Top 15 Shore Excursions

1.Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcanoes National Park & Black Sand Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,338 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $159Our pick

From Hilo Port, visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea’s steam vents, Sulphur Banks, a lava tube, Richardson Black Sand Beach, and a macadamia nut farm. Guides such as Robert, Jess, Donna, and Hannibal add local stories and practical help. Allow for weather and changing park access.

“I would highly suggest you were close toe shoes for walking around—good time…Evelynn was fantastic! Someday soon they should deal with the windows situation…it would have been nice to have clear sight out the windows for good pics”

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2.From Milazzo: Panarea & Stromboli Cruise Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 597 reviews · 10 hours · from $91

Spend 10 hours at sea and ashore with NAVI.SAL, sailing from Milazzo to Panarea and Stromboli. You get free time in both ports, views of Cala Junco and the Aeolian islets, then a sunset stop beneath Stromboli’s Sciara del Fuoco. Italian, English, and French assistance is available.

“Overall good experience , too windy on the top deck, they can put some plexiglass in front - 1 meter high to divert the winds ?? Only 2 hours stops on the 2 islands ,so not much to visit but the port itselfs , no time for beach. Prices are OK on the islands ,but can be 20 % cheaper at least. Transit time from main land to Stromboli is too long , unfortunately ship can't go faster.”

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3.Tauranga Shore Excursion: Rotorua Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 427 reviews · from $152

Travel from Tauranga to Rotorua with a local driver-guide such as Stephen or Rolf. Visit a kiwifruit orchard, redwood forest, Government Gardens, and Whakarewarewa’s geysers. A Māori guide leads the village visit and cultural performance. Lunch is at your own expense, and port return is guaranteed.

“This was a tour of an authentic Mauri village built over hot springs and geysers. Twenty five families still live here. Tour was led by a Mauri resident and the performance was great. The Pohutu geyser fully erupted. We even got to taste ears of corn cooked in a boiling pool. Tour also included a visit to a kiwi fruit orchard with tasting, a stop at the Whakarewsrewa Forest, government gardens, and Kaituna Falls. The tour began at the ship’s port and our guide was very careful to watch the time all day in order to get us back to the ship in plenty of time.”

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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 Shore Excursion: Volcano Safari Lava Caves & Black Sand

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 363 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $154

This six-hour Hilo excursion visits Rainbow Falls, Kaumana Caves, Lava Tree State Park, Pohoiki, and areas changed by Kilauea. Expect a small group of up to 14, local guides such as Ellen, Troy, Dave, or Lori, uneven walking, and a local food stop.

“Ellen was a fantastic guide. She was incredibly knowledgeable and timed our stops when other big bus tours weren’t going to be there.(less crowded). We loved having only 14 in our group. The van was so comfortable. It was the best way to see Hilo. Highly recommend.”

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6.Naples Shore Excursion Mt Vesuvius and Pompeii Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 313 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $148

From Naples cruise port, visit Pompeii with a local guide, eat a supplied pizza, pasta, or salad lunch, then hike Mount Vesuvius to its crater. The day runs about seven hours, but traffic and group transfers can stretch it. Rita, Rosa, Michael, and Mikael have received especially warm praise.

“Group was too large - we would be in a single line and at the end the headphones would disconnect from the tour guide Maria. We missed many key points because we were too far back. The meeting point was not clear and the bus was late. They did make accommodations to take our lunch to go or we would have missed Vesuvius entirely. We had 40 minutes at Vesuvius which was not enough time to get to the top.”

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7.6.5 hour Small-Group Rotorua Naturally Shore Excursion – Tauranga

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 283 reviews · from $135

Travel from Tauranga to Rotorua with a small group and a local guide such as Simon, Richie, or Alistair. See geothermal pools, soak your feet at Kuirau Park, sample a hangi-style pie, visit the Redwoods Treewalk and Glow Worm Cave, and return to port in about 6.5 hours.

“We enjoyed half of this tour very much. The walk in the redwood forest, on rope walkways high above the forest floor, was the highlight of this excursion. We enjoyed a quick stop to see the kiwi fruit plantation. After that, the trip’s pace was far too slow and detailed for most of our group. Rotorua Lake is pretty but not worth a half hour stop there. And our guide obviously was really most interested in showing us the geothermal pools in the city park, and while these were interesting, he took a really long time to show us every little pool, losing the interest of the tour group. I…”

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8.Ponta Delgada: Sete Cidades Volcano Lakes Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 198 reviews · 4 hours · from $47Best value

From Ponta Delgada’s cruise terminal, follow a local English-speaking guide to Pico do Carvão, Vista do Rei, Sete Cidades, and Santiago Lake. You’ll walk by the Blue Lake, visit a pineapple greenhouse, taste fresh fruit, and return to the ship or city center.

