Nature and Wildlife Tours in Big Island of Hawaii at a glance
- Our pick: Big Island tour: Volcanoes, waterfalls & black sand beaches, US$ 276 per person (11h, 4.92★ · 7,189).
- Top rated: Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano, Waterfall & Black Sand Beach Lunch, US$ 189 per person (6h–7h, 4.99★ · 105).
- Best value: Kona: Night Manta Ray Snorkel Small Group & Light Board, US$ 25 per person (1h 30m, 4.68★ · 2,592).
Price per person across the 39 options priced per person: US$ 25–US$ 309 (median US$ 160). With 100+ reviews: 33 of 43.
Of the 43 options: 41 with live guides in English, 42 with free cancellation, 35 with instant confirmation, 9 with hotel pickup, 27 kid-friendly, 6 private and 27 bookable last-minute.
How we rank: quality, number of reviews, availability, booking conditions and relevance to the topic. In the comparison table, our top 3 comes first. Prices are per person, except options priced per group: that price is for the whole group, and the per-person figure assumes the group is full. “Top rated” = the highest score among options with at least 100 reviews.
Nature and Wildlife Tours in Big Island of Hawaii
Based on each operator's calendar. Confirmed when you book.
43 options
The 15 best
Ranked by quality, reviews, availability and booking conditions.
Big Island tour: Volcanoes, waterfalls & black sand beaches Full-day Big Island tour from Kona with Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls, Thurston Lava Tube and Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach. Includes lunch. Every day · 07:00 · Hotel pickup · From age 5 ★ 4.92 (7,189 reviews) Duration: 11h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 276 per person
Night Snorkeling with Manta Rays in Manta Spend 2.5 hours snorkeling at night with manta rays feeding under lights in Manta: gear, wetsuit and guide included. Sighting guaranteed or your next trip is free. Every day · 18:00, 18:30, 19:00, 19:30 and 20:00 ★ 4.83 (6,385 reviews) Duration: 2h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 94 per person
Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcanoes National Park & Black Sand Beach Hilo shore excursion with guide pickup from cruise ship or hotel, covering Volcanoes National Park, Thurston Lava Tube. Every day · 15 start times, 07:30 to 14:00 · All ages ★ 4.78 (3,178 reviews) Duration: 6h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 169 per person
Kona: Night Manta Ray Snorkel Small Group & Light Board Swim with manta rays in Kona after a quick boat ride, guided by pros. Small group, custom light boards, and late-night tours for better sightings, gear included. Every day · Every 50 min, 18:00 to 23:00 · From age 4 ★ 4.68 (2,592 reviews) Duration: 1h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 25 per person
Big Island Volcano & Stargazing Tour with Kona Coffee Small-group Big Island twilight volcano tour with Kona Coffee Farm, Thurston Lava Tube, black sand beach & stargazing. Includes lunch, dinner & hotel pickup. Every day · 10:00 · Hotel pickup · From age 5 ★ 4.90 (1,761 reviews) Duration: 12h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 309 per person
Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel: FREE re-ride if no sightings Night manta ray snorkeling in Kona on a small 23-foot boat with 25–30 minutes in the water. If no mantas appear, you get a free return trip instead of a refund. Every day · 18:30, 19:20, 20:10 and 21:00 · From age 5 ★ 4.86 (2,750 reviews) Duration: 1h 20m ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 30 per person
Kealakekua Bay Snorkel Tour: Small Group, Sea Caves A 2.5-hour snorkel tour to Kealakekua Bay aboard a fast Zodiac RIB boat reaches sea caves and coral reefs that larger vessels cannot access. Every day · 08:00, 11:00 and 14:00 · From age 5 ★ 4.60 (1,668 reviews) Duration: 3h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 69 per person
Snorkeling with Manta Rays off Kona Coast at Sunset Snorkel with manta rays at night off the Kona coast after watching the sunset from a 50-foot catamaran: all equipment, wetsuits and instruction included. Every day · 17:30, 18:00 and 18:30 · All ages ★ 4.88 (872 reviews) Duration: 2h 15m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 155 per person
