Private Hilo Shore Excursion to Volcano Waterfall and Black Sand

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Banyan Drive is a scenic, historic stretch in Hilo lined with giant banyan trees planted by famous figures such as Amelia Earhart, Babe Ruth, and Franklin Roosevelt. Often called Hilo’s “Walk of Fame,” the drive offers a leafy tunnel of shade and history—its iconic trees having survived the tsunamis that once reshaped the town.

   Passes by

2. Established in 1917 by Queen Liliʻuokalani, this expansive park stands as the largest Authentic Japanese garden of its kind beyond Japan's shores. Dotted throughout the serene landscape are stone lanterns, gazebos, and torii gates, serving as poignant tributes to the Japanese immigrants who made Hawaii their home.

   Passes by

3. Big Island Candies is a beloved Hilo-based shop known for its buttery shortbread cookies, chocolate-dipped treats, and playful local flavors. Visitors can browse through beautifully packaged confections while sampling fresh-brewed Kona coffee, seasonal candies, and signature shortbread. The store has the feel of a small factory boutique—warm, aromatic, and filled with gifts that travel well—making it an easy stop for both locals and travelers stocking up on sweets.

   15 minAdmission included

4. Our journey now takes us to the renowned Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, where numerous Honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles) reside. Here, we have a great opportunity to witness these majestic creatures basking in the warm sun.

   25 min

5. Have a taste of the underrated “south of Kona” brew known as Kaʻū Coffee—grown in the volcanic soils just outside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Rich, smooth, and award-winning, it’s a great way to sample a different side of Hawaiʻi’s coffee culture. This stop is doable if we head toward Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach.

   15 minAdmission included

6. Next, we journey to the summit of Kīlauea within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, a world-renowned volcanic site tied to the Hawaiian goddess Pele. The park is home to Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, two of the world’s most active volcanoes, offering dramatic volcanic scenery and insight into how the islands formed. We’ll stop at the visitor center, view the collapsed caldera, explore steam vents and sulfur banks, and enjoy scenic overlooks. Lava activity is unpredictable—there is no guarantee of glowing lava, and there is no ocean entry, as the last one occurred in 2018. For those prone to being cold, please bring comfortable shoes and a jacket; summit temperatures can be 20+ degrees cooler than the coast. A visit to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is an unforgettable highlight. (Entrance fees not included; national park passes are valid for use on commercial tours for your immediate party.)

   2 h

7. The Mauna Loa Macadamia Visitor Center is a fun stop for anyone who wants to taste Hawaiʻi’s famous mac nuts right where they’re grown and roasted. Surrounded by lush orchards, the center offers samples of classic and flavored macadamias, chocolate-covered treats, and other island snacks. Visitors can glimpse parts of the processing operation, browse gifts, and enjoy a casual atmosphere that mixes learning with plenty of tasting—plus lots of chances to stock up before heading home (time allowing and if this is a preference).

   15 minAdmission included

8. As for one of our last stops we take photos at this iconic waterfall, for iconic postcard worthy photos

   15 min

9. We'll embark on a walk through a lava tube, where your guide will provide insights into its formation by lava. This loop, approximately 600 meters or .4-mile trail, features low lighting, with gradual stairs leading into and out of the tube. While this portion of the tour may not be suitable for all passengers due to physical fitness, alternative options include remaining in the vehicle or exploring the natural scenery outside. Additionally, you'll have the choice to bring headlamps along for enhanced visibility within the dimly lit lava tube, allowing you to appreciate intricate cave details and observe the formation of tiny stalactites.

   20 minAdmission included

10. ʻAkaka Falls is a showstopper—plunging more than 400 feet through a lush rainforest gorge alive with birdsong, greenery, and mist. The paved loop trail takes most visitors about 20–30 minutes and winds past smaller waterfalls and scenic overlooks before revealing the grand view of ʻAkaka itself. It’s a vibrant, postcard-perfect stop for nature lovers and photographers alike (admission not included). This stop can also be selected as an alternative to Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach and the Kau Coffee plantation as these are opposite directions from one another. Please note that the order of stops may vary and will be determined by our expert guides to provide the best overall experience. As this is a private tour, we can also tailor the day to your preferences (within reason) and within the time allotted.

    30 min

Cancellation

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

Reviews

Ratings come from 12 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 402% above 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 72 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