Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Tours
The park opens every day of the year. The eruption does not, which is why this page is named after the park and not after Kīlauea.
A caldera roughly five kilometres across, a road that drops a thousand metres to the sea over old lava, a walkable tube left by a river of molten rock, and a crater floor you can cross on foot that was a lake of lava within living memory. All of that is here on any day of the year, whether or not anything is erupting. That distinction is the single most useful thing to understand before booking, because 41 experiences are sold on this park and a good number of the people buying them think they are buying lava.
What follows is the park: how it is laid out, what each road and trail actually gives you, how long the drive is from Hilo and from Kona, and how the five groups of tour differ. The detail of each group, including what a shore excursion can realistically fit into a ship's window and why the flights from Oahu eat the day, lives on the five pages below.
Choose a destination in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
-
Mauna Kea & Stargazing
Mauna Kea summit sunset and stargazing tours on the Big Island: 4,207 m, a 4x4 you are not allowed to drive yourself, and stars watched from lower down.
7 experiences -
Waterfalls & Black Sand Combos
Big Island day trips pairing Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with ʻAkaka Falls, Rainbow Falls and the black sand beach at Punaluʻu, from Hilo, Kona and the…
12 experiences -
National Park Tours
Guided tours of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park itself: the caldera overlooks, Nāhuku, Kīlauea Iki and Chain of Craters Road, from Hilo, Kona and Waikoloa.
12 experiences -
Cruise Shore Excursions
Shore excursions to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park from the cruise pier at Hilo: 45 minutes to the gate, timed to the ship, and why Kona calls cannot do it.
6 experiences -
Kīlauea Tours from Oahu
Day trips to Kīlauea and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park from Honolulu: a return inter-island flight and twelve hours door to door, of which about three are…
3 experiences
Volcano Travel Experiences in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Mauna Kea Summit and Sunset with Arnott's: Laser-Guided Stars, No Telescopes
Local guides on the sacred side of the mountain, an acclimatisation stop at 9,000 feet, and stargazing by laser pointer rather than telescope. Minimum two guests.
Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset and Stars: Two of the Black Hole Telescopes
Two of the eight telescopes that imaged a black hole stand on this summit. Jackets, a hot drink, a Celestron on the planets, and your photo sent afterwards.
Mauna Kea Sunset and Stars, Run Since 1989: Parkas and Snacks Included
The same local operator since 1989, fully permitted, with heavy-duty parkas, snacks and hot chocolate included, and the stargazing stop below the summit.
Mauna Kea Sunset with Free Star Photos on Your Phone Before You Get Home
The guides shoot you against the sunset and the stars with their DSLR, and the pictures reach your phone before the van drops you off. Three Kona-side pick-ups.
Private Guide Inside Volcanoes Park: Three Hours, Eruption Footage in the Van
You meet inside the park, so under an hour of the three is driving. Eruption footage plays in the van, groups are never mixed, and the stops follow your pace.
Private Hilo Shore Excursion up to 10: A'a, Pahoehoe and Back to the Ship on Time
Your own van, free photographs all day, and several eruption sites rather than one overlook. Car seats under 8 by state law, boosters from 5, guaranteed return.
Private Volcanoes Eco Tour in Your Own Car: Pele's Tears and a Junior Ranger Badge
Award-winning guides, your own vehicle instead of a van, and the Kilauea Iki floor from the 1959 record fountain. Junior Ranger badges for younger children.
Punalu'u Black Sand and the Honu, with Hilo and a Self-Guided Park Explorer
The sand here is broken lava, not shell, and the honu come up onto it. Two more packages included: the Hilo stops and a self-guided run through the park.
Summit to Sea in Half a Day: Kilauea, Punalu'u and Downtown Hilo
The Kilauea caldera and the Thurston tube, lunch at the Kilauea Lodge, then Punalu'u and downtown Hilo. Hilo-area pick-up; roughly 15 steps underground.
Ten-Hour Private Big Island Tour: You Pick the Stops, Green Sand Included
Hawaiian-owned, ten hours, and the route is yours: Green Sand Beach, South Point, the city of refuge and Two Step all sit on the list. Lunch and snacks in.
Twelve Hours Around the Big Island: Waipi'o Valley and the Hawaiian Cowboys
Eleven stops in twelve hours, including the Waipi'o Valley lookout and Parker Ranch. Park fees, lunch and snacks are in the price, and the walking stays easy.
Volcano Adventure from Hilo: 19 Miles of Chain of Craters, Helicopter Optional
Hilo-side pick-ups only. The 19-mile Chain of Craters Road, Halema'uma'u, and a town rebuilt inland after the tsunamis of 1946 and 1960. Helicopter optional.
Volcano and Hilo Highlights in 6-7 Hours, Guided by Native Hawaiians
Six or seven hours with guides from the island itself, covering Kilauea's overlooks, a lava tube, black sand and the gardens on Hilo Bay. Pick-up included.
Volcanoes and Hilo Small Group: Waianuenue Falls and Big Island Candies
Kilauea's caldera after the recent eruption, the 500-year-old Nahuku tube, then Hilo: the 80-foot Waianuenue, the pagodas on the bay, and macadamia chocolate.
Volcanoes National Park by Helicopter from Hilo: 35 Years, Family Run
The longest-running helicopter company on the island, family owned for over 35 years. Orchid farms and native forest below, then the flows over the park.
Volcanoes National Park from Hilo: No Hiking to the Falls, Cruise Times Honoured
A local driver, a start time that shifts to your ship's docking, and Rainbow Falls reached without walking. National Park passes are accepted at the gate.
Waikoloa to Volcanoes: the Pu'u Huluhulu Kipuka and Saddle Road at 6,632 Feet
Pu'u Huluhulu is an old cinder cone that newer flows ran around instead of over. Lunch over the Kilauea caldera, and the whole Chain of Craters Road first.
Ratings collected by Viator and Tripadvisor