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Hilo Shore Excursion: Safari Lava Caves, Falls and Highlights
Badge of ExcellenceBig Island of Hawaii, USA
Likely to Sell Out
From $133.34
Select Date and Travelers
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
- 6 hours
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
When your ship docks in Hilo, use your time in port to get acquainted with Kilauea, the most active volcano on earth. Embark on a tour through the Nanawale Rainforest, a lush, tropical landscape in the Eastern Rift Zone. Explore lava caves; stroll along the most recently formed black-sand beaches; feel the warmth from volcanic hot pools, and discover Rainbow Falls. Travel trough Hawaiian back roads and discover the destructive path of the volcano's most recent eruption. Round-trip transport from the port or hotel is included.
- Explore Nanawale Forest Reserve, Rainbow Falls and the Pohoiki geothermal pools
- See towns evacuated due to Kilauea's lava flows
- Round-trip transportation from the Hilo port or your hotel
- Covered by Viator’s worry-free policy: guaranteed on-time return to your ship
What's Included
- Port pickup and drop-off / Hilo Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Souvenirs
- Gratuities
- Lunch- Stop made by local vendor for customers to purchase
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.
Meeting points
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Pickup points
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End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Following pickup at the Hilo cruise port or your hotel, board a tour vehicle and set out over the back roads of the Big Island to explore its spectacular natural features.
Arrive first at Rainbow Falls, known in Hawaiian as wainuenue, the falls crash over a natural lava cave, throwing up rainbows almost every sunny day in the rising mist. Then, visit Kaumana Caves Park, lava tubes created by the Mauna Loa volcano.
Drive through old-growth mango groves and through the verdant foliage of the Nanawale Forest, stopping to see the recent lava flow that caused the town of Pahoa to evacuate. See the few houses and commercial buildings that were burnt by the oozing fire. View dramatic scenery in spots where the burning lava met the cool, salty sea. Stop in Kaimu to see the site of the former Queen bath and town, both destroyed by a lava flow in 1990, now being reclaimed by the wild rainforest. View an exhibit showing what the area used to look like and snap photos of the active volcanic vent in the distance. Stroll down the black sand beach, reached via a 15-minute walk over old lava flows.
Continue to Lava Tree State Park, where lava burst from fissures in the ground and coated the Ohia trees, leaving amazing tree molds. See the warm springs at Pohoiki, geothermally heated by water traveling through lava tubes, and walk on the newest black-sand beach created by Kilauea’s lava flow.
Stop at a dramatic overlook, surrounded by salt cedar pine trees and home to the old Kings Trails. Admire views of the waves crashing below towering sea cliffs.
Your half-day tour ends with drop-off back at your original departure point.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to the Hilo port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Arrive first at Rainbow Falls, known in Hawaiian as wainuenue, the falls crash over a natural lava cave, throwing up rainbows almost every sunny day in the rising mist. Then, visit Kaumana Caves Park, lava tubes created by the Mauna Loa volcano.
Drive through old-growth mango groves and through the verdant foliage of the Nanawale Forest, stopping to see the recent lava flow that caused the town of Pahoa to evacuate. See the few houses and commercial buildings that were burnt by the oozing fire. View dramatic scenery in spots where the burning lava met the cool, salty sea. Stop in Kaimu to see the site of the former Queen bath and town, both destroyed by a lava flow in 1990, now being reclaimed by the wild rainforest. View an exhibit showing what the area used to look like and snap photos of the active volcanic vent in the distance. Stroll down the black sand beach, reached via a 15-minute walk over old lava flows.
Continue to Lava Tree State Park, where lava burst from fissures in the ground and coated the Ohia trees, leaving amazing tree molds. See the warm springs at Pohoiki, geothermally heated by water traveling through lava tubes, and walk on the newest black-sand beach created by Kilauea’s lava flow.
Stop at a dramatic overlook, surrounded by salt cedar pine trees and home to the old Kings Trails. Admire views of the waves crashing below towering sea cliffs.
