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Hilo Shore Excursion: Active Volcano, Lava Tube, Waterfall and Gardens
Badge of ExcellenceBig Island of Hawaii, USA
- 5 hours 30 minutes
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the sights around Hilo
- Get an up-close look at Hawaii's volcanic activity during stops at Halema'uma'u Crater and Thurston Lava Tube
- See historic lava flows along the 'Chain of Craters’ Road
- Visit a local chocolate factory and tour Rainbow Falls during stops in and around Hilo
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- We DO NOT provide transportation from Kona or Waikoloa. Please meet us in Hilo at the bus terminal.
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Meeting point
- 329 Kamehameha Ave, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Meet your tour guide at the Hilo Mo'oheau Bus Terminal (329 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720). There is free parking adjacent to the bus terminal. Look for our van with the "Mauka Makai Adventures" logo on it in the parking lot. Please be waiting for your driver we may be picking up other guests.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Pickup details
CRUISE SHIP PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS: Upon disembarking the cruise ship in Hilo, head through the passenger terminal and look for your guide standing to the left near the pre-arranged tour operators with a sign that reads "Mauka Makai Adventures". Please check in with your guide 10-15 minutes prior to tour start time. HILO AIRPORT PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS: Please schedule your flight to arrive at the Hilo Airport a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the tour start time. We require your airline flight number and arrival time to schedule pickup at the airport. As you disembark the airplane head towards Baggage Claim “D”. Look for the tour operator parking area near the restrooms. Our vans are marked with the logo "Mauka Makai Adventures". HILO HOTEL PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS: We provide pick up service at Hilo Hotels along Banyan Drive only. Please meet your tour guide near the front entrance to the lobby, our vans are marked with the logo "Mauka Makai Adventures." We may also contact you prior to the tour to make arrangements for a meeting time and location. ALL OTHERS MEET AT HILO MOʻOHEAU BUS TERMINAL: If you are driving from Kona, Waikoloa, or another part of the island, please confirm that you will meet us at the Hilo Mo'oheau Bus Terminal (329 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720). There is free parking adjacent to the bus terminal. Look for our van parked in the parking lot with the "Mauka Makai Adventures" logo on it.
What To Expect
Receive a morning pickup from your Hilo hotel, Hilo Airport, or Hilo Port. You’ll continue on a drive through some of the Big Island’s historic sugar plantation towns as you make your way to Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Explore this unique volcanic area with your group, stopping to visit attractions like the steam vents and Halema'uma'u Crater. You may even witness a volcanic eruption! Trek through the nearby rainforest to visit Thurston Lava Tube, where you can learn more about how volcanoes form, erupt and cool. You will see additional lava flows as you continue on a drive along the ‘Chain of Craters’ Road.
After stopping to enjoy the beauty of locally grown orchids, continue to Hilo, where you'll sample island treats at a chocolate factory and visit Rainbow Falls. Finish the day with a drop-off back at your original pickup location.
Explore this unique volcanic area with your group, stopping to visit attractions like the steam vents and Halema'uma'u Crater. You may even witness a volcanic eruption! Trek through the nearby rainforest to visit Thurston Lava Tube, where you can learn more about how volcanoes form, erupt and cool. You will see additional lava flows as you continue on a drive along the ‘Chain of Craters’ Road.
After stopping to enjoy the beauty of locally grown orchids, continue to Hilo, where you'll sample island treats at a chocolate factory and visit Rainbow Falls. Finish the day with a drop-off back at your original pickup location.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Nahuku - Thurston Lava Tube
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Chain of Craters Road
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Rainbow Falls
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Big Island Candies
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Lili'uokalani Gardens
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Operates in all weather conditions (be prepared for sun, wind and rain).
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Participants must be able to walk a minimum of 1.5 miles on uneven terrain.
- We do not guarantee you will see molten lava on this tour.
- HOTEL pick-up is offered for select HILO HOTELS ONLY. If you are staying outside of Hilo, please plan to meet at the Hilo Mo'oheau Bus Terminal (please confirm at time of booking).
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Reviews
5.0
259 reviews
fwking54, May 2024
Great Tour with knowledgeable and passionate guide, very informative and interesting. Fascinating trip with several stops.
Christine_M, May 2024
Our bus driver was very knowledge about the volcanoes and the local places to visit after our your. The gardens were a drive by but still beautiful even from the van window.
Kathleen_E, May 2024
This tour was the best one I did in our whole trip! Josh is a local that grew up in Hilo and is so knowledgeable! He gave us an amazing day out with first hand volcano stories. If you only do one thing in Hilo make it this tour!
Jenny_H, Apr 2024
Wouldn't do it again. It was rainy, windy, cold, misty, and the stops were pretty hurried leaving little time to enjoy what could be seen and enjoyed. Afterwards, I discovered it is often the case with this excursion even when it's beautiful in Hilo, it is not often beautiful in the park. Rainbow Falls and the Lava Tube were nice but you couldn't see the volcano at all and the steam vents were just adding more moisture to an already damp atmosphere. I stayed cold and wet most of the day. Miserable and not worth the money spent.
JACIB_H, Apr 2024
Seeing up close volcanic steam as well as gasses is a thrilling experience. Our knowledgeable driver/guide, Josh, was very good at describing everything.
DeirdreC_M, Apr 2024
The best part of our tour was the tour director,Josh, sharing his island and areas of Hilo, his people traditions and history.
It was a very enjoyable day with plenty to see and do. The lava tube and rain forest were great to experience.
Great time at the Volcano National Park with Josh taking great care of the various age group.
We saw such a great diverse areas of Hilo and we have a much better education of the land area and people who live there.
The sweet treat at the end was a nice break before our drop off at the cruise ship and others went to their hotels. Value was good. Josh was a very safe driver and answered everyones questions.
Better tour than what was offered by the cruise line and much cheaper.
Pick up and drop off right at the dock- seamless.
Recommend if you want to see the Volcano National Park and other beautiful areas of the Hilo side of Hawaii.
It was a small group. The van was very clean. Josh provided a Hawaiian treat and nice cold water.
Thank you again ~
Misty_G, Apr 2024
We fly in from Honolulu, this tour picked us up at the airport and it was a comfortable ride and amazing tour. It was hands down the best experience ever. Our tour guide Josh was the best!!!
Susan_F, Apr 2024
Our favorite tour. Our guide/ driver Joey, Aja Adam Sandler was the perfect host. His knowledge, personality and sense of humor was infectious!! And the island landscapes, with all its beauty and history were stunning!!
Darlene_L, Apr 2024
We had an excellent tour guide. I believe her name was Jill. She was a local and grew up on the volcano. She told stories about experiencing eruptions. She told traditional Hawaiian stories about he of different areas we visited. She was a great storyteller, enough to make me want to buy a children’s book of legends. She explained different types of lava. I was so glad to have visited each of the areas with her and not on my own.
JodiLapetina, Apr 2024
We had a wonderful time. Jill was an amazing guide. Since she was born and raised on the island she was able to share her experiences growing up. She took us to many beautiful places. I highly recommend using her as a tour guide.
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Hilo Shore Excursion: Active Volcano, Lava Tube, Waterfall and Gardens
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