Hilo Private Volcano and Waterfall Tour 6 hr - Image 1
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Hilo Private Volcano and Waterfall Tour 6 hr

TourTruth score 7.5 out of 10

GoodTop 36% in Big Island of Hawaii

8 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score

  • Big Island of Hawaii
  • 6 hrs
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Explore Hilo’s volcanoes, lava tube, black sand beach, and waterfall on a private six-hour tour with a certified local guide.

About this tour

See the Big Island’s volcanic landscapes and Hilo’s lush scenery on a private Hilo Volcano and Waterfall Tour. With a certified local guide and a vehicle reserved for your group, you can explore at a comfortable pace while the logistics are taken care of.

Visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, where fresh lava fields reveal the island’s ongoing formation, and walk through Thurston Lava Tube, a passage formed by flowing lava. The route also includes Richardson’s Black Sand Beach, a drive through the Japanese Gardens, and Rainbow Falls, where water spills over an ancient lava cave. Enjoy bottled water and local juice along the way; an optional fresh poke bowl and donuts are available at extra cost.

The approximately six-hour Hilo Volcano and Waterfall Tour accommodates up to seven guests and offers English- and Spanish-speaking guides. Cruise passengers can expect a guaranteed on-time return to the Port of Hilo, while pickup timing can be adjusted for other arrivals. Reserve your private outing and experience Hilo’s dramatic contrasts with a local guide.

Highlights

  • Explore the volcanic landscapes of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
  • Walk across new lava fields and see where the island is still forming
  • Step inside Thurston Lava Tube, formed around 500 years ago
  • Admire Rainbow Falls and visit Richardson’s Black Sand Beach
  • See Hilo’s Japanese Gardens and enjoy a private guide

What's included

Included

  • Private exclusive tour
  • Certified local guide
  • Visit to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
  • Visit to Thurston Lava Tube
  • Visit to Richardson’s Black Sand Beach
  • Drive-through of Japanese Gardens
  • Bottled water
  • Local juice
  • Tour logistics

Not included

  • Rainbow Falls entry fee: $5 per person
  • Personal expenses
  • Optional fresh poke bowl and donuts

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Designed for cruise ship passengers, with guaranteed on-time return to the Port of Hilo
  • Pickup time and location are confirmed by the guide the day before; departure time may vary
  • Pickup time can be adjusted for ship arrival or hotel and flight schedules
  • Maximum group size is 7 guests
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  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels; travelers aged 8 and up
  • Bring sunglasses, a camera, sunscreen, rain gear, and a long-sleeved shirt

Frequently asked questions

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 6 hours.

What is the maximum group size?

The private tour accommodates up to 7 guests.

Is pickup time fixed?

No. Pickup time varies and can be adjusted to your ship, hotel, or flight schedule. The guide confirms the time and location the day before.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

It is suitable for all physical fitness levels, but is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. The minimum age is 8.

Is the Rainbow Falls entry fee included?

No. The park charges an additional $5 per person.

How this score is calculated

This tour scores 5.00 on Viator (GetYourGuide shows no usable rating). Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.

How the score works and rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 7.5. Top 36% in Big Island of Hawaii means it ranks in the top 36% of tours in Big Island of Hawaii by this score.

Provider rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii

How many tours in Big Island of Hawaii have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

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