Kailani Tours

Kailani Tours – Explore the Big Island in Style
Local Expert's Rating:
4 / 5
The Bottom Line:

Kailani Tours offers a variety of tour options that take visitors to several landmarks around the island of Hawaii. These informative, small group, all-day tours are an excellent way for first-timers to get an overview of the Big Island, and returning visitors to get a new perspective on some of the island’s most popular spots.

- The HawaiianIslands.com Local Expert Team

Hawaii, commonly known as “The Big Island,” is, well, big. This means there are countless attractions, natural wonders, sights, sounds, and flavors to see, enjoy, and experience. For vacationers, the options can be overwhelming, and tourists may find themselves constantly driving back and forth across the island to try and hit all their points of interest.

This is where tours can be helpful. A plethora of tours is offered throughout the island to help visitors get a taste of everything Hawaii has to offer. In particular, Kailani Tours provides tour options to meet the needs of a wide variety of curious explorers. Headquartered in Kailua-Kona, Kailani Tours offers full and half-day tours that bring visitors to key attractions throughout the island. With a dedicated tour guide, and a maximum of 12 guests, customers get in-depth history and information about Hawaii, while getting up close and personal with some of the best sights (and tastes) the area has to offer – it’s the perfect blend of education and recreation.

Kailani Tours provides six different tour experiences, which differ in length, route, activity level, and cost. Whether you choose an easy tour of coffee farms, bakeries, and tea farms, or an active day of hiking through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the company provides everything you need to have an enjoyable, safe, and successful day.

All tour guides are First Aid and CPR certified and hold certifications from Volcanoes National Park. All tours include snacks as well as breakfast, lunch, or dinner, with many including two meals. And as for gear? They’ve got it covered. They will provide hiking gear, jackets, umbrellas, flashlights, and parkas as needed.

These land-based tours pick up participants at their resorts or at convenient nearby locations, ensuring the day begins stress-free. The attention to detail continues throughout the day as guests enjoy a carefully curated and well-thought-out tour experience.

The available tour experiences include:

Big Island Circle Tour
This full-day tour is the least physically demanding of Kailani’s offerings, with a difficulty rating of “easy,” and breakfast and lunch are provided. The route covers a full loop around the entire island and offers a view of the Kona, Kau, and Hamakua coastlines. Tourists will learn about the history and production of coffee at Premium Kona Coffee Farm and taste freshly harvested coffee beans. You’ll try fresh malasadas at Punaluu Bake Shop before heading to nearby Punaluu Black Sand Beach. The tour is rounded out with stops at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Thurston Lava Tube, and Rainbow Falls, before concluding with a tasting and private tour at Volcano Winery and Tea Farm.

Deluxe Volcano Experience
This tour option is very similar to the Big Island Circle Tour and covers roughly the same stops and attractions. However, while the Circle Tour is a daytime experience, the Deluxe Volcano Experience begins later in the day and extends into the night, offering a chance to see a potential evening volcano eruption. This tour is also the only one that provides dinner. Depending on the day of the week, you’ll experience one of two dinner options. On Monday and Tuesday nights, guests enjoy a catered picnic-style meal and wine tasting at Volcano Winery. On Wednesday through Sunday nights, dinner is experienced as a three-course meal at Kilauea Lounge.

Wild and Scenic Volcano Tour
This moderately active, full-day tour provides breakfast and lunch, as well as an in-depth look at many of the Big Island’s natural wonders. Tourists will visit Akaka Falls, Onomea Scenic Outlook, various areas of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Thurston Lava Tube, Rainbow Falls, and Chain of Craters Road. This route also includes a stop at the famous Tex Drive-In for freshly baked malasadas.

Volcano Hiking Adventure
Outdoor enthusiasts, this one is for you. This full-day tour focuses on hiking and exploring nature and spends more time in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park than any of Kailani Tours’ other offerings. This is an active tour that requires quite a bit of hiking, so be sure to dress appropriately! Within the park, visitors will experience Thurston Lava Tube, Kilaueau Iki Trail, and Chain of Craters Road. This tour also visits Kaumana Caves, Devastation Trail, and Rainbow Falls. Due to the active nature of this experience, only lunch and snacks are provided, rather than two full meals.

Coffee, Cloud Forest & Brewery
If you’re looking for a more laid-back, affordable, less time-consuming option, this tour might be right for you. Because it’s a half-day experience, you can spend your morning exploring, and be back at the pool in time for happy hour. During the tour, you’ll visit Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, take a walking tour through Kona Cloud Forest, taste beans and coffee drinks at Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation, and end by enjoying beers, ciders, and seltzers at Ola Brew Company.

Whether you’re interested in hiking trails through the rainforest, or tasting delicious, freshly made Portuguese donuts, Kailani Tours has an option that meets your needs. Take a day to learn about and see the destinations and locations that make the Big Island unique, and don’t forget to enjoy the ride!

Insider Tips:
-Don’t see a tour route that interests you? Don’t worry. Kailani Tours also offers private tours that can be customized to your group’s wants and needs.
-Although listed tours top out at a maximum of 12 guests, Kailani Tours can and will accommodate larger groups through private tours. Please call them for details.