Big Island BIG Volcano Adventure from Kona: Small Group

Immerse yourself in the waterfalls and rainforests along the famous Hamakua Coast before exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This tour is an awesome way to experience the Big Island's diverse scenery while expanding your knowledge of Hawaii in a small-group setting.

After pickup from your hotel, embark on your journey to the lush rainforests that populate the east side of the island. Cruise along Highway 19 and pass though the town of Waimea, admiring vast cattle ranches that hold major significance in this part of the island's history.

From Waimea, travel along the eastern flank of Mauna Kea volcano, commonly known as the famous Hamakua Coast. Thousands of years of erosion have carved deep valleys and steep cliffs into the side of the mountain, producing some of the island's most striking imagery. Stop at Laupahoehoe for an outstanding visual example of the Pacific Ocean's powerful ability to carve rugged pinnacles into the coastline.

Continue along jungle roads to Akaka Falls, a stunning waterfall that plunges 442 feet (134 meters) into the Kolekole gulch below. Heading back from the falls, stop at Hilo Sharks in Honomu for some fresh local wraps. After lunch, head toward Hilo along some of the island's most scenic backroads. These roads wind along the Hamakua coast, through lush jungle gorges and past epic ocean vistas.

Cap your tour with a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and the summit of the Kilauea volcano. Gaze into Kilauea's vast summit caldera, relatively young at 500 years in age. Travel the east rift zone of Kilauea along Chain of Craters road, passing pit craters, scorched earth, steaming ground, and lava flows old and new. Enjoy plenty of time to look around and learn about what's happening both above and below the ground.

Buy dinner at Lava Rock Cafe in Volcano and reflect on the day while preparing for one of the tour's most memorable highlights. Head back to Kilauea's summit after the sun has set and witness the stunning glow from Kilauea's very active lava lake before a hassle-free ride back to your hotel.