15 Big Island of Hawaii Shore Excursions to Build a Port Day Around

1.Volcano Safari Lava Caves & Black Sand

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 363 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $154Our pick

Travel from Hilo port or your hotel in a small group of up to 14. With guides such as Ellen, Troy, Dave, and Lori, you’ll visit Rainbow Falls, Kaumana Caves, Lava Tree State Park, Pohoiki Bay, Pahoa, and Leilani Estates. Expect uneven ground, steep cave steps, changing stops, and a local lunch stop at your own cost.

“Our guide was excellent. Her name was Ellen S. I would highly recommend her as a tour guide. She knew the history of the volcanos and took us to the best places to see the lava. I would recommend this tour.”

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2.Kona Shore Excursion: Sea Turtles, Historic Kona & Coffee

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 324 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $149

Meet your guide at Kailua Pier for a small-group Kona tour covering Greenwell or Bay View Farm, St. Benedict’s Painted Church, a local lunch stop, and Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. Guides such as BJ, Kelvin, Rusty, Marissa, and Jessica add island history and local context. Turtle sightings are possible but never guaranteed.

“The tour was amazing, learned lots of local history and saw turtles!! Kelvin was an awesome tour guide.”

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3.Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 130 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $154

From Hilo Pier, ride with a guide to Rainbow Falls, Big Island Candies, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Expect steam vents, the Kilauea Visitor Center, and the Halema’uma’u area, with time for photos and short walks. Guides such as Grover, Derek, and Chris have earned praise for clear island stories and good humor. Bring water, snacks, and a light jacket.

“Ray Ray picked us up at the port in a comfortable small bus. Gave informative tour with jokes thrown in. Would highly recommend although stair climbing through volcano tube can be difficult. Candy and cookies at Big Island Candy was yummy 👍”

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4.Hawaii Volcano National Park Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 117 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $168Top rated

From Hilo Harbor, a local English-speaking guide leads a 7 to 8 hour minibus tour through gardens, jungle roads, waterfalls, macadamia farms, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, candy shops, markets, and a black-sand beach. The group is limited to 14 people, with park admission included. Expect a fast, full day with plenty of photo stops and local stories.

“It's the best excursion we have been on. We saw so many things!!!! Don was great and had lots of stories and very knowledgeable. Thank you so much!!”

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5.Visit Volcano, Waterfall, Beach with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $189

Anthony and Desmond lead a 6 to 7-hour Hilo shore excursion to Rainbow Falls, Liliʻuokalani Gardens, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Nahuku Lava Tube, and Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach. You get lunch, local fruit, cultural artifacts, and pickup from the Hilo port or nearby locations in a van limited to 12 people.

“If you are going to be on NCL Pride of America highly consider this option.Great experience from pickup to drop off at the cruise ship. The tour shows parts of Volcano National Park that others leave out or cannot access. Rainbow Falls and the black sand beach live up to their billing and plenty of time is provided at both. The tour has lots of hands on shells and artifacts that are shown in the tour van while traveling from spot to spot. The lunch that you get to pick from at Lava Rock Cafe is very good and has lots of choices. We were treated with a fruit plate…”

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6.Kona Shore Excursion: Wild Dolphin Reefs Snorkel and Sea Caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $149

From Kailua Pier, you’ll ride a 32- or 45-foot Zodiac south to Kealakekua Bay with a local captain and crew. Expect about an hour of snorkeling near the Captain Cook Monument, sea caves viewed from offshore, reef fish, turtles, and possible dolphins or whales. Crews may include Trevor, Chris, Diego, Scott, or Tamae.

“Chris and Mar were amazing tour guides and hosts Chris had amazing knowledge he shared about the Hawaiian culture and the environment we were in They watched us continuously for our safety while snorkeling snd on the boat We saw a mama and baby whale among many fish They treated us like family Great tour would recommend Chris and Mar Aloha Ocean Excursions”

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7.Cruise Ship Shore Excursion of Historic Kona

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 33 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $79Best value

Travel from Kailua Pier in a small, air-conditioned group to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, St. Benedict’s Painted Church, and Royal Kona Coffee. Guides such as Kawika, Lincoln, and Dean add local stories along the way. The 3.5-hour trip suits Pride of America passengers who want historic Kona highlights without risking a late return to the ship.

“Visiting the painted church was worth the trip. Very interesting history surrounding the church. Our guide was friendly and provided us with a great deal of information about Kona's history and culture. He did a wonderful job! The length of the excursion was perfect as it gave people enough time to spend time exploring the town of Kona after the tour.”

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8.Volcano Adventure Tour & Waterfall – Shore Excursion from Hilo Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 10 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $199

From Hilo Harbor, explore Rainbow Falls, Liliuokalani Gardens, Richardson Ocean Park, the King Kamehameha Statue, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Guides such as Nate, Mickey, and Steve add local context, but timing at the volcano can be tight. Bring warm layers, rain gear, and sturdy shoes.

