The 12 National Park Trips in Hawaii That Earn Their Price

1.Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcanoes National Park & Black Sand Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,338 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $159Our pick

From Hilo Pier, you’ll visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, walk through Thurston Lava Tube, search for turtles at Richardson Black Sand Beach, and stop for macadamia treats. Guides such as Robert, Jess, Donna, and Hannibal are praised for clear stories and local insight. The route can change with weather, volcanic activity, and park closures.

“This was a good tour. Boarding for the tour was unorganized and resulted in delays in beginning the tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Fat Tire E-Bike Tour through Volcanoes National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 546 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $199Top rated

Meet Nicole, Derek, Tyler, Scott, or Bill at Kilauea Lodge for a safety briefing and guided ride into Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Fat-tire e-bikes make the hills manageable as you visit forest paths, a lava tube, crater viewpoints, and possibly seaside overlooks. Expect about 3 hours, 12 to 15 miles, a small group, and cool, changeable weather.

“My husband and I took this bike tour and it was one of the highlights of our trip! Bill & Scott were excellent guides and very knowledgeable about the National Park. We would 100% recommend this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Haleakala National Park Sunrise Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 545 reviews · 9 hours · from $219

Ride from your Maui hotel to Haleakalā before dawn with Skyline Hawaii. Guides such as Marlon, Trevor, Glenn, and Michael share island history, park ecology, and cultural context before sunrise at 10,023 feet. Jackets are available, and breakfast at Cafe O'Lei follows the summit visit.

“We did the Haleakala National Park Sunrise Tour, and while the tour itself was wonderful, the sunrise was disappointing. About 20 minutes before sunrise, a giant cloud consumed the side of the mountain we were on and lasted well into the sunrise, making it impossible to see the sunrise. Once the sun had fully risen, the cloud dissipated and it was really pretty, but that was 15-20 minutes after sunrise. It was so disappointing to wake up at 1:30 AM and spend 2 hours driving to the summit for that to happen. That being said, it wasn't the fault of the tour or our tour guide, Michael, at all! He…”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Big Island, Hawaii: Volcanoes National Park Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 545 reviews · 55 minutes (approx.) · from $379

Fly from Hilo Airport for about 55 minutes over Volcanoes National Park, lava fields, craters, waterfalls, orchid farms, and native forest. Pilots such as Drew, Jim, and Andrew provide live narration on geology, Hawaiian history, and island culture. Weather can change the route, and seating and weight rules matter.

“The ground team was thorough and discussed the possibility of not being able to go over the volcano due to weather. Our pilot Jim advised us in the air that he would take us over. Jim was very friendly and gave us details about what we were flying over. It’s a must do activity on the Big Island.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Small-Group Big Island Tour: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Kona Coffee Farm

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 343 reviews · from $209

Travel from Kona or Waikoloa to Greenwell Farms, Punalu’u Beach, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You’ll sample Kona coffee, look for green sea turtles, walk through Thurston Lava Tube, and visit steam vents and Halema’uma’u Crater. Guides such as Katie add local stories, island history, and practical help throughout the long day.

“Katie was super helpful and informative! This memorable experience was one of a kind! A full day of learning about volcanoes and the history of Hawaii!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Volcano National Park Adventure From Kona

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 339 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $259

Spend about 11 hours crossing the Big Island from Kona with a small group of up to 14 people. Guides such as David, Dan, Erik, and Zane explain volcanoes, island history, plants, and changing terrain. The day includes Kona coffee, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, Volcanoes National Park, lunch at Volcano House, lava flows, Hilo, and Saddle Road.

“Tour was excellent. David was fantastic and very personable. David is very knowledgeable and had great recommendations at several of our stops. We had a fantastic day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Private Tour: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Eco Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 276 reviews · 3 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $160

Walk through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a private guide such as Erik, Jay, Michelle, or Tyson. Expect volcano science, Hawaiian culture, native plants, lava tubes, steam vents, and flexible hiking or driving over three to six hours. You provide your own transport and pay the $30 vehicle entrance fee.

