Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano Safari Lava Caves & Black Sand

Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano Safari Lava Caves & Black Sand

Price varies by date Check availability for current pricing

About This Tour in Big Island of Hawaii

Approx 6 hr long. Explore the places less traveled among Hawaii's back roads of Kilauea volcano. Explore exciting Lava Caves and Lava trees in a lush volcanic rainforest. See the 2018 lava destruction and the newly formed Black Sand Beach just created. A truly amazing experience! Cruise Ship Guests: We have special permits to pick up directly from Hilo port of call. Departure times may be adjusted to fit your ship's arrival & departure. Hilo Hotel Guests: Meeting location Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Why Visit Big Island of Hawaii?

Big Island of Hawaii, USA offers a wealth of attractions, cultural experiences, and activities for visitors. From historic landmarks to modern attractions, Big Island of Hawaii provides an unforgettable travel experience with something to discover around every corner. Explore local cuisine, discover unique culture, and create lasting memories in this remarkable destination.

Getting to Big Island of Hawaii

You can reach Big Island of Hawaii, USA by air, train, or road depending on your starting location. From the airport, you can take a taxi, rideshare service (Uber, Lyft), or public transportation to reach the city center. Many hotels also offer shuttle services, and rental cars are widely available for exploring the area.

What's Included

  • Bottled water
  • Professional guide
  • Port pickup and drop-off / Hilo Hotel pickup and drop-off

What's Not Included

  • Souvenirs
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch- Stop made by local vendor for customers to purchase

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Additional Information

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • 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.

Customer Reviews

4.7
★★★★½
Based on 370 reviews
5 ★
315
4 ★
29
3 ★
13
2 ★
6
1 ★
7

Individual reviews are not available through the API. View all 370 reviews on Viator

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting Point

This

HOTEL GUESTS: Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel located at 71 Banyan Dr. Hilo HI . Please wait in lobby for pick up. The lobby also has a cafe lounge if needing something to drink.

End Point

HOTEL GUESTS: Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel located at 71 Banyan Dr. Hilo HI . Please wait in lobby for pick up. The lobby also has a cafe lounge if needing something to drink.

Pickup Information

Pickup Option: Pickup available or meet at start point

Pickup Time: 15 minutes before departure

Itinerary

Tour Itinerary

This is the largest Japanese garden outside of...

This is the largest Japanese garden outside of Japan donated by Queen Liliʻuokalani in 1917. Throughout the gardens are stone lanterns, gazebos, and torii gates, recalling the Japanese immigrants who came to Hawaii.

Drive through the historical downtown Hilo as you...

Drive through the historical downtown Hilo as you will learn about the devastating tsunamis of the past

Breathtaking 80 ft waterfall, Rainbow Falls 20 minutes

Breathtaking 80 ft waterfall, Rainbow Falls. These beautiful falls get their name from the rainbow that is often visible in the mist that rises as the water cascades to the rocks 80 feet below.

Time to explore lava caves is next 20 minutes

Time to explore lava caves is next! We walk you down into a lava cave through a skylight, also locally known as a lava tube. Kaumana Caves was created by one of our largest volcanoes, Mauna Loa. The guide will explain how molten lava makes these spectacular lava tubes and the fascinating colors inside.

On our drive we will drive through a quaint town called Pahoa

On our drive we will drive through a quaint town called Pahoa. Once a booming plantation town and now a laid-back hippie town with old school artistry charm and wood-plank boardwalks. You will see the current lava flow that nearly wiped this town off the map.

We will walk a trail among lava trees... 25 minutes

We will walk a trail among lava trees that looks somewhat of a petrified forest and look down into a deep fissure. This unusual volcanic sight is one stop that shouldn’t be missed.

**IMPORTANT ** As of June 12th 2025, there... 20 minutes

**IMPORTANT ** As of June 12th 2025, there is a project to dredge the lava-covered area and restore the boat ramp. We will be replacing this black sand beach with an alternate one WALK ON THE NEWEST BLACK SAND BEACH IN HAWAII!! is truly an amazing creation by Kilauea’s lava flow. Let us show you the newest created black sand beach. Once in this location was the old boat harbor and ramp that you can still see and has now been cut off from the creation of a large black sand beach. There is no swimming at this location

Several earthquakes cracked open the roads, lava fountains... 10 minutes

Several earthquakes cracked open the roads, lava fountains started spewing lava 300 ft into the sky and nearly 2,000 residents we evacuated. This amazing force even evaporated Green Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in Hawaii. We will be showing you areas of mass destruction from Kilauea Volcano. Note: The order of stops on this tour may be adjusted to help provide the best experience.

Local Deli for a lunch stop or a... 15 minutes

Local Deli for a lunch stop or a local vendor ( depending on the day, we use a different vendors for our lunch stop) Note: The order of stops on this tour may be adjusted to help provide the best experience for customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cancellation policy?

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

How do I book this tour?

Click the "Book Now" button on this page to complete your reservation through Viator's secure booking platform. You'll receive instant confirmation via email.

Is this tour suitable for all ages?

Please check the age requirements and physical fitness level requirements listed in the tour details above. Some tours may have age restrictions or require a certain level of physical fitness.

Book Your Experience

Ready to book this experience? Click the button below to check availability, select your travel date and party size, and complete your booking on Viator.

Book Now on Viator

You'll be redirected to Viator's secure booking platform to complete your reservation.