Your half-day tour ends with drop-off back at your original departure point.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to the Hilo port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Liliuokalani Gardens (Pass By)
Hilo (Pass By)
Rainbow Falls
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Kaumana Caves Park
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Pahoa (Pass By)
Lava Tree State Park
25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Pohoiki Bay
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Pohoiki
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Leilani Estates
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- A stop is made to purchase food
- Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
- Exact departure time may vary depending on the cruise ship's disembarkation time
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 good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- 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
4.5
160 reviews
John_K, May 2024
Our driver junior was fantastic with lots of details about each highlight trips along the way and we really did enjoy every sightseeing . Found witnesses of the lava flow harden on the road side . Very interesting story. Gladly we went - was very worthwhile trips
David_L, May 2024
Lori, our guide, was very knowledgeable. She took us to all the places we wanted to see. Would recommend this tour.
Response from Host, May 2024
Dear David,
I’m happy to hear that our team provided you with excellent service. I’ll make sure that they receive your feedback. I’m sure it will make their day have a wonderful day aloha!
Elizabeth_W, May 2024
The lava cav was so cool- but hard to walk through. You definitely need the right shoes/ but the walking stick and head lamps were a big help. Also- it was so interesting seeing the destruction and aftermath of the volcanoe. Karen did a great job explaining life on the island and the volcanoes impact.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you Elizabeth for taking the time to give our team a 5-star rating it means a lot to us. We appreciate your feedback and tips you are sharing with the community. Have a wonderful day aloha!
Leslee_U, Apr 2024
Really enjoyed our driver Ellen. She had a lot of information to share and kept us laughing. Great driver and really enjoyed the sites too.
Response from Host, May 2024
Hey Leslee,
We’re so grateful that you took the time to share your feedback with us. It’s our pleasure to serve customers like you. I will be passing on your 5-star experience with the team.Have a wonderful day Aloha!
Maria_C, Apr 2024
Excellent tour with Karen our tour guide who really knew her stuff and was clearly passionate about her Island home.Seen so much of Hilo
Would definitely recommend
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you very much for sharing your review. We love hearing from our customers.
Debbie_F, Apr 2024
The tour was fine but the mode of transportation was not. We were expecting a smaller size tour bus but a taxi arrived instead. We were in the very back seat of an 8 passenger mini van. It was very difficult to get in and out of. Other passengers were inconvenienced as well because they had to be out of their seats so we could be in and out. It was very cramped and uncomfortable. We would not have signed up for this tour if we were told it would be a taxi. 6 of the 7 passengers were retired and most over 70. The trip itinerary indicated a stop for lunch on our own. There was no lunch stop. Only a snack stop of chips and cookies.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Aloha Debbie, yes the mini van sits 8 ( including the guide ) but we never put over 6 passengers. On off time the vehicle works for taxi. Im sorry to hear you were uncomfortable we do advertise our vehicles though and the tour does not operate in tour busses so that the groups can be kept small. There is usually so many requests for the smallest group possible. If we had known you were unhappy with this at the start we could have adjusted you to our 14-passenger van
Randi_M, Apr 2024
Junior was very knowledgeable about each location and, being a local, could also answer questions about Hawaii’s culture. The sites we were able to visit, being in a small group of 6, were amazing!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for the fantastic 5-star review, Randi! We’re thrilled you enjoyed this tour and had a great experience with your guide Jr. Your support means the world to our team. Looking forward to welcoming you back soon have a great day!
Mike_E, Apr 2024
From rainbow falls and lava tubes to the lava flows wiping out everything in their march to the ocean, this tour covered an array of subjects and terrain. We saw so much and learned a lot about the formation of these islands. Too bad my photos wouldn’t upload.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi Mike, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review. We're so glad to hear that you were satisfied with our tour. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality service, and your feedback is a great encouragement to us. We're so glad you were able to get tons of pics ALOHA!
Dean_R, Apr 2024
This was an excellent tour, and our guide did a fantastic job! I highly recommend it for anyone going to Hawaii.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thanks for giving us a 5 star rating. Your glowing feedback truly brightens our day. We’re honored to have had the opportunity to serve you.
Domingo_M, Apr 2024
Junior, was a knowledgeable and accommodating tour guide with interesting anecdotes of Hawaiian history and archeology. Appreciated our small group of 6 which afforded us quicker and more access to all the spots we visited. Thanks for the bottled water and snacks, Junior. You’re the man!!!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you very much for sharing your review. We love hearing from our customers. We do our best everyday to give our customers a memorable experience.
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Likely to Sell Out
Hilo Shore Excursion: Safari Lava Caves, Falls and Highlights
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6 hours
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$133.34
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