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Home / Activities / Big Island Grand Circle Tour
Guided Tour Hawai'i Big Island Activities

Big Island Grand Circle Tour

Want to see the Big Island without having to drive yourself? Wasabi Tours’ knowledgeable tour guides will take you around the island on this Grand Circle Tour. So sit back and enjoy the view.

big island circle island tour akaka falls

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Read about our affiliate policies here.

Activity Overview

  • Departs From: Big Island – Kona, Big Island – Waikoloa and Kohala Coast
  • Duration: Full day
  • Included in the price: local style picnic lunch consists of teriyaki chicken, fish, vegetables, and steamed rice with assorted juices, snacks and bottled water. In addition, all park entrance fees, jackets, and rain gear.

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Tour Highlights

  • Tour the southern coast of the island
  • Small groups of 4 to 13 guests per shuttle
  • Circumnavigate the Big Island (see Waipio Valley)
  • Take a stop for some Kona Coffee & breakfast
  • Explore incredible Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea Iki Crater, Steam Bluffs, Thurston Lava Tube, Fern Tree Jungle and more
  • See famed black sand beaches
  • Experience 8 of 13 climate zones
  • Ages 4 and older are welcome
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Grand Circle Island Tour Details

A circle tour is a great way to see the best of an island in one go. We recommend doing it at the beginning of your trip so you can get a feel for the island and its history, then pick out where you want to spend more time and go back during your trip.

This full day tour starts with pickup at major hotels and resorts all along the Kona coast and returns you back in time for a late dinner on your own.

From desert to rainforest, pasture to dry forest, discover diverse landscapes and 8 out of 13 climate zones in the world as you traverse the island, walk through rainforests to soaring waterfalls, and stroll black sand beaches as you scan the horizon for green sea turtles.

Starting around 7AM your tour guide will pick you up and head south towards the beautiful coffee growing areas of South Kona for a continental breakfast. You’ll get to tour the Kona Coffee Farm, sampling as you go. Along the way you will make brief stops to enjoy the beautiful views. After breakfast you continue to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach and a beautiful little cafe for a late morning treat.

Next you’ll venture into Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to see steam vents, past lava flows, the Halema’uma’u and Kilauea Iki crater lookouts, and take a short hike through the 600-foot-long Thurston Lava Tube formed hundreds of years ago.

Continue the tour into historic Hilo with its cute downtown area parks and shops. The afternoon will bring you to some magnificent waterfalls. First up is Akaka Falls, which drops a staggering 442 feet, followed by the famed Rainbow Falls. Take some time to enjoy this wonderful location.

You’ll stop at various overlooks and your guide will tell stories of the people, the lands and events that have happened over the years so you can really appreciate what you experience throughout the day. No area is more important than the incredible Waipio Valley, the last major stop on this Grand Circle Island tour, giving you an incredible sunset to end your day.

You will complete your 10-12 hour day back at your hotel, tired but excited about the incredible differences in landscape and weather you experienced throughout the day.

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best big island circle tour
Exploring Thurston Lava Tube

Big Island Circle Tour FAQ

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing in layers as temperatures vary from warm to cool. Covered walking shoes are required.

How much hiking do we do?

You will have a couple easy hikes over a short distance on this tour. Total hike distance is about a mile.

How long do we stop at Volcanoes National Park?

The tour stops at multiple attractions within the park for a total time of about 2 hours

Do we get to swim at the black sand beach or waterfalls on this tour?

You won’t be able to swim on this tour due to time constraints. If you would like to swim at a private waterfall, please check out our Waipio Valley and Waterfall Tour.

What is the cancellation policy?

Minimum 24 hours notice for groups of 1-5, 48 hours notice for groups of 6 or more, and 72 hour notice for private groups to receive a full refund.

About Wasabi Tours Tours

Wasabi Tours Hawaii is a locally owned and operated company that has been providing small group guided tours on the Big Island of Hawaii since 2006. Their tours offer a personal, exciting, and unique experience that exceeds the expectations of their guests.

Their multilingual guides are the State of Hawaii certified with years of experience guiding fully narrated tours on the island. They have a wealth of knowledge about the history, cultures, geography, wildlife, and botany of Hawaii. Their passion is to showcase the beauty of paradise with aloha spirit, and they want to share their passion with you in a fun, friendly, and educational manner.

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We are affiliate partners with Wasabi Tours which means we receive a small commission for each completed booking made through this site. This is done without any additional cost to you. You can read more about our affiliate policies here. Know that we only recommend tour operators that we know and trust. Your positive experience and your trust in us mean more than any affiliate commission. By booking tours through our website you help us to provide free information and videos to help you and other readers plan their perfect Hawaii vacation. Thank you so much for your support — you are amazing!

Aloha! We’re Jordan and Erica.

We are Maui residents sharing our adventures, travel tips and resources, and honest reviews so you can easily plan your dream vacation to Hawaii.

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