Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 283 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour worth booking?
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour is a 5.5-hour experience in Hilo, United States, from $188 per person. It scores 85 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 283 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 85 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (283)
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- From
- $188 per person
See two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, on a small group tour that features the natural wonders of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Learn the history, culture and geology of the Hawaiian islan
What you get
About this experience
See two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, on a small group tour that features the natural wonders of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Learn the history, culture and geology of the Hawaiian islands with your personal guide. Take a walk along the crater rim as you feel the heat of the volcano from steam vents. Explore an ancient lava tube in the midst of the lush Hawaiian rainforest. Enjoy the sights around Hilo including Liliuokalani Gardens and Rainbow Falls with a stop for local chocolates and coffee along the way.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Professional guide
- National park admission fee
Not included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- We DO NOT provide transportation from Kona or Waikoloa. Please meet us in Hilo at the bus terminal.
What you'll see and do
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park including a visit to Kilauea caldera where you will witness the dramatic changes from our recent eruption, experience the steam vents and other volcanic formations from past lava flows.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Nahuku - Lava Tube
Enjoy a hike through the Hawaiian rainforest robust with native birds and tree ferns to Nahuku (Thurston lava tube). Traverse the 500 year old lava tube where molten lava once rushed through.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Chain of Craters Road
Explore frozen fields of lava from past volcanic eruptions and peer down into once active volcanic craters. Learn about the history, culture and geology of Kilauea volcano.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Rainbow Falls
View the majestic 80 foot waterfall of Waianuenue or Rainbow Falls. Enjoy the tropical landscape as you learn the legends of Hawaii.
20 minutes here
Big Island Candies
Get your pep in your step with tasty hand-made chocolates, locally grown macadamia nuts and island fresh coffee!
15 minutes here
Lili'uokalani Gardens
Immerse yourself in tranquility with a short stroll around Liliuokalani Gardens as you enjoy the fishponds, pagodas and picture perfect landscaping along Hilo bay.
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Mauka Makai Adventures
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Youth ages 10 years and older only are allowed on this tour. All participants must have a paid seat. We do not allow children under the age of 10 years old.
- Covered walking shoes are required and a jacket is highly recommended.
- Participants must be able to walk a minimum of 1 mile on uneven terrain.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately (be prepared for sun, wind and rain).
- We do not guarantee you will see molten lava on this tour.
- HOTEL pick-up is offered for select HILO HOTELS ONLY. If you are staying outside of Hilo, please plan to meet at the Hilo Mo'oheau Bus Terminal (please confirm at time of booking).
- CRUISE SHIP passengers, we pick-up directly at the PORT OF HILO and will adjust the tour time as needed to accommodate your ships time in port.
- For a one DAY TRIP to the Big Island, please make your travel arrangements to and from the HILO AIRPORT. Schedule your flight arrival a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the tour start time AND provide your flight details at time of booking.
- Kilauea volcano is an active volcano, you may be exposed to volcanic gas on this tour.
- This tour cannot accommodate guests with wheelchairs, scooters or oxygen tanks.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 283 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
283 verified traveler reviews for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Unexpected Private Tour
While we were disappointed that Kilauea was not fountaining, our guide, Jill, was very knowledgeable about the previous eruptions and lava flows in the park as well as the flora and fauna. My husband and I were the only guests as the other group who had reservations cancelled at the last minute but this company didn’t cancel on us. So we basically had a private tour!
via Tripadvisor
Volcanoes adventure in Hilo.
Josh was our driver. Funny, respectful, he had a tons of knoledge about everything: the island, volcanos, past eruptions, culture, best places, people/ turists/ we learn & laugh with him...Highly recomend this tour & his company.
via Viator
Awesome!
The tour had great stops! The legends and stories and history were all so interesting. We really enjoyed this one!
via Viator
Great tour to see the volcano with a well organised family business
We had the best day on our tour to see the volcano. It was run by a small family business and highly well organised, fun and informative. The other stops of the rainbow falls, candy shop and botanical gardens were also great stops. The guide was also kind enough to go out of her way to drop us at a different end spot. Highly recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Lots to see!
Jill was a great guide for Rainbow Galls, National Volcano Park, a walk through a lava tube and much more!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $188 to $196
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 99
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 85
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Hilo.
How much does Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour cost?
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Prices start at $188 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Hilo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour take?
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Plan for about 5.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Hilo is not rushed.
Is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 85 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 283 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Hilo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour?
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Around 99 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Hilo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Hilo and add a light layer if any part of the 5.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Hilo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Hilo?
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On Outty we rank every Hilo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hawaii Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Beaches & Hilo Highlights Day Tour, Hilo Shore Excursion: Active Volcano, Lava Tube, Waterfall and Gardens, Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcano Safari Lava Caves & Black Sand. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Hilo?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Hilo?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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