Top Big Island of Hawaii Historical Tours

If you are looking for a unique experience on the Big Island of Hawaii, different to the typical sightseeing tours, visit the Hawaiian Islands' only salt farm, which hand harvests Hawaiian salt from the ocean. At the farm's beautiful seven-acre oceanfront site you'll be guided through the salt-making process and learn about the water source and history of the area then sample some of the different salts.

Journey back in time — when ancient, powerful Kings ruled the rugged, fertile land of the Hawaiian Islands — on this 3-hour dinner cruise to Kealakekua Bay. Travel 12 miles down the Kona Coast to the Captain Cook monument. Learn the many secrets of the Big Island as a local historian points out more than 50 points of interest along the way.

Spend a full day exploring Kona. See green sea turtles, learn how Kona coffee is made, and visit archeological sites. Make the most of your time with a varied tour encapsulating Hawaii’s history, natural beauty, wildlife and culinary culture. Stop at white sand beaches, sample locally crafted world-famous coffee and then choose from a variety activities depending your tastes.

If you find yourself scouring Big Island reviews for the best luau in Kona, be sure to check out the Island Breeze luau, located right downtown. This immensely popular Big Island luau features shows from around Polynesia, with performances ranging from Fijian war dances to traditional Hawaiian hula. The night is capped off by the heart-pounding action of the Samoan fire and knife show, and you can feast on a filling Hawaiian buffet that’s paired with an open bar.

Sample a cross-section of outdoor sights on the Big Island during this shore excursion exploring Volcanoes National Park, waterfall, black sand beach and more. Discover the postcard-perfect Rainbow Falls before visiting the amazing volcanic steam vents and unique geology around Kilauea Volcano. Before your day is done, check out an ornamental Japanese garden, snack on treats at a local candy shop, and visit a gorgeous black sand beach. A guide, park entrance fees, and round-trip port transport are included.

Spend a full day exploring the Big Island with visits to waterfalls, beaches, tropical valleys, stunning viewpoints, and so much more. Learn about Kona’s coffee culture with a visit to Greenwell Coffee Farm, for an insider's perspective and to sample the locally cultivated coffee. See Hawaii’s natural beauty at Punalu’u Black Sands Beach, where you can look out for Hawaiian green sea turtles, make multiple stops in Volcanoes National Park, and soak up the beauty of Rainbow Falls all in a day.

Explore the best sights at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island at your own pace with this flexible, self-guided driving tour. See highlights like Thurston Lava Tube, the Chain of Craters Road, Holei Sea Arch and more. Virtual tour guide provides hours of audio commentary that will give you background insights, interesting stories and legends, and even local music, along with turn-by-turn directions and maps, which can all be used offline.

On this tour from Kona to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, experience some of the Big Island’s best sights in a small group capped at 14 people. In addition to stopping at Punalu’u Beach Park to walk down a black-sand beach, you have the chance to sip Kona coffee on the plantation right where it’s grown, as well as hike through a lava tube that was formed by Kilauea volcano.

Embark on an epic adventure on this Volcanoes National Park tour from Hilo. Journey into the largest and most active volcano on earth with your friendly, professional guide, and pay a visit to the Richardson Blacksand Beach. Learn about the incredible landscapes that roll out before you and gain insight into the geological and ecological implications of Mother Nature on this stunning park. See the Akatsuka Orchid Nursery, Rainbow Falls, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory and so much more on this memorable tour that hits so many of Hawaii's hot spots.

Pack in some of Hawaii’s most mesmerizing sights during this Big Island twilight volcano tour. Sample Kona-grown coffee from a local coffee farm, keep an eye out for sea turtles at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, and taste Hawaiian sweet bread at Punalu’u Bakery. Then, explore Volcanoes National Park before ending your experience by stargazing in a secluded location—perfect for taking in views of the night sky.

Discover the gardens, scenic wonders, and tasty treats of Hilo on a half-day group shore excursion. This tour is perfect for travelers who want to see it all, but are short on time. Comfortable transportation takes you from port to the city's most noteworthy natural attractions, including Rainbow Falls, Kilauea Crater and the Steam Vents. Amateur botanists are sure to enjoy visits to the Japanese style Liliuokalani and Atasuka Orchid Gardens.

Spend an evening immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture with this excursion to the Royal Kona Resort Luau. Choose your ideal time for the outing — the luau occurs four nights a week⁠ — then enjoy a shell lei greeting and sip tropical drinks while admiring beautiful views of Kailua Bay. Savor a delicious buffet with traditional island food while watching a Polynesian stage production.

