The 11 Best Hilo Volcano Tours

1.Hilo: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset, & Stargazing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 629 reviews · 390 - 450 minutes · from $289Our pick

Ride from Hilo to Mauna Kea with guides such as Val, Tay, John, and Jess. See sunset near the summit, learn about Hawaiian astronomy and the observatories, then stargaze with a telescope at high elevation. Parkas, gloves, snacks, hot chocolate, and emailed night photos are included.

“Do NOT miss this Mauna Kea Summit tour. Jess and Rob were incredible guides and the evening was so well planned/efficient. It was the highlight of our entire vacation. Everything was OUTSTANDING from the transportation to the sunset to the seeing the stars with a telescope to taking a picture with the night sky. Rob was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Jess was so patient and absolutely lovely. My family and I had an incredible time. DO NOT MISS THIS EXPERIENCE with this company.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 414 reviews · 11 hours · from $264

Spend a full day crossing Big Island climate zones with guides such as Kawika, Mia, Chris, or Henry. Visit Waipio Valley, Akaka and Rainbow Falls, Volcanoes National Park, Punaluʻu Beach, and Bay View Farm, with lunch, snacks, park fees, and Kona coffee tasting included.

“It was perfect! From start of the trip to the very last stop. Everything was well planned and we even got to see the gorgeous sunset at Waipi’o Valley. The most active volcano erupted the day after the tour but it was still amazing to see Volcanoes National Park. Our guide, Dreu was very informative. We had a really great time and I’m so glad I did this tour on my first day on the Big Island. Such a lovely experience seeing two sacred spots in one day, enjoying the beauty around the island sipping coffee, having yummy malasadas, chasing waterfalls and OH, THE CUTEST 6 HONU!!! that showed up…”

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3.Volcano Adventure: Hilo Sightseeing w/ Optional Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 412 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $202

Spend about 10.5 hours exploring Hilo, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Thurston Lava Tube, steam vents, Akaka Falls, and Rainbow Falls. A professional guide such as Dexter may lead the day, with an optional helicopter ride offering views of craters, waterfalls, coastline, and forest from above.

“This was a very interesting trip and Dexter was very informative. I would recommend this trip plus the lunch was great”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $187Top rated

Spend 5.5 hours with Mauka Makai Adventures visiting Kilauea, steam vents, Halema'uma'u Crater, Thurston Lava Tube, Chain of Craters Road, Rainbow Falls, Big Island Candies, and Lili'uokalani Gardens. Guides such as Jill and Josh add local stories and practical help. Pickup is available in Hilo and at the port.

“Our guide Josh was very informative of not just the volcanoes, but of the island as well. Very convenient pickup up from Port, and also brought us back after the tour. Big van with plenty of room, and he even had water and snacks. Would definitely recommend!”

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5.Hilo: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 248 reviews · 1 hour · from $379

Take a one-hour, six-person helicopter flight from Hilo to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. An English-speaking pilot such as Andrew, Sam, or Matt may point out Kilauea, Puʻu ʻŌʻō, lava fields, waterfalls, Mauna Kea, and Mauna Loa. Routes depend on weather and volcanic conditions.

“Totally amazing! The weather was perfect and the sights were undescribable! Wonderful experience!”

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6.Big Island: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 118 reviews · 7 hours · from $189

Join Desmond, Anthony, or another Shaka Braddah guide for a seven-hour small-group tour from Hilo to Kilauea, Thurston Lava Tube, Punaluʻu Beach, Rainbow Falls, and Liliʻuokalani Gardens. Lunch, park admission, fruit, cultural artifacts, and Hilo-area pickup are included.

“Everything was perfect, we have learned so much about Big Island and Hawaiian Islands. Our tour guides were amazing! We really enjoyed the trip.”

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7.From Hilo: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 70 reviews · 5 hours · from $175Best value

Spend five hours touring Hilo and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a local guide such as Dan or Kimo. See Liliʻuokalani Gardens, Rainbow Falls, steam vents, Halemaʻumaʻu Crater views, and Thurston Lava Tube, then sample treats at Big Island Candies.

“our Guide Dan was truly amazing- shared important history and current knowledge - was extremely kind and thoughtful. the whole experience was fabulous and I'd recommend taking this trip with Dan - Gail and Terry from NZ”

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8.Big Island: Volcano, Black Sand Beach, Waterfall, with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 44 reviews · 7 hours · from $189

Join guides Desmond and Anthony, or another Shaka Braddah team, for a seven-hour Hilo-area tour from Rainbow Falls to Kilauea and Punaluʻu Beach. Expect volcanic viewpoints, a lava tube, local food, fruit samples, Hawaiian history, and hands-on artifacts in a small group van.

“Desmond and Mike were both great. Because of the volcano erupting, they changed the order of the itinerary and took us to the volcano early in case it stopped. awe had great views. Then due to all the traffic in the park, the took us to a restaurant/hotel in the park and we got to see the volcano the whole time we ate. It was fantastic. Food was great We would highly recommend this tour or any tour run by this group.”

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9.Hilo: Elite Volcano Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 8 reviews · 8h 30m · from $189

Join KapohoKine Adventures for an 8.5-hour small-group tour from Hilo to the 2018 eruption sites and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Walk the old highway at Mackenzie, see Fissure 8, eat lunch at Isaac Hale Beach Park, and hike toward Kilauea Caldera with guides such as Ray or Nick.

“The volcano tour was awesome and the tour guide Ray was just brilliant. His explanations and his dynamic were great, he had a wonderful sense of humour and he perfectly interacted with the group. We liked this tour a lot - because of the volcano parc and the amazing panoramas, but especially and mainly because of Ray. Thanks for the wonderful time!”

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10.Private Big Island Tour:Coffee, Beaches,Volcanos & Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 11 hours

This private 11-hour Big Island tour lets your group of up to six shape the day with guides such as Gary and Brandon. Expect coffee tasting, malasadas, Volcanoes National Park, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, waterfalls, historic sites, snacks, drinks, and hotel pickup.

“Amazing!!! This private tour is worth every penny! Brandon was our tour guide and was incredible!! He was a wealth of information and there was never a dull moment during our 11 hour tour. Brandon was very easygoing and funny. I don’t know where he gets his energy from, but it sure was contagious. We fit in so much during our day and never felt rushed. He provided a spacious and clean van along with refreshments and snacks. Definitely book this tour if you want to see the hot spots of the Big Island!”

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11.From Big island-Volcanoes & waterfall tour in a small group

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 4 reviews · 6 hours · from $295

Spend six hours with an English-speaking guide exploring Hilo, Rainbow Falls, Liliʻuokalani Park, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. With space for no more than five people, the tour includes transport, park fees, water, and a walk through Thurston Lava Tube. Lunch is not included.

“Ich habe diese Tour ca. 1 Woche im Voraus gebucht. Am Tag vor der Tour teilte mir der Anbieter mit, dass ich bisher die einzige Buchung sei und dass er daher stornieren würde, wenn bis 17 Uhr keine weitere Buchung eingeht. Er würde sich bis 17:00 melden. Ich könne allerdings auch $350 mehr bezahlen und damit an einer privaten Tour teilnehmen. Ich verneinte den Aufpreis und wartete auf Rückmeldung. Da ich bis 17:30 keine Rückmeldung erhielt, rief ich an. Daraufhin wurde mir gesagt, dass die Tour nicht stattfinden würde und ich eine Rückzahlung erhalten werde. Auf diese Rückzahlung wartete ich 10 Tage, bis ich den Anbieter erneut kontaktiert habe. Immerhin…”

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