Big Island volcano, manta ray and helicopter tours
Plan the Big Island: volcano, manta rays and helicopters
Compare volcano & manta tours
Keoni Kahale
Hawaiʻi Island Tour and Volcano Writer
Start here
Pick the side of the island first
The Big Island is the largest island in the United States, and its two coasts are a long drive apart. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park sits on the Hilo side; the manta ray boats and most sunset sails leave from the Kona side.
Decide where you are sleeping, then check what each listing includes and where it leaves from. Every page compares current Viator tours by what the listing books and who should skip it. Read the five-day itinerary if you are starting from zero.
Three most-reviewed days
The volcano, the mantas or the summit
Prices and ratings come from Viator and change; the guide for each explains what the listing includes and who should skip it.
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The volcano
Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History
Mauna Kea summit
Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour
Tours and days out
Choose your trip
Tour optionsVolcano tours
Which side of the island the day starts from, and what the listing includes.
Read the guide →
Tour optionsManta ray night snorkel
Boat size, harbor and the no-sighting terms.
Read the guide →
Tour optionsHelicopter tours
Volcano or Kohala valleys, and whether there is a landing.
Read the guide →
Tour optionsSnorkeling
Kealakekua Bay boats against the kayak landing rule.
Read the guide →Tour optionsMauna Kea summit
Altitude, cold and why a tour is the usual way up.
Read the guide →
Tour optionsBig Island in a day
Full-island loops compared by stop list.
Read the guide →
Tour optionsKealakekua Bay kayak
The permitted paddles that can land at the monument.
Read the guide →
Tour optionsWaterfall tours
Hilo, Hāmākua and Kohala falls by region.
Read the guide →
Tour optionsZipline tours
Hāmākua or Kohala, and whether there is a swim stop.
Read the guide →
Tour optionsWhale watching
The winter season and the Kona harbor departures.
Read the guide →Before booking
Planning guides
Where you stay, the season and the weather decide more of the trip than the tour you pick.
When to go
Whale months, summit snow and windward rain.
Read the guide →Planning guideKona or Hilo
Which base puts your tours close by.
Read the guide →Planning guideFive-day itinerary
Two coasts, and the weather-dependent tours first.
Read the guide →Planning guideBig Island with kids
Tours and drives that work for children.
Read the guide →Compare before you commit
Each comparison names the deciding question first. Start with the comparison library.
Written from Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiʻi. Check the National Park Service, state park and operator pages for current conditions before you go.
Keoni writes Big Island Tour Guide's tour comparisons using published tour details and official park and state sources. About Keoni.