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Big Island Highlights Day Tour

Volcanoes, Coffee, Turtles, Wine, and Waterfalls

Immerse yourself in the best of the Hawaiʻi Island’s sights, microclimates, traditions as well as gourmet food and beverages on this full day all-inclusive tour. Allow us to take care of all your needs from hotel pickup and drop-off and catered meals to a carefully planned route with thoughtfully curated stops. This is the Big Island you’ve been dreaming of — a destination where breathtaking landscapes and millennia of culture combine to create a day of connection with land and people. Welcome to paradise.

Inclusions:

On this all-inclusive tour, we’ve planned out everything on your behalf so you can focus on enjoying the sights. Expect expert storytelling and island history from our passionate guides. Each stop allows time to ensure you get to experience the food, culture, and scenery that the Big Island offers. Highlights include a Kona coffee farm, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, where you might even spy giant sea turtles, and a visit to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to stroll ancient lava trails.   

Here’s more of what you can expect during this small-group experience.   

Kona Pickup

Start your day off right: Wake up to complimentary Kona coffee
Upon pickup, the day starts off with a drive through the rolling hills of Kailua Kona where you’ll stop at a coffee plantation to experience the aroma and the smooth taste of freshly brewed Kona coffee.  

You’ll get to indulge in the rich flavors of the world renowned Kona coffee and learn about the process of making the perfect brew. Prepare yourself to savor a taste so delicious it will leave your palate pleasantly delighted. This stop also includes a fresh island-style catered breakfast while you allow yourself to bask in the glory of superior quality coffee that is being grown, processed and enjoyed around you. 

Day Tour Activities

Indulge in local treats: Punaluʻu Bake Shop
Next stop: the southernmost bakery in the U.S.! You arrive at the quaint and colorful roadside bakery, ready to see and taste some of the most delicious baked goods Hawaiʻi has to offer.

Bakers buzz around as locals and travelers alike peer into the glass cases, pointing at Hawaiian sweetbreads and Portuguese-inspired malasadas. The luscious grounds are the perfect setting for this mid-morning snack. Time permitting, grab baked goods for our next stop to a black sand beach (own expense).

Appreciate the majestic sea turtles: Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
You can feel all your troubles and stress melt away as you arrive at this unique beach where the black sand provides a striking contrast to the turquoise waters of the Pacific. Breathe in the salty air mixed with the tropical flora and get lost in the rhythmic and soothing sound of the waves crashing against the shoreline.  

This stunning beach is home to many nesting Hawaiian sea turtles, also known as honu.  Though we cannot guarantee sightings, your guide will show you where the sea turtles bask in the sun while communicating an appropriate viewing point that ensures no disruption of the turtles natural habitat while giving you an optimum vantage point. These sacred island dwellers represent good luck, protection, endurance and long life to Hawaiians.  

It’s a sensory paradise that leaves you feeling alive and connected to the beauty of nature. 

Indulge in wine and tea tastings with lunch: Volcano Winery & Tea Farm
For lunch, enjoy a stop at a private farm for a meal and tasting that is exclusive to Kailani Tours’ guests. The winery and adjacent tea farm sit on the slopes of Mauna Loa in the town called Volcano. Here, wine and tea experts will serve you refreshments comprised of the fragrant fruits and flowers grown in the rich volcanic soil at 4,000 feet in elevation.  

After lunch and a stroll of the lush grounds, you can spend time in the gift shop to grab your favorites or arrange orders to be shipped back to your home.  

Witness the mighty volcanoes: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
For many visitors, seeing the Big Island volcanoes is a highlight of this tour. You can expect a  visit that lasts over an hour at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park which contains two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa. 

During your visit you can choose to take a short hike through Thurston Lava Tube.

Please note: In the event of an active lava flow, or an eruption, we will not be able to access certain parts of the park.  

*Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park officials have been known to restrict and/or close access to certain parts of the park without prior notice to visitors or tour providers. Kailani Tours will not refund a tour booking caused by park restrictions. 

