Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano Safari Lava Caves & Black Sand
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Big Island of Hawaii, USA
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
When your ship docks in Hilo, use your short time in port to get acquainted with Kilauea, the most active volcano on earth. On this tour, you'll explore lava caves; stroll along the island's newest black-sand beaches and feel the warmth from volcanic hot pools. You'll pass along the destructive path of the volcano's most recent eruption, your route including round-trip transport from the port or your hotel.
- Explore geothermal pools, lava caves, and more
- See areas in the destructive path of Kilauea's recent lava flows
- Your guide provides in-depth, local knowledge to deepen your excursion
- Hassle-free round-trip transportation from Hilo's port or your hotel
What's Included
- Port pickup and drop-off / Hilo Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Souvenirs
- Gratuities
- Lunch- Stop made by local vendor for customers to purchase
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.
Itinerary
Following pickup at the Hilo cruise port or your hotel, board a tour vehicle and set out over the back roads of the Big Island to explore its spectacular natural features.
Driving through old-growth mango groves, you'll stop to see the recent lava flow that caused the town of Pahoa to evacuate. See the few houses and commercial buildings that were burnt by the oozing fire. View dramatic scenery in spots where the burning lava met the cool, salty sea. Stop in Kaimu to see the site of the former Queen bath and town, both destroyed by a lava flow in 1990, now being reclaimed by the wild rainforest. View an exhibit showing what the area used to look like and snap photos of the active volcanic vent in the distance. Stroll down the black-sand beach, reached via a 15-minute walk over old lava flows.
Continue to Lava Tree State Park, where lava burst from fissures in the ground and coated the Ohia trees, leaving amazing tree molds. See the warm springs at Pohoiki, geothermally heated by water traveling through lava tubes, and walk on the newest black-sand beach created by Kilauea’s lava flow.
Stop at a dramatic overlook, surrounded by salt cedar pine trees and home to the old Kings Trails. Admire views of the waves crashing below towering sea cliffs.
Your half-day tour ends with drop-off back at your original departure point.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to the Hilo port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port of call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Driving through old-growth mango groves, you'll stop to see the recent lava flow that caused the town of Pahoa to evacuate. See the few houses and commercial buildings that were burnt by the oozing fire. View dramatic scenery in spots where the burning lava met the cool, salty sea. Stop in Kaimu to see the site of the former Queen bath and town, both destroyed by a lava flow in 1990, now being reclaimed by the wild rainforest. View an exhibit showing what the area used to look like and snap photos of the active volcanic vent in the distance. Stroll down the black-sand beach, reached via a 15-minute walk over old lava flows.
Continue to Lava Tree State Park, where lava burst from fissures in the ground and coated the Ohia trees, leaving amazing tree molds. See the warm springs at Pohoiki, geothermally heated by water traveling through lava tubes, and walk on the newest black-sand beach created by Kilauea’s lava flow.
Stop at a dramatic overlook, surrounded by salt cedar pine trees and home to the old Kings Trails. Admire views of the waves crashing below towering sea cliffs.
Your half-day tour ends with drop-off back at your original departure point.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to the Hilo port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port of call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Lili'uokalani Gardens (Pass By)
Hilo (Pass By)
1
Rainbow Falls
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Kaumana Caves Park
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Pahoa (Pass By)
3
Lava Tree State Park
25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Pohoiki Bay
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Leilani Estates
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Malama Market
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Moderate tour - Involves walking over relatively unlevel terrain, possible gravel, lava, uneven ground and steep steps. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately; light rain jacket or poncho
- A stop is made to purchase food
- Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee
- Exact departure time may vary depending on the cruise ship's disembarkation time
- We will ensure your timely return back to the ship in Hilo Pier for this activity. If your ship does not come into port , your money will be refunded. If is is delayed we will adjust our departure time to the ships itenerary. See our terms and conditions for full details
- Not recommended for those who cannot walk over uneven ground or with poor health
- Lava Tube: The steps to get into the lava tube are steep and the ground is uneven. You do not have to go into the lava tube if you feel it is too much for you.
- We are NOT able to accommodate customers with walkers or wheel chairs.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 382 reviews
Edwin_H, Mar 2026
Great way to see many different spots. Felt really rushed at some stops and then we drove around for an extended period looking at where houses used to be. I’m sure if you were familiar with the area that might have been interesting, but 20 minutes at the beach and then an hour looking at grown over empty lots was a little off balance for me.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Aloha Edwin, thank you for your feedback. I will share with the guide
Ron_E, Mar 2026
Lori did a fantastic job explaining the highlights of the tour. I think the black sand beach and waterfall were my favorites. As a linguist, I appreciated Lori's discussion of the Hawaiian language and her tip about the orange dreamsicle ice cream at the Big Island Candy Company. She took us thru the lava fields of the 2018 eruption and detailed some of her personal experiences from that time. She splashed water on some of the roadside lava debris from 2018 and it still raised steam! The lava caves were fascinating--I got down with some effort but had trouble getting back up.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Your 5-star review truly brightened our day! We’re glad your experience with C Big Island Tours was memorable aloha!
