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The Big Island of Hawaii Live Volcano Tours

Live Volcano Tours are the most exciting tours offered on the Big Island.

There are 37 tours in this category. Hawaii's Leader in Affordable Tours and Discount Activities

Live Volcano Tours Sorted by Specific Tour

Perhaps of all the tours available that memorialize the Hawaii landscape, the Big Island Live Volcano Tours at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are the most exciting, dynamic and unforgettable! Many tours are offered at discount pricing.

Since 1983 the live volcanoes have been essentially, continuously and actively erupting from Kilauea Volcano. Over the course of years the flows have been spectacular as well as subdued. Many man-made structures have been lost and many of those have been structures created by the ancient Hawaiians. The road system on this side of the island has been covered and destroyed at various times and the advent of seismic activity has been ever present.

The most violent and destructive portion of the eruption has occurred since May 3rd of 2018 when hundreds of homes have been buried in lava, beautiful bays have been covered and acre upon acre has been added to the coastline to make the Big Island even bigger.

The land in this area is created by 'Pele', the Hawaiian goddess of the volcanoes and it is a land that she controls at her own volition and those that chose to live and visit this area must play by her rules.

This means that 'you' as a visitor must play by her rules and you too, must adjust to her game-plan and on her terms. The world she allows you to visit is always in flux. She will determine where you can visit and where you can't dependent upon the danger level she places before you.

All the tour companies do their very best to show you as much of the dramatic story created by 'Pele' as they can and they do a great job. The fact of the matter is though, that what you think you might be able to see prior to your arrival here might not be available for you to see when you get here, and conversely, what you may think you can't see, you may be able to.

What you need to understand is that this is a remarkable area to visit and it is an area that you will likely never be able to witness in another area of the planet in your lifetime. It is best to come and see what is possible and take what is available to see as a blessing. It will be worth it regardless.

The volcanic activity can be viewed in a number of ways:

  • Sightseeing Tours

    Sightseeing tours by van can be taken to see the sites and pick-up can often be arranged from either the Kona or the Hilo side of the island.

  • Hiking Tours and Biking Tours.

    Perhaps the most intimate way to see the volcanoes however would be to go with one of the Hiking or Biking Tours that trek the safer outreaches of the volcano. Often times you can get within just feet of the slowly moving molten lava but one should only go to these areas with guides who are aware of the safety hazards and limitations of the hikes. Lost in the rolling and fiery fields of lava have been thousands of archaeological features and artifacts. Temple and heiau sites have been covered and petrogyph fields and villages have been destroyed. Skilled touring guides will explain much of this on your adventurous outings.

  • Helicopter and Airplane Tours.

    The most exciting tours may be via Helicopter or Airplane. Since the rift area of Mount Kilauea is so large and in many cases so dangerous to traverse by foot, the best way to truly see the full scope of this natural phenomenon is from the air. Air Tours can be by Helicopters which depart from either Kona or Hilo side or they can be on a special sightseeing plane. Such planes in fact also depart from nearby Maui on a two hour flight over the channel to view the volcano before returning.
Any way you choose to do it the Big Island of Hawaii volcano tours of the active volcanoes are bound to be the highlight of your Big Island of adventure.

Big Island Volcano Tours are very popular and are a "must" for your Big Island vacation.

Pride of America Cruise Ship:

Some Big Island of Hawaii Live Volcano Tours may pick up at the Cruise Ship Dock. If not you can make arrangements for some of these tours by having Tom Barefoot's Tours organize a Rent-A-Car for you that will pick you up at the dock. You should be careful to make certain that these Live Volcano tours are mid-morning or early afternoon rides to allow enough time to get to the tour and also to get back to the ship. These would be available to you on the Tuesday from the port of Hilo or Wednesday from the port of Kona.

