Best of Big Island: Volcanoes, Waterfall, Blacksand Beach & Lunch
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
If your time is limited and you want to see the best of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, this tour is for you! Join us to explore some of our island's must-see places. Our tour is a unique experience including old artifacts, historical insights, and the cultural significance of the places we visit. We'll take you through Downtown Hilo to see the picture-perfect scenery of Rainbow Falls, followed by an unforgettable trip through Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. You'll meet the world's most active volcano, Kīlauea, visit steaming volcanic vents, and walk inside an ancient lava tube. Enjoy an island-inspired lunch on us at a local restaurant. Later, we'll show you Punaluʻu black sand beach—a landscape shaped by volcanic activity and frequently visited by sea turtles.
PLEASE NOTE:
We provide pick-up and drop-off in the Hilo area only.
This tour is not wheelchair accessible and includes moderate walking, including climbing roughly 15 stairs during the lava tube tour.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This tour includes about 2.5 hours of drive time between destinations.
Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free meal options
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Fresh fruit samples
Entrance fee
Pick-up/drop-off in Hilo area only
vegetarian, dishes also available
Guide
Alcoholic Beverages
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is named after the colorful rainbows that appear in the mists of its waters. Signs in the viewing area relate some interesting historical facts about the waterfall, as well as the legend of the “Battle of the Wailuku River”.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park starting at the visitor center and exhibit hall, followed by breathtaking views of Kilauea caldera and Kilauea Iki, the volcanic steam vents, and sulfur banks. Walk through the ancient Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube), a 600-foot cave created by underground lava flows. After exploring the park, enjoy lunch on us at a local restaurant with island-infused cuisine.
Options
Best of Big Island: Volcanoes, Waterfall, Blacksand Beach & Lunch
Pickup included
Reviews
10 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Big island tour
Donald W,
Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely loved this trip! Extremely well planned and executed from start to finish. Great sights, very knowledgeable, great demonstrations on bus trip, and very friendly hosts.
The best tour we have ever had!
Michael W,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour itself was fantastic, but our tour guides REALLY elevated the experience and made it magical. The detail they put into making the history come to life was phenomenal. I HIGHLY recommend this tour and we will do it again ourselves when we return!
Such an amazing tour. Had...
Tina B,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Such an amazing tour. Had the best time with the best tour guides. They were so knowledgeable and interesting and made it so much more enjoyable. Loved everything about it. Walked through a lava tube, saw a beautiful waterfall, had a great lunch and then spent some time at a black sand beach where we saw some turtles.
Genuine Hawaiian experience - Volcano National Park and Punalu’u black sand beach
Francesco F,
Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Anthony and Desmond took great care of us through this 360° experience in Hilo. It was our first time on Big Island and we have learnt so much today from our experienced, friendly and passionate guides. The tour started on time and it was very easy to find our guide at the cruise terminal. We visited Volcano national park with several stops to walk through a lava tube, see the Kilauea crater and the steam vents. We stopped for a very traditional Hawaiian lunch at Lava rock cafe, Volcano village and then proceeded to Punalu’u black sand beach, where we spotted lots of turtles. Here our guides gave us some fresh fruit which was super tasty! We then headed back to the drop off point on time. Throughout the ride, Anthony explained in detail about Hawaii’s history, traditions and geography/geology and showed us some traditional artifacts and even some shells. We had the best day!
Much Better than doing sites by yourself.
Russ B,
Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Besides being driven by someone who knows the best routes, stops and places to park, you are presented with great Audio/Visual information between the different stops. As you ride, you learn about the island culture. Mine tour included a fabulous free meal and the physical sharing of many artifacts and objects that you learn about as you ride between stops. The travel time went fast and was as useful as the actual sites. Very friendly staff who were excited about sharing local culture.
A homerun in Hilo!
terence n,
Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This is an awesome tour lead by two great guys who know their stuff and are proud to share it, from big knowledge to anecdotes, from real artifacts presented/discussed between stops to treats along the way, Desmond and Anthony deliver all as promised and much more. I highly recomend it!
AMAZING Tour guides - Highly recommend
Lori W,
Sep 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour guides on this trip were AMAZING! They were VERY knowlegable about the area and history. And we really felt the Aloha spirit.
Eruption City Baby!
RockHopper72,
Sep 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Spent a great tour with Desmond and Anthony - customer focused, very knowledgeable about Hawaii but focused on meeting needs of guests. Changed itinerary to get us to an erupting volcano first - awesome. Saw a turtle on a black beach and had a great lunch at a local restaurant (Lava Rock Cafe). Plus snacks of fresh fruit and local chocolate covered macadamia nuts. Loved it - van ride was long but well worth it!
Philly visits Hilo
suefH7451JZ,
Aug 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hands down the best tour! Anthony and Desmond are a great team. Anthony’s knowledge of Hawaiian history and Desmond’s knowledge of all things outdoors….we’re so glad we didn’t attempt to do these sites on our own, it would not have been the same experience. The lava tube was amazing! The volcano site was spectacular, and the waterfall was beautiful! Plus we got to see turtles at the black sand beach. This is a must- do-tour for your next visit to Hawaii.
Anthony and Desmond were...
Christina F,
Aug 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Anthony and Desmond were so kind and informative!! We were treated like Ohana and learned/experienced so much!!
Related Experiences
Operated by Shaka Braddah Tours Llc