Volcano National Park & Rainbow Falls Hilo Tour — Green Travel & Tour Review
At $175 per person, Green Travel & Tour's Hilo day trip is the most affordable full-day volcano and waterfall option in this guide — and 69 reviewers give it a 4.8-star rating across guides Mike, Auntie Karen, Marissa, and Cousin Ernie. The itinerary covers Rainbow Falls on the Wailuku River, a scenic pass through Liliʻuokalani Gardens and Historic Downtown Hilo, a tasting stop at Big Island Candies, two full hours inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and the Thurston Lava Tube. Cruise port, hotel, and Hilo airport pickup are all included — making it the most accessible entry point into the hilo hawaii waterfalls and volcano day-tour category.
Tour At a Glance
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before — full refund guaranteed
Reserve now and pay nothing today — flexible booking
6 to 7 hours from pickup to drop-off, including all stops and transport time
Pickup directly at the Port of Hilo — guide waits at the terminal
Hilo hotel and Hilo Airport pickup included — confirm details at booking
Maximum 24 travelers — larger than some competitors but guides maintain high quality
The Case for Green Travel & Tour: Value, Flexibility, and Great Guides
Green Travel & Tour is not the smallest group or the cheapest price per-stop — but it consistently delivers quality at the $175 price point through the strength of its guides. Mike, Auntie Karen, Marissa, and Cousin Ernie each bring their own angle: Mike covers the science and geology of the volcano with tablet visuals and detailed narration; Auntie Karen tells the folklore, personal island stories, and keeps the group laughing for seven hours; Marissa is flexible enough to reroute for an active eruption without missing a beat; Cousin Ernie is described in one review as someone who made guests 'almost not want to go back to the cruise ship.'
The tour also goes further on the extras: Mike has been known to stop for Dole Whip along the Mamalahoa Highway, pick up local bananas for the group, and take photographs for guests at every stop. Mary S. wrote: 'Mike embodied the spirit of Hawaii. Kind, thoughtful, looking out for others at every turn.'
What You Will See on This 6–7 Hour Hilo Tour
The itinerary circles from Hilo's waterfront landmarks inland to the volcano and back, following a logical route:
- Liliʻuokalani Gardens — scenic pass through Hilo's iconic Edo-style garden with Japanese stone lanterns, arched bridges, fish ponds, and views of Hilo Bay
- Hilo Bayfront Beach Park — the largest sandy beach in the Hilo area along the scenic crescent bay
- Historic Downtown Hilo — plantation-era buildings, colourful storefronts, and Hilo landmarks narrated by your guide
- Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue) — 30 minutes at the 80-foot waterfall over a lava cave; guide shares the legend of the goddess Hina who is said to live in the cave below
- Upper Rainbow Falls lookout — short climb through massive banyan trees for an aerial view of the falls
- Big Island Candies — 20 minutes to sample handcrafted chocolates, locally grown macadamia nuts, and 100% Kona and Kaʻū coffee
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park — 2 full hours: Kīlauea caldera rim view, dramatic evidence of the most recent eruption, geothermal steam vents, and historic lava formations
- Thurston Lava Tube (Nahuku) — walk through the ancient underground tunnel formed by a river of magma
- Chain of Craters Road — drive across solidified black lava fields from past volcanic eruptions with geological narration
What Is Included and What Is Not Included
| Professional guide for the full 6–7 hour tour | Gratuity for guides |
| Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park admission | Lunch — a stop is made where guests can purchase their own meal |
| Hotel, cruise port, and Hilo Airport pickup | Alcoholic beverages |
| Rainbow Falls and Wailuku River park entry | Personal travel insurance |
| Big Island Candies tasting stop | Souvenirs or personal purchases |
What You Need to Know Before Booking
Unlike tours that include a sit-down lunch, Green Travel & Tour makes a stop where guests can purchase their own meal — typically a local sandwich shop or plate-lunch spot chosen by the guide. Budget $10–$20 for this stop. If a tour with lunch included is important to you, compare this against the Shaka Braddah half-day which includes Kilauea Lodge.
