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Hawai'i Volcano Tour: Rainforests & Waterfalls
4.9
261 Ratings
Kailua-Kona
Embark on a thrilling adventure on the Big Island of Hawai’i, exploring the rainforests, waterfalls, and volcanoes. Discover the diverse landscapes and breathtaking scenery of Mauna Kea and Kilauea volcanoes.
Embark on a thrilling adventure on the Big Island of Hawai’i, exploring the rainforests, waterfalls, and volcanoes. Discover the diverse landscapes and breathtaking scenery of Mauna Kea and Kilauea volcanoes.
Duration:
9 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
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The Volcano Van Private Tours - This tour offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the Big Island’s varied landscapes while enhancing your understanding of Hawaii in an intimate group setting.
After being picked up from your hotel, begin your adventure to the lush rainforests on the island’s east side. Travel along Highway 19 and pass through the…
-
The Volcano Van Private Tours - This tour offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the Big Island’s varied landscapes while enhancing your understanding of Hawaii in an intimate group setting.
After being picked up from your hotel, begin your adventure to the lush rainforests on the island’s east side. Travel along Highway 19 and pass through the town of Waimea.
From Waimea, journey along the eastern slope of Mauna Kea volcano, also known as the renowned Hamakua Coast. Stop at Laupahoehoe to witness the Pacific Ocean’s impressive power in shaping rugged pinnacles.
Continue along jungle roads to Akaka Falls. After lunch, proceed towards Hilo along some of the island’s most picturesque backroads, winding through lush jungle gorges and offering breathtaking ocean views.
Conclude your tour with a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Kilauea volcano. Marvel at Kilauea’s expansive summit caldera. Explore the east rift zone of Kilauea along Chain of Craters road and observe both ancient and recent lava flows. Enjoy ample time to explore.
What's Included
- Hotel/Airport pickup and drop-off
- Picnic lunch
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Transport by private vehicle
- Hotel/Airport pickup and drop-off
- Picnic lunch
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Transport by private vehicle
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Dinner
- Gratuities
- Dinner
Additional Information
The Big Island of Hawai’i stands out as one of the most diverse locations on Earth! Visitors have the chance to experience the unique charm of this remarkable destination. This tour, available as a small-group or private experience, highlights the rainforests and waterfalls along the renowned Hamakua Coast of Mauna Kea volcano, as well as Kilauea…
The Big Island of Hawai’i stands out as one of the most diverse locations on Earth! Visitors have the chance to experience the unique charm of this remarkable destination. This tour, available as a small-group or private experience, highlights the rainforests and waterfalls along the renowned Hamakua Coast of Mauna Kea volcano, as well as Kilauea volcano in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. With stunning sea cliffs, majestic waterfalls, and expansive volcanic lava fields, the landscapes you will witness are truly awe-inspiring!
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately. Conditions subject to change.
- Please bring along close-toed shoes.
- A maximum of 6 people per booking.
- A minimum of 2 people per shared and 1 per exclusive is required.
Location
The Volcano Van Private Tours
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
4.9
(261 Ratings)
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Stay779255
Mar 2, 2026
Had a perfect day! - A great day! Almost 9 hours but was worth every minute. Guide was very knowledgeable about volcanoes and history of the island. We did not feel rushed and the sights and sounds of the island were amazing. Greatly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rachael_s
Feb 21, 2026
Great Day Around the Island - Scott was very knowledge, very friendly and accommodating. We loved the tour and highly recommend. It was a great way to experience so much of the island in one day!
Review provided by Viator
Travel12585845098
Feb 15, 2026
Great tour, awesome tour guide - There’s a ton of ways you can tour around the big island, and we lucked out on our very first attempt 11 years ago when someone recommended Scott’s tour to us. The tour was great, we decided to get married while in the van, and then got married the next day! Well, we went back to Hawaii this year and took Scott’s tour again (exactly 11 years later to the day), and had another wonderful experience. Here’s why:
Scott is extremely friendly and works hard to integrate all the people who just met (5 people in our case). There’s good conversation in the van as you go around — it’s not a short tour so this is important.
it’s not called the volcano van for nothing. Scott knows his stuff. Tephra! The 3D map at the coffee farm and all the lessons were appreciated. I am a scientist (albeit neuroscience), and I was happy that I could learn something along the way. The beauty of the points on the tour speak for themselves, but for me (for example), understanding why the sand is black at the black sand beach makes it even more fun (I mean, we could drive ourselves to all these places, or read about them extensively, but we wanted the tour experience).