Discover picture-perfect paradise: Rainbow Falls
As the day winds down you will experience one last stop that is the perfect end to a journey. After enjoying some refreshments and hot towel service in the comfort of a Mercedes Sprinter, you emerge onto a trail alive with birds chirping and the distant sound of rushing water. 

As you continue, fragrant flora fill the air, and the white noise gets closer. Before long, a cool mist welcomes you with an illusion of a rainbow, where you have arrived at the postcard perfect example of Hawaiʻi — the 80-foot-tall Rainbow Falls. The waterfall plunges over a natural lava cave and into the Wailuku River below. It is said that the Hawaiian Goddess Hina, mother of the storied demigod Maui, dwells in the lava cave behind Rainbow Falls. On a sunny day, rainbows reflect off the mist of the falls, and it is perfectly magical. 

On this all-inclusive tour, we’ve planned out everything on your behalf so you can focus on enjoying the sights. Expect expert storytelling and island history from our passionate guides. Each stop allows time to ensure you get to experience the food, culture, and scenery that the Big Island offers. Highlights include a Kona coffee farm, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, where you might even spy giant sea turtles, and a visit to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to stroll ancient lava trails.   

Here’s more of what you can expect during this small-group experience.   

Start your day off right: Wake up to complimentary Kona coffee
Upon pickup, the day starts off with a drive through the rolling hills of Kailua Kona where you’ll stop at a coffee plantation to experience the aroma and the smooth taste of freshly brewed Kona coffee.  

You’ll get to indulge in the rich flavors of the world renowned Kona coffee and learn about the process of making the perfect brew. Prepare yourself to savor a taste so delicious it will leave your palate pleasantly delighted. This stop also includes a fresh island-style catered breakfast while you allow yourself to bask in the glory of superior quality coffee that is being grown, processed and enjoyed around you. 

Indulge in local treats: Punaluʻu Bake Shop 
Next stop: the southernmost bakery in the U.S.! You arrive at the quaint and colorful roadside bakery, ready to see and taste some of the most delicious baked goods Hawaiʻi has to offer.

Bakers buzz around as locals and travelers alike peer into the glass cases, pointing at Hawaiian sweetbreads and Portuguese-inspired malasadas. The luscious grounds are the perfect setting for this mid-morning snack. Time permitting, grab baked goods for our next stop to a black sand beach (own expense).

Appreciate the majestic sea turtles: Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
You can feel all your troubles and stress melt away as you arrive at this unique beach where the black sand provides a striking contrast to the turquoise waters of the Pacific. Breathe in the salty air mixed with the tropical flora and get lost in the rhythmic and soothing sound of the waves crashing against the shoreline.  

This stunning beach is home to many nesting Hawaiian sea turtles, also known as honu.  Though we cannot guarantee sightings, your guide will show you where the sea turtles bask in the sun while communicating an appropriate viewing point that ensures no disruption of the turtles natural habitat while giving you an optimum vantage point. These sacred island dwellers represent good luck, protection, endurance and long life to Hawaiians.  

It’s a sensory paradise that leaves you feeling alive and connected to the beauty of nature. 

Indulge in wine and tea tastings with lunch: Volcano Winery & Tea Farm
For lunch, enjoy a stop at a private farm for a meal and tasting that is exclusive to Kailani Tours’ guests. The winery and adjacent tea farm sit on the slopes of Mauna Loa in the town called Volcano. Here, wine and tea experts will serve you refreshments comprised of the fragrant fruits and flowers grown in the rich volcanic soil at 4,000 feet in elevation.  

After lunch and a stroll of the lush grounds, you can spend time in the gift shop to grab your favorites or arrange orders to be shipped back to your home.  

Witness the mighty volcanoes: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
For many visitors, seeing the Big Island volcanoes is a highlight of this tour. You can expect a  visit that lasts over an hour at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park which contains two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa. 

During your visit you can choose to take a short hike through Thurston Lava Tube.

Please note: In the event of an active lava flow, or an eruption, we will not be able to access certain parts of the park.  

*Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park officials have been known to restrict and/or close access to certain parts of the park without prior notice to visitors or tour providers. Kailani Tours will not refund a tour booking caused by park restrictions. 

Discover picture-perfect paradise: Rainbow Falls
As the day winds down you will experience one last stop that is the perfect end to a journey. After enjoying some refreshments and hot towel service in the comfort of a Mercedes Sprinter, you emerge onto a trail alive with birds chirping and the distant sound of rushing water. 

As you continue, fragrant flora fill the air, and the white noise gets closer. Before long, a cool mist welcomes you with an illusion of a rainbow, where you have arrived at the postcard perfect example of Hawaiʻi — the 80-foot-tall Rainbow Falls. The waterfall plunges over a natural lava cave and into the Wailuku River below. It is said that the Hawaiian Goddess Hina, mother of the storied demigod Maui, dwells in the lava cave behind Rainbow Falls. On a sunny day, rainbows reflect off the mist of the falls, and it is perfectly magical. 

What is the group size of a Big Island Highlights Tour? Kailani Tours prefers small-group experiences, generally booking no more than 12 guests per vehicle. The Mercedes fleet consists of 15 passenger vehicles. If you’re looking for something even more intimate, private tours can also be arranged.

How crowded does it get at the stops on a Big Island Highlights Tour? While we cannot predict the crowds at popular destinations, we can assure you that our tours have itineraries best suited to avoid the most popular windows of time at specific destinations. We also have daily standing reservations with the Winery to ensure our groups are shown priority attention.

Can you accommodate wheelchairs? Though we have a compact collapsible wheelchair available for guests, our guides are not able to push/assist with wheelchair mobility. Our tours are active and require some physical exertion. While on tour guests may experience some or all of the following: a large step up into the van, tight aisles, steep hills in either direction, stairs, uneven surfaces, wet surfaces, and loose sand. If you have any questions or would like to know more details about the physical aspects of your specific tour, please contact Kailani Tours staff at 808-938-4057 or [email protected].

What should I bring on a Big Island Highlights Tour? Kailani Tours Hawaii will provide your meals, snack baskets, beverages, hiking gear, jackets, parkas, umbrellas, flashlights, other related gear for all weather conditions, and items to help with car sickness/nausea. Please come prepared with close-toed shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera.

Is this tour all-inclusive? This tour includes a variety of refreshments and snacks in the vehicle and covers all tastings, meals, and entrance fees required. We work closely with coffee roasters, wineries, and other establishments on the island to bring you exclusive tastings and experiences.

Can you accommodate dietary needs and restrictions on this tour? We want to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergy requests as much as possible for each of our guests. Please, notify us immediately if anyone in your party is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-intolerant, or has any food-related allergies. By notifying us early, we can be best prepared for your tour meal/snack basket/beverage needs. Should there be no contact by 2:00 PM, the day prior to your tour, the meals ordered on your behalf will default to regular with no restrictions. Since gathering these details is time sensitive, we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Who is this tour suitable for? This is the ideal Big Island tour for families, couples, friends, and solo travelers. We welcome ages 5 and up on this public Big Island Day Tour. Choosing a private tour option is required for children under 5 years of age.

I’m traveling with children, what should I know? Infants, toddlers, or children under 5 years of age are not permitted on public tours, a private tour will need to be secured for families traveling with small children. To abide by Hawaiʻi State Law all children 3 years and younger must be in a proper safety seat. Children aged 4 to 7 who weigh between 40 and 80 pounds and are less than 57 inches tall must be in a booster seat. We have all child seat options available upon request. Please, notify us of your children’s age and seat requirements as soon as possible.

How much walking do you do on a Big Island Highlights Tour? This tour allows people to explore the island at their fitness and comfort level. It is our “Easy” tour. You will be given the opportunity to exit the vehicle to enjoy the lush and unique landscapes of Greenwell Coffee Farm, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Volcano Winery, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and Rainbow Falls. All walks are optional and it is up to you how far you walk at these destinations. The Thurston Lava Tube is the most strenuous part of the tour with roughly 15 steps down, a twenty-minute or 1/3 mile hike through the tube, and roughly 20 steps up.

