Big Island Grand Circle Island Tour
Big Island Grand Circle Island Tour
For every direct booking through September 30th, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a local nonprofit to support local storm relief and recovery efforts for affected communities.
Join us on a guided Big Island Grand Circle Island Tour
Experience the incredible diversity of Hawaiʻi on a guided Grand Circle Island tour led by knowledgeable local guides. Travel along the Kona coast to a local coffee farm to sample world-renowned Kona coffee and learn about the island’s agricultural heritage. Continue to Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, where Hawaiian green sea turtles are often seen resting on the shore.
Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park by walking through the historic Nāhuku Lava Tube, visiting steam vents, and looking out over active craters. In the afternoon, journey along the Hāmākua Coast to marvel at the sheer power of the soaring, 442-foot ‘Akaka Falls and the beautiful Rainbow Falls. End the day with a breathtaking sunset view at the Waipiʻo Valley overlook. This tour offers an immersive journey through the many microclimates and natural wonders of the Big Island.
Guests Love Our Big Island Grand Circle Island Tour
Our Grand Circle Island Tour is perfect for travelers who want to experience the true scale and ecological diversity of the Big Island in a single, well-paced day. This comprehensive itinerary takes you through rapidly shifting landscapes—from arid lava fields to lush rainforests—allowing you to experience the dramatic contrast of our climate zones without the exhaustion of managing the massive, hours-long drive yourself.
Your guide brings the changing terrain to life, connecting the dots between iconic black sand beaches, active volcanic zones, and towering coastal cliffs. By weaving together stories of regional history and geology, this tour transforms a long island traverse into a seamless, deeply enriching exploration of Hawaiʻi’s most famous natural landmarks.
Big Island Grand Circle Island Tour itinerary
Kona Coffee Farm
Sip estate-grown Kona coffee while overlooking the coastline where every bean is grown, harvested, and roasted right on the mountainside.
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
Walk across the jet-black volcanic sands and spot Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles basking along this dramatic, palm-fringed coastline.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Witness the raw power of the earth as you explore steaming craters, ancient lava tubes, and the ever-shifting landscapes of Kīlauea.
Akaka Falls
Take a short walk through a lush tropical ravine to witness this towering 442-foot giant plummeting into a verdant rainforest canopy.
Rainbow Falls
Catch the beauty and the legendary cave of Hina at this iconic Hilo landmark framed by one of the island’s largest banyan trees.
Waipiʻo Valley Lookout
Stand at the edge of the ‘Valley of Kings’ and take in the dramatic 2,000-foot cliffs that guard one of the island’s most sacred landscapes.
Big Island Grand Circle Island Tour 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 Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Waipi’o Valley Lookout
- Explore active volcanic craters, steam vents, crater rim trails, and the lava tube in Hawai’i 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
Big Island Grand Circle Island Tour
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.
You will first stop at a Kona Coffee Farm in the morning. Walk through the orchards with your guide learning about the harvesting and milling process while sampling a warm cup of Kona-grown coffee. On the leisure drive, you’ll see views of the historic Kealakekua Bay from a distance, and of South Point, the southernmost point of the United States.
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. Your adventure continues with exploring the wonders of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, including steam vents, past lava flow sites, the Halema’uma’u and Kīlauea Iki crater lookouts, and take a short hike through the 600-foot-long Thurston Lava Tube formed hundreds of years ago.
The afternoon is filled with visits to some of the most majestic waterfalls on the Big Island. First, visit Rainbow Falls, one of Hilo’s most iconic natural attractions. This beautiful 80-foot (24-meter) waterfall cascades over a lava cave into a large pool below and is framed by a magnificent banyan tree. Next, continue to ‘Akaka Falls, home to the island’s most dramatic waterfall. A short, scenic walk through lush tropical rainforest leads to a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking where water plunges 442-feet (135-meters) into a deep gorge below. Along the trail, you’ll also encounter vibrant vegetation, bamboo groves, and smaller cascading waterfalls, making the journey just as memorable as the destination.
Continuing the drive along the Hāmākua Coast, more postcard-worthy views will pass by your window, ushering you to the next destination, the sunset views will stop you in your tracks at the Waipi’o Valley lookout, where a dramatic backdrop of verdant cliffs drops into the sparkling blue ocean.
Note: This tour is exactly the same as Big Island in a Day Tour. Tripadvisor/Viator just promotes it using a different name.