5 Best Kona Volcano Tours in Big Island of Hawaii (2024)
Looking for the best Kona volcano tours on your trip to the Big Island of Hawaii?
I’ve got you covered! Visiting the Volcanoes Park was a bucket list activity for me on our family trip to Big Island, and taking a Hawaii volcano tour was the best way to see it!
I was so amazed by everything Volcanoes Park had to offer and loved seeing the steam rising from the Halema’uma’u crater and visiting the Kilauea crater, Thurston lava tube, and other attractions in the National Park.
Taking a Volcano tour from Kona is one of the best ways to experience Big Island to ensure you cover the top sights! But picking the right tour can be overwhelming with so many options!
This article highlights the top 5 Big Island volcano tours from Kona based on my research and experience, and I am sure you will find the right fit for your group’s interests and budget.
Do not have time to read the whole article? Here is my top pick for the best volcano tour from Kona –
➡ Small group Volcanoes Tour with sunset – Best Road Tour, includes lunch and dinner, covers stargazing, black sand beach, and coffee farm as well.
➡ Volcanoes Helicopter Tour from Kona – Best Helicopter Tour with epic aerial views of volcanoes.
My Top 3 Picks: Best Kona Volcano Tours
#1 Top Pick
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Volcanoes Helicopter Tour from Kona
✔️ Bucket list experience, 2-hour flight from Kona!
✔️ Aerial views of Volcanoes Park, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea summits
#2 Top Pick
Small group Volcanoes Tour with sunset
✔️ Volcanoes Park, stargazing, coffee farm, black sand beach
✔️ lunch and dinner
#3 Top Pick
Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Sightseeing, History
✔️ Volcanoes Park, waterfalls, coffee farm, black sand beach
✔️Full day, small group, lunch
5 Best Volcano Tours from Kona, Hawaii
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, and is known for its unique geological features, including lava tubes, steam vents, and volcanic craters.
You can explore lava fields and even view ongoing volcanic activity! The park also offers a rich cultural experience, as it is home to many sacred Hawaiian sites and ancient petroglyphs.
Exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the most popular things to do in Kona.
Kona is around 2 hours drive from the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and it typically takes a full day to explore the Volcanoes Park from Kona. I made sure to plan a full day for Volcanoes Park in our Big Island 7 day itinerary.
Most Hawaii Volcano tours from Kona take around 11 to 12 hours because of the driving distance.
If constrained on time, I highly recommend taking a helicopter tour of Volcanoes park instead of a road tour.
Below are the best Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tours from Kona:
1. Volcanoes and Big Island helicopter tour from Kona
⭐ Ratings: 4.5 / 5 | Duration: 2 hours | Book Now
Taking this Volcanoes helicopter tour from Kona is one of the best ways to experience the impressive aerial views of Volcanoes National Park and the waterfalls and valleys of Big Island, Hawaii.
This helicopter tour from Kona covers all three main volcanoes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – Kilauea, Mauna Kea, and Mauna Loa.
It also includes aerial views of Waipio Valley and the Hamakua coast, which I believe is the most scenic and lush green region filled with waterfalls and rainforests.
Highlights of this Volcanoes helicopter tour Kona:
What this tour includes:
Who is this tour for?
Do this tour!! Lava, waterfalls, valley and coast. This was an unbelievable experience. Our pilot was a wealth of information and a lot of fun. This was a great trip to take on our first full day on the island. All ages in our family loved this experience.
– Renuka (See more reviews)
➡ Check rates and availability for
Volcanoes and Big Island helicopter tour from Kona
2. Small-Group Volcano Experience with Lunch and Dinner
⭐ Ratings: 5 / 5 | Duration: 12 hours | Book Now
While the above tour is the best helicopter tour, this full-day tour of the Volcanoes National Park is the best tour via road if you want to see the Volcanoes Park up close.
This full-day tour is ideal if you truly want to experience the Big Island volcanoes under the expert knowledge of a local guide! This small group tour with a maximum of 13 passengers allows for a more personalized experience.
The tour starts with a picnic lunch at a Kona coffee farm! You also get to visit the Punaluu black sand beach and have a chance to spot some Hawaiian green sea turtles! We saw several turtles at this beach!
Experience Hawaii Volcanoes Park and its sights, like the active Kilauea Volcano crater, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the park with your guide. Stay after dark for stargazing. The stars were really bright when we visited, and it was amazing.
