BIG ISLAND · VOLCANO NATIONAL PARKS
Good volcano national parks in Big Island fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 13 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Review of Hilo’s six-hour volcano shore excursion, with Kilauea, lava tubes, black sand, sea turtles, snacks, and port pickup.
“The trip was informative , check in seemed a bit unorganized. Jess was a great tour guide and knew the area well.”
Review of Big Island’s 3-hour fat-tire e-bike tour through Volcanoes National Park, with route details, costs, tips, and who should book.
“Prep for weather and bring a rain jacket (plus gloves if you get cold easily) and a hat! Be aware that an e bike is a little tricky to use but I got the hang of it quickly (so did several older couples I was with). Tour guides were amazing. Informative, friendly, accommodating, funny.”
Review of Safari Helicopters’ 55-minute Volcanoes National Park flight from Hilo, with pricing, views, weather limits, seating tips, and booking advice.
“The team of Safari Helicopters was great, very professional and the flight was really smooth. We saw the lava flow out of the fissure, which was amazing!”
Review this 12-hour Big Island tour from Kona to volcanoes, black-sand beaches, sea turtles, lava tubes, and a Kona coffee farm.
“Katie was a wonderful tour guide. She was knowledgeable and made the trip comfortable and interesting!”
Review of the 11-hour Volcano National Park tour from Kona, with coffee, black sand beaches, lunch, geology, and Saddle Road scenery.
“The absolutely best tour! We went on this tour a year ago and we still talk about it and recommend it to friends going to the Big Island. The drive up to the telescopes was amazing and the sunset up there was breathtaking! But the best part was the study of the astounding constellations! If you are in the Kona or Hilo areas, this tour is a must!”
Review of the private Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Eco Tour, with itinerary details, costs, guide quality, hiking tips, and booking advice.
“Great guide. Very personable and knowledgeable. But we had to drive which negated one of the purposes of a tour, being able to look around. This is in the detailed description. But I overlooked this. The price also does not match the difference in doing the tour yourself or with a guide.”
Review of Hawaii Geo Tours’ 11-hour Big Island volcano tour from Waikoloa, with black sand beaches, Kona coffee, lunch, and Volcanoes National Park.
“This was an amazing day. David was so knowledgeable and friendly. He had so many stories and information about the island and everywhere we went. Was a long day but we got to see so much!”
Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park privately with a certified guide, flexible stops, eruption updates, lava tubes, photos, and transport.
“Jodi was excellent guide. Very attentive. We had a truly great time learning all about volcanos and seeing many incredible sights in the park. She took beautiful family pictures and shared them quickly with us.”
Review of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s self-guided e-bike tour, with lava views, GPS stories, practical tips, costs, and honest drawbacks.
“Had a great time seeing so much of the park and the volcano by e-bike. Gwen was an excellent tour guide. Loved it!”
Review of Roberts Hawaii’s Hilo shore excursion to Rainbow Falls and Volcanoes National Park, with practical tips on timing, value, food, and walking.
“Fun and informative—- Loved the driver/guide—- he was hilarious! Let us ask questions and made extra effort to let us see!”
Review of a small-group Hilo shore excursion to Volcanoes National Park, waterfalls, lava tubes, gardens, beaches, farms, and local markets.
“Great tour guide with exceptional knowledge of the area…we really enjoyed our tour…the lava tunnel and meal were great”
Review of Kilauea’s 3-hour guided hike: native forest, lava geology, small groups, practical tips, pricing, and eruption viewing.
“It was a great experience. We learned a lot about the Vulkane. Thanks Jennifer”
Review of a guided Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park hike with Kilauea Iki, Thurston Lava Tube, meals, guide details, and practical tips.
“Our guide, Jennifer, was fantastic! She was very personable, knowledgeable, and considerate of all the people on the tour (she even baked cookies for us to snack on!). The best part of the tour was walking across the caldera and recognizing the magnitude of what had happened to create it. To improve it, have the lunch break earlier (it was essentially at the end of the tour).”
Pick a mountain, a crater or a way up it.
