Where your canyon adventure meets Maui’s most beautiful garden.
The Garden of Eden Arboretum is more than a beautiful stop along the Road to Hana. It is also the gateway to the private rainforest canyon where Rappel Maui’s waterfall rappelling tours take place.
Visitors come to explore tropical gardens, walking trails and views of Maui’s rainforest, ocean and waterfalls. Rappel Maui guests get to experience another side of this setting by leaving the traditional walking paths behind and entering the canyon for a guided waterfall rappelling adventure.
Whether you are researching the Garden of Eden Maui for your Road to Hana trip or coming specifically for Rappel Maui, this is a place where Maui’s gardens, rainforest and waterfalls come together.
Welcome to the Garden of Eden Arboretum
This botanical paradise on the Hana Highway was created and developed by arborist and landscape designer Alan Bradbury.
What began in the early 1990s as a restoration project has grown into a thriving collection of hundreds of labeled plant species, winding rainforest trails and some of the island’s most vibrant natural landscapes.
Today, the Garden of Eden Arboretum also serves as the gateway to the secluded section of Puohokamoa Stream where our rappelling tours take place — the place we lovingly refer to as our playground.
The property receives no state or federal funding. Your visit helps support the Garden’s dedicated team, conservation efforts and plant donations to local schools.
Planning to explore the botanical gardens and walking trails before or after your Rappel Maui adventure? Visit the official Garden of Eden Arboretum website for current admission information, hours and visitor details.
Where Is the Garden of Eden Arboretum?
The Garden of Eden Arboretum is located at 10600 Hana Highway in Haiku along Maui’s famous Road to Hana. The entrance is between mile markers 10 and 11.
Its location makes the Garden a convenient stop for visitors exploring the Hana Highway. Instead of simply viewing the rainforest through your car window, you can get out and spend time exploring the tropical setting on foot.
Rappel Maui guests also meet at the Garden of Eden Arboretum before beginning their adventure.
Rappel Maui at the Garden of Eden
Some visitors come to the Garden of Eden Arboretum to explore the gardens and walking trails. Rappel Maui guests come for a very different experience.
Our guided tours take guests beyond the traditional Garden visit and into a private rainforest canyon for waterfall and cliff rappelling.
Using ropes, a harness and specialized equipment, you’ll learn how to rappel down jungle cliffs and waterfalls with the guidance of experienced Rappel Maui guides.
Never rappelled before? That’s okay. Many of our guests are first-time rappellers, and no previous rappelling or climbing experience is necessary.
Instead of seeing Maui’s rainforest and waterfalls only from a trail or overlook, you’ll experience the landscape from inside the canyon.
A Quick Note About the Garden
Your rappelling tour includes access to our canyon — not general admission to the arboretum grounds.
If you’d like to explore the botanical trails before or after your tour, the Garden of Eden Arboretum charges a separate entrance fee, paid directly at the gate.
Arriving Early But Not Exploring?
Keep left at the entrance and relax near Savor Maui until check-in time.
Savor Maui: Local Flavors, Big Heart
Located right at the entrance and exit of the Garden of Eden Arboretum, Savor Maui is a cozy rainforest-side food truck known for handcrafted lemonades, bright island-style mocktails, house-made sourdough sandwiches, vegan-friendly options, and fresh local treats like banana bread and mochi cakes. They also serve Kona coffee, making it the perfect stop before or after your tour.
There’s plenty of covered seating, and the whole setup feels charming, relaxed, and very Maui.
Rappel Maui guests receive a special discount.
The Garden Gallery
A charming shop nestled in the rainforest, filled with locally made art, photography, ceramics, jewelry, and island-crafted gifts. It’s the perfect place to browse airplane-friendly pieces from Maui artisans — and you might even be greeted by the resident peacocks on your way in.
The Garden Gallery sits adjacent to the parking area and serves as the meeting point where your guides will greet you before the rappelling tour.
You’ll also find Rappel Maui merch here, including hats, tees, sun shirts, and more.
Waterfalls and Walking Trails at the Garden of Eden
Visitors searching for Maui waterfall hiking may be interested in the Garden of Eden because it offers maintained walking paths through a tropical rainforest setting.
The Garden has about 2.5 miles of walking trails. Visitors can explore tropical plants and trees while enjoying scenic views of the surrounding valleys, ocean and Puohokamoa Falls.
These are maintained Garden paths rather than a backcountry waterfall hike. That makes the experience different from many hiking trails found elsewhere along the Hana Highway.
Visitors can view Puohokamoa Falls from designated areas within the Garden, but general Garden admission does not provide access to the waterfall or pool for swimming.
For visitors who want to go beyond viewing the waterfall, Rappel Maui offers a very different experience.
From Waterfall Hiking to Waterfall Rappelling
Many visitors begin their Maui vacation planning by searching for waterfalls. They may look for Maui waterfall hiking, waterfall walks or places to see Maui waterfalls along the Road to Hana.
