Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls in Big Island of Hawaii
Big Island of Hawaii, United States

Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls

Outty Ranking 63 4.3 · 133 traveler reviews4.5 hoursFrom $154

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$154
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Outty Ranking

63/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.3/5

Based on 133 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls worth booking?

Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls is a 4.5-hour experience in Big Island of Hawaii, United States, from $154 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 133 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
63 / 100
Rating
4.3/5 (133)
Duration
4.5 hours
From
$154 per person

Explore Volcanoes National park, home to Kīlauea, the most active volcano in the world. Learn how volcanic events have impacted the landscape and the lives of the people that live here. Highlights of the tour include a s

What you get

    About this experience

    Explore Volcanoes National park, home to Kīlauea, the most active volcano in the world. Learn how volcanic events have impacted the landscape and the lives of the people that live here. Highlights of the tour include a stop at Rainbow Falls, a waterfall with an 80-foot drop, known for the many rainbows formed in its surrounding mist. Sit back and relax as you are transported in your air-conditioned motor coach to Volcanoes National Park where 70 million years of volcanic history are on display. Should their be volcanic activity, route's may be altered with out notice due to safety concerns for guest and employee's. 0830              Leave Hilo

    What's included

    Included

    • Port pick up and drop-off
    • Professional guide
    • In-vehicle air conditioning

    Not included

    • Food and beverages
    • Souvenirs
    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Lili'uokalani Gardens

      The park’s site was donated by Queen Lili’uokalani. Built 1917-1919, and largest such gardens outside Japan.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Big Island Candies

      Home of the award-winning Chocolate Dipped Macadami a Nut Shortbread Cookies. Established in 1977 Big Island Candies ma nufactures and markets fine quality macadamia nut candies and cookies all sourced from Kona. Vis it the shop and get all your souvenir goodies

      20 minutes here

    3. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

      Home to one of the world’s most active volcano – Kī lauea, volcanic craters and more o Steam Vents Look Out* Feel the heat as you witness volcanic steam seeping out of fissures in the ground along the Kīlauea Caldera. o Visitor Center * Features exhibits covering the park’s environment, history and culture. Here you will learn about the volcano and volcanic activity

      150 minutes here

    4. Halemaumau Trail

      Home to one of the world’s most active volcano – Kīlauea, volcanic craters and more o Steam Vents Look Out* Feel the heat as you witness volcanic steam seeping out of fissures in the ground along the Kīlauea Caldera. o Visitor Center *Features exhibits covering the park’s environment, history and culture. Here you will learn about the volcano and volcanic activity. o Halema’uma’u* Halema’uma’u is a pit crater within the much larger Kīlauea Caldera at the summit of Kīlauea volcano.

      40 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Tue
    Group size
    Up to 9 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Roberts Hawaii

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Can only be booked by cruise passengers
    • Exact departure time may vary depending on the cruise ship's disembarkation time.
    • Moderate tour - Involves walking over relatively level terrain, possible gravel, lava or uneven ground. Comfortable walking shoes & light jacket recommended.
    • This shore excursion can be booked by Norwegian Cruise Line Pride of America passengers only

    Photos

    Volcanoes National ParkLiliuokalani GardensHilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls in Big Island of Hawaii, photo 4Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls in Big Island of Hawaii, photo 5Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls in Big Island of Hawaii, photo 6

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 132 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    6 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    5 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Traveler reviews

    132 verified traveler reviews for Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    71
    4 star
    39
    3 star
    14
    2 star
    4
    1 star
    4
    Sort
    NCfamilytraveler · August 2026

    A well-organized tour.

    We visited many parts of Hilo and the national park during the well-organized trip. Chris was a friendly and informative tour driver. We rode in a minibus, not a large motor coach. So, after each stop, we did not have to wait a long time for all passengers to return to the bus. The length of the trip was just right.

    Response from the operator: Aloha NC Family Traveler, Mahalo for sharing you wonderful experience with us. Yes, using a mini-bus for this tour has it's advantages. Aloha,

    via Tripadvisor

    Deb_B · August 2026

    Very cool adventure!

    Cousin Lisa was delightful. She was so knowledgeable and fun. When our tour bus air conditioner wasn’t working well, she arranged for a replacement bus at our first stop.

    Response from the operator: Aloha Debbie, Mahalo for your excellent review and compliments. Lisa enjoy' s sharing her knowledge and the aloha spirit. Mahalo,

    via Viator

    Joanne_O · October 2025

    Find a different tour

    Poor communication and mediocre service. All the other experiences we booked contacted us ahead with what to expect, where to meet, etc. This tour was about $150 a person, and we had 4 people in our group. They literally took us around to the Rainbow falls and up to the volcano, etc with no water. Literally, every other tour had water and small snacks up to full meals included. For the price, this was at best a moderate value. We stopped at the hotel at Volcanoes and could buy a drink there, but the line was really long. The tour started off poor, as we didn't know where to meet them and what sign to look for. Literally, other tour directors helped us figure out which group we were with. If you see Roberts Tours, please consider looking for a different tour.

    Response from the operator: Aloha Joanne, I'm sorry we didn't meet your expectations.. We appreciate your review and are taking messages to improve the tours experience. Mahalo,

    via Viator

    pego263 · October 2025

    Waterfalls and volcanos

    We had an amazing day! Chris is an excellent tour guide. His knowledge of Hawaii is exceptional. The falls were beautiful, although they were not running at full capacity because it is the dry season. Chris shared a photo taken when they were at full force. Beautiful! We missed the volcanic eruption by a few days, there was plenty of steam though. It was an amazing sight. We also went through the lava tubes. That was awesome. It is a bit challenging for the elder set, but well worth the experience. We Also stopped at a nice gift shop and candy store! Such a fun day.

    Response from the operator: Aloha Pego, Mahalo for your excellent review and sharing your experience. Exploring the Lava tubes are amazing. Aloha,

    via Tripadvisor

    Janice_U · September 2025

    Great time

    Was a great time and got to see a lot of interesting things. The volcano was erupting so it made it an extra bonus

    Response from the operator: Aloha Janice, Yes, it's about timing when the volcano is active or not. Mahalo for your review. Enjoy the rest of your cruise. Aloha,

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    4.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Tue
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    47
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 63

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)54
    Review evidence (18% weight)63
    Booking momentum (14% weight)57
    Value for money (12% weight)96
    Listing quality (10% weight)81
    Local standing (8% weight)0
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Big Island of Hawaii.

    How much does Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls cost?

    +

    Prices start at $154 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Big Island of Hawaii usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls take?

    +

    Plan for about 4.5 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 Big Island of Hawaii is not rushed.

    Is Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 133 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Big Island of Hawaii, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls?

    +

    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 Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls?

    +

    Around 47 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 Big Island of Hawaii 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?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Big Island of Hawaii and add a light layer if any part of the 4.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Big Island of Hawaii 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 Big Island of Hawaii?

    +

    The Big Island is volcano country: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tours, Mauna Kea summit stargazing, night manta ray snorkels off Kona, Waipio Valley lookouts and coffee farm visits. Summit tours have real altitude rules, so we weight safety detail. On Outty we rank every Big Island of Hawaii experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel - FREE re-ride if no Sightings, Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch, Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History. 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 Big Island of Hawaii?

    +

    April to October, though the island runs year round. 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 Big Island of Hawaii?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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