Big Island Grand Circle Island Tour

Duration: 11 hours

Adults Ages 13+ $219
Children Ages 12 and under $209
Private Tour Up to 5 Guests of All Ages $2,350
Private Tour Up to 14 guests of All Ages $2,850

A tour of Hawaii’s biggest island highlighting its natural wonders.

This full day nature tour offers an in-depth look at Hawaii’s youngest and largest island. From desert to rainforest, pasture to dry forest, discover diverse landscapes and 8 out of 13 climate zones in the world as you traverse the island, walk through rainforests to soaring waterfalls, and stroll black-sand beaches as you scan the horizon for green sea turtles.

The morning is filled with visits to some of the most majestic waterfalls on the Big Island. First, the views will stop you in your tracks at the Waipio Valley lookout, where a dramatic backdrop of verdant cliffs drops into the sparkling blue ocean. Continuing on the drive along the Hamakua Coast, more postcard-worthy views will pass by your window, ushering you to the next destination, Akaka Falls. This towering 442-foot (135-meter) waterfall plummets into a lush ravine at the center of a state park. You’ll enjoy a short walk through the vegetation for an up-close view and plenty of photo opportunities. Next stop is a waterfall that’s small by comparison, but not by beauty: Rainbow Falls, a beautiful 80-foot (24-meter) waterfall with a giant banyan tree beside it.

In the afternoon, explore the wonders of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, including steam vents, past lava flow sites, the Halema’uma’u and Kilauea Iki crater lookouts, and take a short hike through the 600-foot-long Thurston Lava Tube formed hundreds of years ago. From there, you will have time to relax and take it all in at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, a great place to spot marine life from the black-sand shore.

On the leisurely drive back around sunset, you’ll see views of South Point, the southernmost point of the United States, and Kealakekua Bay. You will also stop at a Kona Coffee Farm. Walk through the orchards with your guide learning about the harvesting and milling process while sampling a warm cup of Kona-grown coffee.

Highlights
A tour of Hawaii’s biggest island highlighting its natural wonders. Experience the diverse range of ecosystems and climate zones of the island
Take a tour of a Kona Coffee Farm to learn about the harvesting and milling process while sampling Kona Coffee
Visit the most dramatic waterfalls and scenic valleys on the island, Akaka and Rainbow Falls, and Waipio Valley
Explore active volcanic craters, steam vents, crater rim trails, and the lava tube in Volcanoes National Park
Frequent stops for photos to take in the lush scenery, and spot green sea turtles at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
Professional guide sharing knowledge of the history, cultures, and geology of the island

Note: Depending on weather conditions and sunset time, the tour may operate in the reverse route. This tour is exactly the same as Big Island in a Day Tour.

Tour departs daily. We pick up from all resorts and hotels in Keauhou, Kona, Waikoloa, and Kohala area between 7 am to 8 am. Actual pick up time vary depending on location. Tour duration is around 11 hours. Inquire for pick up from Kona airport.

What to bring and wear
Wear comfortable clothing in layers as temperatures vary from warm to cool. Covered walking shoes are required.

Group Size: Tours are limited to a maximum of 10 guests per vehicle

Tour difficulty: Easy hiking over short distance. Ages 4 and older are recommended.

Included in the tour: Bento lunch consists of teriyaki chicken, fish, vegetables, and steamed rice with assorted juices, snacks and bottled water. In addition, all park entrance fees, jackets, and rain gear.

Cancellation Policy: Minimum 24 hours notice for groups of 1-5, 48 hours notice for groups of 6 or more, and 72 hour notice for private groups to receive a full refund.

How much hiking do we do?
A: We will have a couple easy hikes over a short distance on this tour. Total hike distance is about a mile.

How long do we stop at Volcanoes National Park?
A: We stop at multiple attractions within the park for a total time of about 1.5 hours

Do we get to swim at the black sand beach or waterfalls on this tour?
A: You won’t be able to swim on this tour due to time constraints. If you would like to swim at a private waterfall, please check out our Waipio Valley and Waterfall Tour.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear on one of your tours?

Closed toed shoes are required and a light jacket is recommended.

Where do you pick up for your tours?

