Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcanoes National Park & Black Sand Beach
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Cruise Ship Guests: We have special permits to pick up directly from Hilo port of call. Departure times may be adjusted to fit your ships arrival & departure.
Hilo Hotel Guests: Meeting location is Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
Tour grade: Easy
Highlights of this tour include Black Sand Beach, Rainbow Falls, Liliuokalani Japanese Garden, Drive through Down Town Hilo, Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm
Volcanoes National Park - Steam Vents, Sulfur Banks Thurston Lava Tube, Kilauea Visitor Center & Exhibits Kilauea Crater lookout.
The visitor center in National Park is currently closed for renovation and all gifts and exibits have been moved to KMC
Lunch: Stop will be made by a local vendor
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Vehicle: 12-14 passenger van or mini bus max 25,29 pass mini bus
HOTEL : You can meet us at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel to join this tour.
CRUISE PASSENGERS : We have special permits to pick up directly from Hilo port
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 delayed we will adjust our departure time to the ships itinerary. See our terms and conditions for full details
DEPARTURE TIMES: Because we are a shore excursion company we schedule our departure times around a ships arrival and departure.
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Easy tour - Involves walking over relatively level terrain, possible gravel or uneven ground in some areas. Lava tube is .4 of mile long with descending and ascending steps. Comfortable walking shoes & light jacket recommended
WHEELCHAIR / WALKER or SCOOTER ? We must know prior to the tour date if you are bringing a mobility device in order to accommodate. (Please add note to comments box) The mobility unit must not exceed 45 lbs. For various reasons our guides cannot assist with mobility units. Guests must have someone with them to move the mobility device in and out of the vehicle. Our vehicles do not have a lift, so any mobility device must be collapsible to fit through the mini bus doors which is 32” wide.
Mobility Restrictions: Mobility devices cannot go into the lava tube, a trail to the crater is dirt path. Trail to black sand beach in ok but the beach is sand. Customers can stay in the vehicle at any time if they wish. Call us if you have further questions.
What To Expect
Richardson Ocean Park
This Black Sand Beach is a local favorite, and is a great way to see how the ocean and volcanoes make fine black sand.
Lili'uokalani Gardens
JUNE 1st 2026, this drive by area will be removed and replaced with an extra time and stop inside the Volcanoes National Park. 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.
Options
Holland America 10:30 am
Holland America - Koningsdam: Special departure time for this ship 10:30 am Starting point: Port of Hilo, 80 Kuhio St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
NCL SPIRIT
8:00 am-10:00 am pick up time: Please do not worry about the 8:00 AM departure time. We use multiple vehicles and will wait for guests as they clear customs Duration: 5 hours Port return : Tour itinerary may vary slightly due to timing or traffic conditions to make a comfortable return time to the port. Starting point: Port of Hilo, 80 Kuhio St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Hilo Cruise Ship Passenger
We are a SHORE EXCURSION company. We have permits to pick you up directly from the Hilo port. Accessibility : If you have a walker or wheelchair you need to contact us before your arrival in order to accommodate you
Oceania Riviera 11:30 am
Special Time : This will be a special departure time for this ship's arrival time Starting point: Port of Hilo, 80 Kuhio St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel Meeting
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel: Meeting location lobby of Hilo Hawaiian Hotel 71 Banyan Dr. Hilo, HI 96720 Starting point: Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, a Trademark Collection by Wyndham, 71 Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
OCEANIA RIVIERA 11:30 am
Duration: 5 hours: Due to ship arrival and departure time this tour will be approx 5-5.5 hr 11:30 am: We are aware your ship doors will open at 11:00 am, and we would like to depart at 11:30 am Starting point: Port of Hilo, 80 Kuhio St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
NCL SPIRIT Aug 14th
Departure Time: 10:00 AM departure. We are aware of the delayed ship disembarkation and will accommodate guests accordingly. Starting point: Port of Hilo, 80 Kuhio St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
What‘s Included
Professional guide
National Park fees
Port / Hilo Hotel pickup and drop-off
What to bring/wear: Walking shoes. Light sweater due to cooler climate at Volcano Park
Souvenirs
Gratuities
Stop is made to purchase food
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
2,803 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Hilo Shore Excursion
Robert S,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We took this tour at the end of May 2026 after our cruise ship docked. David, our guide, was waiting for us at the dock, so starting the tour was easy. We visited a black sand beach, a waterfall, a macadamia nut factory, and the Volcanoes National Park, including the Volcano Hotel. For each stop, David gave us interesting information and helped us get great photos. He was very knowledgeable about volcanoes. David also made the tour fun. He told us about an optical illusion associated with the waterfall. We had sufficient time at each stop to investigate. We had some shopping opportunities at the national park as well as the chance to buy macadamia nuts at the factory. At the national park gift shop, he showed us an optical illusion in a work of art there.
Volcano and falls
Cathy S,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very interesting and informative! Would have liked to have spent a little more time in some places, but overall, saw a lot, learned a lot!
Great tour with Evelyn
Chantelle L,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing tour led by Evelyn, we had a great day and loved hearing all about the island and everywhere we visited. Evelyn had so much knowledge and insights and it was fascinating to learn more about Hilo, the volcano and waterfall and all the other stops along the way. It was quite foggy and rained a bit but we still had an incredible day and would definitely recommend
Great way to tour the Hilo area
David L,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our driver Robert is enthusiastic, fun, and knowledgeable , sharing about and teaching so many interesting things about the Hilo area. We spent reasonable amounts of time at several stops, including Volcanoes park, Mauna Loa macadamia co,, black sand beach. This was the best way I can imagine to spend this day in Hilo!
Robert and Volcano National Pay
reb00t,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Robert gave a great tour! Always interesting,..,, Dave, also visited 2028
He was nice and energetic and very helpful
P4623GOmatthewp,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Robert is the best! Matthew’s family
10/10! Great for the family!
800jacquelynl,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an excellent time with Robert on our excursion! Saw so many cool things I don’t think we would’ve seen on our own. Would definitely recommend! Very easy to find them at port too! -Aunt Jacquie
Volcanic tour
763nhun,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was amazingly fun! The bus was fun, the locations were fun, and our tour guide was fun.
A must do tour
kenrQ2456MT,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely amazing and informative. My 3 year old (Abby) loved it too. Thanks, Robert!
June 2026 - Awesome tour with Robert
T3369BGemilyr,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Robert was so incredibly knowledgeable! Such an enjoyable tour packed with information and incredible places to visit!
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