Checkout Tom's Tips and Insights about "The Big Island" of Hawaii Live Volcano Tours

Tom Barefoot's Tips
  • Tom's Tips - Big Island Live Volcano

    The live volcanoes of the Big Island are continuously in flux.  The magma under and near the earth's surface is always pulsing and flowing but the degrees of visibility at the surface are more apparent at some times than others.  This has been true over the course of eons.  Since 1983 there has almost always been red lava that could be viewed from inside one of the vents or calderas at Kileaua or be viewed in the surface lava flows that carried the rivers of lava down to the ocean.  During some months this activity was more active and the dramatic entry of the lava into the ocean causing plumbs of gas to rise hundreds of feet into the air was also an ebb and flow.  When May 3rd of 2018 came around, a much more visible eruption entailed with an extreme impact on the Puna area of the Big Island in which many structures were lost, beaches were covered with lava and additional acreage was added to the Big Island along the coast.  Since the last part of 2018 this recent eruption cycle has ended and although it is still a live volcano, we are awaiting the inevitable next phase.  In the mean time the recent lava layers cover the countryside like a blanket and from the air you can easily tell the distinct coloration of this most recent flow.  This may be the most continuous eruption location on the planet and with every visit to this area, either from the air or on the ground, you will be able to witness the special creation that has brought all these Hawaiian Islands to the surface from deep beneath the sea.


Do you still have questions about Live Volcano Tours?


Live Volcano Tours Sorted by Company

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(8 Reviews, 5 Stars)

Kailani Tours Hawaii

2 Activity Options

Make a reservation for Kailani Tours Hawaii

Kailani Tours Hawaii specializes in providing the most-interactive high-end sightseeing tours on the Big Island of Hawaii. Their certified guides deliver the highest quality customer service in luxury Mercedes Sprinter Vans. With different tours to choose from Kailani Tours Hawaii has a tour for you.
More Info / Buy Now


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(5 Reviews, 5 Stars)

Bike Volcano

3 Activity Options

Breathtaking tours of Hawaii visiting lava activity zones old and new.

When is the last time you had an opportunity to ride a bike and cruise alongside the flowing lava of an active volcano? This may be something to add to your "bucket list" and can be done on the Bike Volcano lava tour. Mostly downhill and flat surface terrain make this a comfortable bicycle and hike adventure that you will remember for a lifetime.
More Info / Buy Now


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(4 Reviews, 5 Stars)

Big Island Air

3 Activity Options

Cessna Grand Caravan EX

Big Island Air offers three different tours on their air conditioned Cessna Grand Caravan EX, which is the only turbine-engine, jet prop tour airplane in the State of Hawaii. Turbine engines are superior to piston or reciprocating engines in terms of safety, reliability and performance. The added power of a turbine allows us to show many places/things a conventional engine will not allow while operating well within the aircraft's normal range limits.
More Info / Buy Now


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(3 Reviews, 5 Stars)

Sunshine Helicopter

2 Activity Options

Helicopter Tours, FX-Star and Whisper Star, Helicopter Tours

Sunshine Helicopters has been operating in Hawaii for over 25 years and has a large fleet of FX-Star and Whisper Star helicopters. You'll experience the ultimate in comfort and with more visibility on these state-of- the-art helicopters. The owners, Ross and Anna Scott, are respected helicopter tour operators and offer spectacular flights of Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island of Hawaii.
More Info / Buy Now


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(1 Review, 5 Stars)

Hawaii Forest and Trail

3 Activity Options

Merriman's Farm Visit and Dinner, Hiking, Nature Trails, Land Tours, Bird Watching Hawaii

Hawaii Forest and Trail is one of the premier hiking and eco-adventure tour companies on the Big Island. They offer a variety of hiking tours which visit vastly different areas of the island and concentrate on the geology, biology, botany and history of each region. Small groups are led by naturalist guides. Their international reputation has made them a requested and popular touring option on the Big Island.
More Info / Buy Now


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(1 Review, 5 Stars)

KapohoKine Adventures

7 Activity Options

KapohoKine Adventures

Upscale sightseeing tours of the Big Island are offered by Kapohokine Adventures. Tours range the gamut between the Kona Side and the Hilo/Volcano side of the island and the smaller sizes of tours make them very personalized. In addition Kapohokine also offers a tremendous zip-line course on the Hilo side of the island with 8 separate double lines the last of which is one-half mile long.
More Info / Buy Now


