Location: Hilo
Top Things to do in Hilo
What to do and see in Hilo, Hawaii (HI): The Best Day Trips from
The landscape of Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii, is diverse. Beaches of black, gray, brown and white sand give way to mountains and dramatic waterfalls. Hilo's Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo is the only U.S. zoo in a tropical rainforest. A day trip away are snow-capped Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, with observatories near 11,000 feet on both mountains, and Kilauea Caldera, an active volcano. Back in town are a farmer's market, restaurants, shopping and banyan trees planted by celebrities and politicians.
Restaurants in Hilo
1. Private Kona Coast to Hilo & Volcanoes National Park Mercedes Sprinter Van
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
The price listed is for the entire vehicle, the entire day and customized to you. All 11 seats in our new Mercedes Sprinter are yours and you explore at your pace, a great value if you have 5 or more in your group. The tour starts coastal town of Hilo, the Big Island's famous Waterfall Rainbow falls, and legendary Volcanoes National Park on this unique private adventure from the Kona Coast. Ride in a Mercedes Benz 11-passenger Sprinter van across the island between its two largest volcanoes, going from sea level to over six thousand feet and from dry sandy coasts to lush rain forest and moonlike volcanic territory. See simmering calderas and walk through a lava tube. This private tour. led by a professional guide photographer, is flexible to allow you to see all your top wish-list sites on the Big Island. This Tour is Private you have all 11 Seats in the Mercedes Sprinter van with DVD Media player, so you can see what you want to see when you want to see it.
Inclusions: Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Professional guide, Bottled water, Chips, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Photography of the days Tour on our cloud Free of Charge
Exclusions: Volcanoes National Park entrance fee $15 Per Person, Gratuities
Reviewed By Angus2002
We had a great day touring the Big Island with Rob. He worked with us prior to our visit to customize our time together and maximize our day. We were picked up at our resort in Waikoloa and took the southern route around the island making stops along the way to end up at Volcanoes National Park. After a fabulous day, Rob and Jodi got us safely back to our resort while we relaxed and watched some great videos in the van. We appreciated Rob’s knowledge of the island and the places we visited. His van was very comfortable and we enjoyed snacks and beverages brought along. We will definitely tour with Rob again on our next visit to the Big Island.
2. Deluxe Daytime Volcano Guided Charter (Cruise Ship or Hilo Hotel)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
This is a fully guided small group charter tour or hike to see the highlights of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and various sights via Mercedes Benz Luxury Van with a local guide. Since it's a charter, you choose from the menu of highlights you'd like to see and we do out best to maximize your time. Because the Volcano is the most popular destination, we typically try to see Rainbow Falls, Downtown Hilo, Big Island Candies, and then head up to the volcano to spend the bulk of the time in the Park. If you are interested in hiking, we can arrange the best hike in the crater area for your level, or just move from crater to crater by vehicle. If you are coming off the Pride of America or any cruise that arrives in Hilo, we can arrange in advance for meals. Variations include going as far as the Punaluu Black Sand Beach, wine tasting at the Volcano winery, or even heading all the way to South Point and tasting famous Ka'u Coffee, Macadamia Nuts and Honey.