Atlantis Submarine from Kona Beach: 100 feet underwater Descend 100 feet below Kona's surface in a 48-passenger submarine to explore a 25-acre natural coral reef with live narration and sightseeing shuttle. Every day · 10:15, 11:30, 12:45 and 14:00 · All ages ★ 4.67 (776 reviews) Duration: 1h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 160 per person
Manta Ray Night Snorkel at Kona: 30 minutes in the water Manta ray night snorkel in Kona with 30 minutes in the water, wet suit and gear included: a five-minute boat ride from the snorkel site. Every day · 18:00, 19:00 and 20:00 · From age 6 ★ 4.74 (2,083 reviews) Duration: 2h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 30 per person
Big Island Kohala Waterfalls: Waterfall Hikes & Mountain Stream Swim Small group waterfall tour on Big Island's Kohala Coast with nature preserve access, lunch, and swimming. Includes pickup from Kailua-Kona, guide, and gear. Max 10 people. Mon–Sat · 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30 · All ages ★ 4.88 (363 reviews) Duration: 7h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 267 per person
Volcanoes National Park tour: Saddle Road & black sand beach Geologist-led tour of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park from Kona includes Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, Chain of Craters Road. Every day except Wednesday · 07:30 · Hotel pickup · From age 6 ★ 4.89 (356 reviews) Duration: 11h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 246 per person
Big Island Waterfalls & Swimming: Akaka Falls, Kulaniapia, Botanical Garden Big Island waterfall tour with swimming at Kulaniapia Falls, Akaka Falls hike, and Waipio Valley. Includes hotel pickup, lunch, and guide. Mon, Wed, Thu and Fri · 07:00 · Hotel pickup · From age 5 ★ 4.92 (535 reviews) Duration: 10h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 278 per person
Snorkel with Manta Rays at Manta Ray Village: Guaranteed sighting Snorkel with manta rays at the world-famous Manta Ray Village aboard a catamaran with expert guide, wetsuits and snorkel gear included. Every day · 18:00 and 20:30 · From age 4 ★ 4.78 (761 reviews) Duration: 1h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 141 per person
Hawaii Volcanoes tour: Volcano, chocolate & waterfall Walk through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a certified guide to see how Halemaumau Crater's collapse reshaped Kilauea. Tue–Sat · 07:30 · From age 8 ★ 4.89 (250 reviews) Duration: 11h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 309 per person
Also popular with travelers
The ones most travelers have taken, by number of reviews.
Big Island Kealakekua Bay: Snorkel & Captain Cook Monument Sail Sail to Captain Cook Monument and snorkel Kealakekua Bay on Big Island. Includes breakfast, lunch, gear, and dolphin spotting. Half-day tour for confident swimmers. Every day · 08:30 · All ages ★ 4.91 (592 reviews) Duration: 4h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 179 per person
Kona whale and dolphin watching tour: Guaranteed sightings Whale and dolphin watching tour on the Kona Coast with a professional crew certified for deep offshore waters: see pilot whales, spinner dolphins. Every day · 08:30 · From age 10 ★ 4.87 (584 reviews) Duration: 3h–4h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 129 per person
Big Island Glass-Bottom Boat Reef Tour & Dolphins Glass-bottom boat tour from Kailua-Kona pier, Big Island. 50 minutes viewing coral reef, tropical fish, coastline. Marine naturalist guide, water included, all ages welcome. Every day except Friday and Saturday · 10:00, 11:00, 12:15, 13:15 and 14:15 · All ages ★ 4.62 (534 reviews) Duration: 50m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 72 per person
Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel & Kailua-Kona Lights Night snorkel with giant manta rays off Kailua-Kona, Big Island. Floating raft, underwater lights, hot cocoa included. Small groups, hotel pickup available. Every day · 17:30 and 20:00 · All ages ★ 4.81 (487 reviews) Duration: 2h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 125 per person
Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary tour: Native plants & rare species Guided tour of Hawaii's only cloud forest with a live English-speaking guide: walk through montane jungle, learn about native and rare species. Every day · 09:00 · From age 5 ★ 4.93 (423 reviews) Duration: 2h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 149 per person
Kailua-Kona Snorkeling: Sea Kayak & Spinner Dolphins Paddle and snorkel off Kailua-Kona with a professional guide to spot Hawaiian spinner dolphins and see over 50 fish species at coral reefs. Every day · 07:00 · From age 5 ★ 4.85 (408 reviews) Duration: 4h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 99 per person
Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel: Small Group & Private Charter Small-group manta ray snorkel in Kona with max 12 passengers, light board, snorkeling gear included. 90% encounter rate, private charter option available. Every day · 17:30, 19:30 and 21:30 · From age 7 ★ 4.76 (401 reviews) Duration: 1h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 125 per person
Kona Snorkel Tour: Captain Cook Monument & Sea Caves Two reef snorkel sites on the Kona coast with guides teaching Hawaiian history and marine life: mask, fins and snorkel included, plus snacks and water for the morning. Every day · 08:00 · From age 6 ★ 4.79 (385 reviews) Duration: 4h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 119 per person
Big Island Hawaii Volcanoes: Kīlauea & Crater Hikes Private Tour Private Kīlauea volcano tour on Big Island with professional guide, Chain of Craters Road, Kilauea Iki crater hike and steam vents. National Park entry included. Every day · 10:00, 11:00 and 13:00 ★ 4.98 (335 reviews) Duration: 3h–6h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 200 per person
Compare 19 more options for Nature and Wildlife Tours in Big Island of Hawaii
From US$ 99 per person · 2 h to 12 h
Big Island: Volcanoes, Black Sand Beach & Kona Coffee Day Trip Feel the heat of Kilauea, walk Punaluʻu’s black sand, taste Kona coffee, and catch rainbows at Rainbow Falls. Includes lunch at Volcano House and local guide pickup. Every day except Wednesday · 07:00 · Hotel pickup · From age 6 ★ 4.91 (232 reviews) Duration: 11h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 246 per person
Kona Coastline Manta Ray & Wildlife Boat Tour: Small Group Safari Four hours scanning the Kona coastline aboard a six-person vessel with a professional guide, snorkeling gear and snacks included. Every day · 08:00 · From age 5 ★ 4.92 (276 reviews) Duration: 4h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 255 per person
Snorkel With Giant Manta Rays in Kailua Kona Snorkel with manta rays off Kailua Kona on a 2-hour boat excursion with wetsuit, gear and in-water guide included. Every day · 18:30 and 20:30 ★ 4.57 (145 reviews) Duration: 2h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 137 per person
Kealakekua Bay snorkel tour by Zodiac: Beat the crowd Zodiac raft tour to Kealakekua Bay for snorkeling and exploring lava tubes. Includes gear, snacks, and wildlife spotting. Mon–Sat · 10:00 · From age 4 ★ 4.94 (251 reviews) Duration: 5h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 163 per person
Waipi'o on Horseback: Mountain to Ocean Views Ride through a Hawaiian ranch from mountain pastures to the Hamakua coastline. Guided tour includes fruit sampling and wildlife. Ages 7+. Mon–Sat · 09:30, 13:30 and 16:00 · From age 7 ★ 4.87 (319 reviews) Duration: 2h Live guide: EN ✓ Instant confirmation. from US$ 183 per person
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Private Tour: 3 Hours Three-hour private tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with certified guide, van transportation and bottled water included: your group stays together. Every day except Tuesday · 07:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 13:00 ★ 4.98 (199 reviews) Duration: 3h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 594 per group
Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano, Waterfall & Black Sand Beach Lunch Half-day tour from Hilo visiting Rainbow Falls, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach with lunch included and hotel pickup. Tue–Sun · 09:00 · Pickup available · Up to age 85 ★ 4.99 (105 reviews) Duration: 6h–7h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 189 per person
