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Kona Volcano Tour: Explore Lava Tubes & Craters
4.9
171 Ratings
Kailua-Kona
Embark on the Hidden Craters Hike for an off-road adventure up Hualalai volcano. Discover lava flows, native birds, and Kona’s hidden gems.
Embark on the Hidden Craters Hike for an off-road adventure up Hualalai volcano. Discover lava flows, native birds, and Kona’s hidden gems.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Hawaii Forest and Trail - Guests are required to check in at our Kailua-Kona Headquarters 15 minutes before the tour begins. Restrooms are available on-site. The travel time to the trailhead is about 30 minutes.
- Hualalai - Embark on an adventure through private land, passing through three locked gates to explore the upper slopes of Kona’s…
- Hawaii Forest and Trail - Guests are required to check in at our Kailua-Kona Headquarters 15 minutes before the tour begins. Restrooms are available on-site. The travel time to the trailhead is about 30 minutes.
- Hualalai - Embark on an adventure through private land, passing through three locked gates to explore the upper slopes of Kona’s volcano, Hualalai. This 4-mile hike offers exclusive access to volcanic sites and breathtaking scenic views.
What's Included
- Walking sticks, daypacks and rain gear
- Snacks
- Interpretative Naturalist Guide
- Access Fees
- Refillable filtered water, Juices, Sparkling Flavored Waters
- Local taxes
- Walking sticks, daypacks and rain gear
- Snacks
- Interpretative Naturalist Guide
- Access Fees
- Refillable filtered water, Juices, Sparkling Flavored Waters
- Local taxes
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
Additional Information
Embark on a 4-mile hike through ancient native Hawaiian cloud forests, explore a natural lava tube, and marvel at the vast fissures and craters created by Kona’s latest eruption. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from over 5,000 feet (1525 meters) above the Kona coastline.
This adventure provides a unique chance to discover and witness the incredible…
Embark on a 4-mile hike through ancient native Hawaiian cloud forests, explore a natural lava tube, and marvel at the vast fissures and craters created by Kona’s latest eruption. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from over 5,000 feet (1525 meters) above the Kona coastline.
This adventure provides a unique chance to discover and witness the incredible power of volcanic formation without the crowds and lengthy drives typical of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
- Guests should be able to hike 3 to 4 miles on uneven or rocky terrain with up to 1,000′ elevation gain & descent.
- We require that guests wear closed-toe walking shoes or hiking boots. We recommend wearing shorts, short sleeved shirt, and bring a light sweatshirt or jacket
- Not recommended for child aged 7 and under
- Not recommended for participants with back or neck problems
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
- We are unable to accommodate cruise ship guests on this adventure, due to timing restrictions
Location
Hawaii Forest & Trail Kona Headquarters
Olowalu Street
Across from Home Depot
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
(171 Ratings)
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Nataliers4867qy
Jul 23, 2026
unique hiking experience on the private land - Great hike up the ridge; I would rate it moderate, since it was long. The highlights were the cave or lava tube, the amazing view, and the variety of berries to try. The tour is very well organized; they provide backpacks, water, snacks, windbreakers, and gloves. Everything is good quality, well worth the money paid. The guide is very knowledgeable and points out all the interesting landscape and tells you the legends of the island.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amberwi4627zo
Jun 30, 2026
Amazing - Tour Guide Dave was amazing from start to finish. He engaged in conversation, got to know us, made jokes; not to mention his vast knowledge of the island, culture, and history. He taught us about Pele, how the craters were formed, and how to correctly pronounce commonly mispronounced Hawaiian words. The hike itself was amazing with the great views and wildlife. I would definitely do it again and recommend it to anyone I might know.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Journey05665460716
Apr 15, 2026
Memorable Volcano Hike on the Big Island - We had a great experience from start to finish. After booking, we received clear location details and headed to the outfitter’s office across from Home Depot. Ashley at the front desk was warm and welcoming. The office was also well-stocked with essentials like hats, water bottles, backpacks, and fanny packs—perfect if you forgot anything for the hike.
