If you’re not planning to stay anywhere on the Big Island during your trip to Hawai‘i, you can still visit Kilauea Volcano at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Yup, you heard me right. We offer day trips to the volcano from the island of O’ahu. We’ll arrange round-trip flights between Honolulu and Hilo, and we’ll handle all of the details to ensure that you have an unforgettable experience. Our expert Big Island tour guides will make sure you get an in-depth visit to the National Park and other East Hawai‘i landmarks and destinations.
You’ll have a choice whether to add a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter ride to your itinerary! The Helicopter and Volcano Adventure Tour will be the highlight of your Hawai‘i vacation!
Getting There
Tours are offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Your tour begins when you arrive at Honolulu International Airport for your flight to Hilo.
You’ll be booked on an early morning flight from Honolulu to Hilo, usually the first flight of the day, around 6 am. And you won’t return to the Honolulu Airport until almost 8 pm.
Ground transportation to and from the Honolulu Airport isn’t included, so you’ll need to plan for an Uber, taxi, or shuttle to transport you from your accommodations.
All transportation once you’re on the Big Island is included in the tour price, where your tour driver and guide will pick you up and transport you to see Kilauea Volcano at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and other Big Island attractions.
You can trust our expertise. Your safety and enjoyment are our priority.
“I was apprehensive about going on a 13-hour tour. That just seemed too long. By the end of the day, it felt too short. I did not want it to end…”
@Rachel M.
What’s Included on Your Day Trip to Kilauea Volcano? And What Will You See?
You’ll be traveling to the Big Island with others who are excited to see Kilauea Volcano. The National Park is huge and diverse, covering almost 523 square miles. It not only has two active volcanoes – Mauna Loa and Kilauea – but the volcanoes are 25 miles apart and still within the park boundaries.
All of you will spend most of the day together touring the Hilo area and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll have a picnic lunch. Volcano Adventure Tour from Oahu to Hilo is the best tour around to help you make the most of a day on the Big Island. After your time at the national park, your guide will take you back to Hilo. Those who have reserved a helicopter ride will be dropped off at the Hilo Heliport, which is adjacent to the Hilo Airport. Your guide will then continue on a more expansive driving tour of Hilo, waterfalls, the historic downtown area, and Hilo’s beautiful coastline.
This is what’s included for everyone in your all-inclusive price:
- Round-trip, direct interisland airfare from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to Hilo International Airport (ITO).
- Hilo Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Seven-hour guided land tour of East Hawai‘i
- Admission to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park & Akaka Falls State Park
- Picnic lunch provided by Millie’s Deli, a local Hilo favorite
For those with reservations for an added helicopter tour:
- 55-minute guided helicopter tour over the national park, craters, and parts of the park that are not easily accessible on foot
- Commentary in English
- Use of Bose noise-canceling headphones
- Use of a two-way microphone to communicate with the pilot
Points of Interest that everyone will see:
- Akaka Falls
- Halema‘uma‘u Crater
- Steam vents
- Nāhuku Lava Tube
- Chain of Craters Road
- Kealakomo Overlook
Hilo town points of interest visited after the helicopter passengers have been dropped off:
- Rainbow Falls
- Historic Downtown Hilo
- Banyan Drive
- Lili‘uokalani Gardens
Will You See Lava on Your Day Trip to the Volcano?
No one has been able to predict, with absolute accuracy, when Kilauea Volcano will erupt. One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea has been erupting intermittently since December 23, 2024. Eruptions have included lava fountaining and flows within Halema‘uma‘u Crater, which is part of Kilauea’s summit caldera. These short eruptions have lasted for hours or a few days, with periods of quiet between eruptive episodes.
Scientists have noted a pattern of short Kilauea eruptions about once a week since December. They’ve numbered these brief eruptive episodes, and as of this writing, Episode 26 happened on June 20, 2025, for just nine hours.
It’s a special treat to witness Kilauea erupting. Even if fresh lava is not flowing in the National Park when you visit, there is so much to see and learn about Hawai‘i Island’s volcanoes. You’ll be amazed when you realize that you are, indeed, on an island created by thousands of years of volcanic eruptions.
