For many, no Hawaiian holiday is complete without a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
This colossal stretch of land encompasses two of the world’s most active volcanoes, rare flora and fauna, and exquisite volcanic terrain. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tours allow you the up close and personal experience that you are looking for.
But how to decide between the many tours that are offered? Here are our choices for the top five Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tours — and why you should book a reservation.
• Volcano Unveiled – Departs from Kona, pick ups in Waikoloa (12 hours)
• Hawaii Grand Circle Island Tour – Departs from Kona (Approx. 10 hours)
• Kohala Waterfalls Adventure – Departs from Kona, w/other pick ups available (8 hours)
• Volcano Adventure Tour – Departs from Hilo (12 hours)
• Hidden Craters Hike – Departs from Kona, other pick ups available (5 hours)
Volcano Unveiled
As the youngest island in Hawaii, the Big Island is a study in contrasts: Startling-blue water edging against onyx rocks. Miles of unspoiled land bordering enclaves filled with resorts. Abundant sunshine; ample rain; copious mist. Staggeringly gorgeous, the island is a must-see on your visit to the Aloha State.
The volcanoes that created it should also be considered a must—and Hawaii Forest & Trail helps you realize this with their Volcano Unveiled tour. On this 12-hour journey, you’ll be picked up from select resorts on the Kona and Waikoloa Coast before taking a picturesque drive on the famed Saddle Road to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Once there, you’ll hike two to three miles across rocky ground to get an up-close-and-personal look at Kilauea—a 4,019-foot active shield volcano that’s continually changing the Big Island. Along the way, a knowledgeable, amiable, and certified guide will offer fascinating information on Hawaii’s geology, culture, and history. The pinnacle of the trip will likely be the off-road excursion to Kauhi Cave, a private lava tube and cavern that’s accessible only to Hawaii Forest & Trail staff and guests. You’ll be spellbound by the cylinder, which is marked by bright yellow microbial mats that accent the cave walls; meanwhile, the trip as a whole will linger with you for decades. Bonus points: Hawaii Forest & Trail—which is certified by the Hawaii Ecotourism Association—has garnered a reputation as one of the friendliest, most well-informed tour companies on the island, thanks in part to their two-plus decades of experience—and the fact that their staff holds strong academic backgrounds in the fields of biology, geology, natural history, and Hawaiian culture.
Know before you go:
- Consider yourself generally fit? Good! You should be able to trek two to three miles over uneven landscapes.
- Pack a pair of protective glasses to shield your eyes from ash, dust, and vog.
- Don’t stress about eats and drinks: Hawaii Forest & Trail will provide breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon pupu—or appetizers—and water.
Hawaii Grand Circle Island Tour
At 4,028 square miles—and growing—the Big Island earned its nickname for a reason. Given its vastness—it’s larger than all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined—it ought to arrive as no surprise that its landscape is diverse and complex, featuring everything from coffee farms to rainforests to lava fields to, yes, those astounding volcanoes that shaped it.
Challenging to see in one trip—let alone in one week—Polynesian Adventure takes the stress out of mapping, planning, and driving with their Hawaii Grand Circle Island Tour. This 12-hour trip—give or take—covers roughly 250 miles of the Big Island’s mind-boggling turf. With an amiable, expert driver at the wheel of your super-comfy minibus, you’ll see several of the Big Island’s greatest sights, including the lush and rugged Hamakua Coast (where you’ll also stop at Hamakua Nut Company, where Hawaii’s first macadamia nut tree was planted in 1881), Rainbow Falls State Park, and the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. You’ll also be taken to Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach—where the midnight-colored sand, formed from years of volcanic activity, is frequented by seals and turtles—and Royal Kona Coffee, a farm, known as the “jewel of java,” where you’ll learn how coffee is produced and its import to local culture.
What’s more, you’ll be given a comprehensive tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, including the Volcano House, the Kilauea Iki Overlook, and Puhimau—a pit that tells the story of the crater’s collapse. Sound grand? It’s because it is. And throughout it all, the team at Roberts Hawaii will provide you with engrossing information about the sights—while also ensuring you’re having a heck of a good time.
Know before you go:
- The tour highlights may sound magnificent but be prepared for itinerary changes (due to inclement weather, volcanic activity, and more). At the same time, lava flow sightings are contingent upon Kilauea’s disposition.
- Pregnant or have a heart condition? Consider holding off. Volcanic fumes can be hazardous to your health; they might also impact infants and young children.
