Big Island of Hawaii

Hilo Shore Excursion: Active Volcano, Lava Tube, Waterfall and Gardens

Badge of ExcellenceHilo, United States
Hilo Shore Excursion Active Volcano Waterfall Black Sand Beach
Likely to Sell Out

From $167.54

Select Date and Travelers

Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
Big Island of Hawaii Tours
All Big Island of Hawaii Tours
Audio Guides
Likely To Sell Out
Private and Luxury
  • 5 hours 30 minutes
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Experience some of the Big Island’s top attractions during this day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the sights around Hilo. Learn all about volcanoes as you marvel at Halema'uma'u crater and explore the massive Kilauea Volcano. Immerse your senses in the beauty of Hilo including a visit to Rainbow Falls and a stop to indulge in local chocolates and island fresh coffee.
  • Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the sights around Hilo
  • Get an up-close look at Hawaii's volcanic activity during stops at Halema'uma'u Crater and Thurston Lava Tube
  • See historic lava flows along the 'Chain of Craters’ Road
  • Visit a local chocolate factory and tour Rainbow Falls during stops in and around Hilo

What's Included

  • Professional guide
  • Private transportation
  • Bottled water
  • Hotel Pick-up for Select Hotels (all others please plan to meet at the Hilo Mo'oheau Bus Terminal)
  • Hilo Harbor Port pick-up and drop-off
  • Hilo Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
  • We DO NOT provide transportation from Kona or Waikoloa. Please meet us in Hilo at the bus terminal.

Meeting And Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

  • 329 Kamehameha Ave
    329 Kamehameha Ave, Hilo, HI 96720, USA

    Meet your tour guide 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 with the "Mauka Makai Adventures" logo on it in the parking lot. Please be waiting for your driver we may be picking up other guests.

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

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 10-15 minutes prior to tour start time. 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 confirm that you will 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.

What To Expect

Receive a morning pickup from your Hilo hotel, Hilo Airport, or Hilo Port. You’ll continue on a drive through some of the Big Island’s historic sugar plantation towns as you make your way to Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Explore this unique volcanic area with your group, stopping to visit attractions like the steam vents and Halema'uma'u Crater. You may even witness a volcanic eruption! Trek through the nearby rainforest to visit Thurston Lava Tube, where you can learn more about how volcanoes form, erupt and cool. You will see additional lava flows as you continue on a drive along the ‘Chain of Craters’ Road.

After stopping to enjoy the beauty of locally grown orchids, continue to Hilo, where you'll sample island treats at a chocolate factory and visit Rainbow Falls. Finish the day with a drop-off back at your original pickup location.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Nahuku - Thurston Lava Tube

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Chain of Craters Road

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Rainbow Falls

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Big Island Candies

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Liliuokalani Gardens

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Operates in all weather conditions (be prepared for sun, wind and rain).
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Covered walking shoes are required and a jacket is highly recommended.
  • Participants must be able to walk a minimum of 1.5 miles on uneven terrain.
  • 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 HILO HARBOR 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.
  • Children ages 8 years and up may participate in tour. All participants must have a paid seat. We do not allow any "lap" children.
  • 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.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

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 a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

See more

Traveler Tips

Check them out at Maukama Kai Adventures Thanks again Josh and Jill!
Check them out at Maukama Kai Adventures Thanks again Josh and Jill!

