Big Island: Volcano, Chocolate Farm & Rainbow Falls Day Trip

Summary

Big Island volcanoes, chocolate making and waterfalls in one day

You’ll stand at Kilauea’s steaming rim with a local guide who knows every story, taste fresh cacao at a working Big Island chocolate farm (yes, you get samples), and watch Rainbow Falls thunder into lush jungle mist. Includes pickup, snacks, lunch and someone who’ll answer every odd question you throw their way.

What’s the experience like?

“You want to see something wild?” our guide Kalani grinned, waving us closer to the edge. I was still chewing on a piece of pineapple from the van snack basket — sticky sweet, almost too much — when he pointed out the steam rising from Kilauea’s crater. The ground here feels alive. You can actually smell it: that faint sulfur tang, like burnt matches but softer. Kalani grew up nearby and told us stories about how the landscape changed after the big collapse; he even pulled up old photos on his phone to show what used to be here. It’s hard to imagine all that shifting under your feet.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much at a chocolate farm, but there we were, trying to pronounce “Theobroma cacao” while our host Leilani handed us warm cacao pulp straight from the pod (tastes nothing like chocolate, by the way — more like lychee). The air inside the fermenting room was thick and sweet, almost dizzying. We wandered between rows of trees as she explained how chocolate goes from tree to bar. My hands got muddy picking up a fallen pod. Nobody minded.

The last stop was Rainbow Falls in Hilo. There’s this moment when you first hear the water before you see it — louder than I expected, echoing through all that green. People were taking selfies but I just stood there for a minute, letting the mist hit my face and watching sunlight catch in little rainbows above the rocks. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic back home. Anyway, if you’re looking for a day trip from Hilo or Kona that actually feels full (but not rushed), this one surprised me in all the right ways.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore volcano, chocolate farm, and waterfall

• Tour Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Learn chocolate-making at tropical farm
• Visit Rainbow Falls waterfall

Top questions

How long is the Big Island volcano and chocolate tour?

The tour covers a full day with multiple stops including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a 1,000-acre chocolate farm, and Rainbow Falls near Hilo.

Is lunch included on this Big Island volcano day trip?

Yes, lunch is included along with snacks, Hawaiian juices and sparkling waters during the tour.

Are hotel pickups available for this tour?

The tour includes central meeting location pickups; exact pickup time will be confirmed after booking.

Can kids join this volcano and waterfall tour?

Children must be at least 6 years old to participate due to walking distances and terrain.

What should I wear for visiting Kilauea and Rainbow Falls?

Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes, long pants, sunglasses or hat, sunscreen and bring a light jacket or sweatshirt.

Is this Big Island volcano tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

No; guests need moderate fitness as walking up to 2 miles on uneven terrain is required.

Does the tour include entry fees for parks or farms?

Yes; all park access fees and chocolate farm entry are included in your booking price.

Will we have a certified guide during the volcano visit?

A National Park Certified Interpretive Guide leads your group through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

What’s included

Your day includes central pickup locations on the Big Island (with exact times confirmed after booking), all park and chocolate farm entry fees covered, snacks like Hawaiian juices and flavored sparkling waters along with refillable filtered water throughout. Lunch is provided mid-tour so you won’t go hungry between stops. Walking sticks are available if you want them — plus sunscreen and bug repellent for those tropical trails before heading back in comfort at day’s end.