8 Days  •  7 Nights

Big Island Volcanoes & Adventure

Kona (4N) - Hilo/Volcano (3N)

Tour Includes

Accommodation
Meals
Sightseeing
Transfers
Local Guide
Activities
Overview

About the Trip

The Big Island is Hawaii at its most dramatic and diverse, a single island that spans active volcanoes, black-sand beaches, lush rainforest, snow-capped summits and world-famous coffee country, and this eight-day journey explores its wild wonders. You walk among the steaming craters and lava fields of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, snorkel with manta rays gliding through the water at night, stargaze from the slopes of Mauna Kea, one of the best astronomy sites on earth, and swim with sea turtles on the Kona coast. Along the way you tour coffee and macadamia farms, hike to waterfalls and explore the island's rich Hawaiian heritage. For travellers who want nature, adventure and geological drama, the Big Island delivers like nowhere else in the islands.
Highlights

Trip Highlights

  • Active volcanoes and lava fields
  • Snorkelling with manta rays at night
  • Stargazing on Mauna Kea
  • Swimming with sea turtles
  • Kona coffee and macadamia farms
  • Waterfalls, black-sand beaches and rainforest
Itinerary

Day by Day

A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.

Day 1

Met at Kona airport with a lei greeting and transferred to your resort on the sunny Kona coast. Settle in and enjoy a welcome dinner as the sun sets over the Pacific.

Your Journey This Day
Kona Airport
Arrival · Private
Kona resort
Meals Included
Breakfast|Dinner
Day 2

A day exploring the Kona coast, its historic Hawaiian sites, a coffee farm to taste world-famous Kona coffee, and snorkelling with sea turtles in a sheltered bay.

Meals Included
Breakfast|Lunch
Day 3

A day at leisure on the coast, followed by an unforgettable evening snorkel or dive watching manta rays glide gracefully through the lantern-lit water, a Big Island highlight.

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 4

A free day to relax on the Kona coast, kayak to Captain Cook monument, or take an optional dolphin or fishing trip.

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 5

You cross the island to the Volcano area near Hilo, exploring the lush windward side, waterfalls and rainforest on the way, and settling in near the national park.

Your Journey This Day
Kona
Road · Scenic drive
Volcano
Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 6

A full day exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, walking among steaming craters, lava tubes and lava fields, and witnessing the raw power of active volcanism, especially dramatic after dark.

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 7

A day exploring Hilo, its gardens and waterfalls, and an evening trip up the slopes of Mauna Kea for sunset and world-class stargazing beneath some of the clearest skies on earth.

Meals Included
Breakfast
Day 8

After breakfast you are transferred to Hilo or Kona airport for your onward flight, having explored the wild heart of the islands.

Your Journey This Day
Big Island
Departure · Private
Airport
Meals Included
Breakfast
Route Map

Where You Will Travel

Package

What's inside the package?

Inclusions

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a coffee-farm lunch
  • Airport and inter-island transfers
  • Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert guides
  • Inter-island flights as specified
  • National park and attraction entry fees as per itinerary
  • a Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tour, a manta ray snorkel, a Mauna Kea stargazing trip and a waterfalls tour

Exclusions

  • International airfare
  • Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
  • Drinks unless specifically stated
  • Optional excursions and experiences
  • Personal expenses and gratuities
  • Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Best Time to Travel

Know when to go.

Place
Hawaii
Conditions
Warm, drier winter
Daily max temperature
27°C
Monthly rainfall
80mm
Weather data is based on monthly averages. Popularity rating
Good to Know
  • Visa & ESTA: Hawaii is part of the USA, so Visa Waiver Program travellers need an approved ESTA before flying, and other nationalities need a US B-2 visa; a valid passport is required. We advise you based on your nationality
  • Currency & tipping: The currency is the US Dollar and cards are accepted everywhere; tipping is expected as elsewhere in the USA, around 18 to 20 percent in restaurants and tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff
  • Best time to visit: Hawaii is a year-round destination with warm weather always; summer (April to October) is drier and sunnier, while winter (November to March) is slightly wetter but brings the big surf and whale season
  • Island hopping: Each island has its own character, and most itineraries combine two or more via short inter-island flights, which we arrange; allow a little time for the airport connections between islands
  • Ocean safety: Respect the ocean, currents and surf can be powerful, especially in winter; swim at lifeguarded beaches, heed warning flags, and use reef-safe sunscreen, which is required by law to protect the coral
  • Volcanoes & nature: On the Big Island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park showcases active volcanism; conditions vary with volcanic activity, and we advise on what is accessible during your visit
  • Whales & wildlife: Humpback whales visit Hawaiian waters roughly December to April, best seen off Maui; sea turtles, dolphins and tropical fish can be seen year-round while snorkelling
  • Health & power: No vaccinations are required, but travel insurance is essential as US healthcare is costly. Power is 120V with type A and B plugs, so bring an adapter; respect local culture and sacred sites throughout
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Will we see active lava?

Volcanic activity varies over time, so flowing lava is never guaranteed, but Hawaii Volcanoes National Park always offers dramatic craters, steam vents and lava fields, and a glowing crater is often visible after dark. We advise on current conditions.

Is Mauna Kea stargazing suitable for everyone?

The visitor-centre stargazing is suitable for most travellers, while trips to the summit involve high altitude (over 4,000 metres) and are not recommended for young children or those with health concerns. We tailor the experience to your group.

What meals are included?

Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner or a luau. Hawaii's food, from fresh poke to island fusion, is a highlight, so most lunches and dinners are left free with our recommendations.

Are inter-island flights included?

Yes — any inter-island flights specified in your itinerary are arranged and included, along with all airport and hotel transfers, so your island hopping is seamless.

Which islands should we visit?

Each island has its own character, Oahu for city, history and surf; Maui for beaches and whales; Kauai for dramatic scenery; and the Big Island for volcanoes. We help you choose or combine them to match your interests and time.

When is the best time to visit Hawaii?

Hawaii is warm year-round; summer (April to October) is driest and sunniest, while winter brings the big surf and, from December to April, the humpback whales. We advise on the best timing for your plans.

Is Hawaii good for families and honeymoons alike?

Wonderfully so — the islands suit everyone, with gentle beaches, wildlife and adventure for families, and romantic resorts, sunsets and seclusion for honeymooners. We tailor the islands and hotels to your travel style.

Can the itinerary be customised?

Absolutely. We can adjust which islands you visit and for how long, mix resorts and boutique stays, add adventures or downtime, and tailor everything to your interests and budget.