Top Hawaii Nature and Wildlife Tours

The Big Island of Hawaii has a diverse ecosystem unlike anywhere else on the planet. On this small-group day-long nature tour with hotel pickup, experience the beauty of its black-sand beaches, thundering waterfalls, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If you’re lucky, you spot Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on the coast.

See where famous movies such as "Jumanji", "Jurassic Park", "Jurassic World", and "50 First Dates" were filmed. A guide leads you to Hollywood hot spots and provides background on the history of the ranch. Travel by vintage school bus past some of the island’s most stunning natural attractions, such as Mokoli’i Island, Kaneohe Bay, and the Ko’olau Range.

Kualoa Ranch is the lush, verdant setting for films like Jurassic Park and Pearl Harbor. Visiting this Northeast Shore location by horseback will take you farther into the valley and give you an authentic ranch experience. 1- or 2-hour options give you the flexibility to fit this tour into your busy schedule, and expert horse wranglers will ensure you a safe, fun ride through the Ka'a'awa Valley.

Sample a cross-section of outdoor sights on the Big Island during this shore excursion exploring Volcanoes National Park, Black Sand Beach and more. Visiting the amazing volcanic steam vents and unique geology around Kilauea Volcano. Before your day is done, check out a local macadamia nut farm and visit a gorgeous black sand beach. A guide, park entrance fees, and round-trip port transport are included.

Embark upon a horseback riding adventure in Maui on this guided tour. After your guide matches you with a suitable horse, based on your riding ability, ride up into the valley of the West Maui Mountains through gulches to see waterfalls in the distance. Then, head down the trail to the oceanfront to ride alongside the Pacific Ocean—if you are experienced, you have two opportunities to canter or gallop, weather permitting. Also includes a visit to a petting zoo, home to sheep, mini horses, and rabbits.

Fly away from Hilo Airport and into a world of volcanoes, rainbows, and waterfalls. With this family-run helicopter company—the longest-running on the island—you’ll meet your captain, get debriefed on safety protocol, and hop into your helicopter for a wild aerial adventure. With your captain doubling as guide, you’ll explore the volcanoes of the national park, lava flows, orchid farms, lush forests, and so much more.

Get an up-close look at marine life on this tour, which trades in a typical sightseeing boat for a low-to-the-water Zodiac raft that offers superior views. Keep an eye out for dolphins in the summer or whales in November and May, or simply take in the scenery while listening to live narration from a naturalist guide.

Indulge a passion for both nature and chocolate on this tropical tasting tour of Princeville Botanical Gardens in Kauai. Explore the plants and flowers on a tour of the garden’s terraces, creek beds, and valley floor, stopping along the way to taste fresh Hawaiian fruit and honey. Rest your feet in a shady outdoor tasting area as you sample single-origin gourmet chocolates from around the world and learn how cocoa beans are transformed into delicious chocolate products.

Soar over the entire Garden Island for unforgettable views on this air tour of Kauai. From aboard an aircraft designed for sightseeing, soak up breathtaking views of natural attractions like Waimea Canyon, Opaekaa Falls, the rugged Na Pa Coast, and Mt Waialeale — the wettest spot on earth. Your experienced pilot provides informative narration during this thrilling flight.

Head out on an epic adventure along one of the world's most magnificent coastlines. From your comfortable vantage point on a 37-foot (11 meter) Naiad Super Raft, enjoy spectacular views of the 17-mile-long Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park. Explore sea caves and private beaches—accessible only by raft—and snap photos of majestic cathedrals (the cliffs that tower over Kalalau Valley). As you journey along the water, keep an eye out for the marine life that inhabits the area, including dolphins and whales. Each trip (weather permitting) includes time to take a dip and snorkel amongst tropical fish and sea turtles.

Discover a side of the Big Island of Hawaii that very few other travelers get to see on this one-of-a-kind submarine tour. Choose from multiple start times, head to the Kona coastline, and board the submarine. As you descend towards the colorful reef, peer through the portholes and spot fish and other marine life. Along the way, your on-board naturalist guide provides in-depth commentary about the aquatic sights.