- Sleep well the night before. This is a long trip with moderate walking—and lots of excitement—involved.
*This tour is not currently running, however, the Big Island Volcano Tour covers many of the same areas. Booking and more information can be found by clicking the button below.
Kohala Waterfalls Adventure
Immerse yourself in stunning private Kohala waterfalls, tranquil streams, scenic coastlines, and rugged valleys on this North Kohala adventure. Experience an off-road journey in a 4-wheel drive vehicle to an exclusive trailhead. Then, take a relaxed, guided walk through a private nature reserve to the secluded waterfalls where you’ll be able to get in and cool down. Also, enjoy a private picnic lunch with views of soaring sea cliffs and remote valleys at one of the island’s most iconic lookouts. Let our top guides that have been hand-selected because they are friendly, knowledgeable, and capable of ensuring safety while showing you a great time!
Know before you go:
- Have keiki in your crew? Be sure they’re eight years or older.
- No need to stop at Target before your big day: Hawaii Forest & Trail provides walking sticks, day packs, warm wear, and rain ponchos.
- Bring your appetite: The trip includes a savory breakfast (with vegan options available) and a sandwich lunch (gluten-free on request). You’ll also have your pick of sodas and juices.
Volcano Adventure Tour
Land on the Big Island and it’s impossible to ignore the sense of mana all around you. Sure, all of Hawaii has an otherworldly feel about it—how else could a place be so remarkable?—but, far from the urban vibe of Honolulu and the resort ambiance of parts of Maui—the Big Island’s isolation (and immensity) makes its magic palpable.
Much of that is formed, some believed, by the fact that the island is still growing. Polynesian Adventure’s Volcano Adventure Tour honors this fact—and then some. Paying particular attention to instructing guests on all there is to know about volcanoes, the enlightening, 8-hour tour covers everything from seismic activity to the ancient myth of Pele. The scenery presented along the circuit—from the uber-verdant, 24-acre Liliʻuokalani Garden, to the highlights of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park—adds to the drama, rendering the day something of a moving movie.
Know before you go:
- Craving beach time? Roberts Hawaii pays tribute to the prevailing idea of a tropical vacation—their Hilo Volcano Special Tour includes a stop at Richardson’s Black Sand Beach, which boasts an ancient fishing pond and views of Mauna Kea.
- As with all of the tours included on this list, be sure to wear (or pack) comfortable, covered, and sturdy walking shoes.
- While food is not provided with the Hilo Volcano Special Tour, meals are available for purchase at the ‘Imiloa Sky Garden Restaurant (adjacent to the astronomy center). Here, you’ll find local eats, American classics, a sizable buffet, and a la carte items.
Hidden Craters Hike
Dream of the Big Island and see ancient lava fields, awesome craters, and historic sites? You got that right—and Hawaii Forest & Trail is here to make it a reality. Their 5-hour Hidden Craters Hike covers these gems and more. Helmed by interpretative guides who have a unique understanding of Hawaii’s geology, history, and people. Venture onto private land behind 3 locked gates to explore the upper slopes of Kona’s very own volcano – Hualalai. This journey provides intimate, unique access to the site of multiple volcanic eruptions from the 1800s, all within a short distance. Explore a unique lava tube and capture scenic views of the coastline. Take pleasure in a 3-4 mile hike through untouched cloud forest with incredible vistas of the Kona coast.
Know before you go:
- Be prepared to do some trotting: The tour includes multiple stops with the chance to walk a total of three to four miles (ranging from easy to moderate).
- All ages are welcome, and group tours max out at 12—giving you an intimate (but lively) experience.
- Hawaii Forest & Trail is a proud partner of the Hawaii Community Foundation and gives $1 of each tour to the I’iwi Fund—which, named after the scarlet Hawaiian honeycreeper, contributes funding to Hawaii conservation efforts. Guests are encouraged to match their donation (or give any amount they choose). It’s a terrific way to give back to an island that, quite literally, keeps on giving.
Exceptional spots abound across the planet but few remind us of Earth’s power like Hawaii. Arrive on Maui and your eyes will be arrested by the sight of its enormous volcano, Haleakala. Drive across the Pali on Oahu and you’ll be taken by the jagged, dramatic beauty of Koolau Range—fragments of the now-dormant and radically-eroded Koolau Volcano.
Land on the Big Island and you’ll have the chance to see history in the making at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. (And this is just our getting started.) In other words, the dynamic forces of this remote island chain are constantly at work, growing and weathering and shifting—and giving you an extraordinary vacation.
