Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcanic Experience, Lava Tubes, Waterfalls

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. On this unforgettable excursion, you will have the rare opportunity to see a live volcano during active eruptions and walk through an incredible underground lava tube. Your journey continues with a perfect photo opportunity where you can take a selfie by the most iconic waterfalls in Hawai'i, followed by a delicious stop to enjoy locally grown and packaged Big Island sweets right in Hilo. Designed with cruise passengers in mind, the tour ensures you will be safely returned to your ship with plenty of time for an on-board lunch and an opportunity to freshen up before your afternoon activities begin. We will only pass through Hilo Town and catch a glimpse of King Kamehameha the Great.

   Passes by

2. Take-in the tropical beauty of this ocean-side Japanese garden and take a quick picture of Hilo Town across the harbor with Mauna Kea staring down from it's 14,000 foot elevation.

   5 min

3. We will catch a couple picturesque waterfalls as we explore the lush, green windward side of the Big Island.

   10 minAdmission included

4. This beautiful waterfall is usually one of our first stops, depending on traffic and weather.

   10 minAdmission included

5. On days the Kilaeau is dormant, we will avoid the long drive to the crowded Nat'l Park and experience more peaceful but equally "volcanic" wonders, including this off-the-beaten path lava tube surrounded by lush jungle (does have steep steps down into the lava tube, so less adventurous travelers can enjoy the view from the top).

   15 min

6. On dormant volcano days, travelers will get to see the unique "lava trees" caused by a fast-moving lava flow, adding to the "volcanic experience" of our tour.

   10 min

7. See what a massive volcanic fissure in 2018 did to a residential neighborhood. A good reminder that the Big Island continues to add to its mass through fire and molten lava.

   Passes by

8. Black sand beach with natural thermal heated pools. See how the lava flow reached the ocean, eventually creating black sand beaches.

   10 minAdmission included

9. On days that Kilauea is erupting with Pele's wrath, we will prioritize heading straight to the Nat'l Park. On dormant days, we will save the long drive to the crowded park and experience the impact of past eruptions, including recent lava flows that took out entire neighborhoods and added to the size of the BIG Island.

   2 h

10. Time permitting, you will have the opportunity to enjoy some free samples and possibly purchase a box of two of our favorite, locally raised/packaged macadamia nut sweets.

    15 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 16 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Big Island of Hawaii

• Its from-price is 53% below the median of the 150 day trips we list in Big Island of Hawaii.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 65 of 150.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Big Island of Hawaii

The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest and youngest of the main Hawaiian islands, with active volcanoes, black-sand beaches, coffee farms and clear skies.

The Big Island is larger than all the other Hawaiian islands combined and still being shaped by active volcanoes. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has steaming craters, lava fields and the Chain of Craters Road down to the sea. Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa both rise above 4,000 metres, and snow dusts their summits in winter.

Top-ranked sights in Big Island of Hawaii: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku).

See all 565 experiences in Big Island of Hawaii