We pick up our guests from all major resorts and hotels between Keauhou, Kona, Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, and Hapuna area. For Histroic Kona Tour, we can pick up from Kona Pier. In certain cases we will pick you up from a nearby, easily identifiable establishment. Kona Airport pick up for Circle Island Tour and Twilight Volcano Tour may be available upon request.

Can I island hop to do your tour and return the same day?

Yes, we can pick up and drop off at Kona Airport for the Circle Island Tour. Please arrive airport by 7 am and depart after 8:30 pm.

What is the group size on your tours?

Our small group tours range from 4 to 10 guests. We take up to 14 guests for private or custom tours per vehicle. If you have a larger group we can provide multiple vehicles and guides.

How much hiking should I expect to do on your tours?

Our tours include light to moderate hikes throughout the day. Short hikes of .5 miles (.8 km) up to one mile (1.6 km) are common. Be sure to check our FAQ page specific to each tour we offer for more information!

Our your tours child/senior/disabled friendly?

Yes they are. However we don’t recommend our tours for very young children (i.e. < 5yrs old) or those with serious mobility ailments. Our tour vehicles are not equipped with a wheel chair lift, but do have plenty of storage space for a collapsible wheelchair and have low steps making them easy to board.

Are meals provided on your tours?

We provide local style lunch for all of our tours, made fresh daily at our commercial kitchen. It includes teriyaki chicken, local fish , sweet purple potato, and white rice. Dinner on Twilight Volcano Tour will be served at either Lava Rock Cafe or Kilauea Lodge near Volcanoes National Park with selected entrees. We can accommodate most dietary needs with advanced notice!

How far in advance should i book my tour?

Our Twilight Volcano Tour and Circle Island Tour run daily. Waipio Valley Tour is unavailable on Sundays, and the Historic Kona & Coffee Tour is unavailable on weekends.

We highly recommend booking your tour in advance. Some of our more popular tours sell out days in advance and other tours are sold on demand. Booking early means you get to do the tour you want on the day you want.

Will the tour be cancelled if it rains?

Our tours will operate in wet weather. Rain is common in certain areas of the island which is why we always provide rain gear for your convenience. We only cancel when weather makes transportation hazardous and/or there are road closures.

WIll I see lava on any of the tours?

Due to the dynamic nature of active volcanoes, lava viewing conditions change daily or even hourly. The best viewing of current eruptive activity is on our Twilight Volcano Tour. We will do our best to get you to the closest viewing area providing it is safe and legal. Currently, there is no active lava any where on the island. Please call us for most up to date information.

Is it customary to tip my guide?

Tipping is a great way to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication it takes to be a guide. Was your guide friendly, attentive and accommodating? Did he or she provide a well informed and enjoyable experience? Was the overall tour operated safely and comfortably?

What if I need to cancel my tour?

We require at least 24 hours notice for groups of one to five guests, 48 hours for groups of six or more, and 72 hours for private/custom tours for a full refund. “No-shows” will be charged full price – so give us a call and we’ll do our best to work it out to win-win.

Adella23 wrote a review April 17, 2021

Worth every penny!

This tour was AMAZING! It was totally worth spending the day and money on. You get to see all the Big Island highlights that you’d never see on your own. We had tour guide Dreu and he was OUTSTANDING! His enthusiasm, energy, and knowledge was unbelievable. He told so many good stories, kept a good schedule with time, and was super funny. He also gave us tips on places to eat. Highly recommend the tour and this particular tour guide (Dreu).
Thank you for a memorable day!!!

Jon DLP wrote a review April 17, 2021

San Jose, California

Fantastic Tour from a Talented Guide

My girlfriend and I had a blast with this 13 hour tour! Our tour guide Dreu is an extremely talented story teller and never continues without answering every question with a well-thought out answer. I'm simply amazed at his level of knowledge of the Big Island and all of Hawaii itself. I asked about popular movies or TV shows shot in Hawaii and he explained the specific scenes within each show/movie. This was our second day in Kona and I feel it was the best intro to the island we could ever have asked for. If we ever return to this island with friends or family, we'll be looking for this fine gentleman for a tour. Do you and your loved ones a favor and look for Dreu for your tours. Get ready for a fun-filled tour with sharp-witted jokes!