Scott was very flexible and added a stop at my wife’s request — and the other people were also very kind to accommodate us. And we finished everything on time. We saw turtles at the black sand beech, held stuff it our hands that had been inside the earth the week before, were basically inside a volcano!, and went from desert to rainforest and back. I wasn’t sure going in that it would be as good as our first tour, but it definitely was. If not better. Will have to try one of his other tours next time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Seaside31795256118
Feb 15, 2026
Best tour ever! - Scott 😊
Thank you so much for another amazing tour!
This was our second time joining your tour. On our first tour, we decided to get married during the trip, and the very next day we had our wedding on the Big Island. It became such a special and unforgettable experience for us. The tour was so fun and fulfilling that we always said we wanted to join again someday.
So for our 11th anniversary, we knew we had to come back to your tour!
Once again, you took us to places we had never been before, and the group was wonderful. With your knowledge, energy, and great sense of humor, it truly became the best day ever.
Thank you for kindly going along with my request to visit the Hilo Daijingu shrine. I’m sorry for being a bit selfish, but it turned into a beautiful memory for us ✨
We will definitely join your tour again the next time we come to the Big Island!

Mahalo and thank you always 😊
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katrina_p
Feb 12, 2026
Once in a life time trip! - We started the day with a viewing of a 3D map of the island which helps to put all of the volcanos in perspective. The tour is small which allows you to ask all your questions and learn more than you ever thought possible about volcanos. From the lava tube to the black sand beach to the volcano itself the day was amazing. Breath taking to end the note with the waterfall and the gorgeous coast. A full day of fun and adventure.
Review provided by Viator
Danthanh_n
Feb 8, 2026
Small group volcano adventure - Kona - Scott was great ; attentive , knowledgeable and friendly. We had a very pleasant time learning about the history/culture of the big island and getting a close up of the volcano.
Also please support small local business.
Review provided by Viator
Joseph_g
Feb 8, 2026
Everything you want to know about Hawaiian I volcanos - Scott was a wealth of info. The tour had a nice variety of scenic stops. Loved being at Kilauea Volcano & walking through the lava tunnel!
Review provided by Viator
387carters
Feb 7, 2026
A Must Do!!! - The Volcano Van is an awesome experience. What a great way to learn about the Big Island! Scott is so knowledgeable about each of the volcanoes and every part of the island. The scenery is breathtaking. Driving between the various microclimates is unforgettable. Scott will take you to places you would never see touring on your own. The Volcano Van is a must!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
C2946wrchuckl
Jan 22, 2026
The highlight of our 2 week Hawaii vacation! - I was a little worried when I realized I had booked a very small tour, and when the minivan pulled up, I was still a little concerned. I began to relax a little as soon as I met Scott. If you are Super uptight, and are just looking for a chauffeur to drive you around and leave you alone, this is probably not the tour for you! However, if you want to experience the best parts of the island, and have a commentary on what you are seeing, you should definitely book this tour! Scott is very knowledgeable about the island, and has an entertaining way of presenting the island to his guests. It is a LONG day, but we saw and experienced more things in one day with Scott, than we did in 5 days on Oahu by ourselves. This excursion will definitely be one of the best things we did on our 2 week Hawaii vacation. I just wish Scott was available for tours on the other islands as well!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michele_c
Jan 10, 2026
Don’t miss this - We had an absolutely incredible time. Scott was a great and thoughtful host. He was very knowledgeable about all the islands and especially the volcanos. When it started to rain he even had umbrellas for us. I highly recommend the excursion. Saw the Big Island in a whole new light.
Review provided by Viator
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