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From Big Island-Volcanoes & Waterfall Excursion in a Small Group
Big Island of Hawaii, USA
- 6 hours
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Don’t worry—here are some similar options
Overview
What's Included
- pickup and drop-off
- Local Guide
- National Park fees
- Gratuities
- Lunch
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
The tour guide will call an hour before pick up. Free Pick up and drop off
What To Expect
Banyan Drive
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Liliuokalani Gardens
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Rainbow Falls
25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Nahuku - Thurston Lava Tube
35 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Hilo
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Infant seats available
- Near public transportation
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
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.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Paul_P, Apr 2024
Here is what happened on the day of the tour:
The tour guide showed up at the pick up point driving a low suspension BMW with a modified muffler. The car had not been vacuumed and smelled of cigarette smoke. We got in the car and the guide told us that it was just us on the tour.
As we drove away, the guide asked if we were hungry. We said no. The guide asked us if we had eaten lau lau. We said no. He asked us if we wanted to try it and have a new experience, and that he always ate lau lau for breakfast. It was odd, but we said, OK.
On our way to the convenience store he told us that he had recently been discharged from the Army. Apparently he was in materials handling and in serving in Ukraine. He told us his plane became unbalanced and went down in the DMZ between Ukraine and Russia. There they engaged in a firefight that saw many of his friends die. It was apparently similar to Stalingrad in WW2. it was clear to me and my wife that this story was BS.
A Russian soldier apparently charged our guide, bayoneted him several times, shot him, and cut his throat. The struggle ended when our guide put a grenade in the Russian's vest, held him tight, and the explosion killed him.
When we got out at the convenience store, I remarked to our guide that for a man that had his throat cut that he didn't have much of a scar. He lifted his collar and said, "Look at this." When I noted there was no scar there, he replied that he was a fast healer. He then pulled down his shirt to show an actual scar on his chest.
We walked into the convenience store in Hilo. The guide grabbed some lau lau out of the warmer, then asked if we wanted a drink, pointing at the cooler. I got a water and the guide a tea. When I returned to the counter the guide and the cashier were flirting. After they noticed me, we got checked out.
Before we left, I called the tour operator. The voice on the other end of the phone just answered "Hello". I had to ask if this was Barbil Tours, and the man said yes. He confirmed the tour operator was in his employ.
The guide then asked where we wanted to go. That was a little strange since the tour was supposed to have an itinerary. We drove up Banyan Drive, and the guide told us a lot of rich people and celebrities used to live here. Then he pointed out a boarded up building and told us to never go in there because murders, rapes, sexual assaults, and child trafficking happen there and that police wont even go in.
Then the guide asked us if we wanted to Liliuokalani Park. We said, sure. We drove up and parked, and asked if we wanted to get out. We got out, and my wife and I started walking. The guide walked with us, letting us more of his life story, but nothing about the park.
At this point, I was done giving the guide the benefit of the doubt. Because of his erratic behavior, I didn't want to risk a direct confrontation. So I told him I was ill, and for him to take us back to the pick-up point, which he did. My wife left her phone in the car, and upon my phone call, the guide swung back by and we retrieved our phone.
Our experience was beyond bizarre.
I contacted Barbil Tours for a full refund, and explained this story in full. He told me I wasn't getting a refund because I cancelled due to illness after the tour started and told me I was unethical.
I contacted Viator, the platform that I booked through, and they secured a 10% discount. My emails insisting on a full refund have gone unanswered by Viator.
The takeaway here is that I cannot rely on Viator for vetting or standing behind the quality of the operators they let on their platform.
The entirety of the experience has been infuriating and disappointing. I fully expect the operator to disparage me in the remarks - don't buy it.
Joan_D, Apr 2024
We had a great time touring the Big Island of Hawaii. Our tour guide Leo was THE BEST! Highly recommend touring with Leo; he has lived here for over 30 years and knows all the great spots.
Two items to be aware of; the Hilo side of the island is considerably cloudier/rainier than the Kona side and also, the accommodations on Hilo side are not as numerous, though somewhat less expensive.
Although Viator includes Black sand beaches in their ads, there are no Black sand beaches left due to after effects of recent volcanoes.
Overall, we had a wonderful touring day.
Gary_B, Apr 2024
Driver was dirty new nothing about what we were looking at. No water was provided despite being stated . It has really changed my thoughts about booking with viator again.would not recommend viator again though we have raved about it before .was very expensive lesson
Hikathyhi, Apr 2024
Our guide was great BUT he used his own private vehicle which was too small and uncomfortable for my 6’1” husband and I, we were squeezed into his backseat for the 6 tour. We have used VIATOR for travel all over the world and are accustomed to Mercedes vans or similar on VIATOR tours. We did see other tour companies at our stops with these other types of vehicles.
Rachelle_C, Mar 2024
Keola was great and did an amazing job of thoroughly telling us about the history of Hilo in addition to other areas. Not only was he well knowledgeable of all of the places we visited, he made us feel like family. He also took his time and was super flexible with our schedule which made such a huge difference in our experience. I would definitely request him for any other tour on the Big Island—or any other for that matter. 15/10!
Sue_L, Feb 2024
The small group tour was made even better with our guide, Keola. He was so knowledgeable about his island and we learned so much. It was a great day, even in the rain. Highly recommended.
Ronnie_V, Feb 2024
Michael Conner was very accommodating and informative. He did a great job!! My husband even left his phone in van and Michael met us back at pick up point to deliver it. So awesome!!
Alexis_P, Jan 2024
Keola was amazing. He went above and beyond during our tour. He was very knowledgeable about the island and its history and the plants and animals. He was very kind, funny and friendly. We didn’t feel rushed at any of the point of the tour. We saw everything we wanted to see and then some. He stopped at any place we wanted to look at and even had time to go to the farmers market shop and had lunch and ice cream. He knows everything about the island and is a very safe driver. Highly recommend this tour and specially keola. He made this trip to Hilo, very memorable.
Karen_W, Jan 2024
The entire trip was amazing. But, the guide was the winning part of the tour. His knowledge of Hilo and its history as well as his knowledge of the plants, animals made the tour special. Thx
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