Big Island Kona: Hidden Crater Hike & Hualalai Volcano 4-mile hike through Hualalai's upper slopes with crater views, cloud forest, and lava tube. Private land access, naturalist guide, gear included. Departs Kailua-Kona. Every day except Thursday and Sunday · 07:30 · From age 8 ★ 4.92 (171 reviews) Duration: 5h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 199 per person
Kailua-Kona whale watch tour: Guaranteed sightings Whale watch tour from Kailua-Kona pier during December to April with certified naturalist, hydrophone whale songs, and guaranteed sightings or return free. Every day except Wednesday · 13:00 · All ages ★ 4.36 (264 reviews) Duration: 2h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 160 per person
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Private Tour: Black Sand Beach & Waterfall Spend 10 hours exploring Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach and Rainbow Falls with a local guide in a private vehicle. Every day except Tuesday and Wednesday · 08:00 · Pickup available ★ 4.96 (81 reviews) Duration: 10h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 2,280 per group
Dolphin and Whale Watch in Kona: Kailua-Kona coastal cruise Dolphin and whale watching cruise on Kona's coast with naturalist guide narrating wildlife, sea caves and volcanic cliffs from a rigid hull boat: 2.5 hours, ages 5 and up. Every day · 08:00 and 10:45 · From age 5 ★ 4.64 (80 reviews) Duration: 2h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 99 per person
Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling: Zodiac access to sea caves and reefs Snorkel Kealakekua Bay's coral reefs and hidden sea caves aboard a Zodiac RIB boat: small groups, snorkel gear and water included, no big-boat crowds. Every day · 08:00, 11:00 and 14:00 · From age 3 ★ 4.59 (83 reviews) Duration: 3h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 99 per person
Humpback Whale Watch Tour: Kona Coast from Honokohau Harbor Watch humpback whales, dolphins and manta rays on the Kona coast with a professional naturalist guide, cold beverages included. Every day · 07:00, 11:00 and 15:00 · From age 8 ★ 4.96 (78 reviews) Duration: 2h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 119 per person
Kona Snorkeling: Two Tank Reef Dive with Local Guides Dive and snorkel Kona's top two reef sites with certified guides, spotting dolphins, mantas and turtles while enjoying coffee and snacks during this five-hour ocean adventure. Every day · 08:00 · From age 10 ★ 4.95 (77 reviews) Duration: 5h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 195 per person
Snorkeling in Kona: Small-Group Reef & Wildlife Safari Four-hour small-group snorkeling adventure in Kona's coral reefs and open water, with a maximum of six guests, snorkeling equipment included. Every day · 08:00 · From age 3 ★ 4.96 (54 reviews) Duration: 4h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 250 per person
Hakalau Forest Bird Watching Tour: Small Group Private Access Small-group bird watching tour on Big Island's Hakalau Forest Reserve with expert naturalist guide, 4WD vehicle access to restricted Pua Akala tract. Tue and Thu · 06:30 · Pickup available · From age 8 ★ 4.98 (51 reviews) Duration: 12h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 288 per person
Private Tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Walk on Lava Private tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a live guide in English. Walk on cooled lava, descend through rainforest. Every day · Every 1 h, 06:00 to 11:00 ★ 5.00 (25 reviews) Duration: 2h–3h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 689 per group
Kona Cloud Forest Coffee & Sea Turtles Shore Excursion Five-hour Kona Cloud Forest tour from Kailua Pier with coffee tasting, Turtle Beach walk, and expert guide leading the way through lush terrain. Every day · 09:30 · Hotel pickup · From age 5 ★ 4.69 (13 reviews) Duration: 5h ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 299 per person
