Day Trip to the World’s Most Active Volcanoes
All ages welcome
Duration
1 full day – private tour (approximately 12 hours)
About
Spend a full day face to face with the forces that build and reshape the Island of Hawaiʻi. On this private volcano adventure, you’ll travel from Kona’s coffee-covered slopes to the dramatic landscapes of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, home to the legendary fire goddess Pele and some of the youngest land on Earth.
Along the way, you’ll see how lava has both destroyed and created—black sand beaches, solidified lava lakes, steaming craters, and rugged sea arches—all set against distant views of Mauna Kea’s often snow-dusted summit. This is a deep dive into the story of the island, where creation and erosion are constantly at work.
Tour Highlights
Kealakekua Bay Overlook & Kona Coffee Country
Scenic stop above Kealakekua Bay, with sweeping ocean and coastline views
Drive through the world-famous Kona coffee belt and learn how this region shapes Hawaiʻi’s most iconic brew
Naʻalehu & the Southernmost Bakery in the USA
Visit the charming town of Naʻalehu
Stop at a beloved local bakery widely known as the southernmost in the United States
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
Walk on striking black sand created from ancient lava flows
Watch for Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu), which are frequently seen resting on the shore
Kīlauea Rim Walk & Sulfur Banks
Stroll along sections of the Kīlauea summit area
See sulfur banks and active steam vents, where volcanic gases escape from the ground
Optional Kīlauea Iki Crater Hike
Choose to hike down to Kīlauea Iki, a solidified lava lake from a powerful mid-20th-century eruption
Experience the surreal sensation of walking across a once-molten crater floor (time and conditions permitting)
Chain of Craters Road
Descend through a series of old lava flows toward the coast
Witness how repeated eruptions have paved over the landscape and reshaped the shoreline
Hōlei Sea Arch
View this dramatic natural stone arch carved by relentless surf at the end of Chain of Craters Road
See where lava cliffs meet the Pacific and feel the raw power of land and ocean colliding
What’s Included
Pick-up and drop-off from most hotels in Kailua-Kona
Private, English-speaking volcano guide
Bottled water during the tour
Entrance fees to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
What’s Not Included
Gratuities for your guide (optional but appreciated)
Whenever conditions allow, your guide will also attempt to get you as close as safely possible to areas of current or recent lava activity. Because volcanic conditions change frequently, lava viewing is never guaranteed—please email or contact us in advance for the latest updates.
