The commercial tour company arranges the permit for their customers. Guests of residents have their permits arranged by their sponsor. Reservations are required for commercial tours of the settlement, mule rides on the trail, and air flights. Visitors are encouraged to make these reservations in advance. The National Park Service does not offer any regularly scheduled interpretive programs or activities because of the restricted nature of visitation to the park, and because tours are offered through a commercial service.
Available opportunities are different for visitors on a commercial tour and for guests of residents.
Visitors on tours can visit Kalaupapa and Kalawao. Guests of residents can swim and snorkel, fish, picnic, and walk through Kalaupapa settlement unescorted. Whales can often be seen from November to March. Migratory birds from Alaska are present during the winter months.