Hawaii: Surf, Snorkel, and Service

Students fly into and out of Kona International Airport (KOA). Rustic Pathways provides arrival and departure time windows, and Program Leaders meet students at the airport.

Students traveling on passports not issued by the United States are responsible for confirming any visa or entry requirements that apply to them.

Use our flight finder below to find the right dates and search for your flights.

Included: Lodging (all 7 nights), all meals, all airport transfers and ground transport, all activities, excursions, and entrance fees, 24/7 staff support.
Not included: Airfare to/from Hawaii not included, travel insurance, personal spending money ($150–200).

Yes. Payment plans are available for all families, and Rustic Pathways offers both need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Explore scholarships and financial aid →

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

The enrollment fee is a one-time $200 fee that covers enrollment processing, pre-departure advising, and trip planning. The fee is fully refundable within 24 hours of enrolling and becomes non-refundable after that. If Rustic Pathways cancels the program, the enrollment fee is refunded in full.

We know some things are outside anyone’s control. If your family faces a serious documented emergency, contact us; we review these situations individually and will do what we reasonably can to help.

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a verified 4.37:1 student-to-staff ratio, better than our 7:1 promise. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and every program includes at least one leader with 3 or more years of field experience. Program Leaders range in age from 22 to 45.

Yes. Bunk-style rooms are gender-separated. Students share bathrooms, kitchens, and communal spaces at the ranch property.

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Yes. Students have access to cell service at some point each day. Families can also contact Rustic Pathways via the 24/7 emergency line at any time.

Families receive daily photo updates through the My Rustic portal throughout the week.

Students are encouraged to disconnect and stay present with the group. There is NO Wi-Fi on this program. Students will have cell service daily but device use during activities is not permitted.

This program is for students ages 14–18. Groups are small (typically 12–16 students) to allow close supervision during ocean activities and to create a tight-knit group experience.

Yes. International students enroll and fly independently into Kona International Airport (KOA). After enrollment, the team helps families plan flights matching the arrival and departure windows. International students must confirm any U.S. entry and visa requirements based on their citizenship.

Both are common. Many students travel solo and quickly connect with the group through ice-breakers on Day 1. Others come with friends or siblings.

Students stay in a hostel booked exclusively for the Rustic Pathways travel group. Students sleep in bunk beds in gender-seperated rooms. Rustic Pathways Program Leaders stay on-site to provide 24/7 supervision.

Roommate requests are considered. Final rooming decisions are made by staff for safety and group balance.

This itinerary reflects what we intend to deliver, and we work hard to make that happen. Since programs operate in real-world conditions, activities may change due to weather, health and safety factors, transportation, site availability, or local circumstances.

If plans need to change, our team will use its judgment to adjust the schedule while prioritizing student safety and preserving the program’s purpose and quality.

The program is structured and fully supervised. Any free time is limited, age-appropriate, and staff-managed. Ocean activities are supervised by qualified instructors and Program Leaders at all times.

We can usually accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other common dietary requirements or allergies with advance notice. Please include details on the medical form so staff can prepare. Meals are prepared at the ranch with some packed lunches for outings. Students will try local Hawaiian dishes, and one highlight is a farm-to-table meal they help prepare. Tap water in Hawaii is safe to drink.

We recommend approximately $150 per week for souvenirs and incidentals. Hawaii uses USD — no currency exchange needed. The packing list recommends about $200 for souvenirs and personal spending.

Hawaii is a U.S. domestic destination. U.S. students do not need a visa. International students must confirm any entry requirements and visa needs for travel to the United States. Staff help coordinate arrival at Kona International Airport (KOA).

Homesickness can be common over the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well prepared. Read how Rustic Pathways combats homesickness →

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families to provide appropriate support. Share any relevant information during enrollment so staff can prepare. Learn about Rustic Pathways’ approach to inclusion →