BIG ISLAND
Ranked by traveller popularity
The 10 most popular shore excursions on the Big Island. What they actually deliver, who runs them, and what they cost.
Volcanoes National Park and black-sand beach shore day from Hilo with Kilauea steam, a lava tube walk, turtles, and macadamia tastings.
“Robert was a great tour guide! He taught us so much about Hawaii and the volcanos. I highly recommend this tour”
Hilo shore excursion to Kilauea, Thurston Lava Tube, and Chain of Craters Road with pickup, snacks, and park admission included.
“I can’t believe I didn’t leave my review earlier. This was in hindsight even more incredible considering we were there a year before the eruption. I have pictures in the same exact place where it happened. Kinda surreal”
Hilo half-day Volcano Safari with lava caves, black-sand beaches, warm springs, and Kilauea flow history, with port pickup included.
“We had the most amazing tour guide! can't remember her name, but she was Filipino and just a doll! She was funny, extremely knowledgeable, and had passion for her island. She gave us lots of great information and we saw some amazing sites. Highly highly recommend!”
Sea turtles, a historic Kona church, and Kona coffee samples on a 5-hour cruise shore tour with easy port pickup and local stops.
“We loved our day with Kelvin, particularly my son. He is an excellent tour guide, funny, informative, engaging. He was also very helpful with my mother, who had some mobility issues.”
Small-group Hilo shore excursion packs turtles, waterfalls, macadamias, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park into one day. Park fees included.
“Don was fantastic . He really enjoyed showing his special surfing spot an pointed out all the plants by name”
A small-group Hilo shore excursion that pairs Rainbow Falls, gardens, and black sand with Volcanoes National Park and a lava tube walk.
“We enjoyed the portion of the tour spent in the volcanoes park more so than the sites of Hilo, although they were certainly interesting. This is the best tour we have had in a volcanic region. It is a busy day with many stops. It is important to return promptly to the vehicle so that…”
Hilo shore excursion to Rainbow Falls, Volcanoes National Park lava tube, and Punaluʻu black sand beach with lunch and snacks.
“Fantastic tour! Desmond and Antony are the best! So knowledgeable and fun! We got to see the volcano erupting and had a wonderful lunch at the volcano village. Black sand beach was awesome too, as was the bowl of fruit they gave us. I loved the history chat and getting to hold some Hawaiin artefacts,…”
Kona zodiac snorkel in Kealakekua Bay for Captain Cook views, turtles and dolphins, plus sea-cave lookouts, lunch, and port pickup.
“We thoroughly enjoyed a morning snorkeling in two dive locations along with a stop to view the spinner dolphins. Out of concern for the dolphins safety, it’s no longer legal to swim with the dolphins. But we did delight in watching the dolphins jump and spin for 20 minutes. The trip’s positives included: The small…”
Private Hilo tour to Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Bay sights in a Mercedes Sprinter for up to 10, with guide, snacks, and park fees.
“Skylar was an amazing tour guide. Super knowledgeable and was super nice and helpful! The van was super clean and spacious which was a nice bonus. 10/10 would recommend to anyone coming to Hilo!”
Historic Kona shore tour with port pickup, Kona coffee tasting, Puuhonua refuge park, and St Benedict Painted Church in 3.5 hours.
“The tour was very disappointing and not very historical. Of the 4 locations listed, only 3 were visited and only 2 of them could be considered historical. The Captain Cook Memorial was described as a “pass by” but it was so far way and the bus was moving so fast that you couldn’t even see…”
