Hilo Shore Excursion: Active Volcano, Lava Tube, Waterfall and Gardens
Description
A day trip to Hilo is not complete without a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to one of the world's most active volcanoes. Witness the current volcanic eruption at the summit of Kilauea volcano, learn of past geologic events and the effects on this ever changing landscape. Feel the heat of steam vents, then traverse an ancient lava tube nestled in the cool mist of the Hawaiian rainforest. Conclude your day indulging your senses around Hilo town including the majestic Rainbow Falls, Liliuokalani Gardens, and tasty locally made chocolates and coffee on this small group tour.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park including a visit to Kilauea caldera where you will witness the dramatic changes from our recent eruption, experience the steam vents and other volcanic formations from past lava flows.
Enjoy a walk through the Hawaiian rainforest to Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube). Explore the 500 year old underground tube where hot molten lava once rushed through.
Explore frozen fields of lava from past volcanic eruptions and peer down into once active volcanic craters. Learn about the history, culture and geology of Kilauea volcano.
View the majestic 80 foot waterfall of Waianuenue or Rainbow Falls. Enjoy the tropical landscape as you learn the legends of Hawaii.
Get your pep in your step with tasty hand-made chocolates, locally grown macadamia nuts and island fresh coffee!
Immerse yourself in tranquility with a short stroll around Liliuokalani Gardens as you enjoy the fishponds, pagodas and picture perfect landscaping along Hilo bay.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
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 15 minutes prior to tour start time. We have scheduled the tour to coincide with the cruise ship’s arrival and will be waiting for you onshore. 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 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.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Youth ages 10 years and older only are allowed on this tour. All participants must have a paid seat. We do not allow children under the age of 10 years old.
- Covered walking shoes are required and a jacket is highly recommended.
- Participants must be able to walk a minimum of 1 mile on uneven terrain.
- Operates in all weather conditions (be prepared for sun, wind and rain).
- 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).
- CRUISE SHIP passengers, we pick-up directly at the PORT OF HILO and will adjust the tour time as needed to accommodate your ships time in port.
- For a one DAY TRIP to the Big Island, please make your travel arrangements to and from the HILO AIRPORT. Schedule your flight arrival a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the tour start time AND provide your flight details at time of booking.
- Kilauea volcano is an active volcano, you may be exposed to volcanic gas on this tour.
- This tour cannot accommodate guests with wheelchairs, scooters or oxygen tanks.
Reviews(441)
This was an excellent day trip. Jill met our family (group of 11) at the port. The van was spacious and comfortable. The tour included the Rainbow Falls, Volcanos National Park, an easy walk to into the Lava Tube and a final stop to the chocolate factory. All in all, Jill was an amazing guide. She shared tons of stories and info about Hilo. It was nice to have an intimate experience during our tour.
This tour made a lot of stops to enjoy most of the volcanoes experience. Our tour guide Jill was very knowledgeable about the local history, hawaiian lore, fauna and the science about the volcanoes. Enough time was given to enjoy each stop. We really enjoyed the lava tube.
We had a wonderful time with Josh who is incredibly friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend this tour with this particular company.
Josh was a great tour guide and shared many stories about the island. As I hurt my knee prior to this excursion, he was very accommodating. Took us to many beautiful sights that we soon will not forget. If you have the chance to do this tour with him or Jill you will not be disappointed.
Our Hilo tour was a wonderful experience! Visiting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and exploring the incredible lava tubes was truly unforgettable. The scenery was breathtaking, and learning about the island’s volcanic history made the experience even more meaningful. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable, sharing fascinating facts and stories throughout the day. He kept the tour engaging, answered all of our questions, and made sure everyone had a great experience. We never felt rushed and had plenty of time to enjoy each stop. If you’re visiting the Big Island, I highly recommend this tour. It was the perfect combination of natural beauty, history, and outstanding hospitality!
We had Josh as our tour guide, and he was all around awesome. He had a great deal of knowledge about Hilo and the volcano having grown up in the region and also having worked at the Volcano National Park previously. He knew all the best spots to take us for both the lava viewing (got very lucky to have the volcano vent go active on our tour day; day before and after there was no lava flowing). The Rainbow Falls were a nice surprise - very beautiful there! Great photo opportunities there on your first stop. The last stop was the candy shop, which was exceptionally delicious and very artisan. Highly recommend the shortbread cookies and the Ice Cream Pie w/chocolate crust. All in all was a fantastic experience that we will never forget. Mahalo Josh & Jill.
This was a great experience that had a little something for everyone. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we leaned a lot about the landscape, culture and history.
Josh was an excellent guide! He was very informative on the area and on the volcanoes. He made the excursion fun and enjoyable. Would highly recommend doing this tour while in Hawaii!
Informative. A great way to get a feel for the island. Guide very knowledgeable. Nice to have native guides.
Great tour of Rainbow falls, Volcano Park, and Liliuokalani Park! It lasts about 3 1/2 hours. We had a great time.