Inclusions: Entertaining and informative local guide, Bottled water, Binoculars, Walking Sticks, Jackets, Rain Gear, Snacks, Water
Exclusions:
Reviewed By GlobalTrekkerTbird
I started off the New Year in 2020 with a couple great hikes in Hawaii! I joined a tour with Mike Nelson of Hawaii Adventures Now! I am happy to say that my decision to tag along with Mike was definitely one of the best decisions for the entire year! Mike Nelson is an outstanding guide and an expert on the Big Island. He made our 9 mile trek an extraordinary experience. The day was full of local history, plant and fruit identification, mythical stories of the ancient Hawaiian Gods and Goddesses and a history lesson regarding the Kings and Queens of the Ancient Kingdom. As a bonus, he told us the entire story of how Captain Cook was killed on the shores of the Big Island more than a century ago. He took us to two volcanoes. Both of which are still active but taking a respite. In addition to it all, he took us to amazing restaurants with the freshest fish available and good solid local food and drink. Not only did we have a great outdoor experience, at the end of the tour, I felt like I could fake being a local with all the knowledge he gave us. Five Stars! Thank you so much Mike!! P.S. Mike is also a talented polyglot. Don’t forget to ask Mike to teach you some local Hawaiian pidgin and Japanese if you wish! ハワイ・アドベンチャー・ナウのマイク・ネルソンのツアーに参加しましたことによって私の2020年の新年はハワイで最高なハイキングで始まりました。これは間違いなく今年の最高な経験の一つです。マイクは優れたガイドで、ハワイ島の専門家です。彼は2つの火山(現在は休火山らしい)にも連れて行ってくれ、14.5 kmのトレッキングを忘れられない体験にしてくれました。ツアー中もローカルの歴史、植物や果物の識別、古代ハワイの神と女神の物語や古代王国の王と女王に関する歴史などいっぱい教えてもらい、おまけに、1世紀以上前にハワイ島の海岸で起こったクック船長の殺害についても詳しく語ってくれました。レストランも、新鮮な魚やローカルの食べ物と飲み物がある素敵な場所に連れて行ってもらい、この日は最高なアウトドア体験ができ、ツアーの最後にはマイクが教えてくれ情報で、ローカル人に成りきれる感じがしました。Five Stars! マイク、ありがとう！！ 追加情報：マイクは才能あるマルチリンガルです。マイクに地元ハワイのピジン語と日本語を教えてもらってください。
3. Hawai'i's Volcanoes National Park from Hilo Only
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Get the most of your time in Hilo by having a local driver get you to the most popular attractions on Hawai'i Island. Get all your questions answered and have a new friend by the end of the day. This tour may be customized if communicated before hand. Duration time is considered as the importance when customizing.
Inclusions: Bottled water
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By justinsZ8465GX
This was our first time to Hilo, we got off the cruise ship and didn’t know what we were going to do. We ended up taking the free shuttle to rainbow falls and followed up with their tour to one of the 2018 fissure sites, macadamia nut tour, and black sand beach. We have been to many different destinations and been on many tours and Dan provided some of the best service and information. They went above and beyond to ensure everyone had a great time and was comfortable. We definitely recommend them to anyone visiting Hilo.
4. Majestic WATERFALLS
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Learn about the legends of the waterfall attractions and the history of the Hamakua Coastline. Enjoy the breath-taking scenes along the way.
Inclusions: Bottled water
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Kellyp883
From the first time I contacted them to our drop off at the airport at the end of our tour everything was absolutely the best, also you can rest comfortably knowing your tour guide is actually from Hawaii and has the knowledge and the reverence for these sacred and beautiful places! If we are ever lucky enough to visit Hawaii again we would definitely use them again!
5. Legends of the Waterfalls & Volcano Full-Day Tour (Hilo, Hawaii)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Experience Hilo and learn why Hilo was one of the favorite places for Kamehameha the Great. Take a dip in the ocean, explore a tidepool, and check out beautiful rainbow falls. See for your own eyes how powerful yet beautiful Lava truly is. This tour is approximately 10 hours.
Inclusions: Bottled water, Snacks
Exclusions: Not Included, Lunch
Reviewed By katiecG3337PB
Do not book this tour. It is a total scam. Tour guide is unreachable. The phone numbers listed are false and we receive no response via text or phone.
6. Lelani Estates Lua Ahi and Fissure 8 Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
On our Lua Ahi tour, you will get to see some of the homes that were partially destroyed and be able to get close to several fissures, including fissure 8, which was the biggest fissure. You will even walk inside one of the fissures. We will see the majority of the neighborhood, and get to talk to several homeowners about their experience. They will share stories and show before-and-after photos. For an added bonus, one of the owners was at the Star of the Sea Church when it was moved to safety from the fast-flowing lava flow in 1990. Hear this special first-hand accounting of Kalapana and the church.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, All Fees and Taxes, Bottled water
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By katiecG3337PB
Do not book this tour. It is a total scam. Tour guide is unreachable. The phone numbers listed are false and we receive no response via text or phone.
7. Volcano National Park Adventure From Kona
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
No other tours are available that visit the locations we are offering. Both tours are genuinely unique to the island. It is very rare to ever get to talk with a local Geologist, let alone get to spend the day with one. Our 3 slogans are: • The only volcano tours guided by Geologists in Hawaii • Join us for a "Chance of a Lifetime" Adventure on our Volcano Tours. • Adventure and fun with a real Geologist as your guide to the most active volcano in the world!
