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Both Big Island sightseeing days start from Hilo and centre on Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The Volcano Park Shore Excursion from Hilo is built for cruise days, at $125 per person, and the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach & Volcano Tour adds the turtles at Punalu’u to a seven to eight hour day, at $179 per adult and $149 per child.
If your ship is in Hilo, read cruise ship days in Hilo for what fits into eight hours, and volcano tours from Kona or Hilo if you are choosing a base.
Cruise passengers. The Volcano Park Shore Excursion is timed to cruise schedules from Hilo Harbor, with a guaranteed return to the ship. In eight hours it covers Rainbow Falls, the park’s craters, steam vents and lava tube, Chain of Craters Road, macadamia and chocolate stops, and a black sand beach.
Turtles and a full loop. The Punalu’u tour is an eight-hour loop from Hilo: green sea turtles on the black sand at Punalu’u, the craters and lava tube in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and Rainbow Falls in historic Hilo. Lunch is included. The turtles are federally protected, so keep the required distance.
What to expect. The shore excursion involves moderate walking on lava surfaces, and the park is cooler and wetter than the coast, so bring a light rain layer whichever tour you choose.
An 8-hour cruise-timed group excursion from Hilo Harbor — Rainbow Falls, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park's crat...
An 8-hour loop from Hilo hitting three Big Island icons — green sea turtles basking on Punalu'u's black sand, ...
Hilo is one of the wettest cities in the United States. A light rain jacket earns its place on every east-side day.
The volcano park’s summit area is around 4,000 feet up and noticeably cooler than Hilo. Bring a warm layer.
On a port day, book a tour built around ship times so you are back well before all-aboard.
At Punalu’u, turtles rest on the sand. Watch from a distance and never touch them.
Two volcano-centred days from Hilo: the Volcano Park Shore Excursion for cruise passengers ($125) and the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach & Volcano Tour ($179 adult, $149 child).
Yes. The Volcano Park Shore Excursion from Hilo is built around cruise days, so it works to a ship’s schedule.
The group departures leave from Hilo. The Punalu’u tour offers Kona pickups for private and custom bookings.
About seven to eight hours for the Punalu’u tour, and a full port day for the shore excursion.
A rain jacket and a warm layer: Hilo is wet and the volcano summit area is cooler, at around 4,000 feet.
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