Hilo Shore Excursion: Waterfalls, Volcanoes,
Black Sand Beaches

Step off your ship in Hilo and into a private Big Island experience built around volcanoes, waterfalls, coastal scenery, and the flexible pace cruise guests need. This private Hilo shore excursion is designed for travelers arriving by cruise ship or private boat who want a more personal alternative to a large bus tour. With a naturalist guide leading the way, you can explore lava landscapes, visit lush waterfall viewpoints, and stop at a black sand beach in Hilo’s remarkable east-side setting.

This tour is built around your time in port, your interests, and the kind of day you want to have on Hawaiʻi Island. Instead of following a rigid group itinerary, your party travels privately with a guide who can help shape the route around volcano scenery, waterfall stops, coastal views, photography time, or a more relaxed pace. For cruise and boat guests arriving in Hilo, that privacy matters: you can spend less time waiting on a crowd and more time experiencing the places that brought you to the Big Island.

This private Hilo shore excursion combines some of the island’s most memorable natural settings into one flexible day. It is ideal if you want the essentials of a Hilo volcano tour without feeling rushed through each stop.

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park shore excursion experience: Explore the volcanic story of Hawaiʻi Island with a guide who can explain lava formations, craters, steam features, native ecosystems, and the changing nature of the landscape.
• Rainbow Falls tour stop: Visit one of Hilo’s signature waterfall viewpoints, where morning light and mist may create rainbow colors when conditions cooperate.
• Richardsons black sand beach: See a dramatic shoreline shaped by lava and ocean energy, with time to appreciate the texture, color, and setting of the beach.
• Private pacing: Pause longer where your group is most interested, whether that means photography, nature interpretation, a quiet overlook, or an easier walking pace.
• Naturalist insight: Learn what you are seeing instead of simply passing by it, from rainforest plants to volcanic processes and coastal wildlife habitat.

The benefit is simple: you get a curated Big Island shore day that feels personal, informative, and responsive, rather than a one-size-fits-all transfer between crowded stops.

Starting at $1095, with private group rates as low as $223 per person (based on eleven guests)

Note: Volcanic activity is a natural phenomenon and varies daily. Our guides monitor the latest National Park Service updates to lead you to the safest and most spectacular viewing locations available at the time of your tour.

Your itinerary can be shaped around the day’s timing, weather, accessibility needs, and your group’s preferences.

• Start your Hilo shore excursion with convenient pick up directly from the boat! We permitted to enter the Port facilities and will pick you up directly from the Hilo cruise ship terminal.
• Start your day with a short drive to Richardsons Beach Park. This unique destination offers a rare black sand beach, formed by volcanic activity. Richardson’s is one of the best spots in Hilo to see the Hawaiian green sea turtles resting on the warm rocks. The beach also offers panoramic view of Mauna Kea on the clear days, this is a must-see for anyone exploring Hawaii beaches!
• Take a short drive through historic downtown Hilo while your naturalist tour guide tells you about the rich history and culture of this area.
• Our next stop will be at the Wailuku River State Park to see both Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots. Rainbow Falls, called Waianueanue Falls in Hawaiian, received its name by a rainbow created by the morning sunlight in the mist of the Falls. Boiling Pots, called Pe’epe’e Falls in Hawaiian, is a lesser visited location in Wailuku River State Park but equally worth the stop. While at these two locations, learn about the legend of great battle that took place here between the demi-god Maui and Mo’o Kuna.
• Next, we will venture over to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes National Park is not only home to the world’s most active volcano, Kīlauea, and the world’s largest volcano, Mauna Loa! The Park is also home to critically endangered wildlife and some of the most unique geological formations on Earth!
• We will begin our adventure in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park at the top of Kilauea overlooking Halema’uma’u crater. Not only will you be standing at the edge of the world’s most active volcano but you will also learn about the vast changes that have happened here after the 2018 eruption!
• Next, we will continue to the Wahinekapu steaming bluffs to feel the hot steam seeping out of the ground. Here ground water percolates down to rocks that are heated by the underground lava and is released back to the surface as steam. You can stand in front of the vents and feel how hot the stream is!
• After, we will then venture down to the Thurston lava tube, or Nahuku in Hawaiian. Here, your guide will talk you on a short walk through the native forests and into the lava tube talking about the different plants, animals, and lava tube formations. The Thurston lava tube is over 500 years old, 600ft long, and over 25ft in diameter in some places!
• Enjoy an included picnic lunch at one of our various stops inside Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
• Additionally, we may have more time to explore another location inside the Volcanoes National Park that can include but are not limited to: Kilauea Iki, Devastation trail, Ha’akulamanu sulphur vents, Waldron Ledge, upper portions of Chain of Craters Road, and Kipukapuaulu bird trail.
• Following your Hilo shore excursion, we will return you back to the cruise ship terminal filled with exciting new memories!

