Private Tour: Experience Active Kilauea Volcano & Hilo Rainbow Falls
Overview
Treat yourself to an exclusive private tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo's tropical beauty.
Travel to the summit of Hawaii Island's youngest and most active volcano, Kilauea. If the timing is right you may witness the incredible show of an eruption! Experience the steaming Kilauea caldera, misty rainforest of Nahuku (Thurston lava tube), and the Chain of Craters Road. Enjoy short hikes along the way as you learn about past and present volcanic eruptions, different lava formations, and the history and Hawaiian culture of the area.
As a private tour, you will have the option of spending the duration of your tour in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with optional hiking or heading down to Hilo with stops at the majestic Rainbow Falls, Liliuokalani Gardens and a local chocolate factory.
The Hilo & Volcano private tour begins in Hilo. If you choose the Volcano Only private tour, you may opt to meet in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
What's Included
- Snacks Island chips
- Bottled water Help protect our island environment and bring your own refillable water bottle!
- National park entry fee
- Private transportation
- Professional guide
- Lunch There are no options for meal purchases along the way. Many travelers like to plan for a late lunch upon return to Hilo. You are also welcome to bring your own snacks for the trail.
- Gratuities
- We DO NOT provide transportation from Kona or Waikoloa. Please meet us in Hilo or Volcano.
Meeting and Pickup
CRUISE SHIP PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS: Upon disembarking the cruise ship in Hilo, head through the passenger terminal and look for your guide standing to the left near the pre-arranged tour operators with a sign that reads "Mauka Makai Adventures". Please check in with your guide 15 minutes prior to tour start time.HILO AIRPORT PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS: Please schedule your flight to arrive at the Hilo Airport a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the tour start time. We require your airline flight number and arrival time to schedule pickup at the airport. As you disembark the airplane head towards Baggage Claim “D”. Look for the tour operator parking area near the restrooms. Our vans are marked with the logo "Mauka Makai Adventures".**HILO HOTEL PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS: We provide pick up service at Hilo Hotels along Banyan Drive only. Please meet your tour guide near the front entrance to the lobby, our vans are marked with the logo "Mauka Makai Adventures." We may also contact you prior to the tour to make arrangements for a meeting location.ALL OTHERS STAYING ON ISLAND: If you are driving from Kona, Waikoloa, or another part of the island, please meet us at the Hilo Mo'oheau Bus Terminal (329 Kamehameha Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720). There is free parking adjacent to the bus terminal. Look for our van parked in the parking lot with the "Mauka Makai Adventures" logo on it.OR MEET US AT THE VOLCANO: You may choose to meet us at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Kilauea Visitor Center. This option would be for a Volcano Only Private Tour (all of the tour time will be in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the sites in Hilo will not be included). Park entrance fees will apply to your vehicle and the tour start and end time may be adjusted.
What To Expect
Book Online
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
2 hours Admission Ticket Included
Nahuku - Thurston Lava Tube
30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Chain of Craters Road
30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Rainbow Falls
20 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Big Island Candies
15 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Lili'uokalani Gardens
20 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Kilauea volcano is an active volcano, you may be exposed to volcanic gas on this tour.
- This tour cannot accommodate guests with wheelchairs, scooters or oxygen tanks.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Youth ages 10 years and older only are allowed on this tour. All participants must have a paid seat. We do not allow children under the age of 10 years old.
- Covered walking shoes are required and a jacket is highly recommended.
- Operates in all weather conditions (be prepared for sun, wind and rain).
- We do not guarantee you will see molten lava on this tour.
- HOTEL pick-up is offered for select HILO HOTELS ONLY. If you are staying outside of Hilo, please plan to meet at the Hilo Mo'oheau Bus Terminal (please confirm at time of booking).
- CRUISE SHIP passengers, we pick-up directly at the PORT OF HILO and will adjust the tour time as needed to accommodate your ships time in port.
- For a one DAY TRIP to the Big Island, please make your travel arrangements to and from the HILO AIRPORT. Schedule your flight arrival a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the tour start time AND provide your flight details at time of booking.
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Tour: Experience Active Kilauea Volcano & Hilo Rainbow Falls?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-6871P8
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 12 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (HST).
- Snacks. Island chips.
- Bottled water. Help protect our island environment and bring your own refillable water bottle!.
- National park entry fee.
- Private transportation.
- Professional guide.
- Lunch. There are no options for meal purchases along the way. Many travelers like to plan for a late lunch upon return to Hilo. You are also welcome to bring your own snacks for the trail.
- Gratuities.
- We DO NOT provide transportation from Kona or Waikoloa. Please meet us in Hilo or Volcano.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 10..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Private Tour: Experience Active Kilauea Volcano & Hilo Rainbow Falls is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Kilauea volcano is an active volcano, you may be exposed to volcanic gas on this tour.
- This tour cannot accommodate guests with wheelchairs, scooters or oxygen tanks.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Private Tour: Experience Active Kilauea Volcano & Hilo Rainbow Falls will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- SnacksIsland chips
- Bottled waterHelp protect our island environment and bring your own refillable water bottle!
- National park entry fee
- Private transportation
- Professional guide
- LunchThere are no options for meal purchases along the way. Many travelers like to plan for a late lunch upon return to Hilo. You are also welcome to bring your own snacks for the trail.
- Gratuities
- We DO NOT provide transportation from Kona or Waikoloa. Please meet us in Hilo or Volcano.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Kilauea volcano is an active volcano, you may be exposed to volcanic gas on this tour.
- This tour cannot accommodate guests with wheelchairs, scooters or oxygen tanks.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Youth ages 10 years and older only are allowed on this tour. All participants must have a paid seat. We do not allow children under the age of 10 years old.
- Covered walking shoes are required and a jacket is highly recommended.
- Operates in all weather conditions (be prepared for sun, wind and rain).
- We do not guarantee you will see molten lava on this tour.
- HOTEL pick-up is offered for select HILO HOTELS ONLY. If you are staying outside of Hilo, please plan to meet at the Hilo Mo'oheau Bus Terminal (please confirm at time of booking).
- CRUISE SHIP passengers, we pick-up directly at the PORT OF HILO and will adjust the tour time as needed to accommodate your ships time in port.
- For a one DAY TRIP to the Big Island, please make your travel arrangements to and from the HILO AIRPORT. Schedule your flight arrival a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the tour start time AND provide your flight details at time of booking.
