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Nāhuku - Thurston Lava Tube, Island of Hawaii

Nāhuku - Thurston Lava Tube, Island of Hawaii: Our most recommended tours and activities

Big Island: Volcanoes National Park Group or Private Hike

1. Big Island: Volcanoes National Park Group or Private Hike

See it all on a group or private hike in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, uncovering its natural wonders. Journey with your expert guide through native Hawaiian forests and the Kilauea Iki Crater to an active caldera, then travel into the center of the earth to explore Thurston Lava Tube. Start your trek at the Kilauea Visitor Center where you'll meet your friendly guide and get ready for your adventure. Venture into the lush rainforests and experience incredible views over the solidified lava lake in Kilauea Iki Crater. Weave your way between a field of steam vents and into a native Hawaiian forest to reach the caldera of a volcano. Observe the gigantic volcanic walls and feel the heat close against your skin. Finish your hike in style as you delve into the iconic Thurston Lava Tube, a stretching, subterranean cave formed by ancient flowing lava. Feel the wonder of one of the park's most popular attractions before heading back to the visitor center.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Private Discovery Tour

2. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Private Discovery Tour

Set off on a full-day customizable adventure tour with hotel pickup. Meet your private guide and drive along the beautiful Kona coast to stop first at the famous Punalu‘u Bakery. See Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach before entering one of the most unique geological, biological and cultural landscapes on earth, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy a picnic lunch and a 3-course dinner. Following hotel pickup, travel south along the Kona coast and take in breathtaking views of lush vegetation and pristine coastline. Listen to your guide describe the cultural history of the area as well as the local flora and fauna. Arrive at the southernmost bakery in the United States. Punalu‘u Bakery is world-renown for its sweet bread, malasadas (Portuguese fried dough), and other delicious treats. Enjoy a complimentary coffee or tea and choose a malasada before heading on to explore the most beautiful black sand beach on the island, Punalu‘u. Enjoy the relaxing feeling of black sand under your toes while listening to the wind move through the palms and across the water. Your guide will keep a lookout for green sea turtles and endangered hawksbill sea turtles that frequent the beach. The iconic Hawaii Volcanoes National Park encompasses the summit of 2 of the world’s most active volcanoes and extends from sea level up to the summit of Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet. You’ll spend the majority of your tour in the park taking in all the natural wonders. Explore the main attractions in the park including the Thurston Lava Tube, Chain of Craters Road, Pu‘u Loa Petroglyph field, as well as many other lesser-known locations. Enjoy a guided 2 to 3-mile hike and marvel at the incredible views of the current eruption inside Halema‘uma‘u Crater during the day and “the glow” at night. If there is no active lava flowing at the time of your tour, you’ll also have the opportunity to stargaze with a state-of-the-art Vaonis Stellina telescope. For dinner: sit, relax, and enjoy a meal sourced with local ingredients and Hawaiian-infused cuisine at a local restaurant just outside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Depart Volcano and head back to your place of lodging feeling happy, full, and filled with exciting new memories.

Big Island: Rainbow Falls & Volcano Park Private Tour

3. Big Island: Rainbow Falls & Volcano Park Private Tour

Following pick up at your place of lodging, we travel over Saddle Road between two of the largest volcanoes on Earth, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, to the lush east coast of the Big Island. Our first stop is at the iconic Wailuku River State Park and we will take in the majestic beauty of Rainbow Falls. From there, we will continue to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, this iconic park encompasses the summit of two of the world’s most active volcanoes and extends from sea level up to the summit of Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet. It’s home to critically endangered wildlife and some of the most unique geological, biological, and cultural landscapes on earth. Upon entering the park, enjoy a walk along the rim of Halema‘uma‘u Crater for unique views of the current eruption. Also, we will stop and see the natural steam vents at Wahinekapu. From there we will travel down the Chain of Craters road to the Thurston lava tube. Experience this massive lava tube which is 600 feet long and over 20 feet tall in some places. Depending on what your group would like to do and see, additional stops in the Park can include Ha'akulamanu (Sulfur Banks), Mauanulu lava fields, Pauahi Crater, Holei Sea Arch, and Pu'uloa petroglyph field. At sunset, hike out to the best lava viewing location along the rim of Halema’uma’u crater to witness the active eruption as the sun goes down and gets dark. Following our night lava viewing, sit and relax for dinner in the town of Volcano before departing back to your place of lodging feeling happy, full, and filled with exciting new memories.

Big Island: Private Circle the Island Tour

4. Big Island: Private Circle the Island Tour

Discover the beauty and grace of the Big Island of Hawaii on a private tour. Explore some of the island's most unique and idyllic locations, including the Kona coast, Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, Hilo's iconic waterfalls, and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Sit back and relax as all meals and drinks (excluding alcoholic ones) are included throughout your day. Make your way to your first stop: the South Kona Coffee Farm for a tour and coffee sampling. Travel south along the striking Kona coast and absorb the breathtaking views of lush vegetation and coastline. Listen to your guide describe the cultural history of the area as well as the local flora and fauna. Then, visit the southernmost bakery in the United States, Punalu‘u Bakery. World renown for their sweet bread, malasadas, and other delicious treats. Enjoy a malasada and a coffee or tea. Continue your tour to one of the prettiest black sand beaches in all of the Hawaiian Islands, Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach. Relax with black sand between your toes while listening to the wind move through the palms. Keep a look out for green and hawksbill sea turtles that frequent the beach. Next, make your way to the the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. This iconic park encompasses the summit of two of the world’s most active volcanoes and extends from sea level up to the summit of Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet. Explore the main attractions in the park including the Thurston Lava Tube, Chain of Craters Road, and a nature walk along the Halema‘uma‘u Crater. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the beauty of the park before embarking on the next leg of your adventure. From the park, venture up to Hilo to visit the picturesque Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls State Park. Both waterfalls are a sight to behold. Beautiful falls combined with lush vegetation make these stops photo-worthy. Then, drive along the 50-mile stretch of the Hamakua Coast with its hidden waterfalls, tropical rainforest, and lush green valleys. Described as one of the most beautiful locations in the state, it’s well worth the scenic drive. Arrive at Waipio Valley in the late afternoon. Enjoy the sprawling views as your guide explains the rich history of the area. Continue your ride to marvel at the bright sunset views of Waimea. To get there, travel through Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) country and take in this historic area with its rolling, green pastures, the home to cattle, cowboys, and one of the largest cattle ranches in the United States; Parker Ranch. Enjoy a local and authentic dinner in Waimea where surf and turf is a definite menu staple, before returning to your hotel.

Other Sightseeing Options in Nāhuku - Thurston Lava Tube, Island of Hawaii

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What people are saying about Nāhuku - Thurston Lava Tube, Island of Hawaii

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 13 reviews

Had a great experience, hiked down in to the volcano caldera!! Jennifer, our guide very knowledgable. Provided a variety of information about the kieleau volcano, its eruption history, its affect on the island of Hawaii, local plants and trees. Good sennic views on the trails we walked. Great tour!! Greg

This was a really good tour. Our guide, Jennifer, was very knowledgeable, friendly and was attentive to our condition. It was hot and this is quite a workout. She made sure we hydrated and would frequently ask if we needed a break. It seemed like we were walking on the moon. It was so cool!

Jennifer was responsive prior to the event, and was experienced as a guide. She also provided a lot of good history about the volcano and their history, as well as suggestions for other activities in the area.

This was an incredible experience. Our tour guide, Shawn, was informative of the island's history and landscape and could not have been more accommodating. I highly recommend this trip

Much seen and many explanations by Shawn. Everything as we wanted it