Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Experience Departing from Oahu
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Honolulu, USA
- 12 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get away from the Oahu buzz with this whirlwind volcano-chasing tour. After your short flight from Honolulu, arrive in Kona to meet your driver for a serious adventure: You’ll visit the historic town of Kona, set your eyes on the Mars-like Kilauea Iki Overlook, run your toes along black sand, and explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, an active volcanic landscape that’s creating the Big Island to this day.
- Inter-island flight to Kona International Airport and transport included
- See wild spots like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Spend 8+ hours on the ground, for a full day chasing wild landscapes
- Your guide offers a deeper look into the area's nature, culture, and geology
What's Included
- Roundtrip airfare from Honolulu International Airport to Kona International Airport
- Hawaii Volcanos National Park Admission is Included
- Engaging narration from a local guide, sharing stories and insights throughout your tour
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Transportation to the Honolulu Airport is not included
- GratuitiesIf you enjoy your tour tipping your guide in cash is always appreciated
- Meals
- Private Tour
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup point
- Thrifty Car Rental - Kona International AirportKona International Airport, 73-200 Kupipi St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Pickup details
Upon arrival to Kona International Airport meet at the lot behind Alaska Baggage claim B-2
Start time.8:00 am
Itinerary
1
Greenwell Farms
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Manuka State Wayside Park
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Punalu'u Bake Shop
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Mauna Kea Access Road (Pass By)
Kohala Coast (Pass By)
Hilo (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Infant seats available
- Near public transportation
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Weather Variability - The weather can change quickly, especially at higher elevations. Bring layers, including a rain jacket, as it can get cool and wet
- Sturdy Footwear - Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes suitable for walking on uneven and potentially sharp volcanic terrain. Flip-flops or sandals aren’t recommended
- Volcanic Hazards - The park is an active volcanic area, so be aware of potential hazards like volcanic gases, which can be harmful, especially for those with respiratory issues. Follow all safety guidelines and stay on marked trails
- Pack Essentials - Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and a hat. There are limited services within the park, so it's important to be prepared
- Respect Sacred Sites - The park is home to many culturally significant sites for Native Hawaiians. Show respect by not disturbing or removing anything from these areas
- No or Limited Cell Service - Cell phone service is limited or nonexistent in many parts of the park, so plan accordingly and download maps or guides in advance
- Leave No Trace - Help preserve the park’s natural beauty by not leaving any trash behind. Follow the "Leave No Trace" principles to protect the environment
- All entry tickets to the attractions will be provided by your driver on the morning of your tour
- Meals are at your own expense
- We stop for lunch at Punaluʻu Bake Shop where you can enjoy a variety of lunch options including sourdough sandwiches, Kalbi beef, and Hawaiian plate lunches, all complemented by their fresh baked goods and local treats
- Bring cash for roadside stands, food trucks, and local shops—many are cash-only
- If you enjoy your tour tipping your guide in cash is always appreciated
- Car seats are available for children ages 4 years and under
- People with Respiratory Issues -The park can have high levels of volcanic gases, like sulfur dioxide, which can exacerbate conditions like asthma or other respiratory problems
- Those with Mobility Challenges: Many trails and viewpoints require walking on uneven, rocky terrain, which can be difficult for individuals with limited mobility or those who rely on wheelchairs or walkers
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 22 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
Featured review
Henry was funny and knowledgeable. The beauty of the island would have made it worthwhile a trip. But Henry made it excellent. He answered many questions. He provided fun anecdotes about the places. He also share interesting history. This trip was amazing.
Reviews
4.8
based on 272 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Mel was great, provided lots of great information and a dash of humor. The van was perfect, modern with charging capabilities for electronics and very comfortable. We made numerous stops as we made our way to the volcano, all important to understanding the islands characteristics. Our day gave us a small glimpse of lava, no fountains but enough to scratch the itch to see. I did one day travel from Oahu, even with flight issues (a cancellation and maintenance problems) the tour group kept things on track and low stress. Really enjoyed the trip, and highly recommend.
It was AMAZING! Our tour guide (Kevin I think) was phenomenal! He was incredibly knowledgeable and attentive. Highly recommend!!!
Wasn’t the experience I was expecting, but 2 items were impacted due to the recent hurricane. I can’t fault the tour for trying to reset.
I think the entire day should have been spent in the national park. I really don’t believe based on what I paid for this tour that it was worth the money I spent.
Kevin the tour guide was great.
Make sure you read all the texts they send! They changed the meeting place on the last day and if our driver, Kevin, hadn’t been so awesome we would have missed the excursion! He was an excellent driver and very welcoming and knowledgeable.