Ronald_M, Feb 2026
The guide was informative and knowledgeable and was accommodating to the whole group by adding extra stops that we were all interested in. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for the 5 stars! We’re honored to have been part of your Big Island adventure. There’s always more to explore, and we’d love to take you on another journey the next time you visit Hawaii.
Annette_T, Feb 2026
Had a wonderful day got to see a lot of Hilo. Troy was the best very knowledgeable and fun highly recommend
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Mahalo for the wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed your tour and got to experience the incredible landscapes and stories that make the Big Island so special. Your kind words mean so much to our team.
ANGELA_S, Feb 2026
Ellen was a phenomenal tour guide! I loved all the stops we made, specially the cave & waterfall. If you are going to explore the cave, I definitely recommend that you bring sneakers so you can explore as the rocks are slippery.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
We truly appreciate your 5 stars! ⭐ Nothing makes us happier than knowing our guests had an incredible time 🌊
Lucy_P, Feb 2026
Ellen Grace was a delightful tour guide, extremely knowledgeable, friendly, professional and went out of her way to share her love of the Big island with us, going the extra mile (literally) to take us to one additional lava field that wasn't even on the intinerary. We also enjoyed traveling in a van with a smaller group rather than in a large bus.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your kind words! 🌺 Our crew works hard to create amazing memories, and we’re thrilled you enjoyed your adventure- C Big Island Team
Sharon_S, Feb 2026
It was really good the driver was really knowledgeable about the entire trip she was very helpful and friendly
Response from Host, Feb 2026
We appreciate you choosing C Big Island Tours! 🌴aloha!
Dana_M, Jan 2026
I was initially disappointed that this tour didn't include Volcano National Park, but Ellen quickly put my disappointment at ease. She showed us more than what was on the itinerary to get a real sense of the pyroclastic flows that are off the beaten path. The stops were well timed with plenty of walking for those who want to get in their steps. Super convenient pickup and drop off at cruise terminal, too!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Mahalo for the 5-star review! 🌟 We loved having you and we are so happy your experience with C Big Island Tours was unforgettable 🌊🤙
Tamarra_D, Jan 2026
Our guide was excellent. Her name was Ellen S. I would highly recommend her as a tour guide. She knew the history of the volcanos and took us to the best places to see the lava. I would recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for the 5-star review! 🌺 We’re glad you enjoyed your Big Island adventure with C Big Island Tours. Mahalo for choosing us!
MargaretO, Jan 2026
Great trip touring the area! Ellen shared amazing information about the island and area and it was interesting for all ages. Would definitely recommend. We were afraid because the weather wasn't perfect but it was GREAT! Thanks!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We truly appreciate your 5 stars! ⭐ Nothing makes us happier than knowing our guests had an incredible time 🌊💙 -C Big Island Team
LaRhonda_K, Dec 2025
It was a very different experience than the other travelers we went with. It was a driver in a van who did not share any information about the city its self. He was friendly but not informative. He left off a number of places we were scheduled to visit. We saw the bare bone basics and had more discussions about his personal life than the city of Hilo. Not reccomended!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your review.We're sorry the experience felt rushed and that the guide shared more personal stories than information about Hilo—it’s not the engaging, informative adventure we aim to deliver.
We’ve noted your feedback and are looking into the situation with the guide to ensure all scheduled stops are completed and commentary stays focused on the sights. Your input helps us improve.
We hope you’ll give us another chance next time you’re in Hilo. Mahalo!
Shane_C, Dec 2025
We had the most amazing tour guide! can't remember her name, but she was Filipino and just a doll! She was funny, extremely knowledgeable, and had passion for her island. She gave us lots of great information and we saw some amazing sites. Highly highly recommend!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Mahalo for the 5 stars! 🌺 We’re so happy you enjoyed your time with C Big Island Tours and hope to welcome you back on the water again soon.