Highlights of this Small-group Volcano tour:
What this tour includes:
Who is this tour for?
The whole tour was wonderful. Well planned and well paced. The small crowd size was just perfect. The food and snacks provided on the tour were wonderful. Our guide, Uncle Jim, was absolutely amazing. The views and stops were amazing from Kona to Punalu’u beach to the Volcanoes National Park. But being able to see the volcano at night and stargaze was an amazing experience and a memory I will treasure.
– shirley (See more reviews)
➡ Check rates and availability for
Small-Group Volcano Experience with Lunch and Dinner
3. Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Sightseeing, History
⭐ Ratings: 5 / 5 | Duration: 11 hours | Book Now
This full-day circle tour of the Big Island and Volcanoes National Park packs a lot and is very popular, with excellent reviews.
This tour is ideal if you want to experience all the best sights of the Big Island in a day and not just the Volcanoes Park.
This tour will have less time in Volcanoes Park as compared to tour #2 on this list, but it is ideal if you want to cover a lot more if you only have a day or two on the Big Island.
This tour travels to the northern region of the Big Island to the towns of Waimea and the breathtaking Waipio Valley lookout. It will give you a glimpse of Hilo and the most popular waterfalls in Hilo.
You will get to explore the main sights in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and visit the black sand beach. It also takes you to a Kona coffee farm!
Highlights of this Big Island Circle tour:
What this tour includes:
Who is this tour for?
This tour was the highlight of our time on the Big Island. Kurt was so knowledgeable – We learned SO much about the island’s geology, history, and local gems. If you want to hit lots of places, see beautiful sites, learn a ton, and have time limitations, then this full-day trip is the best!
– madison (See more reviews)
➡ Check rates and availability for Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Sightseeing, History
4. Volcanoes Adventure from Kona with a Geologist
⭐ Ratings: 5 / 5 | Duration: 11 hours | Book Now
In this Volcanoes adventure tour from Kona, you will spend the day with a geologist!
In this small-group geology-based tour, you will get more in-depth knowledge about the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park along with the top sights.
If you are really interested in the geology of the Volcanoes Park, then this tour is for you!
The main focus of this tour is the Volcanoes National Park, but it also covers the Punaluu black sand beach, a Kona coffee farm, and Hilo waterfalls.
Note: If you are staying in the Waikoloa region instead of Kona, this same tour is offered from Waikoloa as well – Check Volcanoes Adventure from Waikoloa with a Geologist for pickup from Waikoloa hotels.
Highlights of this Volcano Adventure tour:
What this tour includes:
Who is this tour for?
This tour was awesome! A complete and comprehensive guide to the island. From Kona coffee fields to the black sands beach, volcano park, lava tubes and rainbow falls. An incredible tour of the island with a professional, courteous and very knowledgeable guide. And the lunch was delicious.
– Monte (See more reviews)
➡ Check rates and availability for Volcanoes Adventure from Kona with a Geologist
5. Private VIP Adventure from Kona or Waikoloa with a Geologist
⭐ Ratings: 5 / 5 | Duration: 11 hours | Book Now
This private full-day tour of the Volcanoes National Park and other sights in Big Island is ideal if you want to be with just your group but still want to get in-depth knowledge from a geologist guide about Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
A private tour allows you to customize your itinerary the way you want and make stops at cafes and restaurants when you want.
The tour has a suggested itinerary, but you can modify it as per your group’s needs and spend more time in attractions you like!
Anu’s pro tip: If you have a group of 6 or more people, the cost of the private tour would be around the same as a group tour! You will get 100% dedication and attention from the geologist guide for your group.
Highlights of this Private VIP Volcano tour:
What this private volcano tour includes:
Who is this private Volcanoes tour for?
Trip customization, experience, and excellent photography! This day long adventure was excellent. Being able to go on a private tour allowed us to make tweaks to the itinerary the day of the adventure. Our guide Zane knows more interesting spots and facts about both geology and Volcanoes National Park than we could ever possibly fit into a day, and he brought his camera along so we basically didn’t need to take photos ourselves. I highly recommend this trip.
– Christopher (See more reviews)
➡ Check rates and availability for a Private VIP Adventure from Kona or Waikoloa with a Geologist
FAQs about Volcano tours from Kona
Below are some frequently asked questions about visiting Volcanoes Park from Kona and Volcano tours on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Can you visit the volcano on Kona?
