HAWAIʻI ISLAND’S GRAND LAND TOUR
- Big Island, Hawaii
Hop aboard! This Grand Circle-island narrated tour of Hawaiʻi’s biggest consecutive land mass ensures you will not miss a thing! The day begins with an easy morning pickup at hotels and resorts along the Kona coast.
As we begin our drive along the beautiful coastline, sit back and enjoy the scenery as volcanic views pass by your window. We will make our way to the Big Islandʻs many cultural, historic, scenic, and gourmet sites.
Grand Circle Tour Of Big Island Features
South Kona Farms, Bakeries & Coffee
No trip to the Big Island is complete without a stop for some Kona coffee! Learn the history behind the bean-growing and roasting process that goes into every cup. Get your caffeine fix on-site, then take a bag of beans home for a taste of the islands in your own kitchen.
Indulge your senses with flavors of world-famous Kona coffee and crunch into Hawaii’s famous, locally grown macadamia nuts. We will experience all the flavors of the island throughout the day.
Punaluu Black Sand Beach
Sea turtles and visitors alike are drawn to the magic appeal of this black-sand beach. A standout from the typical white sands of Hawaiian beaches, the dark, sandy grains of lava-turned-sand have brought fame to this small stretch of coastline.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
See the volcano in its entirety – from the educational reaches of the visitors’ center where you are invited to take an in-depth look at the geology and of the volcano, to the hot steam arising from the vents where groundwater and the volcano’s hot temperature converge, to the Volcano House with its prominent crater views and delicious dining options. This exploration of the volcano leaves no (lava) stone unturned.
Local Macadamia Or Candy Stop
Your guide, on this small group tour has flexibility to take you where you want to help fulfill a caffeine fix or if you got a sweet tooth? Try the world-renowned Macadamia Nut Shortbread cookies and other locally-made sweet treats from a historical Hawaiian bakery, a fun candy shop or a producing macadamia nut factory.
Hilo Town, King Kamehameha Statue & Memorials
Located in Hilo Town in Wailoa State Park, the 14-foot statue is an ode to the great unifier of the islands, King Kamehameha.
Marked with a placard, Shinmachi Tsunami Memorial commemorates those who have lost their lives in tidal waves that have struck the shores of Hilo.
Rainbow Falls State Park
Earning its name from the rainbows that appear in its mist, this 80-foot waterfall flows year-round. Fresh mountain water cascades over the cliff, beyond a lava cave, splashing into the pools below.
Waipio Valley Overlook
We see the length of the spectacular Hamakua coast right up to where the road ends at the incredible overlook of Waipio Valley. This sacred spot has been home to generations of Hawaiians of high-regard and the stories that come out of this place are truly special. Learn more about this from your guide, and maybe even spot some super tall coastal waterfalls too!
Grand Circle Tour Of Big Island Details
- Highlights
- Description
- Price & Availability
- Itinerary
- What's Included
- Food & Drink
- Cancellation Policy
Highlights
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See Volcanoes, Craters & Old Lava Flows Too!
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Explore Kilauea Visitor Center
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View Halemaʻumaʻu Crater
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Experience The Steam Vents
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Rainbow Falls State Park
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Punaluu Black Sand Beach
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Stop For Snacks, Treats & Souvenirs (stop depends on day)
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King Kamehameha Statue
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Stops For Meals Purchased On Your Own
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Hamakua Coast And Waipio Valley Overlook
Description
Don’t miss a thing on this complete circle-island narrated tour of Hawaiʻi’s biggest consecutive land mass. Get a jump on the day with a morning pickup and take in the island views as you cruise the island’s best in cultural, historic, scenic, and gourmet sites. The narrated 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 a lava fields under your shoes, glimpse the turtles lounging on the blacks sands of a picture-perfect tropical beach, and indulge the senses with flavors of world-famous Kona coffee and buttery macadamia nuts.
Historically significant highlights include Hilo Town’s tsunami memorial site and the statue honoring legendary Hawaiian leader King Kamehameha. Round out your experience with a visit to the overlook at Waipio Valley and be inspired by tales of incredible bravery, courage, and devotion.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a major stop on this tour. Home to the Kilauea Visitor Center, Volcano House, Thurston Lava Tube, Steam Vents and more, you will love the volcanic crater overlook stops we make.
We also make a short stop at the beautiful Rainbow Falls, a picturesque falls right near Hilo. We will make another stop at the amazing Akaka Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls on the coast.
Snacks and gifts can be purchased at several of the stops along the tour route. Restrooms are also available in most places. The tour offers a nice balance of moderate walking and time in the cool of the bus. No time is wasted as the views from your seat are spectacular. Offering easy pickup and drop-off, your tour of this grand island lets you sit back and enjoy the true Big Island experience.
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.
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.
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
- Reservations may be canceled and refunded prior to 72 hours of your tour departure
- No-shows and cancellations less than 72 hours in advance are non-refundable