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Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano Safari Lava Caves & Black Sand

435 Reviews 4.83 out of 5 stars Based on 435 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 96% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Big Island of Hawaii, USA
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 53 (39) days in advance.

6 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

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

What's Included

  • Bottled water
  • Port pickup and drop-off / Hilo Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Professional guide
  • Souvenirs
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch- Stop made by local vendor for customers to purchase
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
OR
Meeting point
End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Lili'uokalani Gardens (pass by)

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.
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Hilo (pass by)

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

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.
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Kaumana Caves Park

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.
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Pahoa (pass by)

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.
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Lava Tree State Park

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.
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25 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Pohoiki Bay

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. If the beach is closed due to unforeseen circumstances, an alternate black sand beach will be substituted.
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Leilani Estates

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.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Malama Market

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.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • 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

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano Safari Lava Caves & Black Sand?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (HST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-22796P5

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.83
435 reviews

Average 4.83 out of 5 stars based on 435 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
388
4 stars
28
3 stars
14
2 stars
1
1 star
4
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 53 (39) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Bottled water
  • Port pickup and drop-off / Hilo Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Professional guide
  • Souvenirs
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch- Stop made by local vendor for customers to purchase

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • 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.
  • 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
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

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