A guided day of rainforest trails, island legends, and a private waterfall swim
10–11 hrs
Lunch, park fees, rain gear
Explore the Big Island's rainforests, waterfalls, and coastal scenery with a guide who shares local history and legends. Combine natural landmarks with a private waterfall swim when weather permits.
Begin with a visit to the Waipio Valley Lookout, passing through the historic Parker Ranch. Enjoy breathtaking views of towering sea cliffs, a mile-long black-sand beach, and the sparkling Pacific Ocean.
Drive along the scenic Hamakua Coast to marvel at the famous Akaka Falls, where water cascades hundreds of feet into a lush ravine.
Explore the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden in Onomea Bay. Stroll rainforest trails crossing bubbling streams and waterfalls, with views of the rugged Pacific coastline. Discover over 2,000 species of exotic tropical plants and orchids in this lush garden setting.
Take a refreshing swim under the 120-foot Kulaniapia private waterfalls, Hawaii’s largest privately accessible waterfalls (weather permitting).
Visit Rainbow Falls, an 80-foot cascade framed by a giant banyan tree.
Conclude your adventure with a scenic drive along Saddle Road, nestled between Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest sea mountain, and Mauna Loa, the world’s most massive mountain.
Receive a full refund with at least 24 hours' notice for groups of 1–5, 48 hours' notice for groups of 6 or more, or 72 hours' notice for private groups.
There are some short and moderate hikes of no more than 1 mile throughout the tour. Guests must be able to walk on uneven, sloped, and potentially slippery grounds on this tour.
Yes, if weather permits you can swim at a private waterfall on this tour.
This tour will only visit the Waipio Valley Lookout. It does not take guests down into the valley.
Major hotels and resorts in Kona and Waikoloa
Wasabi Tours consistently delivers exceptional Big Island experiences, and it's clear the magic lies with their guides. Kevin, Jason, Chris, Derek, Dreu, and Felix all get glowing mentions for being knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely passionate about sharing Hawaii's culture and history. These aren't just drivers—they're storytellers who bring the island to life, often talking for hours while keeping everyone engaged and entertained. The Grand Circle Island Tour is the main attraction, covering volcanoes, waterfalls, black sand beaches, coffee farms, and plenty of photo ops across an action-packed 10-12 hour day. A few practical notes: It's a long day in the van, so bring layers since the AC runs cold. Most travelers find the comprehensive itinerary perfect for getting oriented and deciding what to revisit later, though one person felt some stops were rushed or redundant. One reviewer mentioned a guide who discouraged conversation, which was an outlier among otherwise enthusiastic feedback. The consensus is overwhelmingly positive—this tour gives you maximum sightseeing with minimal driving stress, led by guides who genuinely love what they do.
We did starlight tour. Our guide was Todd. He was very knowledgeable about Hawaii, Volcanoes and the stars. We all had lots of fun and learned stuff. Safe driver too. It is wise to think about car sickness because the roads are winding. Thank you
Josh Hammock
July 6, 2026
We did starlight tour. Our guide was Todd. He was very knowledgeable about Hawaii, Volcanoes and the stars. We all had lots of fun and learned stuff. Safe driver too. It is wise to think about car sickness because the roads are winding. Thank you
Josh Hammock
July 6, 2026
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