MOUNTAIN VIEW SIGHTSEEING TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Explorers Hale: A Rainforest Jungalow Base for Off‑the‑Beaten‑Path Big Island Adventures
A cozy, sustainably minded jungalow in a Hawaiian forest that pairs outdoor rainforest showers and a shared homestead kitchen with locally guided tours and easy access to Volcanoes National Park.
Explorers Hale: A Rainforest Jungalow Base for Off‑the‑Beaten‑Path Big Island Adventures.
Set into a lush Hawaiian forest, Explorers Hale is a rustic, jungle‑themed jungalow offering a queen bed, an open traditional Hawaiian bathroom with an outdoor rainforest shower, and a covered lanai — a compact stay designed to put you inside the island’s wet‑forest rhythms while keeping modern comforts like strong Wi‑Fi and grid power close at hand.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Rainforest jungalow with open Hawaiian bathing
A compact cabin with one queen bed, private full bathroom in traditional open Hawaiian style and an outdoor rainforest shower. The cabin is updated for comfort — USB plugs at the nightstand, a mini fridge, propane heater and a covered lanai — while the property maintains lower energy use than average households.
Locally guided, off‑the‑beaten‑path tours
Operator‑run tours range from sunrise trips and visits to geothermal ponds to hikes that end at waterfalls; the property’s channel features videos of these tours and nightly soundscapes so you can preview the experience.
Rainwater catchment and on‑site produce
The site runs on a 10,000‑gallon rainwater catchment that is kept full, and the one‑acre property homesteads fruits and herbs — lilikoi, bananas, papayas, pineapple, figs, strawberries and more — with four cabins clustered alongside owners and groundskeepers (and onsite dogs, cats and chickens).
What the day feels like
What a stay feels like
Days at Explorers Hale move between simple cabin comforts and outdoor exploration: mornings can begin with a guided sunrise or a drive to a geothermal pond, afternoons are for beach gear or nearby hikes, and evenings bring rainforest chorus—coquí frogs—and the option of an outdoor hot shower followed by nightfall on the lanai.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this stay suits — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Expect chilly nights at elevation and a rainy winter season — pack light layers, a raincoat and rain boots. For beach days bring swimsuits; the property also supplies surfboards, boogie boards, snorkel gear and beach towels.
Cabins include a mini fridge, propane heater and USB plugs; there is strong Wi‑Fi and grid power, a shared kitchen with washer/dryer, and rainforest showers fed by a 10,000‑gallon catchment.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What are the check‑in and check‑out times?
Check‑in is at 3:00 PM and check‑out is at 12:00 PM.
How many guests can sleep at Explorers Hale?
Each cabin has one queen bed; the hosts have another listing to combine two cabins for a total capacity of up to four people.
Is Wi‑Fi available and is there electricity?
Yes — the property has strong Wi‑Fi and grid power.
Are vehicles available for rent and how much do they cost?
The hosts offer a 2017 4WD Toyota Tacoma and a 2018 BMW X1 for rent via Turo with airport delivery; these vehicles run about $90 per day.
Are tours included and where can I learn more?
Tours are local, operator‑run offerings (sunrises, geothermal ponds, waterfall hikes and other off‑the‑beaten‑path trips); the operator posts videos and shorts under Bathing Suits and Rain Boots on YouTube to preview tours and property sounds.
Is hot water available for the outdoor showers?
Yes — the property uses a 10,000‑gallon rainwater catchment and offers rainforest showers with hot water.
Are there extra services like massages?
Rainforest massages are available on site starting at $100 for an hour.