VIEW THE BEAUTY OF THE ISLAND OF HAWAI’I
Don’t miss a thing on this Grand Circle Island tour of Hawaiʻi’s largest landmass. Get a jump on the day with a morning pick-up at your hotel, in Kona and Waikoloa. Take in the island views as you cruise the island’s best cultural, historic, scenic, and island-style sites.
The guided day-long tour will ensure you visit all the must-see spots on the Big Island. In a single day, you will have breathtaking views of cascading waterfalls, feel the crunch of lava fields under your shoes, and glimpse the turtles lounging on the black sands of a picture-perfect tropical beach, and indulge the senses with flavors of world-famous Kona coffee, sweetbread, and buttery macadamia nuts.
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2 yrs+
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12-hour
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Kona Resorts
Big Island Circle Tour Features
Full-Day, Full-Circle Sightseeing Tour
Round out your Big Island vacation experience with a visit to a native Hawaiian garden, beautiful waterfalls, and an active volcano. With easy pick up and drop off, your tour of this large island is stress-free. Sit back and enjoy this epic full-day Big Island experience. This is the most comprehensive single-day sightseeing tour available.
Visit Volcanoes National Park
Experience the awe-inspiring wonders of Volcano National Park. Marvel at the active Kīlauea Volcano as it showcases the raw forces of creation and destruction. Feel the heat of steam vents emerging from the earth's fissures and embark on a brief hike through the incredible Thurston Lava Tube. Immerse yourself in the Visitor Center's captivating videos and images, capturing the sheer power of this natural phenomenon. Discover the fascinating story of the 2018 eruption that captivated the nation, as lava engulfed vast stretches of land.
Dramatic Waterfalls
Explore the awe-inspiring beauty of Hawaii's premier waterfalls and valleys: Akaka and Rainbow Falls, as well as the picturesque Waipio Valley. Witness the awe-inspiring wonder of Akaka, with its jaw-dropping 442-foot plunge into a tranquil pool below. Be mesmerized by the enchanting Rainbow Falls, where an 80-foot cascade tumbles over a lava cave believed to be the dwelling place of the legendary Hawaiian goddess Hina, the goddess of the moon. Experience the breathtaking power and mystique of these natural wonders firsthand.
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, a truly unforgettable sight. Marvel at the striking jet-black shores, framed by graceful coconut palms. Keep an eye out for a rare encounter with large honu, the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, basking on the beach. Remember, as tempting as it may be, these protected creatures should not be touched or disturbed. And please respect the natural environment by leaving the black sand undisturbed.
Lots Of Stops Throughout The Day
This tour includes all the important sites that should be seen at least once including Waipio Valley Overlook, Historic Hilo, Liliuokalani Gardens, Rainbow Falls, Hamakua Coast, and other stops. We cover it all on this tour and we can even handle some special requests. Ask your guide about what is possible on your tour route.
Big Island Tour Details
- Highlights
- Description
- Price & Availability
- Tour Itinerary
- What's Included
- Food & Drink
- Cancellation Policy
Highlights
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See Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Visitor Center
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Walk On A Black Sand Beach
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Family-Friendly Itineraries & Guides
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See The Entire Big Island In One Day
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View Scenic Valleys And Waterfalls
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Check Out A Lava Tube
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Stops For Lunch (purchase on your own)
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Small Groups Only - Limited 10 Guests Per Guide
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11-12 Hrs. 7:00 AM Pickup, Kona Coast
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Private Tours Available
Description
This full day tour starts with pickup at major hotels and resorts all along the Kona coast and returns you back in time for a late dinner on your own.
Starting around 7 AM your tour guide will pick you up and head north towards the beautiful Hamakua Coast through the town of Waimea. Along the way, to various major stops we will make brief stops to enjoy the beautiful views. Exploring the rainforest portion of this tour, we will visit Akaka Falls state park and the beautiful overlook at Waipio. Our tour take a scenic detour down a rainforest road with winding points and a place to even go for a quick waterfall dip.
Once in Hilo, we will explore a little bit of the town and check out a few famous and historical spots. Before heading into Volcanoes National Park, we make a stop for lunch with wonderful options that everyone will love. You will be well satisfied and ready to explore the amazing volcano, its craters, and lava tubes.
Once in the park, there will be plenty of overlook stops, small trails, and a large lava tube to explore. At the park, you can explore Kilauea Iki Crater, steam bluffs, Thurston lava tube, Fern Tree Jungle and more! Depending on where lava can be seen, we will alter the tour to include that viewing. We will even stop at a great gift shop at the Volcano House to get a little souvenir.
We leave the park and head south to a beautiful black sand beach at Punaluu and hopefully see some turtles which makes for a truly magical experience. We can take time to enjoy this beach for a little bit prior to enjoying a late afternoon snack at a famous family bakery. Try the sweetbread. It's addictive.