Inclusions: Coffee and/or Tea, Lunch, Snacks, Filtered water in personal bottles, backpacks, and umbrellas and rain jackets if necessary
Exclusions:
Reviewed By shailb2021
Guide was very knowledgeable as helpful he made a trip joyful van was clean and comfortable we were very lucky to have Zane as our tour guide
8. Volcano National Park Adventure from Waikoloa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
• The only volcano tours guided by Geologists in Hawaii • Join us for a "Chance of a Lifetime" Adventure on our Volcano Tours. • Our Mercedes Vans offer a level of sophistication and comfort you won’t find in an ordinary shuttle bus. We transport our guests in luxury and class. • Adventure and fun with a real Geologist as your guide to the most active volcano in the world!
Inclusions: Coffee and/or Tea, Lunch, Snacks, We offer the use of backpacks, rain coats, and warm coats for night.
Exclusions:
Reviewed By 547kristinae
We had an awesome tour with Zane as our guide. He is very knowledgeable, sharing his love of geology, as well as the history of the island. We were able to enjoy so many highlights of this amazing island during our day tour including Volcanos National Park, climbing through a lava tube, stopping for fresh fruit at a local farmer's market in Hilo, and my personal favorite, viewing multiple beautiful waterfalls and the black sands beach along the way. We were able to plan our trip to include the sites that we were most interested in and Zane had a few surprises for us along the way. I would definitely recommend this tour, there are so many beautiful and interesting places to see on this island it would be impossible to see them all on your own. The van was clean and comfortable with great windows to view all the beautiful scenery along the way.
9. Full-Day Coffee Farm and Hawaii Volcanoes Tour from Kona
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Visit a Kona Coffee Farm, explore the best sites at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Punalu'e Black Sand Beach. Deli Style lunch is included.
Inclusions: Lunch
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Chris H
Our guide Rich had an excellent background in Astronomy, and was able to show us many wonders of the night sky. At nearly 7000 feet, we had an amazing view of the heavens, and cannot recall when I saw so many stars!! The tour had 9 participants, so this limited the time that you could spend looking through the single telescope that was available. There were no places to sit during the stargazing, so everyone had to stand for 1 1/2 hours. Camp chairs would be a nice addition to this tour. Other points to improve was that the tour description talked about a stop at a plantation for a incredible dinner, which in reality was limited to a rest stop by the road (due to COVID) and consisted of a basic sandwich, chips and water. Also, pick up of all tour participants took almost 1 1/2 hour along the Kona coast, before the actual tour started.
10. Mauna Kea Summit Adventure
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Mauna Kea is an unforgettable and sublime location. It is the highest point in the entire Pacific basin and the clarity of the air is astounding. Mauna Kea is a major spiritual center for Hawaiians and many of our guests report a special feeling while on the mauna. We developed the now popular sunset and stargazing tours in 1983 and we have constantly made it more comfortable and educational. Our guides are trained to drive safely and to share their wide knowledge of Hawaii and the sky. Our vehicles (all custom Mercedes) are the nicest and roomiest available.
Inclusions: Hot and hearty vegetable (non-vegan) lasagna dinner w a delicious and special brownie(not included with the meal delete option), Hot drinks are provided including gourmet hot chocolate, tea (black or green), starbucks coffee and biscotti, Use of heavy winter parkas and insulated gloves. Call in your order for Sizes XXL-SM, Travel in custom built, oversized, Mercedes Sprinter micro-coaches, We use big, 11", digital telescopes to view the very best of the night sky. Conditions permitting, Learn about the geology, geography and cultural history as we drive though varied landscapes.
Exclusions: Weather is not guaranteed in any way. There will not be refunds for weather. , Customers are responsible for their own transportation to/from the pick up point.
Reviewed By travelingwithboys
The summit tour was the highlight of our trip to the Big Island. We normally don’t take tours, and prefer to adventure by ourselves, but this was an exception. Our guide (Mitch) was fantastic and Travis (in the other van) was the perfect guide for stargazing. It is worth every penny and time well spent while visit the Big Island! Highly recommend.
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