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Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcanic Experience, Lava Tubes, Waterfalls

26 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 26 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Big Island of Hawaii, USA
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 23 (0) days in advance.

5 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 2 more
Russian, Ukrainian
Instant confirmation

Overview

Join BIG HAWAI'I TOURS captivating exploration of the Big Island's lush and volcanic windward side!

-Luxury van not a 25–60 passenger coach
-Pickup at the ship when disembarking allowed and return for a late, on-board lunch
-Owner-guided (Fred & Maryna)
-Itinerary flexed for weather/closures/eruptions
-Water, island drinks, and homegrown snacks included
-Suitable for all fitness levels

During active eruptions, witness the mighty Kīlauea - the world’s most active volcano. On dormant days, we'll skip the long drive to the crowded park to enjoy black sand coastlines with playful dolphin pods and unique lava formations hidden from tourists. See cavernous lava tubes, majestic waterfalls, and tropical jungles, and savor locally-raised macadamia sweets.

BIG HAWAII TOURS are daily curated to maximize your limited time in Hilo. This 5.5-hour morning tour can be bundled with our BIG HAWAII TOURS afternoon TROPICAL ESCAPE for a full, memorable day with guaranteed "all-aboard" for cruisers.

What's Included

  • Snacks We provide complimentary drinks (Hawaii-special soft drinks) and home-grown snacks (often including fresh fruit!), and will return cruisers to ship by 1:30PM for their on-board lunch
  • Your booking includes admission/parking fees to all sites on tour
  • We Work With Ship Arrival/Departure Times
  • Gratuities
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

Luxurious van picks up Hilo Port cruisers right at the port (we will greet you in the terminal pavilion right next to the ship about 45 minutes after ship docks). For Hilo vacationers we can pickup right across the harbor from dock at Reeds Bay Beach Park gravel parking lot. If you're arriving via cruise ship, please provide the names of everyone in your group for port authority passenger manifest. We work with each cruise line on their specific disembarking times so don't worry about being late, and we guarantee "all aboard" return.

OR
Meeting point
End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your activity begins.
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Hilo (pass by)

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.
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Lili'uokalani Gardens

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.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Boiling Pots

We will catch a couple picturesque waterfalls as we explore the lush, green windward side of the Big Island.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Rainbow Falls

This beautiful waterfall is usually one of our first stops, depending on traffic and weather.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Kaumana Caves Park

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).
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Lava Tree

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.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Leilani Estates (pass by)

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.
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Isaac Hale Beach Park

Black sand beach with natural thermal heated pools. See how the lava flow reached the ocean, eventually creating black sand beaches.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

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.
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2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center

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.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Show 9 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcanic Experience, Lava Tubes, Waterfalls?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the activity for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the activity start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the activity start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the activity local time (HST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the activity for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-5633359P12

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
26 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 26 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
26
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 23 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • SnacksWe provide complimentary drinks (Hawaii-special soft drinks) and home-grown snacks (often including fresh fruit!), and will return cruisers to ship by 1:30PM for their on-board lunch
  • Your booking includes admission/parking fees to all sites on tour
  • We Work With Ship Arrival/Departure Times
  • We pickup/drop-off inside Hilo Port (right next to ship)
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

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