Kona and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are two separate regions on the Big Island of Hawaii. The volcanoes of Kilauea and Mauna Loa are inside the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You can drive or take a volcano tour from Kona to visit the volcanoes inside Hawaii Volcanoes Park.
How long is the drive from Kona to volcano?
It takes around 2 to 2.5 hours (95 miles) to drive from Kona to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park via Highway 11, the southern route. You can also go via Saddle Road and Hilo (103 miles), and that would take 2 hours.
Some tours do a roundtrip so that you can explore more of the Big Island.
On the southern route, you will pass South Kona, Captain Cook, South Point, and Punaluu Black sand beach.
On the Hilo route, you will explore waterfalls and Hilo town.
Can you tour a volcano on the Big Island?
Taking a volcano tour via road or helicopter is the best way to experience the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Big Island.
Going with a knowledgeable guide ensures that you cover the top sights in the Volcanoes Park and also learn about the geology and history of the volcanoes. Kilauea and Mauna Loa are the most active volcanoes in Big Island.
How much does it cost to visit a volcano in Hawaii?
You need to pay the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park entrance fee of $30 per vehicle to enter the Volcanoes Park. The entrance permit is valid for seven consecutive days. If taking a tour, the tours cover the entrance fee for the Volcanoes Park.
What is the best volcano to visit on the Big Island?
The Kilauea volcano is the most active volcano on Big Island of Hawaii and is the most easily accessible volcano in the Volcanoes Park. The Kilauea volcano erupts within the caldera of the Halemaumau crater.
There are several viewpoints from which to view the Kilauea activity from a distance, like from the overlook at Volcano House.
Is Hilo or Kona closer to the volcano?
From Hilo, it is only 45 minutes by car to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, whereas from Kona, it takes around 2 to 2.5 hours by car. Between Hilo vs Kona, Hilo is closer to Volcanoes Park than Kona.
Check out my article about the best Volcano tours from Hilo if you are considering taking a tour from Hilo instead.
Kona is where most of the Big Island Resorts for families are, so taking a volcano tour is a popular activity from Kona.
Is lava visible on the Big Island?
Lava viewing in Big Island and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is dependent on whether there is volcanic activity happening during your visit. The Kilauea volcano is the most active volcano on Big Island, and its eruption happens within the caldera of the Halemaumau crater. Check NPS website to find out about recent eruptions.
There are several overlooks around the Halemaumau crater where you can see the volcanic activity. We saw the lava glow at night from the Keanakākoʻi Overlook, which is accessible via a short hike from the Devastation trail parking lot.
Can you walk on a volcano in Hawaii?
Yes, on the Kilauea Iki trail in Hawaii Volcanoes Park, you can walk on the Kilauea crater floor which was a former lava lake. Kilauea Iki trail is one of the best hikes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Big Island.
What is the best time to visit the Big Island volcano?
The best time to visit the Volcanoes Park to see the lava glow is before sunrise or after sunset when the sky is still dark. This gives the best opportunity to see the lava glow if there is volcanic activity happening in the park.
What other excursions are popular from Kona?
Besides visiting the Volcanoes park, I would recommend taking one of these best sunset cruises from Kona.
Big Island is also very popular for swimming with the manta rays, and make sure to experience one of these best snorkeling tours in Kona.
Final takeaways: Best Big Island Volcano Tours from Kona, Hawaii
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a must-do excursion on any trip to Big Island; and taking a Hawaii Volcano tour from Kona is one of the best ways to explore the volcanoes and other geological and historical sights in Volcanoes Park.
Below is a quick summary of the best Kona Volcano tours:
- Volcanoes and Big Island helicopter tour from Kona – Best helicopter tour from Kona.
- Small-Group Volcano Experience with Lunch and Dinner – Best road tour from Kona, includes sunset and stargazing.
- Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Sightseeing, History – Most popular, Big Island circle tour, covers a lot more than Volcanoes Park.
- Volcanoes Adventure from Kona with a Geologist – Small group tour with a Geologist from Kona. If staying in Waikoloa, check this Volcanoes Adventure from Waikoloa with a Geologist
- Private VIP Adventure from Kona or Waikoloa with a Geologist – Private tour just for your group, customizable itinerary
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