Big Island Scenic Tour: Volcano, Hilo & Rainbow Falls

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/31

Duration7h

GroupUp to 12

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Walk through an active volcano's caldera and lava tube, then stand under Rainbow Falls

A full-day guided tour from Hilo covering Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, the Hilo Farmer's Market and coastal stops, with lunch and water included. Groups stay under 14 guests and a local guide leads in English. Pickup is available in the Hilo area; children from age 5 are welcome. The tour runs seven hours and includes rain gear.

Step-by-step itinerary

The Experience

The day starts at Kilauea, the world's most active volcano. You'll walk into the massive caldera where the volcano frequently erupts, move through an ancient lava tube, and feel the heat rising from volcanic steam vents. The landscapes here are shaped by fire and time — black rock, ash fields, and the raw evidence of what the island is still building. After the park, you stop for lunch at a local Hawaiian-style restaurant where one entree per guest is included.

The drive back takes you along the Old Māmalahoa Highway, a winding road through lush forests on the Hāmākua Coast with ocean views opening up at every turn. You'll stop at Kawainui Falls, a waterway that emerges from inside a giant lava tube. Then comes Rainbow Falls near Hilo — an 80-foot drop fed by the Wailuku River, and on sunny mornings the mist catches light and throws a rainbow across the water. A massive banyan tree stands nearby, photo-ready and old enough to feel like a landmark itself. Your guide shares the history and legends of the river as you explore.

The rest of the afternoon moves through Hilo's quieter side: the Hilo Farmer's Market in downtown, a vibrant local marketplace open seven days a week with fresh produce, local treats and handmade crafts; a brief stop at the King Kamehameha statue to hear about the chief who united the islands; Liliʻuokalani Gardens, the largest authentic Edo-style garden outside Japan, with arched bridges, ponds and towering banyan trees; and Richardson Ocean Park, a black-sand beach where tide pools often hold green sea turtles and the view opens onto Hilo Bay. The tour includes bottled water and rain gear throughout.

What’s included

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park entry and a walk through an ancient lava tube.
one entree per guest at a local Hawaiian-style restaurant.
bottled water and rain gear throughout the day.
stops at Rainbow Falls, Hilo Farmer's Market, Liliʻuokalani Gardens, Richardson Ocean Park and the King Kamehameha statue.
pickup in the Hilo area and a local guide in English.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Lehua Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to cover Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, and Hilo's farmer market in one seven-hour day with a local guide steering the route and pacing.