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Big Island Volcano Tours Worth Booking

Trying to figure out your plans for a trip to the Big Island and want some cool activities for your day? Turn up the heat with some awesome volcano tours that will bring you to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
This list of Big Island volcano tours was written by Marcie Cheung (a Hawaii travel expert) and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

Are you looking for an amazing and unique travel experience?

Check out the Island of Hawaii – it’s got everything from ziplining to swimming with dolphins. You won’t find another place like it on Earth.

Being able to see an active volcano up close and personal is definitely on a lot of people’s bucket lists. Now is your chance to check that off! Book one of these incredible volcano tours today and prepare for an adventure you’ll never forget.

Keep scrolling for my list of the best Big Island volcano tours worth booking before your trip to the Big Island.

Why listen to me? I’ve been to Hawaii over 40 times and know it like the back of my hand!

Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Big Island Itinerary complete with daily schedules, fun activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

Big Island Travel Guide by top Hawaii blog Hawaii Travel Spot

7 Big Island Volcano Tours Worth Booking

Volcano Circle of Fire Helicopter Flight From Hilo

If you want to see a volcano from high above, look no further than the Volcano Circle of Fire Helicopter Flight From Hilo as you head out to the national park.

Image of lava going into the ocean on the Big Island of Hawaii
A helicopter is a great way to see lava flowing from a safe distance.

Kilauea is an amazing sight as it is currently an active volcano. However, the tour is extremely popular, so be sure to get your tickets in advance so you can participate in this unforgettable excursion! Check the latest rates and more information.

Once-in-a-lifetime Experience

This helicopter can accommodate a small group of travelers as you fly through cliffs, see waterfalls, and travel to volcanoes!

The experience is very comfortable, and the helicopter is very advanced, so you know you’re in safe hands. You will also learn a lot about the area from the pilot, making this one Big Island volcano helicopter tour that you definitely won’t forget! Check prices here.

Ultimate Circle Island Tour – Volcano, Waterfalls, and Waipio

If getting up early and making the most of your day by checking out volcanoes sounds like a dream, then Ultimate Circle Island Tour – Volcano, Waterfalls, and Waipio is something you have to check out!

Waipo Valley Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. Image of a black sand beach surrounded by green valley
Waipio Valley beach.

You will get the chance to see some of the most well-known areas on the island and will get to see fantastic sights like Rainbow Falls, Waipio Valley, and so much more! Check the latest rates and more information.

All-Inclusive Plus Fun Stops

This tour is fantastic for travelers of all ages, as it begins with other interesting things like a stop at the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach and the Bay View Coffee Farm. To satisfy your sweet tooth, you will also be checking out Big Island Candies, and getting some souvenirs at the KKA Store, which makes everything so worth it!

If you are traveling with less than 14 people, this tour is fantastic as everyone will be well fed with a provided picnic lunch on the beach along with drinks and snacks being provided throughout the tour. Check prices here.

Big Circle Island Tour to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Available daily and lasting around 12 hours, you can see some of the most popular sites in Hawaii on the Big Circle Island Tour.

You get to start the day off right with an amazing breakfast of homemade goods and fruit, and you will get to check out all sorts of cool places like Black Sand Beach, Volcano Winery and Tea Farm, and the amazing Punalu’u Bakery! Check the latest rates and more information.

Hits All the Popular Sights

For the main event, you will go to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to check out popular areas like Chain of Craters Road. You will also make a stop at Rainbow Falls to enjoy its refreshing mist and natural beauty.

Rainbow Falls in Hilo.

You also have to chance to take a drive along Hamakua’s coast, where you will be able to spend hours in the sunshine along with the opportunity to have a fantastic lunch Hawaii-style! Check prices here.

Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour

Check out some of the world’s most majestic places on this Big Island twilight volcano tour. You will get the chance to taste local Kona-grown coffee from the farm. Plus, you can try delicious Hawaiian sweet bread at the one and only Punalu’hu Bakery.

Image of Halemaumau Crater at dusk on the Big Island of Hawaii
Check out the stars and lava glow at Halemaumau Crater.

You will also see sea turtles at the beach, and all of this before the final event at the National Park with fantastic views of the star-filled skies! End the day off with a traditional Hawaii dinner as you look at the beautiful night sky! Check the latest rates and more information.

All Ages and Fitness Levels

While the terrain might be uneven at times, this night tour is still manageable for younger travelers and those with mobility issues. It also helps that you will be served dinner, a picnic, and plenty of drinks and snacks. And jackets are also available to keep you warm if you need them. Check prices here.

Paradise Helicopters Volcano Tour

Take to the skies with the Paradise Helicopters Volcano Tour, and see the majestic volcanoes from an entirely new angle!

