Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History
Description
This 12 hour nature tour offers an in-depth look at Hawaii’s youngest and largest island. Explore the diverse landscape and natural wonders, including a visit of the Volcanoes National Park, walk through rainforests to soaring waterfalls and stroll black-sand beaches as you scan the horizon for green sea turtles. This family-friendly tour requires easy walking and introduces people of all ages to the island, and includes lunch, snacks, refreshments, and park entrance fees.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Pick up guests from resorts along the Kohala Coast while enjoying a narrated tour with unique landscape and scenic view.
Drive through the historic Downtown Kona, home to the summer palace of Hawaiian royalty and oldest church in Hawaii.
Take a tour of this Kona Coffee Farm to learn about the harvesting and milling process while sampling Kona Coffee and Tea.
Dip your toes in the sand at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach and scan the horizon for green sea turtles on the shore
Explore the wonders of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, including steam vents, the Halema’uma’u and Kilauea Iki crater lookouts, past lava flow sites, and take a short hike along crater rim trail and lava tube.
Walk along a bridge that gives you a literal inside look at Hawaii, as you follow it to the eerie Thurston Lava Tube, a 600-foot-long (183-meter) cave formed hundreds of years ago by an underground river of magma.
Drive through historical Downtown Hilo, the largest city on the island.
This 80-foot falls plunges over a natural lava cave and into the Wailuku River below. On a sunny day, rainbows appear in the mist of the falls, making for a magical view.
This towering 442-foot (135-meter) waterfall plummets into a lush ravine at the center of a state park. You’ll enjoy a short walk through the vegetation for an up close view and plenty of photo ops.
The views stop you in your tracks at the Waipio Valley lookout, where a dramatic backdrop of lush cliffs drops into the sparkling blue ocean
Driver through the scenic green pasture of Parker Ranch, home of the Hawaiian cowboys and one of the largest ranches in the US.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
IMPORTANT: If you are on the Island of Oahu and want to book a day trip, please arrive at Kona Airport by 7:20 am and depart after 8:30 pm on Hawaiian or Southwest Airlines. We can pick up and drop you off at Kona Airport. We pick up and drop off at major hotels and resorts in Kona and the Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii between 6:40 am and 8 am. We DON'T pick up from vacation rentals; you will be directed to the closest hotel pickup point. We DON'T pick up from Hilo or the east side of the island; you will be directed to Queens' Marketplace in Waikoloa for your pickup. We also pick up at the following locations: the back parking lot by the two yellow umbrellas at Queens' Marketplace in Waikoloa. Foodland Farms at The Shops at Mauna Lani (1330 Mauna Lani Dr, Waimea, HI 96743) The supplier will send you a confirmation email with the exact pickup location and time. Please call the supplier if you don't receive an email.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Operates in all weather conditions; please dress appropriately.
- Children under 5 years old are not allowed to participate
- This tour only departs from Kailua Kona and Waikoloa on the Big Island of Hawaii
- Itineraries may change, and refunds will not be given for closures and itinerary changes out of our control. Tours run rain or shine.
- Vegetarian or gluten free meals are available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Not possible for travelers require walkers/wheelchairs
Reviews(6,961)
We had a wonderful experience with our guide Chris. He was super knowledgeable and friendly, told us all about the Big Island and also answered all our questions. Would definitely recommend to take the tour, and having Chris as the guide is an added bonus.
Most of these photos are from the Kona side or outside Kona. I lived there for close to 10 years. Always be careful swimming if there is no lifeguard on duty. It is a good idea to use fins to swim due to strong currents. Only needed if you swim out far from beach. Be aware anything can be in the water at anytime of the day. Sharks tend to show up during rain or as it gets dark.
We loved our tour with Kona Chris! He was hilarious and full of great information. Chris was knowledgeable about the island and its history, and had many useful tips about navigating the sites. 5+++ stars!
We had a great tour with our large group of 7, we enjoyed every stop and each of them were breathtaking. There were bathrooms at each stop, lunch was wonderful, and a cool and comfortable van to ride in. I would highly recommend to anyone considering booking, we would not have seen as much as we did if we didn’t do this excursion!
What a Day! We have visited the island of Hawaii many times and always explored on our own and Volcanoes National Park is an all-time favorite day trip. This year, celebrating our 50th Anniversary we decided to book a tour, sit back and "enjoy the scenery". Perfect Choice!! Our driver/guide, Kawika D., was amazing! He kept a running narrative throughout the trip - local past and present history, flora and fauna info, ecological trends, and volcanic updates. He was enthusiastic, personable and accomodating. The visit to Kona Chocolate (you'll see them made) and Volcano Winery for a generous tasting were fun! The volcano was presenting 400' lava fountains... amazing! Dinner at valcano House is always a delicious treat.
Tour guide Kerry was caring and knowledgeable, making the trip relaxing and enjoyable. Perfect amount of time at each location. Great way to see some of the most beautiful locations on the big island.
Wonderful way to see a lot about the Big Island in a single day. Our tour guide, Brett, was incredible and a true highlight to the experience!
Really good day. Long but worth it. We changed itinerary slightly as the volcano was erupting so we spent less time in turtle beach ( don’t see any turtles), and much longer at the volcano. It was totally worth the change. Ian was a very good guide and all sorts of snacks and drinks as well as the delicious lunch that was served. My daughter and I had vegan which was tofu and rice, steamed broccoli and carrots and purple sweet potato.
We went on the circle island tour on the big island and had Chris as our tour guide. Amazing! Chris was very knowledgeable and engaging. He even kept the interests of our three teenagers the whole time. The day was long but it never once felt like it lagged. I highly recommend Chris and Wasabi Tours.
Had a tour experience with Kawika and it was magnificent with detailed information and history. I would 100% recommend!