But hiking to a waterfall and rappelling down one are two very different experiences.
A waterfall hike usually takes you along a trail to a waterfall or scenic viewpoint. Waterfall rappelling puts you into the landscape itself.
With Rappel Maui, you’ll learn to use ropes and specialized equipment to descend jungle cliffs and waterfalls during a guided adventure.
You don’t have to choose between enjoying the Garden and having an adventure. Walking the Garden of Eden’s trails lets you enjoy the tropical plants, views and peaceful surroundings. Rappelling takes you beyond the traditional walking experience and into the rainforest canyon.
If you’re searching for Maui waterfall hiking but want something more adventurous, Maui waterfall rappelling may be the experience you didn’t know to look for.
Puohokamoa
The Stream That Shapes Our Playground
Puohokamoa Stream originates high on the northern slopes of Haleakalā at roughly 5,600 feet, flowing through dense rainforest before making its way to the ocean. Along its path, the stream carved the cliffs, pools and waterfalls that make up our private rappelling playground.
In the section where we operate, Puohokamoa formed two stunning waterfalls. The upper falls — the tallest and most secluded — cannot be seen or accessed unless you’re on our guided rappelling tour.
The one we call bottom falls can also be viewed from designated lookouts within the Garden of Eden Arboretum.
On calm-water days, you’ll descend right through the mist of these falls. When the stream rises, your guides lead you along beautiful alternate jungle cliffs, each offering a fresh, tucked-away look at this hidden natural feature.
We’re deeply grateful to use, care for and share this ʻāina in partnership with the Garden of Eden — and to introduce guests to the beauty and power of Puohokamoa Stream in a respectful, low-impact way.
A Rainforest Playground, Preserved and Protected
Between the gardens above and the hidden valley below, this corner of Maui truly is our playground...
and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Can I Visit the Garden of Eden and Rappel on the Same Day?
Yes. If you would like to explore the Garden of Eden Arboretum as well as take a Rappel Maui tour, you can plan both experiences for the same day.
Keep in mind that general admission to the Garden is separate from your Rappel Maui tour. If you want to explore the Garden’s walking trails, plants and viewpoints, allow enough time before or after your rappelling experience.
Because the Garden of Eden is located along the Road to Hana, you can also make Rappel Maui part of a larger Hana Highway day.
Just be careful not to pack too much into your schedule. The Road to Hana is winding, and traffic, weather and sightseeing stops can affect driving times.
Rappel Maui guests should arrive at the activity site before their scheduled tour. Check your reservation information and our directions page for current check-in instructions before you leave your accommodations.
Garden of Eden Arboretum FAQs
Is the Garden of Eden Arboretum on the Road to Hana?
Yes. The Garden of Eden Arboretum is located at 10600 Hana Highway in Haiku, between mile markers 10 and 11 along the Road to Hana.
Is Rappel Maui located at the Garden of Eden Arboretum?
Yes. Rappel Maui guests meet at the Garden of Eden Arboretum before heading into the private rainforest canyon where the waterfall and cliff rappelling experience takes place.
Is waterfall rappelling the same as waterfall hiking?
No. Waterfall hiking generally involves walking a trail to reach or view a waterfall. Waterfall rappelling involves using ropes and specialized equipment to descend cliffs and waterfalls.
Do I need rappelling experience?
No previous rappelling or climbing experience is necessary for most guests. Rappel Maui guides provide instruction and the specialized equipment needed for the experience. Be sure to review the current participation requirements before booking.
Do Rappel Maui guests automatically receive admission to the Garden?
No. Your Rappel Maui tour includes access to the private canyon used for the rappelling experience. General admission to explore the Garden of Eden Arboretum is separate and is paid directly to the Garden.
Can I explore the Road to Hana after my Rappel Maui tour?
Yes. Because Rappel Maui is located along the Hana Highway, many visitors can continue exploring the Road to Hana after their tour. How much you can comfortably include will depend on your tour time, driving conditions and other planned stops.
For current Garden of Eden Arboretum hours, admission information and general visitor details,
please visit the official Garden of Eden website.
Experience the Garden of Eden in a Different Way
The Garden of Eden Arboretum gives Road to Hana visitors a chance to leave the car behind and explore Maui’s tropical landscape on foot.
The Garden of Eden Arboretum gives Road to Hana visitors a chance to leave the car behind and explore Maui’s tropical landscape on foot.
Rappel Maui gives you the opportunity to take that experience one step further.
Instead of only viewing the rainforest and waterfalls, you’ll enter the canyon and experience them through a guided Maui waterfall rappelling adventure.
If you’re already planning a stop at the Garden of Eden Maui — or simply looking for an unforgettable adventure along the Road to Hana — you may discover that the most memorable view of the waterfall isn’t necessarily from the overlook.