Hawaii Island Volcano Tour from Hilo

Affordable Hilo Departure Option

Begin your volcanic adventure from charming Hilo, Big Island’s lush eastern gateway surrounded by waterfalls and tropical rainforests. This strategically located tour provides quick access to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park while showcasing the island’s diverse ecosystems. Experience dramatic contrasts between tropical paradise and volcanic moonscapes within short distances.

Activity Price

205 USD

Duration

10.5 Hours

Age

All Ages

Location

Hilo

Amenities

Local Hilo cultural insights and community connections
Strategic location for efficient volcano park access

Special Instruction

From Tropical Hilo to Volcanic Wonderland

Convenient Hilo Starting Point Advantages

Departing from historic Hilo provides strategic advantages for volcano exploration, with shorter travel times to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and opportunities to experience the island’s lush windward side. Hilo’s tropical setting creates dramatic contrasts as you journey from rainforest environments to stark volcanic landscapes within 45 minutes. The town’s rich history and cultural significance add context to your volcanic adventure.

Rainbow Falls and Tropical Integration

Combine volcanic exploration with visits to spectacular Rainbow Falls and other east side waterfalls that showcase Big Island’s incredible geological diversity. These cascading waters demonstrate how volcanic landscapes create ideal conditions for dramatic waterfall formation through erosion and water flow patterns. The integration of tropical and volcanic features provides comprehensive understanding of Big Island’s complex ecosystems.

Local Cultural Connections and Insights

Experience authentic Hawaiian culture through Hilo’s local communities, where residents maintain strong connections to traditional volcanic reverence and modern scientific understanding. Local guides share personal stories and cultural perspectives that mainland-based tours cannot provide, creating deeper appreciation for the relationship between Hawaiian people and their volcanic homeland. These cultural insights enhance your geological education with human context.

Complete East Side Volcano Adventure

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Additional information
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Hawai’i Island Volcano Tour Adventure

The Ultimate Volcano Experience

Tour Overview

  • Duration: 10.5 hours

  • Meeting Point: Pick-up from Hilo hotels

  • Cancellations: 48 hours’ notice required for a full refund; no-shows will incur the full charge

  • Accessibility: Not recommended for individuals with heart or respiratory conditions

Tour Description

Embark on a comprehensive volcano adventure and discover the heart of Hawai’i Island at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. This tour offers an in-depth exploration of the island’s volcanic history, including the dramatic aftermath of the 2018 eruption, which reshaped much of the landscape.

Witness the massive changes in Halema’uma’u Crater, which has nearly doubled in size since the eruption, and observe steam clouds rising from the famous Steam Vents as ground water seeps onto hot volcanic rocks. You’ll also visit Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls, marveling at the beauty of cascading waterfalls in lush rainforest settings.

Enjoy an included lunch, and experience panoramic coastal views at Kealakomo Overlook, where ancient lava flows once met the ocean. Drive along the scenic Chain of Craters Road and explore Nahuku Lava Tube, an ancient underground channel formed by flowing lava.

Tour Highlights

  • Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

  • Halema’uma’u Crater – View the crater from a lookout; witness the significant changes since the 2018 eruption

  • Steam Vents – Observe steam clouds as hot volcanic rock heats ground water

  • Kīlauea Iki Overlook – Stop at this smaller pit crater near the main Kīlauea caldera

  • Chain of Craters Road – Scenic drive with areas covered by lava from the 2018 eruption

  • Kealakomo Overlook – Sweeping coastal views and expansive lava fields

  • Nahuku Lava Tube – Walk through an ancient lava tube surrounded by rainforest

  • Rainbow Falls – A stunning waterfall cascading into a pool, creating magical rainbows in the mist

  • Akaka Falls – A rainforest waterfall surrounded by bamboo, orchids, and hanging ferns

  • Hilo Town – Drive past iconic sites like Banyan Drive and Liliuokalani Gardens

Departure & Return Location

  • Pick-up Location: Round-trip hotel transportation included from convenient locations in Hilo

  • Pick-up Not Available: Kona (If you are staying in Kona, you’ll need to arrange your own transportation to the Hilo area)

  • Pick-up Time: Tour departs 7:30 AM from the first pick-up location

  • Return Time: Approximate return time 6:00 PM

Note: Please confirm your pick-up time and location 24 hours prior by calling 808-833-3000.