Experience some of the Big Island’s top attractions during this day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the sights around Hilo. Learn all about volcanoes as you marvel at Halema'uma'u crater and explore the massive Kilauea Volcano. Immerse your senses in the beauty of Hilo including a visit to Rainbow Falls and a stop to indulge in local chocolates and island fresh coffee.

You already know about the coffee—now it’s time to dive into Kona’s full culinary scene. The city is a true foodie paradise, from mixing craft cocktails to plating some of the world’s freshest seafood. Follow your guide for a little bit of Hawaiian history, too, adding depth to your deliciously whirlwind 7-stop tour.

Explore the natural wonders, historic sites, and popular attractions of Hawaii's Big Island with this downable self-drive app. Enjoy the flexibility of a self-guided tour, without the hassle of navigating or planning your route, with a live GPS map route and audio commentary. This adventure bundle includes five epic tour routes, covering all corners of the island and including the Volcanoes National Park, the Kohala Coast, the Kona Coast, and the Waipio Valley.

Sample the rich culture and history of Big Island life on this half-day shore excursion. Led by a local guide, make a stop at Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, a historic sanctuary for Hawaiian lawbreakers. Then, admire the three-dimensional paintings inside St. Benedict’s Church, and taste a flavorful cup of island caffeine as you learn how Kona coffee is processed. Complimentary port pickup and drop-off are included with your adventure.

On this exciting full-day Kilauea volcano adventure, scour fields of jet black lava in search of volcanic activity, from steaming vents to gaping volcanic craters. Trek through the Thurston Lava Tube and In addition to the sights in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you’ll also make trips to Rainbow Falls.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is famous for its ever-flowing lava and the planet’s most massive active volcano. This tour journeys to top natural landmarks in and around the park. Visit Rainbow Falls, Richardson black sand beach, Historic Banyan Drive, Liliuokalani Gardens, Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory, Akatsuka Orchid Nursery, and the active volcano of Kilauea. You also get the opportunity to walk through a lava tube.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a blockbuster sight on the Big Island, but reaching the park from the Hilo port on your own can be time consuming. With this driving tour, save hours with port pickup and head straight to the park’s highlights, including the steam vents and Kilauea Caldera overlook. This leaves enough time to visit the Akatsuka Orchid Gardens, Hilo Coffee Mill, and Mauna Loa macadamia farm.

Get away from the crowds with this self-guided audio driving tour of Hawaii’s Big Island. No WiFi needed, this tour plays right from your smartphone, using only GPS to narrate your way. You choose the stops and the speed, customizing your journey as you like. Good for everything from half-day to multi-day adventures, you’ll travel with all the benefits of a knowledgeable guide—with just the press of a button.

Join us under the canopy for a chocolate tasting experience and farm tour. Learn about how cacao is grown and processed and then savor the rich history of chocolate while tasting 10 different single origin bars, all of which originate from different award winning farms around the Hawaiian Archipelago. We will also try fresh cacao juice, roasted cacao beans, cacao tea, and other delectable fruits and treats that are seasonally available around the farm. Through this experience, you'll come to appreciate the incredible diversity of flavor in single origin Hawaiian Craft Chocolate. Similar to the flavor differences found in wine, craft chocolate is a new frontier in the exploration of terroir - or how genetics and location work together to dramatically influence flavor. In the cacao industry, Hawaii is known as the Napa Valley for chocolate. By joining this tour, guests will become part of an exclusive group in a flourishing new industry.

Explore the black-sand beaches and palm-fringed shores of Hilo Bay from the water. Set out on a 2-hour guided kayak tour and paddle your way to quiet coves and hidden waterfalls. Admire magnificent views of Hilo town and Moku Ola (Coconut Island), stop to refuel with water and snacks by the seafront, and cool off with a swim before heading back to Hilo.

Explore the Big Island of Hawaii on a private, guided, full-day adventure. Customize the itinerary to fit into any preferred interests or schedule. Climb aboard a spacious, air-conditioned, 15-passenger van to see the sites from Hilo, Kona, Waikoloa or Kohala. Check out everything from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to waterfalls, botanical gardens or a Kona gourmet coffee tasting. Not sure where to go or what to see? Ask the guide for expert recommendations. A hotel or airport pickup and drop-off are included.