Your itinerary can be shaped around the day’s timing, weather, accessibility needs, and your group’s preferences. A classic route may include the rainforest side of Hilo, a guided stop at Rainbow Falls, time in or around Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and a coastal visit to a black sand beach Hilo visitors often hope to see. Exact stops can vary, which allows the day to stay practical and enjoyable for cruise schedules.

At Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, your guide can help interpret the scale of the volcanic landscape: how lava has built the island, why the terrain changes so quickly, and what makes this national park such a powerful place to visit. At waterfall viewpoints, the focus shifts to rainfall, lush vegetation, and the water systems that define windward Hawaiʻi. Along the coast, you can see how lava and surf meet, creating a shoreline that looks and feels different from a typical sandy beach.

This tour is centered on a private guided experience for guests arriving in Hilo by ship or boat.

• A private tour format for your group only
• A custom-tailored itinerary based on interests, port timing, and conditions
• A naturalist guide who provides nature-focused interpretation throughout the day
• Volcano, waterfall, rainforest, and coastal themes in one shore excursion
• Opportunities for scenic photos, short viewpoint stops, and relaxed exploration
• A more personal alternative to large-group cruise excursions

This makes the tour especially useful for travelers who want to understand what they are seeing. Rather than just checking off places, you can connect each stop to the island’s living landscape.

• Admission into all Parks and venues
• Pickup and drop-off at the Hilo Cruise Ship Terminal
• Fully guided naturalist tour with educational materials and commentary provided by our top of the line tour guides
• Complementary Photo package: 20-25 professional, edited photos shared via Adobe Cloud or iCloud for easy accessibility while traveling

• Lunch: Enjoy a picnic style lunch surrounded by the beauty of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
• Snacks: trail mix, fruit snacks, granola bars, beef jerky, chips, chocolate
• All non-alcoholic beverages: water, juice, soda, hot tea, coffee and hot chocolate

• Patagonia rain jacket and Nano puff
• Nikon ProStaff 7s binoculars
• Black Diamond Hiking Poles
• Flashlight
• Umbrella

Where does the Hilo shore excursion begin and end?

It begins with direct pickup at the Hilo cruise ship terminal and ends there after the tour.

Is lava or volcanic activity guaranteed during the tour?

No. Volcanic activity is natural and changes daily. Our guides check the latest National Park Service updates and choose the safest, best viewpoints available at the time of your tour.

What major stops are included on the plan?

The tour includes Richardsons Beach Park, historic downtown Hilo, Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots in Wailuku River State Park, and key areas within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park such as Kilauea Overlook, Halema’uma’u crater, Wahinekapu Steaming Bluffs, and the Thurston Lava Tube. If time allows, we may also explore more park stops.

What food, drinks, and gear are provided?

The tour includes a picnic lunch, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks. Guests also use of Patagonia jackets, Nikon ProStaff 7s binoculars, Black Diamond hiking poles, flashlights, and umbrellas.

Can the tour be customized for different interests or abilities?

Yes. After booking, a guide will contact you to discuss custom options, such as more time at the waterfalls or an extended guided hike. The tour can fit all ages and abilities, but please share any specific needs when you book.

Upon booking your tour, one of our guides will contact you to discuss custom options we have available for your tour. Whether you’d like to spend more time exploring Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, enjoying the waterfall locations, or enjoy an extended guided hike, we’re here to make this experience memorable and most importantly – ALL ABOUT YOU!

We look forward to taking you on an amazing adventure!