Is alcohol allowed on tour? Hawaiʻi laws do not permit the consumption of or an open container of alcohol in any vehicle. There are stops on the tours that offer adult beverages that you are able to purchase specifically. We ask you to remember restrooms are not always readily available and motion sickness is already a common occurrence on island roads. We ask that you drink responsibly while in our care. Kailani Tours reserves the right to ask a guest to disembark if necessary.

What locations do you pick up from? If you are not staying at a Resort or Hotel on our list of 40 pick-up locations on the West side of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, then we have multiple centralized spots available with free and well-lit parking in the Kailua-Kona and Waikoloa areas. This is very important to have scheduled as early as possible. In the event you need to cancel your tour, you will need to know when your cancellation window expires.

Are tips or gratuities required? Tips and gratuities are not required, they are greatly appreciated though. Your guide works hard to keep you safe, entertained, and satisfied for 11+ hours. The wealth of information you’ll be exposed to is impressive. The guides spend a lot of time training and perfecting their skills for you. So, if you enjoy yourself, if your guide gives impeccable attention to your needs, and if you feel safe in their care, then show them your appreciation for a job well done! Of course, this is only a recommendation but common tipping for full-day excursions ranges between $20-$40 per person.

What are the benefits of a Private tour? The most common reasons for guests to choose a private tour over a public tour include: the ability to go at your own pace, a customizable itinerary with tour flexibility, customizable timing, customizable pickup/drop off locations, upgraded meals/snack baskets/beverages, no other personalities/strangers, not waiting on rouge public participants, more intimate, any age is permitted, and you’ll be placed with a tenured guide. We have luxury SUVs available for smaller parties (1-5 passengers) and Mercedes Sprinter or Streamliner Vans for larger parties (5-12 passengers).

The Experience

AUTHENTIC MOMENTS
This small-group experience is designed around genuine and authentic connection, from chatting over freshly brewed Kona coffee with the roasters to standing on the edge of an active volcano. 
INTIMATE AND PERSONALIZED SERVICE

You’re not paying out of pocket for anything on this day trip around the Big Island. Expect hot towel service in the vehicle, carefully selected meals and refreshments, and expert local guidance, among other amenities, on this all-inclusive Big Island day tour.  

A FEAST OF THE SENSES
From the fragrant blooms of flowering Kona coffee perfuming the air to the microclimates along the Kona coastline, the expansive rural countryside, and the scenery within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park — your senses are ignited at every turn. 
FEEL THE ALOHA SPIRIT

You’ll learn about the traditions, customs and history of the Hawaiian people while gaining a deeper appreciation for this beautiful and evergrowing island. Your passion driven guide will share their knowledge while providing an all-encompassing luxury tour experience.

CUSTOM TOURS

Explore Hawaii on your terms with our tailored, custom tours crafted to match your unique preferences and requirements.
Reach out to us directly to discover our exclusive collection of custom tours.

Reviews

“Fabulous tour with an excellent tour guide Zackary! Big Island Circle Tour and Volcano: Coffee, Wine, Waterfalls and Hamakua Coast Zackary provided a fabulous all day experience as our tour guide! Pick up was prompt, and Zack even offered the front passenger seat if we were prone to motion sickness. Zack was very friendly & knowledgeable which made all of us feel welcomed.”
 

Z3782VIgaryd on Trip Advisor
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“Exceptional Volcano tour -- can't miss!! Hawaii Small-Group Volcano Experience with Lunch and Restaurant Dinner We booked the deluxe volcano tour and absolutely loved it! So many incredible sites to see on the Big Island -- coffee farm, a beautiful black sand beach with turtles, and of course the erupting volcano…”
 

Lisa N on Trip Advisor
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“We loved our Circle Island Tour with Kailani Tours! This is a great way to see the island and learn all about its people and history.”
 

Emily Gabriel on Google
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