Custom Volcano with extra stops
Visit the Must-See’s of the Volcanoes National Park
Designed for the National Park enthusiast! You decide what you would like to do with your extra hour and a half, some options are:
• See one or two more stops in the National Park (the most popular option).
• Hike the Sulfur Banks trail, 1.4 miles, or we can show you more of the National Park, it’s YOUR day!
• Choose to see the Punalu’u Black Sand beach, it is about 45 minutes out of the way each way. It is the most famous black sand beach and we have to drive through the Kau Desert to get there, so there isn’t anything to see on the way. There are 2 other black sand beach options in Hilo you may choose from.
• Have time to eat a nice lunch and browse the Hilo Farmer’s Market where they have a lot of arts and crafts, along with one of the best shave ice places in Hawaii (Kula Shave Ice), Acai bowls, poke, burgers, etc.
Basics
• For Hilo a National Park Certified Interpretive Guide (Volcanoes National Park) and for Kona (Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park).
• 7.5 hours of time – for most people, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the world’s most active volcano, and most people want to see as much of the National Park as possible.
• National Park fees.
• Hand sanitizer, wipes, paper towels, sunscreen.
• Use of binoculars, 4 trekking poles, plastic ponchos, and umbrellas.
• Bottled water.
• Snacks such as trail mix, chips, and granola bars. We include gluten-free snacks such as nuts and Hawaiian Chips.
• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with DVD media.
• Free photos of the family/group uploaded to Smugmug. See family photos here https://bigislandvip.smugmug.com
• A light raincoat is best for the rainforest areas of the National Park. Hawaii is the rainest State in the U.S. so you may need a raincoat several times.
• Closed-toe shoes are best. Lava rocks are sharp and we don’t want you to cut your toes. You do not need hiking shoes on this tour, as most paths are paved.
• A hat can be useful.
• If you have a handicapped parking pass it can help reduce walking. All States and countries are recognized in Hawaii.
• If you collect National Park stamps, bring your stamp book. Remind us on the day of your tour and we can get you in the Visitor Center.
• If you have children under 4 please bring your own car seats. We can only provide boosters. You can bring car seats with you or rent car seats on Oahu, at Paradise Baby Co. They will deliver whatever you need with the bell desk at the hotel you are in and then you leave the items with the bell desk when you leave. If you are staying at a condo or house, you need to contact them about the pickup/drop off.
• Lunch is on your own, there are a few options, see below.
• Wine tastings or tea tastings.
• Gratuities for your guide.
• We do not allow wet food to be consumed in our vans, only dry snacks like we provide.
• We give everyone up to 30 minutes free. We want you to get the most out of your day.
• If you would like more time please book the longer tour, or pay cash on the day.
• If you would like to go to Akaka Falls it’s $200 extra (for this tour, more for the shorter tour because this tour already includes extra time). Akaka Falls is quite a ways from the National Park. If you are on a cruise ship, most people choose to visit waterfalls on Maui or Kauai because there are a LOT of waterfalls. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is really the star of this island.
• We can provide booster seats for 5 years-old and over, we do not have car seats for younger children.
This day is action-packed, you decide what to do with your extra time. We will offer suggestions depending on the volcanic activity and what you would like to see.
• If you would like to go swimming we are happy to drop you off at Richardson Beach Park or Carlsmith Beach Park, and you can take an Uber/Lyft/taxi back to the ship.
• If you would like lunch, the options are (choose one): 1. A sit-down lunch at the Volcano House (most popular, best for group sizes of 8 or under); 2. Use that time to eat/shop at the Hilo Farmers Market/Downtown, eat at Kula Shave Ice and/or Poke N Sides, and walk the huge market (second-most popular); 3. Pick up food in Hilo and have a picnic (least popular); 4. Skip lunch and see more of the National Park. We do not allow food/shave ice/etc. in our vans, only dry snacks like those we provide.
Please Contact Us if you have more questions. We use a 3rd party contact page due to the large influx of spam.
Please go here for our contact page, or email us at [email protected]. You could also call our toll free 24-hour answering service at 1-866-424-8687, and we will get back to you as soon as we are free.