Kevin was very chill and knowledgeable. His commentary seemed more organic rather than scripted. Loved how the company took care of the airline booking. No issues. Grab 100% Kona coffee from Joe’s. Not a lot of good food options at the Hilo airport at the end so make sure you buy extra food at the bakery in the morning. I regret not getting a loaf of sweet bread to go.
Whether you are staying on the Island or flying in for the day(like we did). The volcano tour is definitely a must do experience. Kevin(from Colorado)brings the energy. He will keep you interested and laughing. My next visit will definitely be on Hawaii Island Lol.
We flew in fro Oahu which means you are at the airport by 6:00 am to catch a 7 am flight to Kona. This is an exhausting trip as it is an all day excursion. Luckily our driver and guide was Mel at Aloha Sunshine. He definitely LOVES history💕 He is a wealth of knowledge and prepared us with a lit of information. I have been to the Big Island many times but did not appreciate it as much as I did with Mel. Mahalo nui loa to Mel🌺 The complaints I had was the increase in the flight cost and the lack of information provided. We were not given the option to book the flight in our own and if a credit would be provided to do it. We were not told to book your own seats etc. Since the person took our names and dates of birth to do the bookings, I expected to have our seats arranged. Luckily, I decided to check as well as enter our TSA status. It would have been nice if she provided all the options to us. People are busy and do not need a a text and a need for multiple calls right before the trip. Please provide the options to folks when you call them especially when I told her that I am not providing her out dates of birth, credit card # etc. That's outrageous and set me off. I almost canceled the trip because of it. I know Customer Service and the call with the Aloha Sunshine rep was not good service. She remained courteous but I NEVER like giving a credit card # to a live caller. There should be a secure line for the information. Heck, I do not know what you folks do with my card info. She did not say if it is destroyed or not. Hopefully, it is not kept on any file. The arrangements were the only downfall with the process. Aloha Sunshine is lucky to have an employee like Mel. He is very special and an Alii of Hawaiian knowledge & culture 🌺🌈💕
Amazing experience!! A great way to see many items in one day! Beautiful volcanos, mountains and local businesses all in one trip! Very interesting and informative tour with excellent service!! Small group so it was a wonderful experience! We also went to a coffee farm, local bakery and had some time to tour mountains on top of that! Excellent tour! 10+ star 🌟 recommendation!!
Check your text messages as soon as you land for driver’s meetup instructions, which are different to the ones sent by Viator! After that, it’s smooth sailing. It was the experience of my childhood dreams to visit an active volcano and this trip was effortless, fun, and beautiful. There were even yummy snacks in the van. Jeffrey was full of fun facts and helpful pointers, making for a great trip and great memories!
Mel was great. He has a wealth of information. His tour was laid back and very enjoyable. We made all our stops. Highly recommend.
This was a unforgettable family experience! Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. This was our favorite excursion of the trip.
It was a long day but so worth it. We had to fly from Maui to Big Island for tour. Our guide Henry was very friendly and informative. Communication prior to and day of was excellent. Each stop was a good amount of time, lots of bathroom breaks and appreciated his rating of the facilities so we knew what to expect. Getting to see Kilauea while it was erupting was a bonus. It's a long day so packing some additional snacks and drinks helpful even though there were several stops where could purchase them. Our van was comfortable. Only down side was the 3 hour wait at airport for our return flight once tour was complete. It would be nice if flight times or the selected aiport coincided closer to the time tour ends. Kona airport is small and doesn't offer much in food selection.
Jayson from Aloha Sunshine tours was 10/10. I have never had a tour operator call me before. Jayson spent time going through the details of the excrusion and flight infor, answering my questions, offering suggestions for my stay in both Oahu and Maui. Anytime I texted him with a quesion he would respond even when it wasn't about the tour I booked through him. Highly recommend using Aloha Sunshine Tours.
If you want to see the highlights of the big island, this tour is the one to go on. I do wish that our tour guide spoke about the Island more but in his defense there were a lot of sleepyheads on our van that he probably didn’t want to disturb. This day trip was expensive but totally worth it. Not often do you get to see an active volcano.
Mel
Was our guide for the day. He is aboriginal to Hawaii and so knowledgeable. Van of 12 people was very comfortable! We flew in from Oahu to Kona, and out of Hilo. the floods/rain from February affected some of the stops (didn’t stop at macadamia farm at all, lava tube is being repaired -you still go in but not very far 35 yards or so. Don’t let it discourage you- it was very cool. The volcano “erupts” every 2-3 weeks so we were in between events but the steam and views were incredible! A must do experience!