What’s Included

  • Round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle

  • Expert live narration throughout the tour

  • Admission to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and Akaka Falls State Park

  • To-go lunch

What’s Not Included

  • Gratuities

  • Personal expenses (e.g., souvenirs)

Itinerary

  1. Akaka Falls

  2. Rainbow Falls

  3. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

    • Halema’uma’u Crater

    • Thurston Lava Tube

    • Steam Vents

  4. Chain of Craters Road

  5. Kealakomo Overlook

  6. Drive through Hilo Town, Banyan Drive, and Liliuokalani Park and Gardens

Tour Highlights

  • Explore Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

  • Marvel at the stunning Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls

  • Visit Halema’uma’u Crater and the Thurston Lava Tube

  • Enjoy a scenic drive along Chain of Craters Road

Check-in Details

Please reconfirm your pick-up time and location by calling 808-833-3000, at least 24 hours prior to the tour.

What to Bring

  • Sturdy, closed-toe shoes for comfort and safety

  • Jacket or long-sleeved shirt for varying weather conditions

  • Camera to capture the stunning sights of the tour

Special Requirements

  • Pick-up not available from Kona. Please arrange for transportation to the Hilo area if staying in Kona.

Restrictions

  • This tour is not recommended for individuals with respiratory or heart conditions due to the presence of volcanic fumes.

Pricing Information

  • Adults (Ages 12+): US$205 (Ages 12–17 must book with an adult 18+)

  • Children (Ages 3-11): US$135 (Must book an adult ticket first)

  • Infants (Ages 2 and under): Free (Must book an adult ticket first. Infant will sit on the adult’s lap)

Cancellation Policy

  • 48 Hours Notice Required: A 48-hour notice prior to the tour departure is required for a full refund. No-shows will incur the full charge.

  • Maui Haleakala Sunrise Tours: These tours require 72 hours advance notice for cancellation.

  • One Day Tours & One Day Tours with Helicopter: A full refund is available if cancellation notice is received up to 168 hours before the airport meeting time.

  • Rebooking: Once a tour is rebooked, no cancellations or refunds will be allowed.

  • External Cancellations (Weather, Force Majeure, etc.): Refunds or partial refunds for cancellations due to factors outside of our control (e.g., weather or force majeure) will not be honored.

  • Inter-Island Airline Flights: Flight schedules are subject to change by the airline. If an alternate flight is available, additional fees will apply, payable at the time of booking. These fees are non-refundable and non-commissionable.

  • Refunds for Extenuating Circumstances: Requests for refunds due to illness or other extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. A valid doctor’s note must be submitted within 5 days for each guest requesting a refund due to illness.

  • Minimum Participants Required: Some tours require a minimum number of participants to operate. If the minimum is not met, guests will either receive a full refund or have the option to rebook to a similar tour, based on availability. Additional costs may apply.

Trip Protection

  • Availability: Trip Protection is only available for bookings made directly through Polynesian Adventure’s website at www.PolyAd.com or by calling our reservations team. It does not apply to third-party or agency bookings.

  • Non-Refundable: Trip Protection must be selected at the time of booking and is non-refundable.

  • Cancellation or Rescheduling: Trip Protection allows cancellation or rescheduling for any reason up to 1 hour before the scheduled pickup time. You will receive a full refund, less the cost of Trip Protection and any applicable processing or booking fees.

  • Once Rescheduled: Once the tour is rescheduled using Trip Protection, it cannot be canceled or refunded again.

Hilo Departure Volcano Tour Information

  • Pick-up is available from Hilo hotels only. Please call 808-833-3000 to confirm your pick-up time and location.

  • We recommend wearing sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bringing a jacket, as temperatures can be cooler in the park.

  • No ID is required unless specifically mentioned during the booking process.

  • Yes, Hilo-based tours offer more authentic local perspectives, shorter travel distances to volcanic attractions, and opportunities to experience traditional Hawaiian communities that maintain strong cultural connections to volcanic landscapes.

  • Absolutely! Hilo offers numerous attractions including farmers markets, botanical gardens, museums, and waterfalls that complement volcano experiences. Many visitors appreciate exploring this historic town’s authentic Hawaiian character.

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