“This is the second time I've taken a tour to Sete Cidades lakes. First time with my son was a ship tour. This time, with my husband was 100% better! We spent a perfect amount of time for taking photos and the green/blue lakes from an excellent (uncrowded) vantage point. We were able to visit the village in only saw from the hillside last time. Then we stopped at another crater lake (Santiago) which was stunning! Ending with a visit to a pineapple farm and the option of being dropped off in the city centre or back at the ship. It was an incredible day with a knowledgeable guide. Highly…”

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9.Myvatn Nature Baths & Goðafoss Waterfall Akureyri Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 75 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $248

This six-hour Akureyri shore excursion pairs the historic Goðafoss waterfall with Lake Mývatn and two hours at the geothermal Mývatn Nature Baths. Guides such as Niko, Petra, Nicole, Victoria, and Ivy may lead the trip. Pickup times are matched to cruise schedules, but confirm the exact meeting point.

“This tour was a mess. We were held 15 minutes past the start time to fill the bus, cutting our time at the waterfall to under 40 minutes. The guide parked far from the falls, with no access to river level. The bus driver didn’t know how to turn on the A/C, and when we complained, we got an excuse about Icelanders not being used to heat—though it eventually came on. At the baths, we found out the company had booked the wrong time, and we’d have to wait an hour, which would’ve made us late for our ship’s 3:30 all-aboard. The tour director argued and told us to stay…”

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10.Azores: Shore Excursion Furnas – Crater volcano and hot springs

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $94

Travel from Ponta Delgada to São Miguel’s Furnas volcanic zone, stopping at Gorreana Tea Plantation, Pico do Ferro, steaming calderas, and volcano-cooked food sites. Guides such as Pedro, Raphael, Andrea, and Pablo are praised for local insight. Terra Nostra hot springs are optional and cost extra.

“this place was heaven the tour was amazing the guild was very knowledgeable and very nice I definitely will do this tour again”

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11.Shore Excursion: Half-Day Auckland Volcanoes Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $179

Join guide Mike for a five-hour Auckland tour by private vehicle, visiting Achilles Point, Mt. Wellington, Mangere Mountain, One Tree Hill, and Mt. Eden. Expect short but sometimes steep walks, volcanic geology, Maori history, port pickup, and wide city views in a group of no more than 11.

“This is a great little tour in Auckland. Mike is a great and patient guide, with tons of information about the volcanoes of Auckland you don’t get anywhere else. Very eye opening and extremely interesting tour, highly recommended!”

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12.Seven Citys Tour: Sete Cidades Crater Lake Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 35 reviews · 4 hours · from $84

Visit São Miguel’s pineapple plantations, crater lakes, mountain lookouts, Sete Cidades village, and Ponta do Escalvado with hotel pickup, transport, water, and a live guide in four languages. Guides such as Jake, Rui, Ruy, Dennis, and Roberto are praised for clear local stories.

“Very beautiful tour. Everything what I want to see I was able to do. Thank you ❤️”

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13.Tenerife: Teide & Orotava Shore Excursion (special cruises)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 19 reviews · 7.5 hours · from $85

Travel by air-conditioned minivan from Santa Cruz to historic La Laguna, cross Esperanza forest to Teide National Park, stop for views and Canarian coffee, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then visit elegant La Orotava. Groups are limited to eight, with Spanish and English guides.

“Knowledgeable, funny guide who rearranged day around weather and traffic issues as they arose, optimizing what sites we could spend time at.”

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14.Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $169

From Akureyri’s port, you’ll visit Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn’s pseudocraters, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá Cave, and Námaskarð in 5 to 7 hours. Expect a small-group ride, free time at each stop, WiFi, and a guide who explains the area as you go.

“We had a great small trip tour and were able to enjoy northern Iceland on this great experience! We'd recommend this trip for nature lovers!”

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15.Sete Cidades: 4 Hours Shore Excursion Volcano Crater Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · 4 hours · from $53

Meet your iGoAzores guide at the Ponta Delgada cruise terminal for a four-hour trip to Sete Cidades. You’ll taste São Miguel pineapple and liqueur, see the Blue and Green Lakes from Vista do Rei, visit São Nicolau Church, and stop at Escalvado.

“The tour was excellent. The guide Mario was Extremely knowledgeable and an additional wine and cheese stop. I would highly recommend him to anyone in the area.”

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