Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano Safari Lava Caves & Black Sand, Big Island of Hawaii

About this activity

Approx 6 hr long. Explore the places less traveled among Hawaii's back roads of Kilauea volcano. Explore exciting Lava Caves and Lava trees in a lush volcanic rainforest. See the 2018 lava destruction and the newly formed Black Sand Beach just created. A truly amazing experience!

Cruise Ship Guests: We have special permits to pick up directly from Hilo port of call. Departure times may be adjusted to fit your ship's arrival & departure.

Hilo Hotel Guests: Meeting location Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Day Trips Half-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Ports of Call Tours Shore Excursions Small Group

At a glance

Duration: 6 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 14 people
People per booking: 1–14
Guide: English
Operated by: C Big Island Tours

Ages: Children (5–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Bottled water
Included: Professional guide
Included: Port pickup and drop-off / Hilo Hotel pickup and drop-off

Not included

Not included: Souvenirs
Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Lunch- Stop made by local vendor for customers to purchase

Itinerary

Lili'uokalani Gardens

Passing by

This is the largest Japanese garden outside of Japan donated by Queen Liliʻuokalani in 1917. Throughout the gardens are stone lanterns, gazebos, and torii gates, recalling the Japanese immigrants who came to Hawaii.
Hilo

Passing by

Drive through the historical downtown Hilo as you will learn about the devastating tsunamis of the past
Rainbow Falls

20 min Admission included

Breathtaking 80 ft waterfall, Rainbow Falls. These beautiful falls get their name from the rainbow that is often visible in the mist that rises as the water cascades to the rocks 80 feet below.
Kaumana Caves Park

20 min

Time to explore lava caves is next! We walk you down into a lava cave through a skylight, also locally known as a lava tube. Kaumana Caves was created by one of our largest volcanoes, Mauna Loa. The guide will explain how molten lava makes these spectacular lava tubes and the fascinating colors inside.
Pahoa

Passing by

On our drive we will drive through a quaint town called Pahoa. Once a booming plantation town and now a laid-back hippie town with old school artistry charm and wood-plank boardwalks. You will see the current lava flow that nearly wiped this town off the map.
Lava Tree State Park

25 min

We will walk a trail among lava trees that looks somewhat of a petrified forest and look down into a deep fissure. This unusual volcanic sight is one stop that shouldn’t be missed.
Stop 7

20 min

WALK ON THE NEWEST BLACK SAND BEACH IN HAWAII!! is truly an amazing creation by Kilauea’s lava flow. Let us show you the newest created black sand beach. Once in this location was the old boat harbor and ramp that you can still see and has now been cut off from the creation of a large black sand beach. There is no swimming at this location. If the beach is closed due to unforeseen circumstances, an alternate black sand beach will be substituted.
Stop 8

10 min

Several earthquakes cracked open the roads, lava fountains started spewing lava 300 ft into the sky and nearly 2,000 residents we evacuated. This amazing force even evaporated Green Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in Hawaii. We will be showing you areas of mass destruction from Kilauea Volcano.

Note: The order of stops on this tour may be adjusted to help provide the best experience.
Malama Market

15 min

Local Deli for a lunch stop or a local vendor ( depending on the day, we use a different vendors for our lunch stop)

Note: The order of stops on this tour may be adjusted to help provide the best experience for customers.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

HOTEL GUESTS: Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel located at 71 Banyan Dr. Hilo HI . Please wait in lobby for pick up. The lobby also has a cafe lounge if needing something to drink.
CRUISE SHIP CUSTOMERS: Check in time 15 min before the scheduled departure time.

LOOK FOR SIGN #1

When departing the ship, you will enter a large terminal building. Please look for your guide, who will be holding a sign with the number 1 on it.

End point

HOTEL GUESTS: Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel located at 71 Banyan Dr. Hilo HI . Please wait in lobby for pick up. The lobby also has a cafe lounge if needing something to drink.
CRUISE SHIP CUSTOMERS: Check in time 15 min before the scheduled departure time.

LOOK FOR SIGN #1

When departing the ship, you will enter a large terminal building. Please look for your guide, who will be holding a sign with the number 1 on it.

Pickup points

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
hilo port
Hilo

Using your ticket

We do not require a printed-off voucher or ticket. Check-in with name.

Note: The order of stops on this tour may be adjusted to help provide the best experience.

CRUISE SHIP GUESTS

CHECK IN TIME: 15 minutes before the tour departure time

LOOK FOR SIGN #1

When departing the ship, you will enter a large terminal building. Please look for your guide, who will be holding a sign with the number 1 on it.

⚠️ Important: If you have exited the terminal building, you’ve gone too far.

⏰ Please note: Tours must depart at the scheduled time, and unfortunately, we are unable to wait for late passengers. Unless there is a verified delay caused by the ship.

TRAVELING TOGETHER: if you are traveling with another group that has booked separately, please contact your tour supplier before your tour date to ensure that you can be seated together in the same vehicle 1-800-901-0468.

HOTEL:

We ask all guests to please plan to be at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel located at 71 Banyan Dr. Hilo HI 96720 10 minutes before the PICK UP time listed above.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Moderate tour - Involves walking over relatively unlevel terrain, possible gravel, lava, uneven ground and steep steps. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately; light rain jacket or poncho
A stop is made to purchase food
Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
Exact departure time may vary depending on the cruise ship's disembarkation time
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 is delayed we will adjust our departure time to the ships itenerary. See our terms and conditions for full details
Not recommended for those who cannot walk over uneven ground or with poor health
Lava Tube: The steps to get into the lava tube are steep and the ground is uneven. You do not have to go into the lava tube if you feel it is too much for you.
We are NOT able to accommodate customers with walkers or wheel chairs.

Options

Hilo Hotel Pick up

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel : Meeting location Hilo Hawaiian Hotel 71 Banyan Dr. Hilo, HI 96720

Starting point:

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, a Trademark Collection by Wyndham, 71 Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI 96720, USA

Pickup included
Holland America 10:30 am

Holland America Koningsdam: Special departure 10:30 am for this ship

Starting point:

Port of Hilo, 80 Kuhio St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA

Pickup included
Hilo Cruise Ship Passenger

Cruise Ship Passenger: We are a SHORE EXCURSION company. We have permits to pick you up directly from the Hilo port.

Starting point:

Port of Hilo, 80 Kuhio St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA

Pickup included