Adventure south and discover Hawaii’s younger, wilder volcanic landscapes:
Spend the day circling the massive slopes of Mauna Loa—Earth’s largest volcano—on your way to Kīlauea, the main highlight of this journey. You’ll travel through coffee country, cross sprawling lava fields, pass rolling ranchlands, and visit a dramatic black sand beach before exploring crater-filled terrain shaped by powerful eruptions. This full-day itinerary follows Kīlauea from summit to shoreline, offering a complete look at the island’s volcanic story.
Times and duration:
This tour operates daily and lasts approximately 8 hours, giving you plenty of time to enjoy each stop without feeling rushed.
Kona Coffee Country:
Your route first leads through renowned Kona coffee country, where some of the world’s most celebrated beans are cultivated on the western slopes of Mauna Loa. As you pass through this region, you’ll see working coffee farms tucked into the hillsides and gain an appreciation for how volcanic soil and climate shape Hawaii’s signature crop.
Punaluʻu Sweet Bread Bakery:
Continuing south, you’ll travel across wide stretches of hardened lava that showcase Mauna Loa’s active past. Along the way, you’ll stop at the well-loved Punaluʻu Sweet Bread Bakery to pick up lunch and, if you like, sample fresh malasadas—pillowy Portuguese-style doughnuts that are a local favorite.
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach:
Next, you’ll visit one of Hawaii’s most famous black sand beaches, where the shoreline is formed from finely ground volcanic rock. Here, you may spot Hawaiian sea turtles resting along the water’s edge, soaking up the warmth of the sun on this striking, charcoal-colored coast.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park:
At Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, home to Kīlauea, you’ll take in sweeping views of the immense summit caldera and other key volcanic features within the park. The landscape offers an unforgettable look at how ongoing eruptions and collapses continue to shape the island.
Kaumana Caves Lava Tube:
You’ll also have a chance to peer inside Kaumana Caves, a lava tube formed by a once-raging flow of molten rock from Mauna Loa. This stop provides an up-close look at the type of underground conduit that plays a crucial role in building and sculpting the Hawaiian Islands.
Saddle Road:
On the return to the west side, the route follows Saddle Road, climbing to nearly 6,800 feet in elevation. As you ascend and descend, you’ll pass through a surprising variety of microclimates—lush rainforest, misty cloud forest, high desert, and open pastureland—showcasing just how diverse the Big Island’s environments can be.
Please note:
This outline reflects a typical itinerary, but stops and timing may be adjusted at the discretion of your guide and based on guest preferences, weather, and local conditions. For the most accurate details, please confirm your specific tour schedule on your travel date.
