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Hilo & Volcano: Waterfalls, Lava Fields & Local Flavors Day Trip

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/17

Duration7h–8h

GroupUp to 14

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

From surf breaks to volcano steam, a day on Hawaii’s wild side

You’ll ride along Hilo’s lush coast spotting surfers and waterfalls before tasting fresh coconuts and local ice cream. Feed wild pigs (if they appear), sample macadamia nuts at the farm, then walk steaming lava fields in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with your guide sharing stories along the way. Expect moments of laughter, unexpected flavors—and maybe even turtles on black sand—before heading back salty-haired but smiling.

7h–8h

Step-by-step itinerary

Drive to Ice Pond, see turtles and fish
Visit Liliuokalani Garden, spot nene geese
Drive over old bridges, see waterfalls
Feed prawns on wooden bridge
View river flowing through lava tube
Stop at Rainbow Falls, take photos
Buy iced coconuts if vendor present
Enjoy whipped ice cream
Feed wild pigs if present
Drive to Hawaii Volcano National Park
Visit Crater Overlook, hear mythology
See Steam Vents, make steam
Shop at Volcano House
Walk lava field, find peacock lava
Take photos inside fissure
Visit Lava Tube, learn about birds and plants
Drive to Macadamia Nut Farm
Sample and shop macadamia nuts
Drive to Big Island Candies
Sample chocolate and Kona coffee
Visit Blacksand Beach, look for turtles and nene geese
Return to Cruise Ship

The Experience

The morning didn’t start exactly as planned — our driver got stuck behind a chicken parade near Hilo (which, apparently, is just normal life here). No one seemed to mind. Our guide, Kaleo, cracked jokes about “island traffic” while we crept along this narrow road where you could see surfers bobbing out in the gray-blue waves. The salt air mixed with something sweet I couldn’t place until later — maybe guava? He pointed out a couple of regulars catching waves and shouted greetings through the window. I’m not sure if they heard him but it felt like everyone knew each other here.

We bumped over old wooden bridges into the jungle, and suddenly there were waterfalls everywhere. At Rainbow Falls, I tried (and failed) to catch that optical illusion Kaleo swore was there if you stood just right in the spray. He took photos for us anyway. Someone bought iced coconut from a roadside vendor who showed up at just the right moment — cold and milky, with bits of shell still clinging to the rim. Later we stopped for whipped ice cream that melted too fast in my hand; I probably wore half of it on my shirt. There was a quick detour to feed wild pigs (if they show up), which was honestly more chaotic than I expected — they’re loud and pushy but kind of adorable.

The drive up to Volcano village had Hawaiian music playing low in the van. It’s about 35 minutes but went by quickly because Kaleo kept pointing out plants he grew up with or telling stories about Pele and old lava flows. In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the ground steamed under our feet at the vents (he showed us how to make it puff up more — don’t ask me how that works). Walking across a cooled lava field felt like stepping onto another planet; rough underfoot, sharp edges everywhere, and this weird silence except for wind and someone laughing far off. We hunted for “peacock lava” (it really does shimmer blue-green if you squint), then squeezed into a fissure for photos. I still think about that view down into blackness.

Somewhere between sampling macadamia nuts at Mauna Loa factory and watching chocolate get made behind glass at Big Island Candies, I realized how much food is part of every stop here. Even the fruit samples from Kaleo’s farm tasted different — sharper or sweeter than what I’m used to back home. The last stop was Richardson Ocean Park: black sand underfoot, turtles sunning themselves if you’re lucky, and nene geese wandering around like they own the place. We made it back to the ship sticky with fruit juice and sea spray — not exactly polished but happier for it.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Hilo port when ships are docked, all Hawaii Volcanoes National Park entry fees covered by your guide, English-speaking narration throughout every stop—from waterfalls to volcano craters—plus chances to sample macadamia nuts straight from the farm or factory before returning you comfortably back to your starting point.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hawaii Volcano Tours