Description
- Round-trip transportation from your Hilo cruise pier area!
- Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured transportation!
- English-speaking certified guides!
- Visit the Volcanoes National Park!
- Photo stop at Rainbow Falls!
- Walk through a local orchid nursery!
- Sampling local chocolate and macadamia nuts!
- Tasting of Kona Coffee!
- Escape the cruise ship shore excursion crowds and enjoy the unique sights of Hilo and the surrounding area!
- Small Groups!
This Hilo Shore Excursion, with a maximum of 12 guests, begins with your pick-up at the Hilo cruise pier. Departing the harbor, you will drive through the historic town of Hilo as you begin the approximately 50-minute drive to the Volcanoes National Park.
One of the most popular sites on the Big Island, Volcanoes National Park is famous for its unique landscape and ongoing volcanic activity. Here you will see the dramatic geologic changes that took place during the 2018 eruption. Once inside the park, the first stop is to see the Halema'uma'u Crater, which is located within the larger caldera of Kilauea Volcano.
You will have the opportunity to gaze down into the large, active crater of Kilauea and perhaps view molten lava erupting within. Chances are you will also see steaming vents and smell the sulfur banks coming from the depths of the earth. One of the highlights of the day will be looking at the sacred home (Halema'uma'u Crater) of Pele, the goddess of the volcano. and learning the history and legends of the area.
You will then walk over rolling terrain in a rainforest to reach the cave-like Thurston Lava Tube. Once an underground conduit for molten lava, your walk through the 600-foot-long section of the tube will reveal some of the many incredible characteristics of the lava. As you drive through the park, you will see other interesting lava formations as well.
Avoiding the crowds, your guide will take you to other spots in the park where you can have a more in-depth understanding of volcanoes. After your morning visit to the Volcanoes National Park, enjoy a short stop at a local orchid nursery before heading back to Hilo. Browse through the tropical foliage as you admire the beauty and scent of these special flowers.
No visit to the big island would be complete without sampling the locally grown macadamia nuts and chocolate either. A 30-minute drive brings you to a wonderful stop where you will have the opportunity to sample homemade chocolate, locally grown nuts, and Kona coffee.
You will also make a photo stop at Liliuokalani Japanese Gardens for the view of Hilo Bay and Mokuola (Coconut Island - a tiny island covered in coconut palms just off the shore).
Nearby is the breathtaking Rainbow Falls, an 80 ft plunge in a tropical setting over a lava cave, just outside of town. After a break to take photos of the falls, you will be driven back to Hilo and your cruise pier.
The local operator closely monitors the volcanic activity and your safety is a top priority. Please be assured they only operate in areas deemed safe by the national park and local government. Volcanic activity changes frequently and they reserve the right to adjust or cancel excursions to ensure the safety of all guests. The listed itinerary is subject to change as public access is allowed. There is no guarantee guests will see active lava.
Where we meet
For this Hilo Exclusive Volcano National Park and Waterfall Excursion, you will meet your local shore excursion guide inside your Hilo cruise pier terminal. All necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.
Cancellation
For the Hilo Exclusive Volcano National Park and Rainbow Waterfall Excursion, we issue full refund for your deposit or full payment to us if: Canceled by client prior to excursion date with a minimum of 24 hours prior notice by email to reservations@shoreexcursioneer.com.
For cancellation reasons below, you must contact us via email within 14 days after your excursion:
- Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location (we will verify with the tour operator).
- Your ship skips/misses the port.
- Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator from running the excursion.
- A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the excursion operator and the guest may send doctor's note). This applies to individuals only and not the remainder of the group.
- Cancellations/deposit refund requests that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund.
- Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.
