Big Island Circle Tour
This tour is designed as a sightseeing tour and is very low impact.
Duration:
11 hours
What to Expect:
Experience the different districts and microclimates of Hawaii Island in one day, all from the comfort of our upscale luxury vehicles. This tour showcases the best of the island, with views of Kona, Ka’u and Hamakua coastlines, complete with our favorite stops in between. Catered meals, park fees, and private access to some of the island’s treasures are included. Our National Park-certified guides will invite you to relax, put away your GPS, and enjoy the scenery of the Big Island.
A light continental breakfast and a gourmet lunch are provided.
Vegetarian and vegan options are available.
For their comfort, this tour is not suitable for children under the age of 5.
Recommendations:
This tour is for guests 5 years and older. It is designed as a sightseeing tour and is very low impact. Passengers traveling with a wheelchair or walker are more than welcome to join our tour. Spacious Mercedes passenger vans provide the ultimate in comfort for guests and want a more personal and authentic Hawaiian Experience. The Big Island Circle Tour is designed to give our guests an affordable first-class tour while experiencing all that the Big Island has to offer!
Points of Interest:
Premium Kona Coffee Farm, Punalu’u Bake Shop, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Volcano Winery and Tea Farm, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea Caldera Overlook, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Visitor’s Center, steam vents, Thurston Lava Tube, Rainbow Falls, Hamakua Coast.
An English-speaking driver/guide, Mercedes 15-passenger mini-coach, a gourmet snack basket, bottled water, a variety of sodas and juices, hot beverages, lavender scented hot & cold towel service, umbrellas and lightweight jackets in the event of rain, a continental breakfast, and a gourmet picnic lunch. This tour has a maximum of 13 passengers to provide plenty of headroom in the cabin and comes with a state-of-the-art audio and visual public address package.
What to Bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, camera. We recommend bringing a small backpack or tote bag for your personal items as there is plenty of room in our spacious cabin.
What to Wear:
Although Hawaii is home to the endless summer, there are places and times where the temperature can drop substantially. Weather can change dramatically from hot and humid to cool and wet conditions. Sunscreen and/or bug spray should be applied well before joining the tour. We require wearing comfortable closed-toe footwear. A hat and sunglasses are optional but highly recommended. Most guests bring a light jacket and/or long pants.
You can see the 10-day forecast for Volcanoes National Park here.
What is Served:
BREAKFAST:
A light continental breakfast will be served with your freshly brewed Kona coffee between 8:30-9am.
LUNCH:
Gourmet picnic lunch served in an outdoor setting just before noon. A typical menu might include grilled chicken served on a bed of quinoa salad, a dinner roll, and a brownie lava bar.
Seasonal menu is subject to change.
Disclosures:
Tour description and itinerary are subject to change. Due to the topographical and weather changes that have recently affected the tour area, some attractions, and sites may be unreachable or unsafe to visit. Park officials have recently reopened Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with several restrictions as they continue to make repairs. Park officials have been known to restrict entry without notice. Will not issue refunds caused by park restrictions.
- Punalu’u Black Sand Beach – Discovering native wildlife is always a Hawaii highlight. This stretch of black sand beach is not only beautiful and unique but is a popular basking spot for the Hawaiian turtle or “honu.”
- Kona Joe Coffee – Enjoy a delicious catered lunch at this unique local favorite. Taste local coffee and browse at the gift shop.
- Hawaii Volcanos National Park – See Big Island volcanoes!
- The massive park is consistently listed as a must-see for visitors. Our tour highlights all the park’s best including Chain of Craters Road, natural steam vents, and views of the new Halemau’mau Crater.
- Rainbow Falls – One of “The Best Waterfalls in Hawaii” in every guidebook and blog. Witness one of the most famous Big Island waterfalls up close and personal!
- Kona Coffee Tour & Tasting – Coffee tours are rated one of the “Top 5 Things to Do on the Big Island” by the Hawaii Guide. Take your own Kona coffee tour, and sample a variety of locally grown, premium coffees and teas.
- Waipio Valley Lookout – Take in a spectacular view of the Hamakua Coast on the way to the most famous lookout on the island.