Our guide, Taro, was fantastic—friendly, knowledgeable, and fun throughout the day. We traveled in a brand-new luxury Sprinter van with a small group (just 7 of us total), which made for a comfortable ride to the trailhead.
The hike itself climbs to about 6,500 feet and is definitely moderate, largely due to the elevation. There are some scrambles and a few narrow sections on the way to the summit. We were lucky to have a warm, sunny morning, but I’d strongly recommend sunscreen, closed-toe hiking shoes, SPF clothing (layers), and plenty of water.
Taro provided snacks along the way and paced the hike well, incorporating breaks where he shared insights about the volcano, past eruptions, and the surrounding area. His knowledge really added to the experience.
At the summit, we were above the clouds with a clear view of the crater—an incredible and unique sight. On the way down (via a loop trail), we explored a lava tube and then descended into a lush, almost magical cloud forest filled with birdsong.
Tip: download the Merlin Bird ID app—we were able to identify three bird species unique to the area.
The descent can be a bit tricky with slippery roots, so I imagine it would be more challenging in wet conditions. Throughout the hike, Taro consistently checked in to make sure everyone was comfortable and doing well.
As avid hikers, this stood out as a truly special experience—there aren’t many opportunities to hike a volcano like this in the U.S. Highly recommend both the hike and this outfitter.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R6106cyaaronr
Apr 15, 2026
Must Do Hike on Hawaii Island! - Hawaii Forest and Trail is by far the best tour operator of land excursions on Hawaii Island. On this tour, our guide Dane, took us to a rarely seen part of the island.
This tour highlights the importance of protecting Hawaii's native ecosystem. You will learn about native plants, the formation of the islands, and experience amazing views along the way.
The tour is well worth the cost for a day tour.
As the tour will only accommodate up to 10 people, you receive an in-depth and intimate experience that feels exclusive.
The tour is great for those seeking adventure. It is a great hike and will leave you with a better sense of place.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trail38450359798
Apr 13, 2026
Hawaii Crater hike - The hike was wonderful and informative. We enjoyed hearing all the details of the crater and seeing the unique birds.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Deb
Mar 29, 2026
Highlight of the visit - Taro was a fun, relaxed guide. Very knowledgeable about the volcano and the birds that we say- including the I’Wi!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Matt
Mar 20, 2026
A really superb hike - A really insightful hike led by a very knowledgeable and fun guide Debra who was fantastic. Views were sensational and landscape stunning.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rsbtraveler
Feb 26, 2026
Walk along the craters of Hualalai! - My 16-year-old daughter and I went on the Crater Hike at Hualalai, which is 3.7 miles from 5000' to 6000'. It was fantastic and our guide Dave was a big reason why! He was very informative about the history and folklore, as well as being very conscientious about all the hikers (who ranged in age from teens to senior citizens).
The hike is also an incredible way to see the island, from the water and beaches to the expanses of lava and other volcanos. We were lucky to go on a clear day, so we could even see the telescopes and observatory on Mauna Kea. Lots of stunning panoramas of craters and then the beauty of being in a rainforest-like environment with huge ferns! We also climbed into a lava tube and out another entrance!
It was a really unique hike, because not many locals know that you can hike Hualalai.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lloydo101
Jun 27, 2026
Great Hike Very Short LavaTube - Very well organized from start to finish. Matteo was an excellent guide and paced the hike so everyone stayed together. You can wear tennis shoes but good hiking boots are the best as it can be wet, muddy and slippery on exposed roots. The only reason for not giving a 5 star rating was the lava tube part was basically in and out. We been in a few lava tubes that were much much longer
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kari_r
May 23, 2026
Hike was average at best, not worth the money spent - The pictures don’t really depict the hike experience. I was expecting more and it was not that formative.
Review provided by Viator
