Journey south from Kona into the heart of coffee country, where your adventure begins at Bay View Farm, a working 24-acre coffee plantation nestled on the slopes of Mauna Loa Volcano. Perched above stunning Kealakekua Bay, this farm has been producing exceptional Kona coffee since 1984. Here you’ll witness coffee growing on the trees and learn about the complete coffee-making process, from harvest to roast, all happening right on the property. Sample 100% Kona Coffee while taking in breathtaking views of Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook monument. Continue through the South Kona and Ka’u Districts, where dramatic scenery unfolds through your tour vehicle’s large picture windows—stark lava flows giving way to Hawaiian dry forest. A stop at Punalu’u Bake Shop, the southernmost bakery in America, offers a taste of time-honored Hawaiian sweetbreads, followed by a visit to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, where coconut palms sway above volcanic sand and honu may be spotted feeding offshore or basking in the sun.
The crown jewel of this evening tour awaits at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll explore the Kilauea Visitor’s Center, the Volcano Art Center, and the famed Sulphur Banks. Hike out to Keanakako’i Crater and step over the sinkholes and road cracks left by the historic 2018 eruption before continuing to Mauna Ulu, one of the most culturally sensitive locations in the park. This remarkable landscape offers endless photo opportunities, with unusual shapes and fascinating colors revealing themselves the closer you look. Take a break at the historic Volcano House, which has welcomed notable guests including Mark Twain and Jack London since 1864, where you can enjoy the views or browse the gift shop. Both lunch and dinner are included on this comprehensive exploration of the Big Island’s volcanic wonders and coastal treasures.