Hilo Town Tour Hop on Hop Off: five escorted stops
Five stops where your seat stays saved while you explore
The Hilo Town Tour Hop on Hop Off is a three-hour city tour with five escorted stops—Liliʻuokalani Gardens, King Kamehameha Statue, Big Island Candies, Wailoa River State Park and Rainbow Falls—where the bus waits and your seat is held. After the escorted portion, you have time to wander the historic old town Hilo, browse the farmers market, visit shops and museums, and stop at Richardson Ocean Park and Coconut Island to look for green sea turtles. An air-conditioned vehicle and live English guide are included; Rainbow Falls entry is optional and costs extra if you choose it.
The Experience
The first five stops are the backbone of this tour: you get ample time at each one without watching the clock or waiting for the bus to fill up again. Liliʻuokalani Gardens, the King Kamehameha Statue, Big Island Candies, Wailoa River State Park and Rainbow Falls are all escorted, which means the driver knows you are coming back and holds your seat. That changes what you can actually do at each place—you are not rushing through to keep the group moving. Rainbow Falls is optional; if you skip it, the tour swaps that stop for more time in the old town instead.
After the escorted stops, the route opens up. You have time to explore the historic old town Hilo on your own—the farmers market, the restaurants, the shops and museums all sit within walking distance. Richardson Ocean Park and Coconut Island are also on the route, both good places to spot Honu green sea turtles sunning themselves on the rocks. The vehicle is air-conditioned and a live guide in English is with you throughout, so you get context for what you are looking at without the tour feeling scripted around a schedule.
The whole experience runs three hours. Walkers and fold-up wheelchairs are welcome; infants can ride in a pram or stroller, though small children need to sit on an adult's lap. If you want to enter Rainbow Falls, that fee is separate and can be purchased in advance—the stop itself is included, but the waterfall entry is not.
What’s included
- Air-conditioned vehicle.
- live English-speaking guide.
- ample time at five escorted stops (Liliʻuokalani Gardens, King Kamehameha Statue, Big Island Candies, Wailoa River State Park, Rainbow Falls).
- access to the historic old town Hilo, the farmers market, shops and museums.
- time at Richardson Ocean Park and Coconut Island to spot green sea turtles.
- two beach parks for swimming and relaxing.
Operated by Hoppa On Hoppa Off Keikana Tours
Is this one for you?Small groups work well here because the escorted stops move at a pace that lets everyone explore without the pressure of a large tour keeping time. Families with children and older travelers who prefer not to rush benefit from the saved seats and the flexibility to skip Rainbow Falls if the waterfall entry feels like too much for the day.
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Top questions
Can I skip Rainbow Falls and spend that time somewhere else in Hilo instead?
Yes. Rainbow Falls is an optional stop on the Hilo Town Tour Hop on Hop Off, and you can bypass it to spend the time in the old town or at one of the other stops instead. The tour adjusts to your choice.
What is there to do in the old town Hilo part of the tour?
The historic old town Hilo has the farmers market, shops, restaurants and museums within walking distance of each other. You also have access to Richardson Ocean Park and Coconut Island, where green sea turtles often rest on the rocks, and two beach parks for swimming and relaxing.
Do I have to stay with the group the whole time, or can I get off and rejoin later?
The first five stops are escorted with the group, and your seat is held while you explore each one. After those stops, you have time to wander the old town and beach parks on your own before the tour ends.
Is the air conditioning and guide included in the price?
Yes. The Hilo Town Tour Hop on Hop Off includes an air-conditioned vehicle and a live English-speaking guide throughout the three-hour tour. Rainbow Falls entry is the only extra cost if you choose to go inside.
Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair on the bus?
Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and walkers and fold-up wheelchairs are welcome. The tour has limited handicap accessibility, so call ahead if you need specific details about your mobility setup.
How long do I get at each of the five escorted stops?
The tour gives ample time at Liliʻuokalani Gardens, the King Kamehameha Statue, Big Island Candies, Wailoa River State Park and Rainbow Falls—enough to explore without rushing—because your seat is saved and the bus waits for you.
Hilo Town Tour Hop on Hop Off: five escorted stops
3h · EN
from US$ 61 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.63105 reviews
