Big Island Highlights Tour: Volcano, Coffee & Black Sand Beach

Walk through a lava tube inside an active volcano, then stand under an 80-foot waterfall.

This 11-hour guided tour of the Big Island covers five major stops: a Kona coffee plantation, Punalu'u Bake Shop, Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, lunch at Volcano House overlooking Kilauea caldera, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park with a hike through Thurston Lava Tube, and Rainbow Falls. A professional English-speaking guide leads the tour in a luxury Mercedes Sprinter with high roofs and cell phone charging. Central location pickup and drop-off are included, along with breakfast items, lunch, bottled water, hot beverages, binoculars, and umbrellas. Children must be at least 5 years old. Those with mobility concerns should contact the operator before booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach30m
2. Hawaii Volcanoes National ParkEntry included1h 30m
3. Rainbow Falls20m

Explore Big Island's natural and cultural highlights

• Tour Kona coffee plantation
• Visit Punaluʻu Bake Shop
• Walk Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
• Lunch at Volcano House's The Rim
• Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
• Rest stop before Rainbow Falls
• Visit Rainbow Falls

The experience

What makes this tour work is the route itself: you start with coffee and pastries in the morning, move through the island's most dramatic landscapes by midday, and finish at a waterfall as the light softens. The drive crosses Saddle Road, which opens views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. You'll spend over an hour inside Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, where the Thurston Lava Tube walk takes you through a tunnel carved by lava centuries ago, now shaded by native ferns. The park sits at elevation, so the air changes as you climb.

Lunch happens at The Rim, a restaurant inside Volcano House with the Kilauea caldera and active Halema'uma'u Crater visible from your table. The menu features local fish, grass-fed beef, and island vegetables. The operator accommodates regular, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-intolerant diets. Live musicians perform while you eat. Before that, you'll have walked on Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, where the sand is jet-black and the water turquoise: Hawaiian green sea turtles sometimes rest on the shore, though sightings aren't guaranteed. Your guide carries binoculars and knows where to look.

The final stop is Rainbow Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that drops over a natural lava cave into the Wailuku River. You'll walk a short trail to reach it. Before the hike, you get refreshments and hot towel service in the Mercedes Sprinter. The vehicle itself is part of the experience: high roofs let you see out, flip-down monitors show information, and the cabin stays spotless. Breakfast items and lunch are included. You bring nothing but yourself.

What’s included

• Central location pickup and drop-off.
• a professional English-speaking guide.
• a Kona coffee farm visit with a picnic lunch in the rolling hills.
• treats from Punalu'u Bake Shop.
• time at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach.
• lunch at Volcano House overlooking Kilauea caldera.
• over an hour in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park with a hike through Thurston Lava Tube.
• a final stop at Rainbow Falls.
• breakfast items, bottled water, hot coffee and chocolate, binoculars, and umbrellas throughout the day.

Information

Lasts 11h, runs Monday to Saturday at 07:30, from US$ 299 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 13 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 07:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 131 private ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 29 pickup points.

Book up to17h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcome

Operated by Kailani Tours Hawaii

Is this one for you?Book this group tour if you want to see five major sites (volcano, waterfall, black sand beach, and more) in one day with a set itinerary. Choose Hilo or Volcano pickup if you're based in East Hawaii.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the drive like between stops on this Big Island tour?

The route crosses Saddle Road, which offers views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. You travel in a luxury Mercedes Sprinter with high roofs, surround sound, and cell phone charging, so the drive itself is comfortable. The full tour runs 11 hours, with stops at five major sites.

Will I see Hawaiian green sea turtles at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach?

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach is a sanctuary for honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles), and they do rest there. Your guide will lead you to the best spots to look for them, though sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What happens at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park?

You spend over an hour exploring the park, home to two of the world's most active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa. The highlight is a short hike through Thurston Lava Tube, a tunnel carved by ancient lava and now shaded by native ferns.

Is lunch included, and can you handle dietary restrictions?

Yes, lunch is included at The Rim inside Volcano House, with views of Kilauea caldera and live local musicians. The operator offers regular, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-intolerant options: mention your needs when you book.

What should I know about Rainbow Falls before I go?

Rainbow Falls is an 80-foot waterfall that plunges over a natural lava cave into the Wailuku River. You'll walk a short trail to reach it at the end of the day. The operator provides refreshments and hot towel service in the vehicle before the hike.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?

Central location pickup and drop-off are included. If you're staying in East Hawaii (Hilo or Volcano area), ask about those pickup options when you book.