A Big Island Adventure

Welcome! Please be prepared to meet in the lobby at 6:00pm for your welcome meeting followed by dinner. The dinner reservation time will be finalized closer to your trip date. If you plan on arriving today, we recommend flying into Kona International Airport (KOA).

Wake up rested and enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to Hapuna Beach, one of the world's most iconic beaches where you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon. In the late afternoon, you will depart for Ho'okena campground where you will set up camp and prepare your first camp meal together. Today you’ll want to wear or bring your swimsuit, comfortable walking shoes, sandals/flip flops, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, water, and a beach towel. You’ll also want to bring snorkeling gear/goggles - if you do not have any, your guide will make a stop for you to purchase them if you’d like. It is a must have in Hawaii!

• Hapuna Beach

  Spend the afternoon at one of the largest white sand beaches located along the Big Island's Kohala Coast. It is a great place for swimming, sunbathing and other water activities like snorkeling and body surfing.

  11:00· 240 min· Hapuna Beach
• Transfer · Greenwell Farms → Hapuna Beach

  Depart the coffee farm and transfer to Hapuna Beach.

  private · 105 min
• Transfer · Hapuna Beach → Ho'okena Beach Park

  Transfer from Hapuna Beach to Ho'okena Beach Park Campground.

  private · 90 min

After breakfast today, we will head out to visit a local coffee farm where you will tour the farm and taste the coffee. Afterwards we will head to Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, an area steeped in history. We will hike a beautiful section of the coastline. You'll enjoy lunch before walking over to the beach to snorkel and relax at Honaunau Bay. Late afternoon, we'll transfer back to the campground to relax and enjoy dinner together. Today you’ll want to wear comfortable walking shoes (tennis shoes or sandals with straps), and bring sandals/flip flops, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, water, snorkel gear, and a beach towel. Please note, the order of the day's activities will be dictated by the weather and ocean conditions.

• Kona Coffee Farm Tour/Tasting

  An exclusive farm experience, this Private Guided Tour gives your group a seed-to-cup perspective into the world of 100% Kona Coffee. You will visit many places the free tour cannot go, including the the roasting room, the farm, wet mill, nursery and dry mill. The farm has multiple varieties of fruit trees, flowers and other commercially grown products that guests can experience on a seasonal basis. Greenwell Farms is a 5th generation family farm established in 1850 and is one of the rare vertically integrated coffee operation in the Kona Coffee Belt. Guests will see “behind the curtains” in every aspect of bringing coffee from fruit to cup. Guests will also be able to sample 8 different types of 100% Kona Coffee at our sampling station. **Please note this is a one hour walking tour on uneven terrain with mild upslope and downslope on grass, gravel And pavement. Hat, sunglasses, tumblers of water are highly recommended.

  09:00· 120 min· kona
• Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park

  After the coffee farm tour we will transfer 30 minutes to Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the Royal grounds before taking a 2 mile round trip hike on the 1871 Trail to the remains of Ki'ilae Village. Please note, the order of the day's activities will be dictated by the weather and ocean conditions. Distance: 2 miles / Elevation Gain: 50 ft / Duration: 2 hours / Difficulty: Easy

  11:30· 120 min· Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park
• Snorkeling in Honaunau Bay

  This morning you'll spend time snorkeling in one of the best places in all of Hawaii. Honaunau Bay is home to impressive coral reefs, turquoise waters and lava rock pathways that teem with marine life. Please exercise caution when snorkeling as the ocean can be unpredictable. There are also sea urchins so please ensure to wear water shoes or protective footwear. Snorkel not included. Please note, the order of the day's activities will be dictated by the weather and ocean conditions.

  14:00· 120 min· Honaunau Bay

Fill up on breakfast and pack up camp. Today you’ll depart the west side of the island and head east via the southern coast. You’ll stop at two magnificent beaches: Papakolea Green Sand Beach and Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. You will first hike to Papakolea Green Sand Beach. Then you will stop at Punalu’u Bake Shop to purchase lunch (at your own cost), before continuing to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. After lunch, you’ll continue to the lush green east side of the island and on toward Hilo. In the evening you’ll set up camp and enjoy dinner. Today you’ll want to bring comfortable/sturdy shoes/hiking boots, and bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and water.

• Papakolea Green Sand Beach Hike

  You first stop will be at the Southernmost point in the USA - Papakolea Green Sand Beach. To get here, you’ll need to hike to it. The 5.6 mile out-and-back trail is considered a moderately challenging route. This is a dirt trail and sturdy shoes/boots are recommended. Distance: 5.6 miles / Elevation Gain: 321 ft / Duration: 4 hours / Difficulty: Moderate.

  08:45· 195 min· Papakolea Green Sand Beach
• Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Visit

  After your visit to Papakolea Beach, you’ll take a 45 minute transfer to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. On the way you’ll make a stop at Punal’u Bake shop where you’ll pick up lunch (at your own cost) to enjoy at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. After your visit and chill time at Punalu'u, you will then continue to Hilo on the other side of the island.

