Duration:
This full-day experience lasts approximately 12 hours.
About:
Your journey begins as you head south into the famous Kona coffee region, where your first stop is Bay View Farm—a 24-acre working coffee estate perched on the slopes of Mauna Loa overlooking the sparkling waters of Kealakekua Bay. Known for producing some of the finest 100% Kona coffee since 1984, the farm gives you an up-close look at how coffee is grown, harvested, and roasted right on-site. You’ll walk among the coffee trees, learn each step of the process, and enjoy fresh Kona coffee from a scenic overlook with remarkable views of the bay and the Captain Cook monument—the only piece of British territory in the United States.
From there, the tour continues through the South Kona and Kaʻū districts, where sweeping windows reveal a landscape shifting between dramatic lava fields and stretches of native dry forest. A brief stop at Punaluʻu Bake Shop—the southernmost bakery in America—lets you sample or purchase their iconic Hawaiian sweetbread, pastries, and cookies that locals have loved for decades.
A short drive later brings you to stunning Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach. With coconut palms lining the shoreline and jet-black volcanic sand underfoot, it’s a remarkable place to stroll, take photos, and look for honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) resting along the shore or feeding just offshore.
Next, you’ll journey to the crown jewel of the island—Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Inside the park, you’ll visit several significant sites including the Kīlauea Visitor Center, the Volcano Art Center, and the colorful Sulphur Banks. A guided walk to Keanakakoʻi Crater brings you to an area dramatically reshaped by the 2018 eruption, where cracked roads, sinkholes, and faulted surfaces reveal the volcano’s recent activity.
From there, you’ll continue to Mauna Ulu—one of the most culturally meaningful and visually fascinating areas in the park. The landscape here is unlike anything else on Earth; unusual textures, twisted lava formations, and striking colors create endless photo opportunities and reveal just how dynamic this volcano has been.
Before returning, you’ll stop at historic Volcano House, a lodge that has hosted travelers—including Mark Twain and Jack London—since 1864. Enjoy the panoramic views of Kīlauea’s summit or browse the gift shop for locally inspired souvenirs.
Throughout the day, both lunch and dinner are included, allowing you to relax and take in the Big Island’s coffee country, black sand shores, and volcanic landscapes without worrying about meals or planning.
