Kona / Waikoloa Pickup → Saddle Road Scenic Drive → Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (Kīlauea Overlook, steam vents, recent lava flows, lava tube) → Private Cacao & Tropical Fruit Farm (tree-to-bar chocolate experience) → Rainbow Falls → Return via Hilo & Saddle Road → Drop-off in Kona / Waikoloa
hawaii volcanoes national park tour
Top things to do in Hawaii
Overview of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Location: Southeastern coast of Hawai‘i (Big Island), along the slopes of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
- Established: August 1, 1916, one of the oldest national parks in the U.S.
- Size: Over 335,000 acres (523 square miles), covering diverse landscapes from rainforest to volcanic desert.
- Key volcanoes: Home to Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the largest volcano on Earth by volume.
- UNESCO status: Designated both a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve.
- Major features: Lava fields, steam vents, volcanic craters, lush forests, native wildlife, and historic cultural sites.
- Significance: Protects rare native species, sacred Hawaiian sites, and some of the most active geological formations on Earth.
What to expect at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tour
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Explore dramatic volcanic landscapes
Walk through some of the park’s most iconic features, from fresh lava fields shaped by recent eruptions to steaming vents and rugged craters. Your guide adapts stops based on weather and volcanic conditions to ensure you see the most active and interesting sites of the day.
Walk inside a real lava tube
Step into a naturally formed lava tube and experience the underground channels once carved by flowing molten lava. With provided flashlights and safety gear, you’ll learn how these geological tunnels were created and their importance in Hawaiian volcanic ecosystems.
Visit Kīlauea and Halemaʻumaʻu Crater
Stand at the edge of one of the world’s most active volcanoes as your guide explains its history, cultural significance, and how eruptions continue to reshape the island. You’ll get panoramic views of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater and the surrounding terrain.
Discover rare native plants and wildlife
Along the way, your naturalist guide points out unique flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth. Expect insights into Hawaii’s fragile ecosystems, ongoing conservation work, and how volcanic landscapes support surprising biodiversity.
Tour a private cacao and tropical fruit farm
After exploring the park, enjoy an exclusive visit to a 1,000-acre cacao farm overlooking Hilo Bay. Learn how chocolate is grown, harvested, and crafted “tree to bar,” then sample fresh chocolate and seasonal fruits.
Marvel at Rainbow Falls
End your journey at one of Hilo’s most scenic waterfalls. Rainbow Falls plunges 80 feet into a lush, jungle-lined pool, named for the rainbows that appear in the mist on sunny mornings.
Route map of your tour
Highlights of your tour
See one of the world’s most active volcanoes
Your guide will point out how recent eruptions have altered the landscape and explain the geology behind this constantly evolving environment.
History and geography of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park sits atop one of the most geologically active regions on Earth, shaped continuously by the forces of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, two of the world’s most powerful volcanoes. Its volcanic landscape has been forming for hundreds of thousands of years, with new land still being created through ongoing eruptions and lava flows that reshape the terrain.
The area has deep cultural roots in Native Hawaiian traditions, where the volcanoes are tied to Pele, the goddess of fire. Ancient trails, archaeological sites, and stories passed through generations reflect the Hawaiian connection to the land. Established as a national park in 1916, it preserves both these cultural treasures and the vast volcanic ecosystem that stretches from sea level to over 13,000 feet.
Know before you go
- Operating hours: Big Island: Volcano, Chocolate & Waterfall Tour: Daily 7:30am to 7:30pm
Best time to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:
- Best month: For the best visibility and comfortable weather, visit between April and October, when skies are clearer, and rainfall is lower, ideal for viewing craters, walking lava fields, and exploring the lava tube. During the winter months (November–March), expect occasional rain and cooler temperatures around Hilo and the summit areas. This can add dramatic steam vents and lush scenery to the waterfalls, but may reduce visibility at higher elevations.
- Weekday vs weekend: Weekdays are generally quieter, making it easier to enjoy viewpoints and photo stops without crowds. Weekends and holidays can be busier, especially during school breaks, but the guided format ensures a smooth experience.
Meeting point: Volcano, Chocolate & Waterfall Tour: Kailua-Kona | Find on Maps
- By bus: Round-trip transportation is provided from the designated pickup points. If you're arriving on your own, you can take the Hele-On bus to Downtown Hilo; the farm is just a brief walk from there.
- By car: The farm sits close to the Hilo Bayfront and can be easily reached via Highway 11. Parking is available in the surrounding area for visitors driving themselves.
- The tour includes walking on uneven, rocky, or muddy terrain, so guests must be able to hike short distances across varied surfaces.
- Conditions in the park can change quickly, with cool, wet, or windy weather possible at higher elevations.
- This experience is not recommended for guests in wheelchairs due to difficulty navigating natural, rugged environments.
- Guests are provided with day packs to carry essentials throughout the tour.
- Walking sticks and trekking poles are provided to help with stability on uneven ground.
- Flashlights are included for safe exploration of the lava tube.
- Rain gear and bug repellent are provided to keep you comfortable in changing weather and outdoor environments.
- Sunscreen is offered to ensure protection during the daytime portions of the tour.
- Because Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a highly active volcanic region, eruption activity can start or stop with little warning; viewing molten lava cannot be guaranteed at any time.
- If an eruption is occurring and accessible, the itinerary will shift to prioritise safe viewing conditions.
- Guests must follow all instructions from their interpretive guide, especially in areas with volcanic hazards, steam vents, or unstable terrain.
- Participants should remain with the group at all times and avoid wandering off designated paths or restricted areas within the park.
- Additional safety or participation restrictions may apply depending on the day’s conditions.
Frequently asked questions about the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tour
Lava sightings cannot be guaranteed during the tour. Volcanic activity changes quickly, and eruptions can start or stop without warning. If lava is visible and accessible during your visit, your guide will prioritise safe viewing.
The amount of hiking varies based on park conditions and the group’s ability, but expect short walks on uneven terrain as you explore lava fields, steam vents, and other geological features.
Yes, children ages 6 and above can join the tour. Younger children are not permitted due to the terrain and environmental conditions.
Wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and a light jacket. Bring a reusable water bottle and sun protection. Day packs, trekking poles, rain gear, bug repellent, flashlights, and sunscreen are provided.
The tour lasts 11–12 hours, including round-trip travel time from Kona, Waikoloa, Waikoloa Village, or Hilo.
Yes, round-trip transportation is included from designated pickup points across Kona, Waikoloa, Waikoloa Village, and Hilo.
Yes, the tour includes a walk through a lava tube, where your guide provides flashlights and safety equipment.
The tour is rated easy to moderate. You should be able to walk on uneven or rocky terrain and manage short inclines.
Yes. Access to certain viewpoints may close without notice due to volcanic conditions. Your guide will adjust the itinerary for safety.
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