Reviews

5.0
205 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 205 reviews
See so much in Hilo!
Lori_N, Sep 2023
There were 7 of us on the tour on Sept. 12th and we were all delighted with our day. Josh was our guide and his enthusiasm and knowledge to share for his home made the day! He was able to schedule our stops allowing us to avoid most of the bus groups, which was nice. Each stop was interesting and added to the experience. The van was newer, clean, comfortable and cool. We definitely recommend this for an opportunity to see a range of things that make The Big Island special. We would love to come back and see more! Thanks Josh
Great choice, if you pick this Hilo excursion
Neil_C, Sep 2023
This was an outstanding excursion. We were fortunate to have a tremendous guide who grew up around the Hilo area, who had personal stories that kept everything interesting. Strongly recommend this one to all.
Super Lava Tube Experience
Adrienne_D, Sep 2023
Super experience. Josh was excellent. Very knowledgeable, a font of local information including the history of the island!
Great way to spend the day.
Raymon_C, Sep 2023
We cruised in on NCL Sprit and walked out to terminal and Jill was waiting for us with a sign identifying tour. So easy! Jill was fantastic and did a wonderful job explaining island history, culture and going into detail about all sights we visited. Day was perfect, 10 of us total and we’ll worth the money. We do recommend this excursion. Kathi and Raymon.
Don’t miss this tour!
Timothy_M, Sep 2023
Our tour guide Jill was excellent! She was local and gave us so much history and information. Having a group of 10 made it so personal. We saw so much and I would highly recommend this tour!
Jill was an excellent...
Neil_L, Sep 2023
Jill was an excellent tour guide. Getting to see an active volcano was a once in a lifetime experience.
Josh & Jill’s Excellent Adventure
William_C, Sep 2023
Josh was terrific -thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! HI’s a native and shared lots of local knowledge. Mercedes Van super clean and comfortable.
Lots of WOW moments
Phil_M, Aug 2023
Jill, our guide was amazing. She was full of knowledge and information and telling stories about the island. It felt like if Jill didn't know it, it didn't happen. We went to many different stops but too many good ones to have a real favourite. Perfectly timed tour with the right amount of time at each location. I would highly recommend this tour
Hawaii volcano tour was super!!
Connie_C, Aug 2023
I love the banyan trees! Josh was a great tour guide. He was very friendly and knowledgeable about Hawaii, it’s legends and history. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Great experience, beautiful scenery!
marc_t, Jul 2023
Magnificent scenery, great info & a very hospitable guide (Josh). Booking was easy. The tour itself was interesting & informative, just the right duration.
Beautiful volcano tour!
Gary_S, Jul 2023
Great tour! Comfortable bus and super yummy chips! Volcano viewing was wonderful! Walk was easy and worth the views
Great tour, amazing views!
Lionel_T, May 2023
Exciting tour! Josh was very informative and had alot of personal and historical stories which was fun and made you feel like you were Ohana. Pickup and drop-off was quick and easy. Very comfortable, easy riding vehicle.
Worth every penny
Madyson_W, May 2023
Our tour guide, Josh, was very friendly, welcoming, and informative. He knew so much about the island and the sites that we visited. It was an enriching experience that I highly recommend.
Great shore excursion!
Dan_W, May 2023
The nice thing about this tour was that it was a small group. The bus driver did a great job telling us about each location and her personal experience since she was a born there. She gave us plenty of time to look around and answer any questions that we had.
Great side trip
Brian_K, May 2023
Loved the Kilauea crater and the lava flows. Rainbow Falls was great too. Guide was lively and informative.
Highly Recommended!
Marcel_D, Apr 2023
The Mauka Makai Adventures was an amazing tour of the more rural side of the island and the tour guide/ owner Josh was the best host we had of the several excursions we went on. He was very knowledgeable, funny and friendly and made the overall experience extremely memorable. There are parts of the island that felt like we were on another planet. This is a must do for those looking to get a well rounded Big Island experience and something I will definitely do again during our next visit!
Awesome tour!
Martha_N, Apr 2023
Excellent tour and tour guide. Lava tube and the crater rim were just awesome! I highly recommend. The tour guise gave detailed information on volcano history and eruptions.
A great tour - Worth every penny
Paul_B, Apr 2023
What a great tour, despite the weather not being great the sheer passion and enthusiasm Jill, our guide, has for the island more than made up for it. It’s a very informative and well planned tour covering numerous areas with little folk stories added in for good measure. All in all a very good day - thank you Jill
Amazing to walk in Lava Tubes
Francine_N, Apr 2023
Tour guide Jill is wonderful. She shared her love of Hilo, her knowledge about volcanoes, flora and fauna, and everything Hawaiian. Her van is very comfortable and clean and she is an excellent driver. Highly recommend!
Amazing experience.
Martha_A, Apr 2023
The entire trip was amazing. Our guide, Josh, was extremely knowledgeable and informative. He shared personal stories and history which made the trip more interesting. I was extremely impressed with the visit to Kīlauea’s caldera. Seeing and going through a lava tube was also an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend this tour.
...

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