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Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History
Recommended by 98% of travelersBig Island of Hawaii, USA
- 11 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The Big Island of Hawaii has a diverse ecosystem unlike anywhere else on the planet, and on this day-long nature tour, experience the beauty of its black-sand beaches, thundering waterfalls, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If you’re lucky, find Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on the coast. Since the tour only requires a moderate amount of walking, it's an educational adventure for travelers of all ages, with snacks and refreshments included.
- A tour of Hawaii’s biggest island highlighting its natural wonders
- Visit the most dramatic waterfalls on the island, Akaka and Rainbow Falls
- Lunch included for an added convenience
- Group size is limited to 12 people to ensure a quality experience
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
A small group limited to 12 makes this a more personalized way to see the best of the Big Island.
What's Included
- Small Group Tour Lead by a Professional Guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
IMPORTANT: If you are staying on the Island of Oahu or Maui, please DO NOT book this tour. This tour is TOO LONG for a day trip from the neighboring islands. This tour only pick up from major hotels and resorts in Kona and Kohala Coast areas of the Big Island of Hawaii. We don't pick up or drop off at Kona Airport. We also pick up at the following locations: Yoga Barre at Queens' Marketplace (69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738) Foodland Farms at The Shops at Mauna Lani ( 1330 Mauna Lani Dr, Waimea, HI 96743 ) The supplier will send you a confirmation email with the exact pickup location and time. Please call the supplier if you didn't receive an email.
Start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
Opening hours
- 1/1/2024 - 12/31/2024
Monday - Sunday : 06:30 AM - 08:00 AM
- 1/1/2025 - 12/31/2025
Monday - Sunday : 06:30 AM - 08:00 AM
What To Expect
This full day adventure of the Big Island of Hawaii begins on the Kona coast, where you’re picked up from your Kona or Kohala hotel, and driven north on a scenic journey past historic Parker Ranch—which has operated as one of the largest ranches in America since 1847.
As you pass through the ranching town of Waimea, watch as the landscape changes from pastures to green, tropical rainforest, as sweeping views of the Hamakua Coast start creeping into view. During a stop at Waipio Valley lookout, marvel at the way the vertical cliffs seem to explode from the green valley floor and hear the tales of how King Kamehameha was raised in this valley as a child. The adventure continues as you wind your way down the Hamakua Coast, past roadside towns with singsong names until you reach Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls.
Make your way back toward sea level at Punalu’u Beach, where you’ll take a stroll on a black-sand beach and search for Hawaiian green sea turtles. Head next to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, before rounding the southern tip of the island, the southernmost point in America. Look out for Kealakekua Bay, the spot where Captain Cook was killed in a skirmish with Native Hawaiians.
Stop at a Kona coffee farm to learn about the coffee growing process and walk through a lava tube.
Finally, your tour finishes back in Kona with a drop off at your hotel, where you’ve earned the right to plop on the bed and relax after the full day adventure.
Please note: Depending on weather conditions, your tour may operate in reverse order.
As you pass through the ranching town of Waimea, watch as the landscape changes from pastures to green, tropical rainforest, as sweeping views of the Hamakua Coast start creeping into view. During a stop at Waipio Valley lookout, marvel at the way the vertical cliffs seem to explode from the green valley floor and hear the tales of how King Kamehameha was raised in this valley as a child. The adventure continues as you wind your way down the Hamakua Coast, past roadside towns with singsong names until you reach Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls.
Make your way back toward sea level at Punalu’u Beach, where you’ll take a stroll on a black-sand beach and search for Hawaiian green sea turtles. Head next to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, before rounding the southern tip of the island, the southernmost point in America. Look out for Kealakekua Bay, the spot where Captain Cook was killed in a skirmish with Native Hawaiians.
Stop at a Kona coffee farm to learn about the coffee growing process and walk through a lava tube.
Finally, your tour finishes back in Kona with a drop off at your hotel, where you’ve earned the right to plop on the bed and relax after the full day adventure.
Please note: Depending on weather conditions, your tour may operate in reverse order.
Kohala Coast (Pass By)
Kailua Pier (Pass By)
Bay View Farm
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Punalu'u Black Sand beach
35 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Nahuku - Thurston Lava Tube
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Hilo (Pass By)
Rainbow Falls
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Akaka Falls State Park
35 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Waipi'o Valley
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Parker Ranch (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- This tour only departs from Kailua Kona and Waikoloa on the Big Island of Hawaii
- Itineraries may change, and refunds will not be given for closures and itinerary changes out of our control. Tours run rain or shine.
- Vegetarian or gluten free meals are available, please advise at time of booking if required
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Featured review
Sonja_G
I would highly recommended this tour. Our tour guyed was wonderful he knew so much about the history, culture, and land of Hawaii. We learned so much on our way to the tour sights. Each sight was beautiful too. It got a little rainy on the hilo side, but that didn’t make it any less beautiful. It’s a long day of touring but worth every second.
Reviews
4.9
5,456 reviews
Freshteh_S, Dec 2024
It was an amazing experience and we loved it.
I would like to recommend to my and friends to book this when they are visiting.
ALMARIE_G, Dec 2024
Dreu has a very good personality, explained every stop that we took and was very creative ( changed clothes at every stop and placed a flower in the van at every stop..was very humorous!
Yvette_W, Dec 2024
Great tour. Small comfortable bus that picked up and dropped off at hotel. Yummy lunch and snacks. Jason was a great tour guide.
Natural_D, Dec 2024
Great experience, awesome tour guide! Make sure you have a clear schedule for this excursion, bring some nice shades for the views!
Kathy_H, Dec 2024
The volcano was really cool and we loved that we could go into the lava tube. the waterfalls were amazing too. We enjoyed the entire day. Even the food was good.
Gabrielle_H, Dec 2024
Kona Chris was the highlight. He was friendly, accomadating and a great source of information. Would definitely recommend this tour.
Carlos_P, Dec 2024
Kona Chris was our tour guide and he was amazing! Who can talk for 11 hours! Chris can! Very knowledgeable about every site we went to. Friendly, got us to each stop on time, gave us enough time to enjoy and take pics. Strongly recommend this tour for anyone. Perfect day trip to see the popular sites!
Joyce_M, Dec 2024
Our tour guide Mia was fabulous! She made the sights come alive by sharing so much knowledge of the island, the history and the culture. We loved seeing the sea turtles and volcano. The tour emphasized how different and unique areas of the island were and gave us a taste of them all. I highly recommend this tour.
Richard_R, Dec 2024
Our guide was Brent. He gave us a tour full of history and information about all the sites. We had great weather and it was not crowded at the various locations we saw.
Stopping at the bakery had all of us happy as little kids. The various baked goods were delicious.
At the black sand beach we got to see four green sea turtles.
We also got in some exercises when walking the loop into the larger waterfall. A lot of steps but they were all solid and there were rails if needed.
We would recommend this tour if you have the time and want to see a lot of various sites around the island
It was a long day but well worth it.
Jennifer_M, Dec 2024
This was a wonderful tour of the Big Island. Our tour guide Derek was very knowledgeable and friendly. The meal was nice and all of the sights beautiful!
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