Have a unique Big Island experience snorkeling with manta rays on this tour. Take a short cruise out to the snorkeling site before dipping into the water to watch the manta rays up close. All necessary equipment will be provided for your excursion, as well as light refreshments and snacks. If you don't see manta rays on this excursion, book again for another night, free of charge.

After dark is an excellent time to see manta rays in the waters around the Island of Hawaii. This tour is designed for snorkelers; Ride Alongs stay on the boat and may or may not see manta rays. Enjoy watching the manta rays feeding at night and snorkeling close to them during this approximately 1-hour experience.

Explore Maui's rugged terrain during this thrilling ATV tour. After an orientation to the vehicle, take off for the top of the valley, where you can view the waterfalls from a distance. Traveling via ATV allows you access to parts of the valley that traditional tour vehicles can't reach. Pilot your ATV down to the coast for a shoreline view, accompanied by engaging commentary from your guide.

Maui's Molokini Crater is a submerged crater from an ancient volcano. Discover the abundant underwater world around the volcano during this snorkel tour from Maui. Depart from Kihei with a small group and enjoy plenty of time to snorkel inside the crater observing several aquatic species that call the crater home.

Experience some of the Big Island’s top attractions during this day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the sights around Hilo. Learn all about volcanoes as you marvel at Halema'uma'u crater and explore the massive Kilauea Volcano. Visit Rainbow Falls around the town of Hilo and stop to indulge in local chocolates and fresh island coffee. Receive personalized attention on a small-group tour.

Experience Kauai nature at its finest on this kayaking and waterfall hiking tour. Paddle the majestic Wailua River, original home of the first Hawaiians, as your guide shares stories about the flora and fauna of Kauai's most sacred area. Then, hike through the rainforest to Secret Falls where you can enjoy a refreshing dip before a delicious lunch. This challenging tour requires participants to meet health and age guidelines to ensure safety.

Experience an incredible daybreak view from the top of Maui’s highest peak during this full-day Mt. Haleakala sunrise tour. Journey with a guide on this massive volcano to witness the orange and red-colored dawn of a new day set amidst the clouds, enjoying the sublime beauty of a sight that once inspired literary great Mark Twain. This Maui sunrise excursion also includes round-trip hotel transportation, breakfast, and entrance fees.

Humpback whales migrate to Hawaii's Pacific waters each winter to give birth, making the season one of the few times these animals can be reliably spotted close to shore—but accessing the best viewing areas requires getting out on the water. This whale-watching tour from Honolulu covers the humpback migration window, with the chance to spot dolphins and green sea turtles along the route.

Pack the best of Oahu into just one day on this small-group tour from Waikiki. Visit a local coffee farm and learn about the cultivation of 100 percent Hawaiian coffee; head to the North Shore to check out the surf beaches, historic town of Haleiwa and Waimea Falls; take in panoramic views from the Pali and Makapuu lookouts; and explore cultural sites including the Byodo-In Temple.

Cruise the Big Island coastline aboard a fast Zodiac RIB boat on this adventure that takes you to hidden sea caves, lava tubes, and scenic spots that you wouldn't be able to access on your own. Snorkel pristine coral reefs at Kealakekua Bay, a protected marine sanctuary and site of the historic Captain Cook Monument, and keep an eye out for dolphins, whales, and other marine life.

Discover the beauty of Oahu's coastal scenery—and spot its marine life, including pods of dolphins—on this half-day swimming and snorkeling boat tour. Following pickup from your hotel, head to your catamaran and hop aboard. After you set sail, embark on a swimming or snorkeling session to see fish, octopuses, and other marine life in its natural habitat.

Get great views—and see far more than would be possible from land—by taking to the Kauai skies on this small-group helicopter tour. You'll cover the island's most important attractions as you soar over landscapes made famous by movies; the high sea cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, waterfalls and more.