Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano, Waterfall & Black Sand Beach Lunch

Waterfall, volcanic crater, lava tube, and black sand beach in one morning, from Hilo summit to sea

A half-day guided tour from Hilo exploring the Big Island's volcanic landscape and coastal beauty, with pickup from your hotel or port. You'll walk through Liliʻuokalani Gardens, see Rainbow Falls, enter Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, view Kīlauea crater and steaming vents, and finish at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach where sea turtles rest. Lunch at a local restaurant in Volcano Village and fresh fruit samples are included. The tour involves about 2.5 hours of driving and moderate walking with roughly 15 stairs in the lava tube.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Liliʻuokalani Gardenspassing by
2. Rainbow Falls20m
3. Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach30m

Explore Hilo and Volcano Highlights

• Drive through Liliʻuokalani Gardens
• Pass by historic Downtown Hilo
• Visit Rainbow Falls viewpoint
• Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park visitor center
• View Kīlauea caldera and steam vents
• Walk inside Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube)
• Enjoy lunch at Kīlauea Lodge
• Visit Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your Hilo-area hotel, port, or airport. You'll drive through Banyan Drive and Liliʻuokalani Gardens, a peaceful park of towering banyan trees, ponds, bridges, and pagodas: the largest Edo-style ornamental garden outside Japan. A stop in historic Downtown Hilo lets you see the shops, public art, and colorful architecture before heading to Rainbow Falls, where rainbows appear in the mist and signs share stories about the waterfall and the legend of the Battle of the Wailuku River.

The centerpiece is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. You'll start at the visitor center and exhibit hall, then drive to Kīlauea crater for panoramic views of the smoking caldera and steaming volcanic vents. The walk inside Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) (an ancient tunnel formed by flowing lava) takes you through a passage surrounded by native ʻōhiʻa trees and ferns. Lunch follows at Kilauea Lodge, a local restaurant in Volcano Village, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available.

After lunch, you'll drive past sweeping lava fields and working coffee and macadamia nut farms on the way to Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach on the Kaʻū coast. This renowned beach is often visited by green sea turtles resting on the sand. The tour ends with drop-off back in the Hilo area. Your guide shares cultural artifacts and stories throughout, and fresh locally grown fruit samples are provided along the way.

What’s included

• Your guide leads the tour in English.
• pickup and drop-off from your Hilo-area hotel, port, or airport are included.
• lunch at Kilauea Lodge in Volcano Village with vegetarian and vegan options.
• fresh locally grown fruit samples.
• cultural artifacts shared throughout.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 to 85 years) · Child (under 13)

GroupUp to 12

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 14 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Shaka Braddah Tours Llc

Is this one for you?Book this if you're docking in Hilo and want to cover volcano, waterfall, and lava tube in one morning: the set itinerary moves you through five landscapes with lunch included, so you see the most in limited shore time.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).

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 is Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) and what will I see inside it?

Nāhuku is an ancient lava tunnel inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park formed by flowing lava. You'll walk through the passage surrounded by native ʻōhiʻa trees and ferns. The walk includes about 15 stairs and moderate climbing.

Will I see sea turtles at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach?

Punaluʻu is a renowned local beach often visited by green sea turtles that come to rest on the black sand, though sightings are not guaranteed.

What's included in the lunch at Kilauea Lodge?

Lunch is included at Kilauea Lodge, a local restaurant in Volcano Village, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meal options available.

How much driving is involved in this tour?

The tour includes about 2.5 hours of drive time between destinations as you travel from Hilo through the volcanoes and down to the black sand beach.

Where will I be picked up and dropped off?

Pickup and drop-off are available in the Hilo area only, including the Port of Hilo, Hilo Airport, hotels, Airbnbs, and the bus station.

What should I know about the physical demands of this tour?

The tour includes moderate walking and climbing, with about 15 stairs during the lava tube walk. It is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.