Duration:
Plan for a full-day experience of about 12 hours.
About:
Your journey begins as you head south into the heart of Kona coffee country, with your first stop at Bay View Farm, a 24-acre working coffee estate perched on the slopes of Mauna Loa above the turquoise waters of Kealakekua Bay. Known for producing some of the island’s best 100% Kona coffee since 1984, the farm gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how coffee goes from cherry to cup. You’ll walk among the coffee trees, learn each step of the growing, harvesting, and roasting process, and then enjoy fresh Kona coffee at a scenic overlook with sweeping views of the bay and the Captain Cook monument—the only piece of British soil in the United States.
From there, the adventure continues through the South Kona and Kaʻū districts. As you ride, the view outside your large picture windows shifts between stark, otherworldly lava fields and pockets of native dry forest, showcasing the Big Island’s dramatic contrasts. A brief stop at Punaluʻu Bake Shop—the southernmost bakery in America—gives you a chance to sample or purchase their famous Hawaiian sweet bread, pastries, and cookies that locals have loved for decades.
Soon after, you arrive at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, one of the island’s most iconic shorelines. Fringed with tall coconut palms and carpeted in jet-black volcanic sand, it’s a striking place to stretch your legs, take photos, and look for honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) feeding in the shallows or resting along the shore.
Next, you make your way to the crown jewel of the Big Island: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Inside the park, you’ll visit key sites such as Kīlauea Visitor Center, the Volcano Art Center, and the colorful Sulphur Banks. A guided walk to Keanakakoʻi Crater brings you face-to-face with the aftermath of the historic 2018 eruption—where collapsed pavement, sinkholes, and cracked roadways tell the story of the volcano’s recent upheaval. From there, you continue on to Mauna Ulu, one of the park’s most culturally significant and visually unique areas. Here, photo opportunities are everywhere: twisted lava formations, unusual textures, and subtle shifts in color reveal something new each time you look closer.
You’ll also stop at Volcano House, a historic lodge that has welcomed guests—including figures like Mark Twain and Jack London—since the 19th century. Take a moment to enjoy the views over Kīlauea’s summit or browse the gift shop for locally inspired souvenirs. Throughout the day, both lunch and dinner are included, so you can focus on soaking in the scenery, history, and geology of the Big Island’s legendary Kona coffee region, black sand coast, and active volcano landscapes.