“Jay was so knowledgeable and funny. Made my first visit very special! Definitely recommend Jay! I’ll be back.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 260 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $187

This 5.5-hour Hilo tour visits Liliuokalani Gardens, Rainbow Falls, Thurston Lava Tube, Kilauea, and Chain of Craters Road. Guides Jill, Josh, and Julie share local stories, Hawaiian culture, and volcano lore in a van limited to 12 people. Park entry, water, snacks, and pickup are included.

“Josh, our driver, was very proud of his "born and raised" Big Island heritage. The Hilo area is very working-class and not touristy at all. After brief stops at the local waterfront park and Rainbow Falls, we made our way to Kilauea. At our first overlook, we experienced steam vents and saw, at a distance, evidence of a recent eruption, with silvery cooling lava flowing down the edge of the crater. We went to the Lodge for souvenirs and bathrooms only to find everyone rushing outside to the porch to photograph an active flow of bright orange lava! Although it was some distance away, the charcoal smell and some heat…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Experience Departing from Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 240 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $589

Fly from Honolulu to Kona, then spend a full day exploring the Big Island with guides such as Mel, Henry, Brandon, or Jim. Visit a Kona coffee farm, black sand beach, bake shop, native forest, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Airfare, park entry, transport, and local narration are included.

“My family spent most of our vacation based in Oahu with a few days in Maui. We wanted to be able to see the Big Island without the hassle of planning flights, repacking all of our suitcases, switching hotels and getting another rental car —— this day-trip tour was the perfect fit. Aloha Sunshine Tours did a great job of booking our flights promptly, communicating what to expect, where to meet, etc. I can’t think of anything that they could improve upon. Our tour guide Brandon was awesome. He was very friendly, knowledgeable, and humorous. He provided safety precautions, cultural insights and geological background. Our tour group was small; just…”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 118 reviews · 7 hours · from $189

Join Desmond, Anthony, or another Shaka Braddah guide for a seven-hour small-group tour from Hilo to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Punaluʻu Beach, Rainbow Falls, and Liliʻuokalani Gardens. Expect volcano views, a lava tube walk, local fruit, cultural artifacts, and a full lunch at Lava Rock Cafe. Pickup is available in Hilo, but not at the airport.

“It was an amazing tour. Our guides, Desmond and Anthony were the best guides. They were so knowledgeable and some of the nicest guys. There was a possibility of the volcano erupting, so they kept an eye on the cameras and told us if it erupted, they would turn us around and head straight to it. It unfortunately didn’t erupt. But this tour was worth every penny. Highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Kilauea: Volcanoes National Park Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 46 reviews · from $120Best value

Join a certified English-speaking guide for a three-hour, four-mile loop near Kilauea in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Learn about geology, native plants, Hawaiian culture, and eruptions while walking through rainforest and around a hardened lava lake. Guides such as Jennifer and Yvonne provide poles, snacks, and practical help. Lava viewing depends on weather and volcanic activity.

“Kilauea Volcanoes National Park Guided Hike was excellent. I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking about visiting the park. Our guide was Yvonne. She was amazing. We spent three hours with her on a guided hike. Yvonne is extremely knowledgeable about the Kilauea volcano and the echosystem around the volcano. I learned so much about the volcano and the history of the volcano. We discussed euruptions, earthquakes, steam vents and surrounding plants and animals in the area and how Hawaiians regard the volcano. We discussed the invasive plants and trees as well as native plants. Yvonne is working on her degree as a volcanologist. She shared amazing pictures and…”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 30 reviews · 6h 30m · from $230

Spend 390 minutes hiking Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with an English-speaking guide, in a group of up to 10 or on a private outing. Walk through rainforest, cross the Kilauea Iki Crater area, see steam vents and a volcanic caldera, then enter Thurston Lava Tube. Breakfast and a gourmet picnic are included, though breakfast details may vary.

“The Guide Jennifer was absolutely great and Sweet. We loved to here her storys and legends about the Volcanoe.”

Check availability →Read our full review