Image of a helicopter tour of Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island
See lava from a Big Island helicopter tour.

Although it is only fifty minutes, the volcanoes make every minute special. The ride is comfortable and gives you the perfect viewing spot to see the lava pouring out from the Kilauea volcano.

Waterfalls are also scattered along the tour so that you can see them up close and personal! Check the latest rates and more information.

Ideal for Small Groups

If you have other things that you want to do throughout the day, this tour provides you with the experience you want without taking the whole day.

If you are in a small group and want to take the chance to see the island from the air, this has gotta be the thing you want to check out! Check prices here.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Private Tour

Get an amazing look at the most active volcano on earth with this private tour around the National Park. With 3 and 6-hour variations on this educational tour, you will see many native plants and locations that embody Hawaii’s amazing culture!

Image of a couple sitting on the ground looking at a map at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Fully explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a small group tour.

You will get to learn about Kilauea’s summit area on a hike to the volcano with your personal guide, who will answer anything you might want to know about the volcano! Check the latest rates and more information.

Perfect for Small Groups or Multi-Generational Trips

The best part about this Big Island Hawaii volcano tour is the fact that it is a private tour, so you can customize it to fit your needs.

That makes this tour great for younger and older travelers who may take a little longer to get around. Check prices here.

Oahu to Big Island – One Day Fly Away to the Volcanoes National Park

If you want to take advantage of a trip that lasts the entire day, the Oahu to Big Island – One Day Fly Away is great for all ages and lasts a whopping 15 hours.

This amazing sightseeing journey starts off with a flight from Oahu to Hilo, which brings you to the first stop of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you can check out gigantic craters and can also get some grub from the Volcano House Restaurant. Check the latest rates and more information.

Macadamia Nuts and Waterfalls 

After you get the chance to fill up and see all the cool sights at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you get to head to the world-famous Mauna Loa Macadamia Nuts Factory, where you will be able to get a taste of some of these delicious nuts and even get to try out some amazing baked treats made right on the property.

You will also take a short excursion to the amazing Akaka Falls, where you will also be able to look at spots, such as Banyan Drive and Rainbow Falls, which make this a very comprehensive tour! Check prices here.

Hawaii Volcano Explorer Tour Adventure

If exploring all of the spectacular volcanoes that Hawaii has to offer is the direction you want to go in, then the comprehensive 12-hour Hawaii Volcano Explorer Tour Adventure is the tour for you. Check the latest rates and more information.

Image of steam at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island
Steam from Halemaumau Crater at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

After making a pitstop at the beach, you will get the time to take several hours learning all about the amazing volcanoes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

You will also be able to hike to some of the coolest spots in the area, like Steaming Bluffs and Mauna Ulu, and have a nice picnic lunch during the adventure!

Kona Coffee

You can plan on checking out the Bay View Farm where you will find out the process behind the production of coffee in the area and get the chance to try out the coffee yourself!

Afterward, you will have some fun in the sun at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, where you might even see some sea turtles!

Where to Stay in Volcano Hawaii

If you know that you want to head to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, then it is important to know where you want to stay at, as there are plenty of options and all sorts of prices to choose from.

Image of the Volcano House hotel on the Big Island
Historic Volcano House Hotel. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

Unless you go camping, the only spot to stay inside the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the Volcano House hotel, which makes exploring the park really easy and convenient!

If staying at the park isn’t your jam, then getting a rental at Volcano Village might be the way to go. I would Volcano Hideaway Hale, At the Crater’s Edge, and Hale Sweet Hale.

Hawaii Volcanoes FAQs

How much time do you need at Hawaii Volcano National Park?

In general, you want to spend the entire day at the park! There are so many sites and hikes to take advantage of, and if you want to take advantage of everything possible, you might even want to plan to stay for two to three days.

Is lava flowing on the Big Island now?

Most likely, yes! Kīlauea erupts in the form of a lava lake within a crater, and since September of 2021, billions of gallons of lava have erupted there alone! But, always check to see if the lava is flowing before you go so you can set realistic expectations.

How much does Volcano National Park cost?

To get into the park in the first place, you will have to pay around $30 per vehicle just to get into the park, but it lasts for seven days. However, this does not cover other fees or prices associated with tours.

Hawaii Volcano Tours on the Big Island Wrap Up

If you’ve always dreamed of seeing a volcano through more than just a screen, booking one of the Big Island Volcano Tours can be the experience of a lifetime!

There are so many different varieties from ones that bring you on a hike, to shorter ones that take you to the skies on a helicopter to get views you wouldn’t have thought were possible!

Looking for more things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii? Find out the best luaus in Kona, Kona coffee farm tours, how to drive from Kona to Hilo, and the coolest Big Island waterfalls!

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