Massive volcanic craters, hot steam seeping up from the ground, stark landscapes of hardened black lava, and underground lava tubes to explore – these are all part of what you will see on a day trip to the volcano.
What Will the Day Be Like on the Big Island?
This tour is designed for a small group of no more than 12-26 passengers. It’s not your typical group tour with crowds of people being shuttled around. This tour is more personalized, and the day’s itinerary can be more flexible. You’ll either ride in an air-conditioned van or minibus, depending on the group’s size, on the tour day. This tour isn’t recommended for women who are or may be pregnant because the air quality at the volcano varies daily depending on the eruption.
Your local tour driver will keep your day as flexible as possible. Island weather is known to change quickly. A sunny morning could change into a rainy afternoon. Road conditions may be unpredictable because of traffic, road work, or unpredictable hazards. Fortunately, experienced local drivers who know the area well are in charge of your day trip to the volcano.
“Our guide was prompt picking us up & he showed us an amazing day. His extensive understanding & love of the volcano is clear from his superb narration to secrets he knows about the island. He made everyone feel special & really made the trip incredible.”
@Neal Q.
The other sights you’ll likely visit are:
Halema‘uma‘u Crater Overlook – This is the crater where eruptions have been happening since December 2024. Hawaiian legends say that this massive Crater is home to Pele, the Volcano Goddess.
Iki Crater Overlook – This smaller pit crater is next to Kilauea’s main caldera and is now a solidified lava lake that is safe to hike.
Steam Vents – Molten lava runs deep underground, and hot vapor seeps up through the surface.
Nāhuku Lava Tube – It’s chilly walking through this huge lava cave created over 500 years ago when a river of hot lava ran through it and created a large air bubble that burst, leaving this cave tunnel behind.
Chain of Craters Road – Your tour driver will take you down part of this winding but well-paved road. You’ll pass ancient remnants of eruptions, volcanic craters, and other traces of past lava flows.
After enjoying your picnic lunch, you’ll eventually head back down to Hilo town.
If any tour passengers have booked a helicopter tour for an aerial view of the national park, the driver will head to Hilo Airport to drop them off.
Next, you’ll visit historic Downtown Hilo and nearby Rainbow Falls. The 80-foot-tall waterfall got its name from the rainbow that often forms on the waterfall’s mist on rainy mornings.
After viewing Rainbow Falls, your driver may take you along Hilo’s Banyan Drive, lined with banyan trees planted by famous visitors such as aviator Amelia Earhart, President Richard Nixon, and musician Louis Armstrong, to name a few.
You might make stops at the King Kamehameha Statue and Lili‘uokalani Gardens, a beautiful 24-acre Japanese-style garden fronting Hilo Bay with a close-up view of nearshore Coconut Island.
Other Things to Know:
- A typical tour day starts with a 30+ mile ride from Hilo to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. It’ll be a gradual climb from sea level to 3000 feet elevation, passing dense rainforest jungle and small rural towns.
- Once you arrive at the National Park, you’ll explore the dramatic landscape of past and present volcanic eruptions. You’ll only be able to see a tiny fraction of this immense national park.
- The weather may also be unpredictable. Bring sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and a light jacket for chilly temperatures or light rain. Also, wear closed-toe shoes, not sandals or “flip-flops”. I recommend wearing jeans or other long pants, but you could pack shorts in your bag if it gets too hot.
- If you are going on a helicopter, wear dark clothing as it reduces your reflection in the glass windows and ensures you will get clearer photos and video.
- Make sure your cellphone is fully charged in the morning because you’ll want to take a lot of photos. If you have a mini flashlight, throw it in your bag.
- Bring your binoculars when you pack for your trip to Hawai‘i. You’ll have lots of times when you’ll use them. It’s worth it to buy a cheap pair if you arrive in Hawai‘i without them.
Final note…
If you have any questions that aren’t answered on this website, we’ll find the answer for you. Call our FREE CONCIERGE SERVICE at (808) 900-6070, and we’d be glad to help you plan your day on the Big Island. Our team has one goal: to help travelers have an awesome day!