The visitor center inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is currently closed for construction — the guide adjusts the route to ensure guests still see the park's main highlights. Volcanic activity is unpredictable: if Kīlauea is erupting during your visit, Marissa has specifically been cited for routing the group to see the active lava safely.
- Budget $10–$20 for lunch — not included, guide stops at a local restaurant
- Comfortable walking shoes recommended — lava tube has uneven ground
- Light jacket for Volcanoes NP — cooler than the coast
- Visitor center temporarily closed for construction — guide routes accordingly
- Cruise passengers: tour is timed to accommodate cruise ship schedules
- Tour is not wheelchair accessible
Pickup Locations — Port of Hilo, Hotels & Airport
Who Is This Tour Best Suited For?
- Budget-conscious travelers who want a full-day volcano and waterfall experience at the lowest price point in Hilo — $175 vs $187–$199 for similar competitors
- Cruise ship passengers who want the flexibility of multiple pickup options — cruise port, hotel, and airport pickup are all included
- Groups who value a guide with a strong personality and local storytelling — Auntie Karen and Mike have distinct styles that guests rave about
- First-time Big Island visitors who want the classic Hilo itinerary covered: Rainbow Falls, the volcano, the lava tube, and a chocolate stop
- Anyone who prefers a slightly larger group dynamic where the social energy of 20+ travelers adds to the experience rather than detracting from it
Questions About the Green Travel & Tour Hilo Day Trip
How does this compare to the Mauka Makai shore excursion at a similar price?
The main differences: Green Travel & Tour accommodates up to 24 guests vs Mauka Makai's 12, and does not include snacks or water in the base price. Green Travel covers the same core stops (volcano, lava tube, Rainbow Falls) but adds Liliʻuokalani Gardens and Big Island Candies. Mauka Makai includes snacks and bottled water. Both include park admission and pickup. For a full side-by-side, see our hilo hawaii waterfalls tour comparison.
What is the chance of seeing the volcano erupting?
Kīlauea erupts periodically but not continuously — eruption periods can last weeks or months, with quiet intervals in between. If the volcano is erupting during your visit, it is an extraordinary experience and the guides will position you to see it safely. Several guests have specifically mentioned witnessing an active eruption as the highlight of their trip. The tour runs regardless of eruption status — the park is spectacular either way.
Is the tour suitable for families with young children?
Yes — there is no stated minimum age. The tour is low-exertion overall, with short walks at each stop. Stacy from the US specifically noted the tour 'was not very walk-intensive, which was nice for me and my family.' The lava tube involves a short forest walk with some uneven ground. Children should wear closed-toe shoes.
Can I choose my guide, or is it assigned?
Guides are assigned by the operator depending on availability and schedule. Mike, Auntie Karen, Marissa, and Cousin Ernie are all consistently rated highly — the quality does not vary significantly between them. If you have a strong preference, you can note it in the booking comments but it cannot be guaranteed.
Is there a lunch stop, and what does it typically cost?
Lunch is not included in the price but the guide stops at a local restaurant or plate-lunch spot in the area. Typical cost is $10–$20 per person. Guides like Mike and Auntie Karen have favourite local spots they take groups to — several reviews mention the lunch stop as a highlight. If you want a tour where lunch is pre-arranged and included, the Shaka Braddah half-day tour includes a sit-down meal at Kilauea Lodge.
What Guests Say About Green Travel & Tour
Mike embodied the spirit of Hawaii. Kind, thoughtful, looking out for others at every turn. He took us around Hilo — black sand beach, Farmer's Market, King Kamehameha statue, Rainbow Falls. Beautiful day to enjoy the falls and see rainbows. Volcanoes National Park was fascinating and amazing!
Auntie Karen gave a fabulous tour! Not only did she take us to all the places required, she took us by Long's Drugstore at the request of one of the others so we could all stock up. Our lunch spot was top notch. Auntie Karen told us many entertaining stories about life on the island — you will really enjoy her tales!
This was a great tour. Our guide was Cousin Ernie and he was fabulous. He took us to Volcano National Park first to beat the crowds so we had plenty of time. Ernie, being a native to the Big Island, had plenty of information to share. I would do this tour again.