile on uneven terrain.
- Health Conditions: Individuals who are pregnant, have recurring injuries, recent surgeries (within the last 12 months), or have back, neck, joint, or muscular problems are strongly discouraged from participating.
- Fear of Heights: Those with a fear of heights should carefully consider or avoid participation.
- Weather: Tours operate rain or shine, but will not run during thunderstorms, high winds, or heavy rains for safety. In such cases, tours may be rescheduled or partially refunded.
- Loose Items: Unsecured items like phones, keys, and water bottles are not permitted on the ziplines due to safety concerns for those below. Securely fastened cameras are allowed.
- Safety Standards: CLIMB Works Keana Farms uses an automatic braking system (ZIPKEA) and adheres to strict safety protocols, exceeding standards set by the Association for Challenge Course Technology and the American National Standards Institute. The course undergoes daily, annual, and bi-annual inspections.
Editorial take
CLIMB Works Keana Farms Zipline Tour is a highly recommended adventure for visitors to Oahu's North Shore. It's ideal for those seeking an active, exhilarating experience coupled with scenic views and a unique educational insight into local agriculture and Hawaiian culture. Families with children (meeting age/height/weight requirements) will appreciate the side-by-side ziplines and the emphasis on safety. It's an excellent choice for a half-day anchor activity, particularly when combined with other North Shore exploration.
Travelers who should prioritize this activity are those looking for a comprehensive zipline experience that offers more than just the ride, incorporating an ATV tour, rappels, sky bridges, and learning opportunities. It's also well-suited for those who value safety and professional guidance.
Those who should skip it include individuals with significant physical limitations, recent injuries or surgeries, a strong fear of heights, or those who do not meet the strict age, height, and weight requirements. Travelers primarily interested in surfing or purely beach-focused activities might find the inland zipline less appealing unless they are seeking a diverse itinerary.
Do not confuse CLIMB Works Keana Farms with other zipline operators on Oahu, such as Jurassic Valley Zipline at Kualoa Ranch (which focuses on movie backdrops) or Coral Crater Adventure Park (offering a wider range of activities closer to Waikiki). While all offer ziplining, Keana Farms stands out for its unique working farm setting and educational component.
Source notes
- CLIMB Works Keana Farms Official Website: https://www.climbworks.com/
- CLIMB Works Keana Farms FAQs: https://www.climbworks.com/oahu/faq/
- Go Hawaii - CLIMB Works Keana Farms Zipline: https://www.gohawaii.com/things-to-do/oahu/CLIMB-Works-Keana-Farms-Zipline
- Hawaii Activities - CLIMB Works Keana Farms Zipline Tour: https://www.hawaiiactivities.com/en/oahu/north-shore-zipline/14298
- Hawaii Activities - Driving to CLIMB Works at Keana Farms: https://www.hawaiiactivities.com/en/blog/climb-works-keana-farms-review/
- Viator - Oahu's North Shore: 8-Line Zipline Adventure: https://www.viator.com/tours/Kahuku/Oahu-North-Shore-Zipline-Experience/d4722-6316ZIPLINE
- Oahu Zipline Experts - CLIMB Works Keana Farms: https://oahuzipline.com/climb-works-keana-farms
