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Hilo Volcano Safari Tour with Lava Caves and Black Sand

TourTruth score 6.7 out of 10

Average

456 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score

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

Explore Kilauea’s back roads, lava caves, rainforest, and a newly formed black sand beach on this six-hour Hilo adventure.

About this tour

Leave Hilo’s familiar routes behind on a six-hour journey through the volcanic landscapes shaped by Kilauea. This Hilo Volcano Safari Tour takes you along back roads to lava caves, lava trees, and a lush rainforest, with a striking look at the destruction left by the 2018 lava flow and a newly formed black sand beach.

Walk over rugged, uneven terrain as your guide leads the way through scenery that reveals Hawaii’s changing landscape. The lava tube is an optional stop, but reaching its entrance involves steep steps and uneven ground. A break at a local vendor gives you the chance to purchase food; lunch is not included. Bottled water and professional guiding are provided.

Cruise guests can be picked up directly at Hilo port, with departure adjusted to the ship’s schedule. Hotel guests meet at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Choose this Hilo Volcano Safari Tour for a close-up look at volcanic terrain, rainforest, and coastline, and discover a wilder side of the Big Island.

Highlights

  • Explore Kilauea’s quieter back roads
  • Walk through lava caves and a lush volcanic rainforest
  • See lava trees and the effects of the 2018 lava flow
  • Visit a newly formed black sand beach

What's included

Included

  • Bottled water
  • Professional guide
  • Port pickup and drop-off or Hilo hotel pickup and drop-off

Not included

  • Souvenirs
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch; a stop is made at a local vendor where food can be purchased

Ratings on each provider

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

What reviewers mention

Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.

Common complaints

Important information

  • Moderate physical fitness is recommended; expect walking on uneven, gravelly lava terrain and steep steps
  • Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended; the tour operates in all weather, so bring a light rain jacket or poncho
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, poor cardiovascular health, or difficulty walking on uneven ground
  • Lava tube entry involves steep steps and uneven ground; entering the tube is optional
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  • Walkers and wheelchairs cannot be accommodated
  • Cruise pickup time may change to match ship disembarkation; the operator states it will ensure timely return to Hilo Pier
  • If the ship does not call at port, the operator states the tour will be refunded
  • Hotel pickup is at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel lobby, 71 Banyan Drive, Hilo

Frequently asked questions

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 6 hours.

What is included?

Bottled water, a professional guide, and pickup and drop-off at the port or a Hilo hotel are included.

Where is hotel pickup?

Hotel guests meet in the lobby of the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel at 71 Banyan Drive.

Is the lava tube visit required?

No. Entering the lava tube is optional, and the steps are steep with uneven ground.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. A light rain jacket or poncho is recommended.

How this score is calculated

This tour scores 4.76 on Viator and 5.00 on GetYourGuide. 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 6.7.

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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