The tour now heads north, towards the Kona coast. We will make stops at various overlook locations as we make our way back down towards Kailua-Kona during the sunset hours. We will cruise the drive and make a stop in town to drop off our Kona guests before returning the remaining guests to Waikoloa. Making for a full day, seeing all the most popular sites on the island. You will love your vacation day with us.

Price & Availability
12-Hour Grand Circle Big Island Tour From Kona Resorts
AdultsAges 12 yrs+ | $259.00 |
ChildrenAges 2-11 yrs | $249.00 |
The tour is offered Monday through Friday.
Tour Itinerary
- 7:00 AM - Pickup In Kona Resorts
- 8:00 AM - Pickup In Waikoloa Resorts
- 8:30 AM - Waimea Country Area (stop for breakfast snack on your own)
- 9:10 AM - Waipio Valley Overlook
- 10:00 AM - Akaka Falls State Park
- 11:30 AM - Scenic Rainforest & Waterfalls Area
- Stop For Waterfall Pool Swim
- 12:15 PM - Stop For Lunch (on your own)
- 1:00 PM - Hilo & Rainbow Falls
- 1:30 PM - Volcanoes National Park
- Visitor Center
- Jagger Museum Overlook
- Steam Vents
- Kilauea Iki Overlook
- Thurston Lava Tube
- Volcano House Gift Shop
- 3:30 PM - Punuluu Black Sand Beach
- 4:00 PM - Punuluu Bakery Stop (snack & early dinner)
- 4:50 PM - Paradise Meadows
- 5:30 PM - Sunset Kona Overlook
- 7:00 PM - Return To Kona Hotels
- 8:00 PM - Arrive At Waikoloa Resorts
* The guide may alter and change the itinerary route based on the group's desires, timing, road construction, or weather conditions. We will alter this tour as well when major lava flows occur.
What's Included
- Kona & Waikoloa resort area pickup
- Stops for lunch & dinner (purchased on your own)
- Entrance to Volcanoes National Park
- Entrance To Akaka Falls State Park
- Short, guided hikes with knowledgeable guide
- Binoculars, towels & umbrellas for your use
- Cooler with non-alcoholic canned drinks & cold water refills (Please bring your refillable bottles as we do not provide water in plastic bottles.)
- Numerous stops at points of interest
- Local expert guide providing a narrated tour
- Sanitary, motion, and first-aid supplies for your safety
- Comfortable seat in a small group tour vehicle
Food & Drink
To help our communities with tourism, we encourage our guests to purchase food, drinks, and other items directly from the local family farms, bakeries, and restaurants we visit. They are places you would want to come back and visit again on your own!
Our vehicles contain coolers with cold canned, non-alcoholic drinks for our guests. We don't provide plastic water bottles but we do have clean, great-tasting water for refilling your own water bottle.
For our guests, during stargazing, we have hot water to make some tea, instant coffee, or hot chocolate to help keep you warm.
Depending on the group, we may make stops at Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Plantation, a honey farm, Hilo's Farmer's Market, food truck lots, or other locations. Your guide will choose the best spots for that day.
Punalu'u Bake Shop - $5-15 / per person
Located in the southernmost town, is a bakery that makes Hawaiian sweet bread from a traditional family recipe. All sweetbreads are made without preservatives and wrapped in bright, tapa-print packaging. Try at least a sample and you will be hooked. The settings and outdoor cafe make for a wonderful stopping point to enjoy a lunch meal.
- Deli & Hot Sandwiches On Sweet Bread
- Soups & Salads
- Plate Lunches With Rice & Mac Salad
- Baked Goods
- Teas
- Espresso Bar
- Ice Cream
- Pies & Cakes
- Fruit Smoothies
Kuhio Grille - $10 - $30 / per person
The family history starts in the 1900s when Japanese immigrants moved to Hawaii to work in the sugar plantations. They soon began farming and selling taro as well as the leaves. Grandma would make laulau to feed the family and friends, fresh meat wrapped and cooked in taro leaves. It became so popular they opened a restaurant to feed everyone, that was over 25 years ago.
- Laulau & Combo Plates
- Fried Rice, Saimin & Locos
- Seafood & Steak Entrees
- Tempura, Udon, & Katsu
- Burgers & More
- All-Day Breakfast
Cancellation Policy
We do not refund tour prices due to weather-related reasons. We will promise an incredible volcano or stargazing experience but unfortunately cannot control the weather. Guests will be charged 100% of the tour price for cancellations made within 72 hours of the scheduled tour.
A combined minimum of 4 guests is required for a tour to operate. Should a tour not meet the tour minimum, customers will have the option to reschedule or receive a full refund. Advance notice will be provided at least 12 hours before the start time.