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.
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.
Grand Circle Tour Of Big Island Details
Elements
See Volcanoes, Craters & Old Lava Flows Too!
Explore Volcano National Park
View Halemaʻumaʻu Crater
Experience The Steam Vents
Rainbow Falls State Park
Punaluu Black Sand Beach
Stop For Snacks, Treats & Souvenirs (stop depends on day)
King Kamehameha Statue
Stops For Meals Purchased On Your Own
Drive Along The Hamakua Coast
Insight
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.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a major stop on this tour. Home to the Jagger Museum Overlook, 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.
Cost & Schedule
12-Hour Grand Circle Big Island Tour From Kona Resorts
AdultsAges 12 yrs+ | $259.00 |
ChildrenAges 2-11 yrs | $249.00 |
Program
- 7:00 AM: Pickup at Kona Resorts
- 8:00 AM: Pickup at Waikoloa Resorts
- 8:30 AM: Arrival at Waimea Country Area
- 9:00 AM: Scenic drive along Honokaa Coast
- 10:00 AM: Visit to Akaka Falls State Park
- 11:30 AM: Exploration of Scenic Rainforest & Waterfalls
- 12:15 PM: Lunch stop (on your own)
- 1:00 PM: Hilo & Rainbow Falls visit
- 1:30 PM: Exploring Volcanoes National Park, including:
- Jagger Museum Overlook
- Steam Vents
- Thurston Lava Tube
- Volcano House Gift Shop
- 3:30 PM: Punuluu Black Sand Beach visit
- 4:00 PM: Snack & early dinner stop at Punuluu Bakery (on your own)
- 4:50 PM: Paradise Meadows visit
- 7:00 PM: Return to Kona Hotels
- 8:00 PM: Arrival back at Waikoloa Resorts
*The itinerary is subject to change based on group preferences, timing, road conditions, weather, or to accommodate viewing of significant lava flows.
Provided
- Pickup from resorts in Kona & Waikoloa
- Narrated tour by a local expert guide
- Visits to Volcanoes National Park and Akaka Falls State Park
- Engaging short hikes with a knowledgeable guide
- Opportunities for lunch & dinner at your expense
- Umbrellas and a cooler with non-alcoholic drinks & water refills (bring your own refillable bottles)
- Multiple stops at points of interest
- Comfortable transportation in a small group setting
- Provision of sanitary, motion sickness, and first-aid supplies for enhanced safety
Meals
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
Booking
- 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