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Private Guided Tour: Expert Led Private guided tour of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park led by volcanologists, botanists and former rangers. Choose 4, 6 or 8 hours and customize the route to your interests. Every day · No fixed time ★ 4.91 (11 reviews) Duration: 4h–8h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 633 per group
The top 12 of 43 options, side by side
✓ 2026-11-14| Option | Price | Duration | Rating | Days and times | Guide languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Island tour: Volcanoes, waterfalls & black sand beachesOur pickGroup of up to 13 · Pickup offered | US$ 276 per person | 11h | 4.92★ · 7,189 | Every day · 07:00 | English |
| Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano, Waterfall & Black Sand Beach LunchTop ratedGroup of up to 12 · Pickup offered | US$ 189 per person | 6h–7h | 4.99★ · 105 | Tue–Sun · 09:00 | English |
| Kona: Night Manta Ray Snorkel Small Group & Light BoardBest value | US$ 25 per person | 1h 30m | 4.68★ · 2,592 | Every day · Every 50 min, 18:00 to 23:00 | English |
| Night Snorkeling with Manta Rays in Manta | US$ 94 per person | 2h 30m | 4.83★ · 6,385 | Every day · 18:00, 18:30, 19:00, 19:30 and 20:00 | English |
| Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcanoes National Park & Black Sand Beach | US$ 169 per person | 6h | 4.78★ · 3,178 | Every day · 15 start times, 07:30 to 14:00 | English |
| Big Island Volcano & Stargazing Tour with Kona CoffeeGroup of up to 13 · Pickup offered | US$ 309 per person | 12h | 4.90★ · 1,761 | Every day · 10:00 | English |
| Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel: FREE re-ride if no sightingsGroup of up to 11 | US$ 30 per person | 1h 20m | 4.86★ · 2,750 | Every day · 18:30, 19:20, 20:10 and 21:00 | — |
| Kealakekua Bay Snorkel Tour: Small Group, Sea Caves | US$ 69 per person | 3h | 4.60★ · 1,668 | Every day · 08:00, 11:00 and 14:00 | English |
| Snorkeling with Manta Rays off Kona Coast at Sunset | US$ 155 per person | 2h 15m | 4.88★ · 872 | Every day · 17:30, 18:00 and 18:30 | English |
| Atlantis Submarine from Kona Beach: 100 feet underwater | US$ 160 per person | 1h | 4.67★ · 776 | Every day · 10:15, 11:30, 12:45 and 14:00 | English |
| Manta Ray Night Snorkel at Kona: 30 minutes in the water | US$ 30 per person | 2h | 4.74★ · 2,083 | Every day · 18:00, 19:00 and 20:00 | English |
| Big Island Kohala Waterfalls: Waterfall Hikes & Mountain Stream SwimGroup of up to 10 | US$ 267 per person | 7h | 4.88★ · 363 | Mon–Sat · 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30 | English |
By what you need
- Private (6): Big Island Waterfalls & Swimming: Akaka Falls, Kulaniapia, Botanical Garden (US$ 278 per person) · Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Private Tour: 3 Hours (US$ 594 per group) · Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Private Tour: Black Sand Beach & Waterfall (US$ 2,280 per group)
- Small groups (up to 15) (17): Big Island tour: Volcanoes, waterfalls & black sand beaches (US$ 276 per person) · Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano, Waterfall & Black Sand Beach Lunch (US$ 189 per person) · Big Island Volcano & Stargazing Tour with Kona Coffee (US$ 309 per person)
- With pickup (9): Big Island tour: Volcanoes, waterfalls & black sand beaches (US$ 276 per person) · Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano, Waterfall & Black Sand Beach Lunch (US$ 189 per person) · Big Island Volcano & Stargazing Tour with Kona Coffee (US$ 309 per person)
Related
More things to do in Big Island of Hawaii
Boat Tours in Big Island of Hawaii35 optionsCatamaran Cruises in Big Island of Hawaii16 optionsKealakekua Bay21 optionsMauna Kea Tours on the Big Island7 optionsShore Excursions in Big Island of Hawaii8 optionsDolphin Tours in Big Island of Hawaii10 optionsKealakekua Bay Boat Tours11 optionsZipline Tours in Big Island of Hawaii6 optionsCaptain Cook Monument Boat Tour8 optionsWhale Watching Tours in Big Island of Hawaii11 optionsKailua-Kona: Tours & Activities8 optionsHawaii Volcanoes National Park Tours13 optionsATV Tours on the Big Island of Hawaii6 optionsKohala Waterfalls6 optionsHiking Tours in Big Island of Hawaii6 optionsScuba Diving Tours in Big Island of Hawaii4 options