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Big Island Tour: Volcanoes and Black Sand Beach
5.0
41 Ratings
Hilo
Explore Hawaii’s Big Island: Volcanoes, waterfalls, black sand beaches, and local treats. Experience nature’s wonders and savor a delicious lunch on this unforgettable tour.
Explore Hawaii’s Big Island: Volcanoes, waterfalls, black sand beaches, and local treats. Experience nature’s wonders and savor a delicious lunch on this unforgettable tour.
Duration:
7 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Rainbow Falls - Named for the vibrant rainbows that form in its mist, Rainbow Falls offers a viewing area with fascinating historical facts about the waterfall and the legend of the “Battle of the Wailuku River.”
- Liliuokalani Gardens - Experience the largest Edo-style ornamental garden outside Japan. Liliʻuokalani Gardens is a serene park…
- Rainbow Falls - Named for the vibrant rainbows that form in its mist, Rainbow Falls offers a viewing area with fascinating historical facts about the waterfall and the legend of the “Battle of the Wailuku River.”
- Liliuokalani Gardens - Experience the largest Edo-style ornamental garden outside Japan. Liliʻuokalani Gardens is a serene park featuring majestic Banyan trees, ponds, bridges, and pagodas.
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Begin your adventure at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a visit to the visitor center and exhibit hall, then enjoy views of Kilauea caldera and Kilauea Iki, along with the steam vents and sulfur banks. Explore the ancient Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube) and enjoy lunch at Kilauea Lodge.
- Punalu’u Black Sand Beach - Explore a stunning black sand beach formed by volcanic activity. Fed by an underground freshwater spring, Punaluʻu is a popular spot for green sea turtles.
What's Included
- Pick-up and drop-off in Hilo area (Port of Hilo, hotels, AirBnBs, Bus station)
- Guide
- Fresh locally grown fruit samples
- Cultural artifacts
- Lunch
- Pick-up and drop-off in Hilo area (Port of Hilo, hotels, AirBnBs, Bus station)
- Guide
- Fresh locally grown fruit samples
- Cultural artifacts
- Lunch
What's Not Included
- Alcoholic beverages
- We do not offer pick-up/drop-off outside of the Hilo area at this time.
- Alcoholic beverages
- We do not offer pick-up/drop-off outside of the Hilo area at this time.
Additional Information
Enhance your shore excursion with our half-day adventure tour, exploring the Big Island from summit to sea. This exceptional tour features interactive artifacts, fresh fruit, historical insights, and the importance of the sites visited. Embark on an unforgettable journey through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to Kilauea, the world’s most active…
Enhance your shore excursion with our half-day adventure tour, exploring the Big Island from summit to sea. This exceptional tour features interactive artifacts, fresh fruit, historical insights, and the importance of the sites visited. Embark on an unforgettable journey through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano. Travel from the visitor center to Kilauea crater for breathtaking views of the smoking caldera and steaming volcanic vents, and walk inside the iconic Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube). Enjoy a complimentary island-inspired lunch at a local restaurant. Later, visit Punaluʻu black sand beach and marvel at the stunning scenery of Rainbow Falls in Hilo.
Please note: This tour is not wheelchair accessible and involves moderate walking, including climbing approximately 15 stairs during the lava tube tour.
- This tour includes about 2.5 hours of drive time between destinations.
- Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free meal options available.
Location
369 Kamehameha Ave
Kamehameha Avenue
Moʻoheau County Park and Bus Station is centrally located in Bayfront Hilo across the street from the Hilo Farmer's Market.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(41 Ratings)
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1 star
John
Apr 28, 2025
Great tour! - Great history of the island great storyteller. Driver was excellent. He helped n us through the tunnel with a flashlight and stayed with us the entire time. Wonderful lunch at a locally run restaurant. All outstanding.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tandm2014
Apr 27, 2025
Excellent tour - Excellent tour with great guides. Anthony is very knowledgeable about the area and history. Desmond was a great driver and guide at the different stops. Highly recommend this to anyone visiting Hilo. Anthony and Marilyn
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alejandro_p
Apr 17, 2025
Unforgettable Hilo Adventure – One of the Best Tours We’ve Ever Taken! - Our family recently took a tour along the coast of Hilo, Hawaii, and without a doubt, it was one of the best excursions we’ve ever experienced anywhere in the world. The guides, Desmond and Anthony, were absolutely outstanding, friendly, incredibly knowledgeable, and full of passion for their island and its rich history. Their enthusiasm made every stop on the tour come alive.
The highlight was visiting the breathtaking Kilauea Crater, followed by an unforgettable walk through the Thurston Lava Tube, an awe-inspiring journey through a natural wonder. We were blown away by the stunning views at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, where the contrast of the dark sand and the vivid ocean scenery was simply magical.
Another favorite moment was admiring the beauty of Rainbow Falls, surrounded by majestic banyan trees and the graceful monkey pod trees. Every stop on the tour offered a new reason to fall in love with the Big Island.
