Hawaii Volcano Park Tour: Lava Fields & Waterfalls

Walk into a lava fissure and stand inside the volcano

A guided shore excursion from Hilo to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with park entry included, stopping at waterfalls, Volcano village and Richardson Ocean Park. The guide narrates Hawaiian mythology at the Crater overlook and Steam Vents, takes photos inside a lava fissure where you look for peacock lava, and spends roughly two hours in the park itself. The tour runs 6 to 7 hours total and returns you to the cruise ship.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Rainbow Falls30m
2. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park3h · entry included
3. Richardson Ocean Park30m

Explore Hilo and Volcano National Park

• Drive to Ice Pond, see turtles and fish
• Visit Liliuokalani Garden, spot nene geese
• View local fish sign and plants
• Stop at Rainbow Waterfalls, see optical illusion
• Buy iced coconuts if vendor present
• Enjoy whipped ice cream
• Feed wild pigs if present
• Eat at Hilo Food Court
• Drive to Volcano Village listening to Hawaiian music
• Visit Crater Overlook, hear Hawaiian mythology
• See Steam Vents and make steam
• Shop at Volcano House
• Walk lava field, look for peacock lava, take photos
• Explore Lava Tube, learn about birds and plants
• Drive to Macadamia Nut Farm
• Sample chocolates and Kona coffee at Big Island Candies
• Visit Blacksand Beach, look for turtles and nene geese
• Return to Cruise Ship

The experience

The drive north from Hilo starts at Richardson Ocean Park, where your guide stops at the Ice Pond to point out turtles and fish, then moves to Liliuokalani Garden to look for nene geese and identify plants. Rainbow Falls comes next, the county charges $5 entry, and the guide shows an optical illusion there before stops for iced coconuts and whipped ice cream. A quick look for wild pigs in a feeding area follows, then a food court break at Hilo before the 35-minute drive up to Volcano village, where you spend about 45 minutes shopping for locally made goods and grabbing food.

Inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the guide walks you through five stops over roughly two hours. You start at the Crater overlook hearing Hawaiian mythology, move to Steam Vents where the guide demonstrates how to make the vent steam more visibly, browse the Volcano House gift shop, then head to the Lava Field with a fissure: the moment most people come for, where you stand inside and look for peacock lava while the guide photographs you. The last stop is a Lava Tube, where the guide talks about native birds and plants. A 35-minute drive follows to Big Island Candies, where you watch chocolate being made behind glass and can sample chocolate, candies and Kona coffee.

The tour ends at Richardson Ocean Park, the black sand beach, where you look for turtles, fish and nene geese before heading back to the ship. Your guide carries a camera and takes photos at every stop, and brings fruit from his farm to sample or stops at a fruit stand so you can buy fresh fruit. The guide speaks English and the park entry fee is included. You'll need to sign a release agreement before departure.

What’s included

• Park entry to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
• English-speaking guide.
• photos taken by the guide at each stop.
• fruit samples from the guide's farm or a fruit stand stop.
• stops at Rainbow Falls, Liliuokalani Garden, Volcano village, Big Island Candies and Richardson Ocean Park black sand beach.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Thursday5 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 09:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 5

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hawaii Volcano Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the full volcano experience in one departure. The guide handles the route, timing and park entry, so you move through the lava fields, fissure and mythology stops without arranging transport or navigation yourself. The 6 to 7 hour span means you'll spend significant time in the vehicle, so it works best for travelers comfortable with a full day of driving and multiple short stops rather than a single deep dive into one site.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4).

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 the peacock lava I'll see inside the fissure?

Peacock lava is a type of lava formation with iridescent colors created by oxidation of minerals as the lava cooled. The guide will point out these formations when you stand inside the fissure in the Lava Field section of the park.

Do I have to pay extra for Rainbow Falls?

Yes, the county charges $5 entry to Rainbow Falls, which is not included in the tour price: the guide stops there for roughly 20 minutes to photograph you and show an optical illusion.

How much time do we actually spend inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?

The park itself takes roughly two hours, with stops at the Crater overlook, Steam Vents, Volcano House, the Lava Field with fissure, and a Lava Tube: the rest of the 6 to 7 hour tour covers the drive, waterfalls, Volcano village shopping and the beaches.

Will the guide take photos of me?

Yes, the guide carries a camera and takes photos of you at every stop, including inside the lava fissure and at all the other attractions. You can ask for copies or use your own camera as well.

What happens if the wild pigs or coconut vendor aren't there?

The stops for wild pigs and iced coconuts depend on whether they are present that day. If they aren't, the guide skips those moments and the tour continues to the next planned stop.