The Big Island of Hawaii has a diverse ecosystem unlike anywhere else on the planet, and on this day-long nature tour, experience the beauty of its black-sand beaches, thundering waterfalls, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If you’re lucky, find Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on the coast. Since the tour only requires a moderate amount of walking, it's an educational adventure for travelers of all ages, with snacks and refreshments included.

A tour of Hawaii’s biggest island highlighting its natural wonders
Visit the most dramatic waterfalls on the island, Akaka and Rainbow Falls
Lunch included for an added convenience
Group size is limited to 12 people to ensure a quality experience

Why Travellers Choose This Tour

A small group limited to 12 makes this a more personalized way to see the best of the Big Island.

What's Included

Small Group Tour Lead by a Professional Guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Lunch
Bottled Water
Luxury Mercedes Sprinter Van Transportation
All Fees and Taxes

Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

Opening hours

1/1/2023 - 12/31/2023
Monday - Sunday : 07:00 am - 08:00 am

Pickup details

Pick up from all major hotels and resorts in Kona and Kohala Coast. In addition to the locations below, Starbucks at Queen's Market Place (69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738) 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 didn't receive an email. IMPORTANT: If you are staying in Waikiki on the Island of Oahu, please DON'T book this tour. This tour departs only from Kona and Waikoloa area of the Big Island of Hawaii. We don't pick up or drop off at Kona Airport.

What To Expect

This full day adventure of the Big Island of Hawaii begins on the Kona coast, where you’re picked up from your Kona or Kohala hotel, and driven north on a scenic journey past historic Parker Ranch—which has operated as one of the largest ranches in America since 1847.

As you pass through the ranching town of Waimea, watch as the landscape changes from pastures to green, tropical rainforest, as sweeping views of the Hamakua Coast start creeping into view. During a stop at Waipio Valley lookout, marvel at the way the vertical cliffs seem to explode from the green valley floor and hear the tales of how King Kamehameha was raised in this valley as a child. The adventure continues as you wind your way down the Hamakua Coast, past roadside towns with singsong names until you reach Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls.

Make your way back toward sea level at Punalu’u Beach, where you’ll take a stroll on a black-sand beach and search for Hawaiian green sea turtles. Head next to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, before rounding the southern tip of the island, the southernmost point in America. Look out for Kealakekua Bay, the spot where Captain Cook was killed in a skirmish with Native Hawaiians.

Stop at a Kona coffee farm to learn about the coffee growing process and walk through a lava tube.

Finally, your tour finishes back in Kona with a drop off at your hotel, where you’ve earned the right to plop on the bed and relax after the full day adventure.

Please note: Depending on weather conditions, your tour may operate in reverse order.

Kohala Coast (Pass By)

Pick up guests from resorts along the Kohala Coast while enjoying a narrated tour with unique landscape and scenic view.

Kailua Pier (Pass By)

Drive through the historic Downtown Kona, home to the summer palace of Hawaiian royalty and oldest church in Hawaii.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Operates in all weather conditions; please dress appropriately.
Not recommended for pregnant travellers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions

Children under 4 years old are not allowed to participate
This tour only departs from Kailua Kona and Waikoloa on the Big Island of Hawaii
Not recommended for travelers require walkers/wheelchairs
Most travellers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 13 travellers

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 cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Traveller Tips

Not recommended for young kids as they could get cranky.

I recommend a jacket as it was windy and cold in volcano village.

The day is long, but well worth the time and money.

Reviews

5.0

3,470 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 3,470 reviews

Big Island Circle tour

fpeppel, Mar 2023

Brett our tour guide was phenomenal! Very knowledgeable and funny and kept everyoneengaged. I would recommend him to anyone!

Fantastic!

tmkagain, Mar 2023

My tour guide, Awana, was fantastic. He took very good care of us the entire day! Would definitely recommend him and this tour!

Tree (s) of LIFE!

Shelviya_A, Mar 2023

The Different Tree life is interesting. This is where our oils, healing meds. and nourishment comes from. The knowledge of knowing now, brings another level of appreciation.

SO worth it!!

Brooke_M, Mar 2023

Great tour! Aaron was wonderful, knowledgeable, and caring of his tour guests. We learned so much and saw parts of the island we never would have seen otherwise. Even those of us who had been to the island before, some of them many times, saw new places and learned something new!

Big Island Tour

Sandra_F, Mar 2023

This was one of the best tours I have ever been on and our Tour Guide , Meshia was the best. We saw so much of the Big Island in a day and learned the history of this great island. The time allotted for each stop at each was good and he even stopped at an unplanned fruit stand for us .. He was amazing and so personable.. we told jokes and all laughed with our group.

