Big Island Volcano and Waterfalls Tour
Best of the Big Island!
Experience two of our most requested destinations on the Big Island volcano and waterfalls tour. You don’t want to miss this adventure! Beautiful lush rainforest, towering waterfalls, and stunning active volcanoes; this tour takes you to both these spectacular destinations on this full day adventure. Our most popular customization is now offered as one of our standard tours! Visit the waterfalls of the North Hilo coast and then venture down to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in the afternoon.
We offer two versions of this tour, a Full Day adventure leaving at 10am that spends at more time exploring North Hilo coast and additional waterfalls, and a Half Day adventure leaving at 1pm. Both versions stay till dark to see the active eruption at Kilauea!
Tour Highlights
On this best of the Big Island adventure, visit these amazing destinations:
- Rainbow Falls, Wailuku River State Park
- Pe’epe’e Falls (Boiling Pots) – Full Day Tour
- Akaka Falls State Park – Full Day Tour
- Onomea Scenic Route – Full Day Tour
- Lunch in historic downtown Hilo – Full Day Tour
- Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
- Guided interpretation throughout the day as you learn all about the natural wonders, endemic wildlife, and rich cultural history.
- Enjoy a sit-down dinner in the town of Volcano just outside Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Starting at $1445 for up to 4 Guests
$195 per Additional Guest (up to 7 total)
Full Tour Details:
8-12 Hour Tour Time
Itinerary:
Full Day Adventure Start Time: 10:00AM
Half Day Adventure Start Time: 1:00PM
- Travel over Saddle Road between two of the largest volcanoes on Earth, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, to the lush east coast of the Big Island. Snow caps the summits of these two stunning volcanoes.
- Visit iconic Wailuku River State Park and take in the majestic beauty of Rainbow Falls. A rainbow often forms in the waterfall’s mist in the early morning hours. Rainbow Falls cascades over a cave that legend states is the home of the goddess Hina, mother of the demigod Maui.
- Enjoy the lush rainforest and rugged coastline as you cruise along Onomea’s scenic route. This is the most famous scenic road on the Big Island, and you’ll enjoy beautiful views as the drive unfolds. Stop for photos and views at beautiful waterfalls along the way. (Full Day Tour)
- Take a guided walk through Akaka Falls State Park. Not only will your naturalist tell you all about the rich botanical life found throughout the park but you’ll have the opportunity to view 2 spectacular waterfalls. Akaka Falls, which cascades 442-feet down a vertical cliff face carpeted in vibrant green, is truly an incredible site to behold on a waterfall tour of Big Island Hawaii. (Full Day Tour)
- After working up an appetite, stop at a local restaurant for a delicious locally sourced lunch. (Full Day Tour)
- Continue to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, this iconic park encompasses the summit of two of the world’s most active volcanoes and extends from sea level up to the summit of Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet. It’s home to critically endangered wildlife and some of the most unique geological, biological and cultural landscapes on earth.
- Upon entering the park, enjoy a walk along the rim Halema‘uma‘u Crater for unique views of the current eruption. Collapses at Halema’uma’u in 2018 nearly doubled the crater’s size. The crater is the legendary home of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes.
- See the natural steam vents at Wahinekapu Steaming Bluff. Here, heated groundwater escapes from cracks in the earth as steam.
- Experience the massive Thurston lava tube which is 600 feet long and over 20 feet tall in some places.
- Additional stops in the Park can include: Ha’akulamanu sulphur banks, Maunaulu lava field, Pauahi crater, Holei sea arch, Pu’uloa petroglyph field. These fascinating locations are fun to explore in your Big Island volcano and waterfalls tour.
- At sunset, hike out to the best lava viewing location along the rim of Halema’uma’u crater to witness the active eruption as the sun goes down and gets dark.
- Sit and relax, and enjoy a meal with locally sourced ingredients and Hawaiian infused cuisine dinner in the town of Volcano before departing back to your place of lodging feeling happy, full and filled with exciting new memories.
What’s Included
Tour Inclusions
- Admission into all venues and parks
- Pick up and drop off at place of lodging
- 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 for easy accessibility while traveling.
Food & Drink
We offer different food and beverage options depending on tour start times:
- Lunch along the Hilo coastline
- Snacks: trail mix, fruit snacks, Clif bars, beef jerky, chips, chocolate
- Dinner: Sit, relax, and enjoy a meal sourced with local ingredients and Hawaiian infused cuisine at a local restaurant just outside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
- All non-alcoholic beverages: water, juice, soda, hot tea, coffee and hot chocolate
- Snacks: trail mix, fruit snacks, Clif bars, beef jerky, chips, chocolate
- Dinner: Enjoy a sit down dinner in the town of Volcano just outside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- All non-alcoholic beverages: water, juice, soda, hot tea, coffee and hot chocolate
Tour Gear
- Patagonia rain jacket and puff
- Nikon Prostaff binocular
- Headlamps
- Reusable water bottle
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Comfortable walking/hiking shoes
- Camera
- Warm layers: At the start of the tour you can expect temperatures of 75-85 Fahrenheit during the day and drop to the mid 50’s Fahrenheit in the evening.
- Tours can be adapted to accommodate all ages and abilities. Please let us know at the time of booking if you have specific needs.
- Assuming no modifications to this tour, guests should be able to walk at least 1-2 miles with some steps included.
- Guests must be able to walk on uneven or rocky terrain and we may encounter cool, wet, or muddy conditions.
Customizing Your Tour
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 star gazing, enjoy more time at our private waterfall location, or enjoy an extended guided hike, we’re here to make this experience memorable and most importantly – ALL ABOUT YOU!