A lovely part of the experience was the delicious local lunch, where we had the chance to taste traditional Hawaiian dishes like grilled Mahi Mahi and flavorful Kalua pig. To end the tour on a sweet note, Desmond and Anthony shared a refreshing selection of local fruits, including strawberry-papaya, apple-banana, and the classic, always-delicious Hawaiian pineapple.
Our family, including our two young kids, enjoyed every minute. The experience was seamless, educational, and full of wonder.
Mahalo nui loa, Desmond and Anthony! Thank you very much! ¡Muchas gracias!
Review provided by Viator
Alexps81
Apr 17, 2025
Unforgettable Hilo Adventure – One of the Best Tours We’ve Ever Taken! - Our family recently took a tour along the coast of Hilo, Hawaii, and without a doubt, it was one of the best excursions we’ve ever experienced anywhere in the world. The guides, Desmond and Anthony, were absolutely outstanding-friendly, incredibly knowledgeable, and full of passion for their island and its rich history. Their enthusiasm made every stop on the tour come alive.
The highlight was visiting the breathtaking Kilauea Crater, followed by an unforgettable walk through the Thurston Lava Tube, an awe-inspiring journey through a natural wonder. We were blown away by the stunning views at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, where the contrast of the dark sand and the vivid ocean scenery was simply magical.
Another favorite moment was admiring the beauty of Rainbow Falls, surrounded by majestic banyan trees and the graceful monkey pod trees. Every stop on the tour offered a new reason to fall in love with the Big Island.
A lovely part of the experience was the delicious local lunch, where we had the chance to taste traditional Hawaiian dishes like grilled Mahi Mahi and flavorful Kalua pig. To end the tour on a sweet note, Desmond and Anthony shared a refreshing selection of local fruits, including strawberry-papaya, apple-banana, and the classic, always-delicious Hawaiian pineapple.
Our family, including our two young kids, enjoyed every minute. The experience was seamless, educational, and full of wonder.
Mahalo nui loa, Desmond and Anthony! Thank you very much! ¡Muchas gracias!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elvira_s
Apr 16, 2025
Amazing tour with amazing tour guides - I had an amazing time exploring Hilo Island with Shaka Braddah Tours! Every site we visited was beautiful and fascinating — from breathtaking waterfalls and mysterious lava tubes to the awe-inspiring volcano crater and the stunning black sand beach where we even spotted sea turtles.
One tip: if you’re planning to dip your toes into the water (which I highly recommend — it’s incredibly refreshing!), be sure to bring water shoes. They’ll make the experience much more comfortable.
The lunch at the family-owned restaurant was delicious. At the end of the tour, the guide also shared beautiful platters of papaya, bananas, and pineapple from his own garden. The fruit tasted so much better—fresh and full of flavor—completely different from the ones we usually buy at the grocery store
A special shoutout to the incredible staff. Their knowledge, attentiveness, and kindness truly made the experience unforgettable. Just before we entered the lava tube, my flip-flop broke. Without hesitation, our guide took the lace from his own sneaker and gave it to me so I could tie my sandal and continue the tour. He walked barefoot the rest of the way just so I could keep going — an act of kindness I’ll never forget.
Thank you, Shaka Braddah Tours, for an unforgettable adventure and for going above and beyond. You truly saved the day!
Review provided by Viator
Carol_k
Mar 28, 2025
Hilo Visit - Great guides, very well prepared. They took great care of us everywhere. Got us back to our cruise ship on time
Review provided by Viator
Marlene_m
Mar 24, 2025
Ten out of Ten - Absolutely wonderful. Staff was friendly, super knowledgeable, helpful and fun. We got to see Kilauea erupting! Tour of a lifetime!
Review provided by Viator
Michelle_g
Mar 20, 2025
A must do rather than an excursion - A truly memorable and expense worthy trip. The NCL ship we were on only offered excursions to either the Falls, Volcano or black sand beach and the cost of each was more than this entire trip with the Shaka Braddah tour.
Desmond and Anthony made everyone feel like family. They offered a local feel but also a very in depth historical tour. Each stop they provided inside into the history of the location and how things have changed over time. The restaurant stop was amazing, we didn’t realize we would be able to order off the entire menu. Most importantly we got back to the ship on time.
I would be proud to call these two ohana!
Thank you!
Review provided by Viator
Lisa_e
Mar 19, 2025
This was by far one of... - This was by far one of the best tours I have done and I travel a lot. Desmond and Anthony were phenomenal! They were so accommodating, knowledgeable and made it feel like we were touring with friends. Not to mention the amazing lunch that was included and fruit platter they shared with us at the end. The sights were amazing and I learned so much about the history of Hawaii and the landscape from Desmond and Anthony! Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Irene_s
Mar 16, 2025
Pele is watching! - Desmond and Anthony gave us an incredible tour!! We experienced all types of weather and natural phenomena from the waterfall to the erupting volcano!! My friend and I loved how the tour bus was a museum in disguise! Our tour guides had artifacts and pictures that kept the tour lively and interesting.
Review provided by Viator