- Punalu’u Bake Shop –The Southernmost bakery in the United States! But that’s not the only reason it’s a favorite. .try the “ono” (delicious) malasadas to find out why they’re a must-visit
| Big Island Circle Tour | |
| Adults 12 years and above | $249 |
| Children Ages 5-11 years old | $239 |
| Private SUV Up to 4 adults and 2 children • All Ages | $2,490 |
| Private Luxury Mini Coach Up to 14 passengers • All Ages | $2,988 |
will not refund tour price due to weather-related reasons. We will promise an incredible volcano experience but unfortunately cannot control the weather. Guests will be charged 100% of the tour price for cancellations made within 48 hours of the scheduled tour.
A combined minimum of 4 guests is required for a tour to operate. Should a tour not meet the tour minimum, customers will have the option to reschedule or receive a full refund. Advance notice will be provided at least 12 hours before the start time.
How large will my tour be?
We operate Mercedes Sprinter mini-coaches with a maximum capacity of 14 passengers.
How comfy are the vehicles?
Very! Our guides want to work for us because we pamper the guests AND the guides! Having driven low-roof, hard-seated, worn-out vans in the past, we understand the importance of being comfortable on the ride to the volcano (or around the island!)
Maintaining a fleet of Mercedes Benz passenger vans is more expensive than using inferior vehicles, but we never cut corners on safety or customer service – ever.
Our brand new vehicle even has reclining leather seats! Our vans have high roofs to maneuver through the cabin, adjustable air conditioning, seatbelt extensions, cup holders, and large windows for the best views. Our audio/visual package is top-of-the-line with a large flip-down monitor and separate speakers for video and guide headset. This technology allows for the driver/guide to show video while narrating; it’s the ultimate way to cruise the Big Island!
Where do the tours start?
Offers free front door pick-ups at all major West Hawaii hotels and resorts. We also offer the option to meet at a central meeting point to accommodate a busy vacation schedule, if you prefer. For bed and breakfasts or smaller resorts, we’re happy to work with you. Leave the driving to us!
Can you accommodate wheelchairs?
Our vans are equipped to handle the easy storage of a collapsible wheelchair or other medical equipment. We do not have a wheelchair lift, however. We have also installed an extra hydraulic side step for extra easy on and off for all riders.
How much walking or hiking will I be doing?
Nearly all tours include the opportunity for a few short walks. However, none of them include any walking longer than 20 minutes with the exemption of the Kona Coffee, Cloud Forest, and Brewery Experience. Should guests choose to skip any of our short walks, guides are happy to make further accommodations.
For guests wanting to do extensive hiking, we are glad to customize a private tour to cover as much as much ground as you like. Our hiking guides are in excellent shape and will be excited to show off some of the many beautiful hiking trails here on the Big Island.
Passengers traveling with a collapsible wheelchair or walker are more than welcome. Please note, our mini-coaches are equipped to handle easy storage of a wheelchair or other medical equipment. We do not have a wheelchair lift on our vehicles at this time.
What should I wear? What should I bring?
Although Hawaii is home to the endless summer, there are places and times where the temperature can drop substantially. Temperatures at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park can range from 50 to 75 degrees F. Saddle Road temperatures can get even chillier, to perhaps 40 degrees F. recommends wearing comfortable footwear, a hat and sunglasses, and shorts or long pants. Most guests wear a light jacket or bring long pants for after sunset. You have plenty of opportunities to change as the weather changes frequently. Oh, don’t forget your camera!
Are snacks, meals, and tips included in tour prices?
We’ve chosen to work with the best restaurants and caterers on the Big Island to bring our guests an experience of all five senses. We like to eat well and our guests do too!
Tipping is, of course, at the discretion of the tour guest but is customary when great service has been provided. We think our professional tour guides are the very best on the planet and we know they appreciate receiving acknowledgments for their expertise, humor, and ability to make your tour memorable!
Will my cell phone work during my tour?
Although some cell phone carriers have spotty coverage on the Big Island, we’ll be within cell phone range for most of the tours. Private or charter tours to Waipio Valley will have very limited cell phone coverage. Locals seem to prefer it that way, too. We have a charger on board in case your battery runs low, but some guests bring their own mobile battery charger. Then again, it might actually be nice to set down your phone for a while, too. We also rely on “The Coconut Wireless” or shouting across canyons to communicate.
Do you operate tours on holidays?
On most holidays, we do operate. However, we do not operate our regular tour on the Ironman World Championships in October, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Our suppliers don’t operate on those days, so we’ve elected to do the same. Our guides have to get to the beach sometimes, right? If you or your group do wish to tour on a holiday, call us and we will be happy to make arrangements with other restaurants that may be operating that day.
