Volcano Travel · Tour
Hilo Shore Excursion: Kilauea Caldera, Thurston Lava Tube and Black Sand Beach
Ratings collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Big Island of HawaiiThis excursion is built around a ship's schedule. The operator holds permits to collect passengers directly at the Hilo port of call, and departure is set against the arrival and departure times of the vessel, so the day fits the port window rather than a fixed timetable. Anyone staying in town meets at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel instead. The grade is easy. Nothing on the route asks for more than walking on level ground, plus a set of stairs at the lava tube. The Hilo half covers the black sand beach, where the ocean and the volcanoes between them grind lava into sand, Rainbow Falls, the Liliuokalani Japanese Garden, a drive through the old downtown and the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park takes the rest of the day: steam vents, the sulfur banks, the Thurston Lava Tube, the Kilauea Visitor Center and its exhibits, and the lookout over Kilauea Crater. The visitor center itself is closed for renovation at the moment, and the gifts and exhibits have moved to KMC. Lunch is a stop at a local vendor.
What's included
- Professional guide
- National Park fees
- Port / Hilo Hotel pickup and drop-off
- 1 bottle per guest
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- Visit to Volcanoes National Park
Itinerary
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71 Banyan Dr, Hilo
71 Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Hotel guests: Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, 71 Banyan Dr, Hilo HI. Parking is free at the hotel, on the street or across the road. Wait in the lobby for the pick-up. The lobby has a cafe lounge if you want a drink first.
80 Kuhio St, Hilo
80 Kuhio St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Cruise ship guests: the pick-up is at the port, inside the terminal building. Look for sign #5 and check in 15 to 20 minutes beforehand. Departure time is set to match each ship, since every itinerary is different. You can also call 1-800-901-0468.
Richardson Ocean Park
The black sand beach here is one the locals use, and it shows plainly how the ocean and the volcanoes between them grind lava down into fine black sand.
Lili'uokalani Gardens
From 1 June 2026 this drive-by stop was dropped and replaced with extra time and an added stop inside Volcanoes National Park. The garden is the largest Japanese garden outside Japan, given by Queen Liliuokalani in 1917. Stone lanterns, gazebos and torii gates stand through the grounds, placed there for the Japanese immigrants who came to Hawaii.
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls drops 80 feet onto the rocks below. The mist thrown up at the bottom holds a rainbow often enough to have named the place, and that is what people wait at the railing for.
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center
The road runs through orchards of macadamia trees. There is a tasting, and a shop of island-made goods to look through and buy from. This stop is closed on Sundays when no cruise ship is in port, and Big Island Candies takes its place.
Manono Street Marketplace
Lunch is at a local deli or another local vendor. Which one depends on the day, since the operator rotates between them. The order of the stops can be changed when it makes the day work better for the group.
Pass through the historic town of Hilo and see the King…
The route passes through the historic town of Hilo and the King Kamehameha Statue, with the story of how he took control of Hawaii.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The road climbs to the summit of Kilauea inside Volcanoes National Park, the volcanic ground held in higher regard than any other on Earth. Two of the most active volcanoes in the world are here, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, and what the park explains is how the Hawaiian Islands came to exist at all. The stops include the Visitor Center, the collapsed caldera, steam vents, sulfur banks and the scenic lookouts. The Visitor Center is closed for renovation. The exhibits and gifts have moved to KMC. A valid Park Pass can be presented at the entrance on the 14-passenger tours. The commercial vehicle entrance fee and the insurance are still payable by the operator, so no refund or credit is issued against a pass.
Nahuku - Thurston Lava Tube
The group walks through a lava tube while the guide explains how the lava built it. The trail is a 0.4 mile loop and the lighting inside is low. Stairs descend gradually into the tube and climb back out at the far end. Anyone not up to the walk can wait in the vehicle or stay outside among the scenery for this part of the tour.
71 Banyan Dr, Hilo
71 Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
80 Kuhio St, Hilo
80 Kuhio St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Not included
- What to bring/wear: Walking shoes. Light sweater due to cooler climate at Volcano Park
- Souvenirs
- Gratuities
- Stop is made to purchase food
Good to know
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Vehicle: 12-14 passenger van or mini bus max 25, 29 pass mini bus
- HOTEL : You can meet us at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel to join this tour.
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- CRUISE PASSENGERS : We have special permits to pick up directly from Hilo port
- We will ensure your timely return back to the ship in Hilo Pier for this activity. If your ship does not come into port , your money will be refunded. If is delayed we will adjust our departure time to the ships itinerary. See our terms and conditions for full details
- DEPARTURE TIMES: Because we are a shore excursion company we schedule our departure times around a ships arrival and departure.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Easy tour - Involves walking over relatively level terrain, possible gravel or uneven ground in some areas. Lava tube is .4 of mile long with descending and ascending steps. Comfortable walking shoes & light jacket recommended
- WHEELCHAIR / WALKER or SCOOTER ? We must know prior to the tour date if you are bringing a mobility device in order to accommodate. (Please add note to comments box) The mobility unit must not exceed 45 lbs. For various reasons our guides cannot assist with mobility units. Guests must have someone with them to move the mobility device in and out of the vehicle. Our vehicles do not have a lift, so any mobility device must be collapsible to fit through the mini bus doors which is 32” wide.
- Mobility Restrictions: Mobility devices cannot go into the lava tube, a trail to the crater is dirt path. Trail to black sand beach in ok but the beach is sand. Customers can stay in the vehicle at any time if they wish. Call us if you have further questions.
- Infants (Under 24 Months): Hawaii law allows infants under 24 months to ride on a parent's lap. A child ticket is required to purchase if a separate seat is preferred
- Up to 15 travelers per booking.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Guiding available in: en.
Reviews
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Ratings collected by Viator and Tripadvisor