Felicia_A, Dec 2025
Be prepared to see more than you can imagine. Lava still hot enough to create steam and lava caves that can literally swallow light yet you can walk into it and not see your own hand in front of you. Our guide has lived on the Island for many years and knows the history, customs and watch outs of the land. Come prepared with good walking shoes. It is well worth the time and energy
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Mahalo for the 5-star love! We’re so happy you had a great time with us and hope to welcome you back on your next Big Island adventure.-C Big Island Team
Maureen_J, Dec 2025
At the lastinute Laurie asked us if we wanted to upgrade our tour and go see the volcano that was erupting that morning! Of course we all said yes! It was magnificent.! Laurie was a fantastic driver and gave us tons of information!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thanks for the awesome rating! Our team works hard to create unforgettable experiences, and we’re happy to hear we delivered.
Brenda_Y, Nov 2025
Enjoyable excursion; very friendly, helpful and informative tour guide; saw many beautiful spots... some stops may be difficult for those with mobility issues. Not really enough time at each stop for us because we are handicapped and it took a little time walking to and from the bus to the target spot. Still a very fun excursion overall.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Mahalo for the 5-star love! We’re so happy you had a great time with us and hope to welcome you back on your next Big Island adventure.-c big island team
Valerie_H, Nov 2025
From the start, the tour was unorganized. The instructions said to meet at #5, which we did. Then we were told to go to another #5 line to check in. Once there, we were told to go to #1.
However, once we got going we *Thought* it was going to get a lot better. We were incredibly cramped in the back of the bus and it was a terribly uncomfortable ride.
We started off by driving through old town Hilo and then on to Richardson Ocean Park. We only did a quick drive through of a garden. That was followed by heading to Rainbow falls, which was beautiful.
We then headed to Kaumana Caves Park, which were really amazing, but very treacherous, so if you visit, be extremely careful. Then things went down hill.
Driving through Pahoa was pretty boring & kind of weird and went to a supermarket to buy our own lunch. Thankfully, there was a McDonalds a short walk away, which was so much nicer than the overpriced pre-packaged sandwiches that our fellow tour guests were eating. We then drove quite a long way to Lava Tree State Park to eat our lunches at one giant picnic table.
After lunch, we then spent entirely too much time driving around, looking at old lava from 2018, looking at people's yards, the Pahoa garbage dump and took us to the candy store, that wasn't on the itinerary and several of us really didn't want to go to. We ended up taking an Uber back to the ship.
Overall, I would not book this again and I certainly wouldn't recommend it. Our guide clearly loves the island deeply, but didn't seem mindful of our time by making unplanned stops, spending entirely too long in the Leilani Estates subdivision and endless Hawaiian pronunciation lessons. We were not the only guests who were quite annoyed by the tour taking so much longer than the advertised 6 hours and were concerned about getting back to the ship in time.
The tour's highlights:
1. Rainbow Falls
2. McDonald's
3. The free range chickens in Lava Tree State Park
4. The Uber driver
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Aloha,thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We were very surprised to read parts of your experience, as they differ significantly from our standard procedures and from what the rest of the group shared with the guide that day.
- All of our pickup confirmations and reminders (both the automated Viator ones and our own follow-up messages) clearly state to look for the sign marked “#1” at the Hilo port. We have double-checked every notification sent for your sailing date and none mention “#5.” We’re sorry if there was any confusion on the pier that morning; port staff sometimes give conflicting directions, and we’re always working to make our signage even clearer.
- Our vehicle is a 14-passenger Mercedes Sprinter with high-back. While it is not a stretch limousine, it meets (and usually exceeds) the comfort level of similar shore excursion vehicles in Hawaii. We’re sorry the seating didn’t work for you.
- Lunch is not “pre-packaged sandwiches.” We stop at a local supermarket with a full hot deli, poke counter, salad bar, and a wide variety of freshly made island-style plate lunches. Many guests love the chance to try local food instead of chain restaurants. Of coarse McDonald’s was your choice.
- The drive from the lunch stop to Lava Trees State Monument is approximately 4–5 miles and normally takes 10–12 minutes.
- Big Island Candies was added as a complimentary bonus. The majority of guests were excited to visit this iconic local factory (it’s normally very well received). Unfortunately, when you chose to leave the tour early via Uber without informing the guide, it caused considerable worry and delayed the group while everyone looked for you. For future reference, we kindly ask that guests let the guide know if they decide to leave independently so we can ensure the safety of everyone else.
We’re genuinely sorry the day did not meet your expectations and that you felt rushed at the end (cruise ship excursions always aim to return with plenty of buffer time, and we did make it back well before all-aboard). Mahalo for acknowledging Rainbow Falls and Kaumana Caves; those are two of our favorite spots as well.
We wish you calmer seas and better adventures on the rest of your cruise!