“This tour was amazing. Nate was a great guide. Very funny and knowledgeable. There was 6 of us on the tour which was nice. I would highly recommend.”

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9.Private Hilo Shore Excursion to Volcano Waterfall and Black Sand

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.)

Adam guides this 6 to 7 hour private Hilo outing for groups of up to 14, linking Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Thurston Lava Tube, Rainbow Falls, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, coffee country, and local food stops. The route can change with weather, volcanic conditions, and your interests.

“Adam was fantastic! We booked this excursion for our group of 12 during our recent visit to Hilo, and it ended up being the highlight of our trip. Our group had been closely watching the activity on the live cameras for a potential eruption of Mt. Kilauea, and when we saw lava flowing, we headed straight for Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Thanks to Adam’s quick planning and expert guidance, we were lucky enough to witness Mt. Kilauea fountaining in person—an absolutely breathtaking sight. His dedication to making sure we didn’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime moment was truly appreciated. Highly recommend this tour and Adam’s outstanding service!”

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10.Kona Cruise Ship Excursion Hapuna Beach Day & NHS

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $134

Travel from Kailua-Kona in a small, air-conditioned vehicle to Hapuna Beach, Pu‘ukoholā Heiau, Spencer Beach, Kiholo Bay, and Hāmākua Macadamia Nut Company. Guide Adam leads a relaxed five-hour outing with snacks, water, beach time, and an optional drop-off near Kailua Pier.

“Adam was our driver. He was personable, interesting, and helpful. He was building a home on the Big Island. He was willing to alter the tour to please us. We were very impressed with his work ethic and kindness. Great tour guide!!”

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11.Private Shore Excursion Tour: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews

Travel in a private Ford F-150 with guide Scott or another Apau Hawaii Tours guide on a five-hour trip from Hilo or Pahoa. See Kīlauea Caldera, steam vents, Chain of Craters Road, old lava flows, Rainbow Falls, and Big Island Candies. Park admission and water are included, with room for up to four people.

“Scott was an amazing guide. We saw more overwhelming volcano sites than I could imagine, and his depth of information was very impressive. Beautiful scenery - great guide.”

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12.Hilo Waterfall Swim and Hike with Hilo Cruise Ship Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $198

Meet your guide at Hilo’s cruise port, ride the Hamakua Coast to Honomu, then walk across a 300-acre working farm to three private waterfalls. You’ll see crops such as banana, ginger, sugar cane, and Okinawa sweet potato, with a possible swim at Kawainui Falls. The small group is limited to 12 people.

“Abby was an exceptional guide. Very knowledgeable about the indigenous plant life and history of the island. The waterfalls are breathtaking love the whole experience.”

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13.Private Hilo Shore Excursion Volcano National Park up to 10

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Join Don for a seven-and-a-half-hour private Hilo shore excursion for up to 10 people. You’ll visit Liliʻuokalani Gardens, Rainbow Falls, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, a macadamia nut farm, Big Island Candies, the Hilo Farmers Market, and Richardson Ocean Park, with photo stops and local stories along the way.

“Don was hilarious and very informative. He's a laid back tour guide that goes at a great pace. You gey a chance to see a lot like the Rainbow Falls, Volcano National Park, Lava Tubes, Mauna Loa, and into the town but he still gives you a chance to explore the places on your own and at your own pace. Highly recommend!! Thanks for the tour Don!”

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14.Hilo and Volcano National Park Tour for Cruise Passengers at port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $230

From Hilo’s black-and-green sand beach to Rainbow Falls and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this 7-hour shore excursion covers the Big Island’s key sights. You’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, stop for lunch on your own, sample Big Island Candies, and visit Kilauea’s visitor center, steam vents, craters, and Thurston Lava Tube.

“Our guide, Sean, exemplifies the Aloha Spirit! He was knowledgeable, thoughtful, kind, and patient. He gave us much more than we expected!”

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15.Private Hilo Shore Excursion – Volcanoes, Waterfalls, & Beaches

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 7 hours (approx.)

Start at Hilo’s cruise pier with a private guide, then visit Rainbow Falls, Boiling Pots, Richardson Ocean Park, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You’ll walk beside Halema‘uma‘u Crater, enter Thurston Lava Tube, and see steam vents and volcanic terrain. Shawn may also help with lunch choices, snacks, photos, and changing weather.

“What we an amazing day!! We booked the Fire and Water tour. My husband and I had been to Kona several times before but were never able to make it to the volcano. Since that was our priority this trip, we reached out to Shawn for a private guided tour. We cannot say enough anazing things about him or our day. We were incredibly lucky in that the volcano has been erupting periodically for the last several”

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