Grand Circle Island Tour - Big Island

Duration: 11 hours
Location: Kona, Big Island
Departs from: hotels around Kona

This 260-mile full-day bus tour will take you to some of the most popular and beautiful sights on Hawaii's Big Island. Departing from several areas around the Island, the tour picks you up near your hotel and returns you to the same spot.

As you begin your day you drive up the Kona coast and view Kealakekua Bay. A sacred site for Hawaiian natives, this area was used as the burial ground of royalty for many years. This is also the location of the famous Captain Cook's death. Initial interaction with the natives was positive but a later misunderstanding lead to the Captain's death. A monument marks the approximate location of his demise.

Your next stop will be at a Kona Plantation. For coffee lovers everywhere Kona coffee represents the ''creme de la creme'' experience. Find out what makes this brew so special as you follow the bean from the tree to the cup. Tasting is encouraged.

After your stop at the plantation you will explore Volcanoes National Park.  Seventy million years of volcanic activity have shaped a uniquely beautiful landscape.  Here you can see the well known Kilauea Volcano which has been continuously active since 1983. A peek at the fern tree jungle and lava tubes are also part of this station along your journey. The Jaggar Museum will educate you about volcanology and offers great views of the summit crater.

After you eat lunch on your own, the tour continues to an Orchid and Anthurium nursery. That accomplished, you will enjoy a splendid drive along the Hamakua Coast, viewing the many waterfalls that line the road. Water cascades down the cliffs and among the lush vegetation, casting rainbows up against the sky.

As your day draws to an end you will continue your drive through the Parker Ranch lands. Home to the original 'paniolos', Hawaii's cowboys, Parker Ranch played a key role in the development of the export trade. Filled with history and drama, the story of the ranch will keep you entertained as you drive along. Your very full day ends where it began. You will be dropped off near your hotel having seen a bit of what the Big Island has to offer.

Tour Highlights

• Circumnavigate the Big Island
• Tour the south coast
• Visit a Kona coffee plantation
• See famed black sand beaches
• Explore incredible Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea Iki crater, steam bluffs, fern tree jungle and Thurston Lava Tube (Admission included)
• Enjoy a no-host lunch
• Browse through displays at the Jaggar Museum
• Drive past the many waterfalls of the Hamakua Coast
• See Parker Ranch Shopping Center in Waimea

Pick-up Information: Pick-up is provided from major Kona hotels and Kona Airport. If we are meeting you at the airport, enter the name of your hotel and flight numbers at time of reservation. Phone our Kona office at 808-329-8008 24 hours prior to tour to reconfirm your pick-up time and place. We are not permitted to pick up in residential areas or at B&B's.

Departure from:
Mauna Kea & Hapuna Prince area hotels: 6:00am
Mauna Lani & Orchid: 6:15am | Waikoloa area hotels: 6:30am
Kailua-Kona area hotels: 7:00am | Keauhou area hotels: 7:30am

If we are meeting you at Kona Airport please provide name of hotel or contact phone number. We require the flight number for your arrival and departure from Kona. If you reserve an air carrier other than the one we use for our One Day Fly Away tours and your flight is delayed we will not be able to hold the tour until your arrival.

Children's ages:  3-11 years old

Note: No host lunch at Volcano House (subject to change). This tour departs from Kona side of the Big Island and operates daily.