I love the Big Island and have done this tour before a few years ago. The sights from the tour were great, but the description of the tour was deceiving. First, the stops were not listed in order. I understand that there was a flood last year so they could not take us to the coffee farm the first thing in the morning, but I wish that had been communicated to us prior to the tour so that we could have had coffee and breakfast before leaving Oahu. Instead the first stop was at a grocery store which was a little disappointing. Second, although the guide was pleasant he did not really provide any sort of narrative regarding the Big Island - he just drove us around the island. Third, we ended up paying more than the advertised price for the flights. I get that is in the fine print, but considering how expensive this tour is for what little it provides, we were surprised that we were each asked to pay about $75 more for the flight. We have been on other tours and they have never requested additional airfare. Overall, the Big Island is beautiful and we enjoyed seeing the sights, but we probably could have booked our own flights and rented a car and received an equally enjoyable experience at our own pace for less than what we ended up paying for this tour.
We saw an erupted volcano!!! Driver was so nice too!!! We are was so happy to witness it! I would recommend it !!!
A fantastic experience! Although it did feel like the guide was rushed and did not share his conversation with the larger group. All stops along the way were well chosen.
Aloha Sunshine Tours provided a fantastic day trip experience. Jayson personally called me to confirm the details. They took care of our flights from Honolulu to the Big Island. I liked the way they had us fly into Kona and out of Hilo. Mel, our local guide and driver, was excellent, providing a wealth of insights. The day was perfect.
Driver Mel was very knowledgeable about the tour and helpful throughout the trip. Yes he stopped and gave us enough time to visit the locations.
Excellent tour with a great guide Henry. Coffee farm black sand beach volcano and rainbow falls. Great big island tour
It was such a fun and informative ride. Jeffrey was such an amazing guide. Easy to talk to, very accommodating and overall great guy. We visited some amazing sites and had a awesome time. The only thing I do not recommend is eating at the bakery. The malasadas were good, but not the food. There was a long wait and the quality is comparable to a school lunch. Go across the street to the taco place instead for your lunch.
We had an excellent Guide, Mel. He was very funny and full of information. The stops were fantastic. If we travel back to Hawaii we will stay on the big Island. It is a very long day. You are in and out of the van. Would highly recommend
We felt like the tour was missing a true guide. We were expecting more information about the sites we were seeing and the island in general. We could have done this tour ourselves by renting a car and paid 1/2 the price. The driver was great but just that, a driver. When we pay this amount for a tour we expect a tour guide with information not just a driver.
The trip was fun and informative. Though, one of the trip stops was closed (weather related damage), the tour guide more than made up for it, with a cool different stop. The guide was excellent and we had the best time!
Fantastic tour around the Big Island with Meland Aloha Sunshine Tours!!! Mel took us to several locations on the Big Island significant to the culture and history of the area. From Kona coffee to the black sand beaches all the way into Kilauea, Mel taught us what to look for, where to make the most of each stop and introduced us to America’s southern most bakery. Great narration and knowledge. Would recommend to anyone.
Kevin was an amazing tour guide. Laid back and fun, he gave us lots of information but wasn’t too overwhelming. Chips and water provided along the way. Overall excellent experience. Airport transfers went smoothly.
Saw volcanoes NP, black sand beaches and much of Kona and Hilo area. Our guide told us much about history and took us to coffee farm to taste the famous Kona coffee. We also got to taste macadamia chocolates.
The company is too concerned with making every dollar of profit and doesnt make decisions that are best for the tour participants. We were shuttled around a flooded island without being able to see any o fthe main attractions advertised. The tour length was half of the advertised time. They had the information they needed to know things were closed and should have cancelled the tour in advance.
Great do it again in a heartbeat. Tour was well organized. Out tour guide Jim Carey went above and beyond to give us an awesome experience.
Despite the rain, Mel made the experience engaging by sharing numerous facts and stories about the island. We visited many interesting sites and frequently stopped for explanations. The tour seamlessly integrated with our flights, which was very convenient. Since our group returned to the vehicle promptly, we were able to extend our tour and visit the Crater Road Tour, which was both awesome and informative!
Two suggestions:
1) We should have stopped at the “Volcanoes National Park” Welcome sign for photos. Mel encouraged us to ask for thing like this, but we forgot until after the tour. Our bad!
2) We should have done a roll call around the vehicle. We spent the entire day with people and didn’t even know their names...
Overall a very good and worthwhile day/tour/trip
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per personWas $589.99(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Experience Departing from Oahu
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