Get ready for a full day adventure. High to low and lots to see in between

BarbaraB_W, Mar 2023

Fully circle the island in comfortable Sprinter van. Darrell was a great driver and guide. The lava tube and Akaka Falls were my favorites and the Mona Loa caldera was so impressive. No lava activity but that’s ok. Highly recommend

Scott is amazing! He was...

Mindy_P, Mar 2023

Scott is amazing! He was born and raised here, is clearly passionate about the big island, and shared a wealth of information. The stops were perfectly timed and spaced out and offered a lovely overview of this gorgeous island. The lunch, snacks, and water were an added bonus. Definitely worth the time and money.

Terrific! Aaron is top-notch

Aaron_T, Mar 2023

Aaron was an amazing, knowledgeable tour guide. For your money, I feel like this trip is more than worth it. So many amazing sights. It's a very long day, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Hit all fun in one day

Tomoko_D, Mar 2023

It was a great introduction to the Big Island. We came not knowing much so it was wonderful to be taken around to the main attraction of the island. All stops, especially the volcano national park, the falls, and Waipio Valley, were impressive. Our guide Miexia (spelling?) was knowledgeable and really made our trip fun.

Loved this tour!!

Scott_W, Mar 2023

Scott was AMAZING!! Very knowledgeable and informative while taking excellent care that everyone was enjoying the tour. Highly recommend!!!!

Great tour with Mia

Paul_V, Mar 2023

We had a great tour with Mia on the full day tour. She was pleasant, flexible, and extremely informative. The lava tubes and waterfalls are amazing and the coach transport very comfortable Highly recommended if you have a full day to devote (it’s 11-12 hours)

Our family really enjoyed...

Michele_C, Mar 2023

Our family really enjoyed this tour. I was a little apprehensive at first given the few negative reviews that we read. Personally, I like to use these kinds of tours as a general overview. There is so much to see in such a short amount of time, so yes, you'll be on the move because you are literally going around the whole island which takes all day. With that being said, our tour guide Miexia was exceptional. He tailored the tour as best he could to everyone's preference. For instance, one person wanted to stop at the visitor center to pick up a badge on the way to see the volcano. So don't be afraid to speak up if there is something you want to spend a little more time seeing. We had a total of 6 families on the tour with us. It felt just right and not too crowded. Miexia did a great job of being equally attentive to everyone. Our family now has a better understanding of the island and the beautiful things it has to offer. We will definitely be going back to a few sites to spend more time at our own pace. Overall, great tour! Mahalo Miexia :-)

Not for someone that likes to walk

Emmanuel_E, Mar 2023

10hrs in a van was brutal. The total tour was 13hrs so if you are the type that enjoys brief stops and lots of talking in a van, this tour will be great for you. For me and my wife, it felt endless. The tour guide was nice and very knowledgeable. Cannot blame him as we like to get lost and the tour was a friend’s idea. Wished that the tour would give you a broken down agenda with time tags.

Must do

Catherine_D, Mar 2023

The entire trip was amazing. It is a long day but worth it. Okie guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommended

Outstanding tour.. Highly recommend.. Derek our guide was great!

Bob_S, Mar 2023

The Volcano was tops on our list. We arrived at the right time to see a helicopter flying around inside the crater, landing and one of the riders getting out and walking around. It was almost like watching the filming of a James Bond movie. Our driver Derek was outstanding and engaging... we learned so much from him. He provided excellent directions for what to see and a specific time allowance for each of the stops. All of the stops were enjoyable. We highly recommend this trip. Any parents out there? Don't recommend for children as it is a very long 280 mile journey with lots of stops.

Great Tour Experience

Pete_L, Mar 2023

Seeing the Island and all the beautiful sights. Seeing the Crater and the Waipi'o lookout. Had a Great Tour Guide by the name of Miexia Ahloy. He kept us on schedule and made a couple extra stops which did not distract from the tour and were much appreciated. He went the extra mile to make our tour enjoyable.

The entire experience was...

Herman_P, Mar 2023

The entire experience was fantastic. We had Brett for a tour guide, tremendously knowledgeable and a great host and intertaining Great guy.

Big Island tour

Linda_W, Mar 2023

One of the best tours I’ve ever been on. Miexia was very knowledgeable and so accommodating to everyone on board. I would highly recommend this tour.

See the Island in a Day

Shalanda_S, Mar 2023

Our tour guide was very informative during the entire tour. The waterfalls were breathtaking! To be so close to a volcano was unfathomable!

See the sights of Hawaii in one day.

Susan_B, Mar 2023

A very long day, but enjoyable. Let Derrick do the driving, and see the whole island in one day. Lunch, cold drinks and snacks provided. Comfortable van with AC. Highly recommend.

...

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Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Sightseeing, History

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