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(15 Reviews, 4.7 Stars)

Paradise Helicopters

6 Activity Options

Scenic Helicopter Tours of Oahu, Pearl Harbor Flights, Door's Off Adventure Tours

Paradise Helicopters is one of the premier helicopter touring companies that services both the Big Island and Oahu. One of the biggest differences between this company and many others is the fact that they will offer you the opportunity to take a flight with the doors off. As nerve racking as that may sound, you are completely strapped in an just a secure as you would be in an enclosed helicopter. The big difference is that your view from this perspective will be absolutely amazing.
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(2 Reviews, 4.5 Stars)

Polynesian Adventure Tours

2 Activity Options

Experience the tropical beauty of the Hana Coast and visit O'heo Stream. Polynesian Adventure Tours,

One of the very largest sightseeing tour companies in all of Hawaii is Polynesian Adventure Tours. They operate a large variety of tours on all the islands as well as offer 'same day' interisland tours from your island of origin to the other islands allowing you to see an outer island without having to relocate and move to another hotel there. They operate the finest vans, mini-motor coaches and luxurious full size motor coaches with deluxe, large 'see out windows' for the very best views.
More Info / Buy Now


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(3 Reviews, 4.3 Stars)

Robert's Hawaii

2 Activity Options

Charter Bus, Land Tours, and Sightseeing Tours, Oahu Sightseeing Tours and Land Tours, Tours to Waim

Robert's Hawaii is the largest sightseeing company in Hawaii offering tour options on all the islands. In addition to running a variety of land tours on each island, they also offer "room and car" packages for inter-island travel. Robert's Hawaii has branched off into ownership of many of the other major activities found throughout the islands.
More Info / Buy Now


Aloha Sunshine Tours

1 Activity Option

Oahu Circle Isle, Polynesian Cultural Center or WWII Begin to End, Hana Tour, Volcano Tour,

If you are staying on one Hawaiian Island but would like to visit the highlights of another island in the chain then the one-day inter-island flights and tours offered by Aloha Sunshine Tours are just what you're looking for. These inclusive tours simplify your itinerary and make your touring experience 'care free'.
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Mauna Loa Helicopters

1 Activity Option

Book a flight with Mauna Loa Helicopters

Mauna Loa Helicopters flies the Robinson R44 Helicopters. These machines have a smaller capacity than their competitors which enables them to offer more customized tours.
More Info / Buy Now


Epic Tours

1 Activity Option

Epic Tours - Hawaii

Epic Tours offers Jeep and 4 wheel drive SUV tours to hard to reach areas of the Big Island of Hawaii.
More Info / Buy Now


Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

4 Activity Options

Astar and luxury Ecostar Helicopters both provide spectacular Group and Private charter tours

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters offers spectacular Group or Private Charter helicopter tours on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Big Island of Hawaii. Eco-Star and A-Star Helicopters are available for privates from all locations and the Maui and Hilo tours.
More Info / Buy Now




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Video Transcript

Well there is no question that the centerpiece of all tours that we have on the Big Island surround around the volcanic activity in the Volcanoes National Park. We have many different types of tours that will take you around to see the volcano. These are all discussed in other segments of this website, other categories here on the Big Island. We have helicopter tours of the volcano. We have air tours that are fixed-wing aircraft of the volcano. We have sightseeing tours, land tours, and buses and vans, that sort of thing. We have bike tours that will take you around to see the volcanic activity up-close. Of course, we also have hiking tours.

Rather than get into these in this segment, please just go to whichever category you think is going to be most intriguing for you and look at our discussion there. Without a doubt, anyway you look at it, the volcanic activity on the Big Island of Hawaii is the major attraction on the island. If you have any questions about tours or activities in Hawaii, just give us a call or check out TomBarefoot.com. We're here to help.