Quick comparison
| Big Island in a Day tour | Driving it yourself | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $245 per adult, $195 per child (ages 2 to 12) | Rental car + gas + fees |
| Park entry | Included | Hawaii Volcanoes NP $30 per private vehicle (NPS, valid 7 days) |
| Akaka Falls | Included | $5 per non-resident adult + $10 parking (Hawaii DLNR) |
| Driving | None. Your guide drives a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | 6+ hours behind the wheel, about 200 to 220 miles |
| Pickup | Kona and Waikoloa hotels, 6:30am to 8:00am | You start when you want |
| Lunch | Hilo stop around 1:15pm, you buy your own | Wherever you choose |
| Stops | Coffee farm, macadamia farm, Punaluu Black Sand Beach, Volcanoes NP, Hilo, Big Island Candies, Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls, Waimea | Your choice, with your own planning and parking |
| Guide | Owner-guide, Native Hawaiian and Samoan | Audio app or none |
| Weather | We reroute or reschedule in severe weather | Your call |
| Back at hotel | About 5:15pm Waikoloa, 6:00pm Kona | Often after dark |
When the tour makes more sense
- You want to see both sides of the island in one day without driving 200+ miles.
- You are staying at a Kona or Waikoloa resort and do not want to rent a car for one long day.
- You want the history and culture behind each stop from a local guide.
- Nobody in your group wants to drive back across the island in the dark.
When driving yourself makes more sense
- You want long, unscheduled time at one spot, like a full day in Volcanoes National Park.
- You want to see lava glow after dark. Our tour is a daytime loop.
- You already have a rental car for the week and enjoy long drives.
- You are on a tight budget and traveling as a couple.
How the tour day runs
6:30am Waikoloa pickups. 8:00am Kona pickups. 8:30am Bay View Kona Coffee Farm. 10:00am Paradise Meadows Macadamia Nut Farm. 10:45am Punaluu Black Sand Beach. 11:45am Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. 1:15pm Hilo lunch stop (lunch not included). 2:15pm Big Island Candies. 2:45pm Rainbow Falls. 3:30pm Akaka Falls. 4:30pm historic Waimea town. 5:15pm Waikoloa drop-offs. 6:00pm Kona drop-offs.
Self-drive tips if you go on your own
- Buy your Volcanoes NP pass online at recreation.gov before you go. The park is cashless.
- Pay Akaka Falls fees ahead; cell service at the lot is limited. Park hours are 8:30am to 5:00pm.
- Fill up in Kona or Hilo. Stations are sparse on Saddle Road and in Kau.
- Drive clockwise or counterclockwise, but time Akaka Falls before 5:00pm.
Frequently asked
Can you drive around the Big Island in one day?
Yes. The circle island route is roughly 200 to 220 miles and takes 6+ hours of driving before any stops. With stops at the volcano, the black sand beach and the waterfalls, plan on 10 to 12 hours.
Is a Big Island tour cheaper than renting a car?
For one or two people, a rental car plus fees usually costs less than two tour seats. For a group that wants a guide and no driving, the tour is comparable once you add park entry, parking and gas.
What do you miss when you drive yourself?
The commentary. Our guides explain the history, the lava flows and the towns as you pass them. You also skip the driving fatigue on Saddle Road or the Kau stretch after dark.
Is lunch included on the tour?
No. The tour stops in Hilo around 1:15pm and guests buy their own lunch.