Karen_D, Nov 2025
Ellen was a fantastic guide. She was incredibly knowledgeable and timed our stops when other big bus tours weren’t going to be there.(less crowded). We loved having only 14 in our group. The van was so comfortable. It was the best way to see Hilo. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thanks for the awesome rating! Our team works hard to create unforgettable experiences, and we’re happy to hear we delivered ALOHA. -C BIG ISLAND TEAM
Pauline_N, Nov 2025
Great knowledge of the island.
Troy was friendly & professional.
Comfortable car . Well worth the tour.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
So glad you loved it Pauline! ❤️ Thanks for the 5 stars—we appreciate you aloha!
Shirley_S, Oct 2025
Tour was very informative, only hiccup was delay picking us up at the port. That was out of her control though. She provided umbrella and flashlight for certain stops definitely came in handy.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Aloha Shirley, correct the port wasn't hardly letting any companies enter except for 2 vehicles at a time, which created the delay. Something to due with a Japanese military ship at the port. Glad we were able to stay in contact and that you enjoyed your Volcnao guide.
KERRY_H, Oct 2025
Very informative and pleasant. We had a great tour guide! Lori was very knowledgeable and did a great job of providing historical information during our tour.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
🌋 So glad you had a great experience! Thank you Kerry for letting us be part of your Big Island memories.
Karen_D, Oct 2025
Led by our excellent tour guide Ellen, we enjoyed epic views and stops ending with the crater national park with otherworldly views of the steaming crater and vents, walked through a lava tube and enjoyed a fun morning of history, culture and sights.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for the 5 stars and your support!-C Big Island Team 🌺
Darlene_W, Oct 2025
Guide was informative and friendly, gave great information and talked the whole tour. I would give her 10 stars if I could
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Mahalo! 🤙 We’re thrilled you had such a fun experience with our team.
Rhonda_K, Oct 2025
We had a great time exploring the Volcano National Park. I wasn't planning on visiting, but SO GLAD I did. Did not feel rushed and hit all the highlights of the park
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Mahalo for the recommendation and 5 stars! 🌺 We’re so glad you enjoyed the beauty of the Big Island with us.
david_c, Oct 2025
Lots of point of interest.
Great driver and knowledge and very friendly.
Well with day in Hilo
The lava field where a must.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you David We really appreciate you taking the time to leave us a 5-star review. It means a lot to us.
Judy_C, Oct 2025
Great communication and easy pick up from cruise ship terminal. Our tour guide and driver, Dave, was fantastic. His knowledge and love for Hilo and all of Hawaii was evident. We learned so much about the lava flows, Rainbow falls, history, and culture of the area.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
So glad you loved it! ❤️ Thanks for the 5 stars—we appreciate you! -C Big Island tours
Amy_C, Oct 2025
The operator was very knowledgeable about the island and all the stops. She was friendly and considerate. She even went beyond what was required by offering rain ponchos and neck flashlights for the cave. Even made extra stops because we ran ahead of schedule but made sure we had plenty of time to return to Cruise ship. I would recommend this excursion to anyone.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
We’re thrilled you had such a great time. Hope to welcome you back soon Amy!
Amy_M, Oct 2025
Dave,
Did a wonderful job explaining everything we saw and went above and beyond to explain things we were seeing and made sure we had a great tour.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Your 5-star review means the world to us AMY – mahalo for choosing C Big Island Tours!
Jim_S, Oct 2025
Dave was incredible. Very informative along the drives and along the way. We actually diverted to Volcanoes National Park due to entrance fees waived for the day. Dave was very informative on the volcanoes and lava. Highly recommended
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Your feedback means the world to us Jim– mahalo for sharing your positive experience! Our team works hard to make every moment special, and we’re delighted to hear that reflected in your review.- C Big Island Team
gatorsrays32, Sep 2025
Dave was our driver and a native and he was very informative about Hilo. Got lucky for a free day at the volcano national park! Pickup was super easy at the port. We even stopped and a grocery store for some fresh poke bowls. A couple lava tubes, big island chocolate, plus a few areas in the park to few different view points of the volcano. Saw Maui’s island (and was told the story) King Kamehameha statue. Missed the black sand beach, but the volcano was worth it.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Mahalo nui loa for your wonderful 5-star review! We’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed your time exploring the Big Island with us. Our team truly loves sharing the beauty, culture, and aloha spirit of Hawaii, and it means so much that you had such a positive experience. We hope you’ll join us again on your next adventure here in paradise!
Kenneth_S, Sep 2025
Troy was our driver, tour guide. He has a brand new SUV, very clean, comfortable. He was very knowledgeable about history, geography and present living in Hilo. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Mahalo for the 5 stars! We’re so happy you enjoyed your Big Island adventure with us.
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Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano Safari Lava Caves & Black Sand
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