Overview
Spend a full day exploring the best of Hilo and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on a relaxed, fully guided small-group adventure. This 8-hour experience blends scenic coastal drives, waterfalls, lava landscapes, local treats, and time for shopping—led by a knowledgeable guide with over 15 years of Hilo touring experience.
Duration
8 hours
Meeting Point
We pick you up in Hilo – convenient pickup from Hilo Harbor, Hilo Airport, or Hilo Target parking lot.
Group Size
Up to 14 guests
Activity Details
This guided Big Island volcano tour is designed to maximize what you see in one unforgettable day. Your guide will handle all driving while you sit back and enjoy the changing scenery—from oceanfront surf spots and jungle valleys to steaming craters and ancient lava fields.
You’ll cruise along Hilo’s lush coastline, keeping an eye out for sea turtles and native nēnē geese, then head mauka (uphill) toward Volcano Village and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Along the way, you’ll visit waterfalls, sample local treats, stroll through a lava tube, stand at a crater overlook, and end the day with a photo stop at a black sand beach. There’s also built-in time for shopping at local markets and specialty stores so you can bring home a taste of the island.
What’s Included
Round-trip transportation from select Hilo locations
Guided sightseeing throughout Hilo and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Multiple scenic and photo stops (waterfalls, crater viewpoints, lava fields, black sand beach)
Itinerary
(Pace and exact timing may vary to give you the best experience on the day of your tour.)
Pick-Up – Hilo Harbor / Hilo Airport / Hilo Target
Your day begins with pickup at your selected Hilo meeting point. Settle into the vehicle as your guide introduces the day’s route and shares local insight about Hilo and the Big Island.
Honoliʻi Beach & Coastal Scenic Drive
Head north along the coast to one of Hilo’s favorite surf spots. Your guide will carefully drive down a narrow road overlooking Honoliʻi, pointing out surfers riding the waves below. As you continue, you’ll cross historic bridges, pass jungle-lined gulches, and see multiple waterfalls while learning about local plants, history, and even Big Island real estate.
Rainbow Falls
Stop at the famous Rainbow Falls, where you’ll have time to take photos and admire this dramatic cascade framed by tropical greenery. Under the right conditions, you may notice a rainbow forming in the mist—an optical illusion that makes this spot especially memorable. Nearby, there’s often a chance to grab fresh coconut or a Dole Whip-style soft serve if the vendor is open.
Volcano Village
Travel up the slopes toward Volcano Village, enjoying island music and stories along the way. Keep an eye out for wild pigs in the area. Once in the village, you’ll have time to:
Browse a locally focused gift shop for Hawaiʻi-made items
Pick up food to go at the general store before heading into the park
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Next, you’ll enter Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the crown jewel of the Big Island’s natural attractions. Highlights may include:
Crater Overlook – Take in sweeping views while your guide explains local plants, geology, and Hawaiian legends tied to the volcano.
Steam Vents – See how your guide can make the steam visibly billow and learn what’s happening beneath the surface.
Volcano House – Enjoy the view from this historic lodge and browse the gift shop.
Chain of Craters Road & Lava Fields – Drive through stands of ʻōhiʻa trees and emerge into a stark lava landscape. Your guide will point out “peacock” lava textures, show you where a fissure opened in the earth, and help you capture great photos.
Lava Tube Walk – Walk through a natural lava tube and experience firsthand how molten rock once flowed beneath the ground.
Macadamia Nut Farm
After the park, enjoy a scenic 35-minute drive, complete with Hawaiian music, to a macadamia nut farm. Here you can:
Sample different macadamia nut flavors
Taste local chocolate
Shop for gifts and snacks to take home
Big Island Candies
Next, visit Big Island Candies, where you can watch chocolate and cookies being made behind glass. Sample some of Hawaiʻi’s most beloved treats and pick up beautifully packaged gifts or souvenirs.
Liliʻuokalani Gardens & Ice Pond Area
Your guide will then drive past the Ice Pond area and into Liliʻuokalani Gardens, a tranquil Japanese-style garden on Hilo Bay. This is a great spot to look for fish, turtles, and native nēnē geese as you enjoy the peaceful landscape.
Downtown Hilo Farmers Market
In historic downtown Hilo, you’ll have time to explore the local market and nearby shops. Browse:
Handmade crafts and Hawaiʻi-made goods
Jewelry and Aloha wear
Fresh island fruit and other local products
Black Sand Beach & Brackish Ponds
Finish your day with a drive through an area known for its brackish ponds, home to fish, turtles, and birdlife. You’ll stop at a black sand beach—an ideal final photo opportunity and a fitting end to a day focused on the Big Island’s natural beauty.
After this stop, you’ll be returned to your original pick-up location, wrapping up a full day of Hilo sightseeing and volcano exploration.
