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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Our most recommended tours and activities

Hilo: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Waterfalls Flight

1. Hilo: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Waterfalls Flight

Take a helicopter ride over ever-changing scenery at Volcano National Park with this tour from Hilo. Journey over black sand beaches where lava once flowed into the sea. Take off from Hilo and fly directly to Volcano National Park. See the caldera of the Kilauea volcano. Admire the Pu'uo'o' volcanic cone. Snap pictures of the massive volcanos Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Discover new lava fields that are forming and go over old lava fields. View how waterfalls create a deep blue pools amid jungle greenery.

Big Island: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, & Coffee Farm Day-Trip

2. Big Island: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, & Coffee Farm Day-Trip

The morning is filled with guided visits to some of the most majestic waterfalls on the Big Island. The views stop you in your tracks at the Waipio Valley lookout, where a dramatic backdrop of lush cliffs drops into the sparkling blue ocean. Continue riding along the Hamakua coast as more postcard-worthy views pass by your window before visiting Akaka Falls and the famous Rainbow Falls. Take a short walk through the rainforest for an up-close view and plenty of photo opportunities. In the afternoon, explore the wonders of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, including steam vents, the Halema’uma’u, and Kilauea Iki crater lookouts, and take a short hike along the crater rim trail.  From here, relax and take it all in at Punalu’u Beach, a great place to spot marine life from the black-sand shore. On the leisurely drive back around sunset, you’ll see views of South Point, the southernmost point of the United States, and Kealakekua Bay.  Finally, enjoy a visit to Kona Coffee Farm. Stroll through the orchards with your guide and learn about the harvesting and milling process while sampling a warm cup of Kona-grown coffee.

From Kona and Waikoloa: Kilauea Volcano Discovery Tour

3. From Kona and Waikoloa: Kilauea Volcano Discovery Tour

Begin your adventure with a scenic drive over the stark and beautiful saddle road to set the stage for the day overlooking mesmerizing views including a stop to view the famous Rainbow Falls. If the Twilight option is selected, you will stay in the Park past sunset to view the eruption's glow. From there your first stop will be the Hawaii Volcanoes, National Park. Discover all the “must-see” spots within the Park including the dramatically changed Halemaumau Crater. After immersing yourself in the magnanimous history and culture of Volcanoes National Park and enjoying your picnic lunch, you will be driven to Hawaii Forest and Trail's private lava tube, Kauhi Cavern. Explore this unique cave with ceilings as high as 35 feet, expansive rooms, bright golden walls, and an “upside-down” forest of roots hanging from the cave ceiling. Upon returning to the surface from the lava tube exploration, enjoy a light afternoon snack with your fellow travelers and guide while reflecting on your in-depth volcano experience.

Big Island: Hilo Doors-Off Lava and Rainforest Adventure

4. Big Island: Hilo Doors-Off Lava and Rainforest Adventure

On this helicopter doors-off experience, you will see the best of the Big Island, with views only accessible by air. See giant waterfalls flowing down gorgeous cliffs and active glowing lava. For those wanting to see Hawaii from a bird's eye view, this tour will take you there. Jump aboard the Hughes 500 Helicopter doors-off and fly over one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Find out for yourself why this is the ”hottest helicopter ride on Earth.” After over 35 years of activity, Kīlauea Volcano has made its mark on the geological structure of the island. Witness otherworldly landscapes like the incredible 8-mile river of frozen lava from Fissure 8 to the Pacific Ocean, the newest black sand beaches, and enormous craters created by recent events. Along the way, view Mauna Loa’s vistas, the beauty of lush Puna rainforests, and mesmerizing Hilo waterfalls. With no windows to shoot through, there is no better way for you to share crystal clear photographs and videos of your experience. Many of these Hawaii waterfalls are accessible by air only so you will gain exclusive access to some of the largest waterfalls on the island. 

MaunaKea Stellar Explorer From Kona

5. MaunaKea Stellar Explorer From Kona

For an out-of-this-world experience, check out Maunakea Stellar Explorer. The in-house stellar explorers are the best and most experienced in Hawaii, with one having created the Mauna Kea Visitor’s Center and operated it for a decade. Staff have written noted articles and reviews for well-known astronomy magazines and have worked at world-class observatories. Next, you’ll travel across Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, two of the tallest and most massive volcanoes on Earth. Your National Park Service trained guide will discuss the volcanology, geology, and history of these monstrous wonders, as well as providing in-depth narration on the various lava flows and flora and fauna that you’ll be passing by. While you’re taking in the breathtaking terrestrial views, your guide will prepare some heavenly views just as stunning. Setting up a state of the art solar telescope for your viewing pleasure, your specially trained guide will let you safely watch the sun come alive in true color with vibrant solar flares, sunspots, prominences, and any other current activity, weather permitting. Lastly, your guide will take you to one of the preferred locations on Mauna Kea for nighttime stargazing. You’ll observe deep sky and planetary objects through a large aperture Dobsonian telescope under one of the darkest and most pristine skies on planet Earth. The Dobsonian telescopes are a true purist’s experience to view the night sky. Their fast focal ratio enables you to see sprawling wide field views of objects that simply aren’t possible with the types of telescopes used by other tours. Depending on what is visible in the current sky and weather permitting, you’ll observe galaxies, nebula, star clusters, planets, double star systems, the moon, and much more; all the highlights and showpiece objects like you’ve never seen before. 

Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour

6. Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour

Enjoy a guided adventure starting with a stop at a Kona Coffee Farm. Walk through a lava tube and orchards with your guide to learn about the harvesting and milling process while sampling a warm cup of Kona-grown coffee. Continue through the scenic view of the Kealakekua Bay and South Point, the southernmost point of the United States. Relax at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach to spot marine life, like Hawaii’s green sea turtles, from the shore. Next, head to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Drive on the Chain of Craters Road. Learn about volcanic eruptions and current and past lava flow sites. Visit the Kilauea Iki Lookout, Lava Tube, steam vents, Halema’uma’u Crater, and the crater rim trail. After enjoying dinner at a nearby cafe, return to the park to view the lava glow at night and stargaze. Depending on weather conditions, observe stars, planets, galaxies, and more.

From Oahu: Big Island Volcano Helicopter Adventure

7. From Oahu: Big Island Volcano Helicopter Adventure

Experience Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on an inter-island adventure from Oahu. Explore the Big Island via helicopter, discover the area around Hilo town with your driver-guide, and enjoy a picnic lunch. Meet at the Honolulu International Airport and fly from Oahu to Hilo on Hawaii Island. At Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, peer into the depths of Halema’uma’u Crater, which has doubled in size since the recent 2018 eruption that drastically altered the island’s landscape. Watch steam clouds form as groundwater seeps into hot volcanic rock at the famous Steam Vents. Drive down the scenic Chain of Craters Road. Enjoy an included take-out picnic lunch from Millie’s in the park to refresh and relax. Take a 45-minute helicopter tour over the areas with the most recent volcanic activity, weather permitting. See the largest rainforest in the USA and Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and recently erupted Mauna Loa.

Big Island: Volcanoes National Park Group or Private Hike

8. Big Island: Volcanoes National Park Group or Private Hike

See it all on a group or private hike in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, uncovering its natural wonders. Journey with your expert guide through native Hawaiian forests and the Kilauea Iki Crater to an active caldera, then travel into the center of the earth to explore Thurston Lava Tube. Start your trek at the Kilauea Visitor Center where you'll meet your friendly guide and get ready for your adventure. Venture into the lush rainforests and experience incredible views over the solidified lava lake in Kilauea Iki Crater. Weave your way between a field of steam vents and into a native Hawaiian forest to reach the caldera of a volcano. Observe the gigantic volcanic walls and feel the heat close against your skin. Finish your hike in style as you delve into the iconic Thurston Lava Tube, a stretching, subterranean cave formed by ancient flowing lava. Feel the wonder of one of the park's most popular attractions before heading back to the visitor center.

Afternoon hike in Volcanoes National Park

9. Afternoon hike in Volcanoes National Park

Take a journey of discovery and witness the awe-inspiring power of nature on an afternoon hike in Volcanoes National Park. Join me as I guide you on a 4 mile loop adventure through Hawaiian native forests and around a hardened lava lake. As the sun sets, watch in awe as the lava lake glows with an otherworldly beauty. Relax in the serene surroundings of this special place and take in all the sights and sounds of one of Hawaii’s most spectacular national parks. With my experienced guidance, you’ll have a unique opportunity to explore and appreciate this majestic environment. So don’t miss out – book your afternoon hike today! The hike will end at the Volcano hose restaurant and bar, guests are encouraged to book a relaxing meal at Volcano House restaurant and bar. If interested I will supply you with all information upon booking. Lava viewing is subject to weather and Kilauea volcano.

Hawaii: Volcanoes National Park E-Bike Rental & Audio Guide

10. Hawaii: Volcanoes National Park E-Bike Rental & Audio Guide

Experience the thrill of a lifetime: E-bike around the rim of an erupting volcano. Follow a GPS map tour using your smartphone. This day of unbeatable excitement begins at Bike Volcano Headquarter in Volcano Village (less than a mile from the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park) where there is secured parking, restrooms, a general store, and a restaurant. Here you will be fitted with an e-bike and helmet and given a safety lecture under the canopy staging area. The GPS system will then lead you on a voice turn-by-turn navigation from Volcano Village into National Park on a bike trail through a lush native Hawaiian Rainforest. Your first stop will be Waldron's Ledge where you will get your first panoramic view of Kilauea Volcanos Caldera and the active lava in Halemaumau Crater (volcano-dependent). Next, your ride continues a paved trail along the rim of the Caldera to the Steam Vents where you will feel the heat of the volcano and get another incredible view of the Kilauea Volcano's Caldera. Continue biking along the crater's edge, getting incredible vast views unseen by most visitors to the park. Stop at the Kilauea Overlook and the Summit of Kilauea. Adventure abounds as you head to the opposite side of the crater and bike through the lush Hawaiian rainforest to see the incredible Kilauea Iki Crater before taking a short hike through the Thurston Lava Tube. The journey continues down Devastation Trail and leads to the closest viewing point to see the active lava in the Summit Crater. Why walk when you can e-bike? You will end your journeying by biking back to Volcano Village where you will say "A hui hou", until we meet again.

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Other Sightseeing Options in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

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What people are saying about Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 299 reviews

This excision was all we expected and more. Mia F. To many of the places we wanted to see on the big island. As we traveled she kept us up to date as to where we were going, told us island stories & history, all while driving safely. We passed several spots we wanted to visit and now knew how to get there the next day. Perfect introduction to Hawaii. I would ride with her anytime.

Good activities. We were lucky to see an active volcano with lava. It worth it to wake up early in the morning to see this the guide was so friendly and kindly.

Beautiful views and fantastic tour guide. Scott kept us entertained with Hawaiian stories and history and we arrived safely to each destination.

Aaron the tour guide was spectacular and full of great knowledge.

Very informative guide. Great photo opportunities.