  13:30· 120 min· Punalu'u, HI
• Transfer · Ho'okena Beach Park → Papakolea

  Take a transfer from the campground to Papakolea Green Sand Beach trailhead.

  private · 60 min
• Transfer · Papakolea Green Sand Beach → Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

  We’ll make a stop at Punalu’u Bake shop where you’ll pick up lunch (at your own cost) to enjoy at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach.

  private · 60 min
• Transfer · Punalu'u Black Sand Beach → Hilo

  Continue your transfer onward to your campground in Hilo.

  private · 75 min

The theme of today will be lush rainforest and volcanoes. After breakfast, you’ll set out to the lush rainforest to view Rainbow Falls. Continue onwards to Akaka Falls while taking in the amazing greenery. Then you’ll head back through Hilo to stop at the local farmers market for lunch (at your own cost). After lunch you’ll transfer to Kaumana Caves State Park to experience a giant lava tube up close. Then you’ll head back to camp with the afternoon at your leisure. Conditions permitting, in the evening you’ll head to Mauna Kea for stargazing. A packed dinner will be provided during the stargazing. Today you’ll want to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and water.

• Akaka Falls

  Your first stop today is at Akaka Falls, a one hour transfer from the campground, where you enjoy the shining morning sun. Through a leisurely walk (loop) inside, you can see orchids, bamboo groves and draping ferns.

  08:30· 90 min
• Rainbow Falls & Kaumana Caves State Park Visit

  Our next stop today is at Rainbow Falls, an 80 foot waterfall located in Wailuku River State Park. We can take a short but steep walk to the top of the falls. The final stop of the day is at Lava Tube. This is an incredible way to get up close with the raw forces of nature that forged the foundation of the Hawaiian Kingdom. You’ll be able to explore the cave a short distance in both directions before the lava tube enters private property. Please note that this activity may not be suitable for people with claustrophobia.

  10:30· 75 min· Rainbow Falls & Kaumana Caves State Park
• Mauna Kea Stargazing

  This evening you will take a private sunset tour to Mauna Kea one of the world's premier stargazing locations. Travel from sea level to the summit of Mauna Kea in the comfort of your private vehicle. We have evolved a far superior method of introducing you to the wonders of the Universe….a laser pointer powerful enough to seem to go all the way to the object. We show you the clusters and individual bright Stars that ancient Hawaiians used to navigate the Pacific and to Tahiti and back. We show you zodiac signs as they occur during the year. A packed dinner is included.

  15:00· 330 min· Mauna Kea
• Transfer · Arnott's Campground → Akaka Falls

  private · 30 min
• Transfer · Akaka Falls → Rainbow Falls & Kaumana Caves

  private · 30 min
• Transfer · Kaumana Caves → Hilo Farmer's Market

  We will drive from Kaumana Caves to the Hilo Farmer's Market. Chance to get some lunch (on own) and explore the market.

  private · 15 min

Today you will be exploring Volcanoes National Park. After breakfast you’ll take a short drive to hike the Kailaeua Iki Trail in the volcanic crater. Enjoy lunch on the hike before continuing to Thurston Lava Tube. Explore this underground tube and walkway and then head toward the coast along the Chain of Crater’s Road. After reaching the coast, you’ll turn back and return to Hilo. Today you’ll want to bring comfortable/sturdy shoes/hiking boots, and bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and water.

• Kailaeua Iki Trail in Volcanoes National Park

  You will start our exploration of this National Park at the visitor's center. You will see the steam vents and make a scenic stop at Kailauea overlook before your first hike along Kailaeua Iki Trail loop trail. Begin on the rim of the crater before hiking down and across a 50 year old solidified lava lake with steam escaping the cracks in the floor. After you hike across the crater floor, you’ll end up back at the beginning. Distance: 3.2 miles / Elevation Gain: 740 feet / Duration: 2-3 hours / Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

  09:00· 180 min· Volcanoes National Park
• Thurston Lava Tube Visit

  After lunch you’ll cross the road and explore Thurston Lava Tube. You’ll descend into the lava tube on a half mile loop that will bring you back to the beginning. This is one of the many lava tubes on the island, created by molten lava. The path in the tube is paved and illuminated. Please note that this activity may not be suitable for people with claustrophobia.

  13:00· 45 min· Thurston Lava Tube
• Chain of Crater's Road to Holei Sea Arch

  After leaving Thurston Lava Tube, you’ll continue on a 45 minute scenic Chain of Crater’s Road to Holei Sea Arch. You will make stops at viewpoints along the way however the exact stops will be decided based on the traffic/parking conditions on the day. After reaching Holei Sea Arch, you’ll have views of the rugged coastline. Snap some photos before transferring back to Hilo.

  13:45· 75 min· Hilo
• Transfer · Hilo, HI → Volcanoes National Park

  Take a 1 hour transfer to Volcanoes National Park.

  private · 60 min
• Transfer · Holei Sea Arch → Hilo

  Take a return transfer back to your campground.

  private · 90 min

All good things must come to an end, but only until your next adventure! Enjoy a final breakfast and then you’ll transfer from Hilo back to Royal Kona Hotel to end your trip. From here you are responsible for your travels onward. If departing today, we recommend flying out of Kona International Airport (KOA). Please remember to book your flight after 2pm.

• Transfer · Hilo → Royal Kona Hotel

  Take a private transfer from Hilo back to Kona, arriving at Royal Kona Hotel. Due to airport regulations a transfer cannot be provided to Kona International Airport (KOA) as part of the tour. You will be responsible for your travel arrangements from Royal Kona Hotel. If departing today, we recommend flying out of Kona International Airport (KOA). Please remember to book your flight after 2pm.

  private · 120 min