This was our favorite (!) excursion during our NCL cruise. Justin made the whole experience feel like we were part of his family. He was knowledgeable about every stop, as well as offering fun tidbits during the ride. He showed us more things than were even advertised and allowed us to share the love he has for the Big Island. If I ever return to the Island of Hawaii, I will do this one again-it was that good.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Umbrella's
- Luxurious reclining 15 passenger seating
- Bottled water
- Port of Hilo/Hotel/Hilo Airport pickup & drop-off
- Professional Native Guide
- National Park fee's
Excludes
- Gratuities
- Guests are responsible for their lunch costs
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- GUESTS DRIVING OVER FROM KONA & WAIKALOA, please select meeting point: Liliuokalani Gardens Hilo, there is a small parking lot next to Hilo Bay Cafe on the bay side of the park where your vehicle can be parked for free during the tour. Look for a black 15 passenger van with the decals "Makaio Tours."
Itinerary
While most of the visit will be spent here! We will cover all popular stops with commentary. The following areas will be visited: Volcano House, Visitor Center, Kilauea overlook of the Halemaumau Crater, steam vents and sulfur dioxide banks, Kilauea Iki Crater, Laumanu Crater and Nahuku lava tube.
The largest and locally grown vegetables and fruits are available in Hilo Farmers market that is conveniently located in the Historical Hilo Town. Guests are given an hour for lunch in this area full of restaurants and local shops.
One of the most iconic waterfalls that runs down the wailuku river located in Hilo. Known for Rainbows that can be scene when the sun hits the mist below. Many tropical trees and plants to view and touch in this area including a famous 1/4 acre Banyan Tree that many tourists and locals love to climb and swing from.
Explore a Historical 24acre Botanical Garden near the Hilo Bay that host many species of eucalyptus trees, Monkey pod trees and Island tropical vegetation. Many bridges over salt water tide pools full of tropical fish can be viewed and explored. Very often Hawaiian Geese called Nene's (state bird) can be seen here too.
An exclusive local candy factory where visitors can sample their famous island delicacies like the many macadamia nut cookies dipped in a variety of chocolates. Also free samples of Kona or Kau coffee! Experience and view the production crew through large windows as they carefully make, handle and pack their amazing products!
A popular Black Sand Beach in Hilo known for Honu's (hawaiian green sea turtles) that swim and relax in the salt water tide pools. Here tourist and locals surf, swim, snorkel and explore the many activities available at this island paradise or find a cool place under a coconut tree to hang out!
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
We were picked up in the cruise terminal by Justin. His vibrant personality and attention to details made the trip more than just exceptional. His van was high end and comfortable. In fact the inside was immaculate. We went to every location and then some. The money was WELL spent. Great guy and great tour!!
Jason was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and fun. Created a great experience for all.
Wonderful tour guide, cleanest van I have ever send, fantastics views can not recommend enough.
Justin was an amazing guide! He was very knowledgeable about the island history and made the day extremely fun! The van was beautiful and water was provided. I would definitely recommend taking this tour.
Our guide, Justin, made it an enjoyable and educational experience. The trip to the volcano was very interesting and we just had a beautiful trip all around the Hilo area. Justin is a five-star guide for sure!
Justin Gray is an excellent tour guide. Provided countless interesting details about the Big Island Hawaii in an appropriate entertaining manner. You will not be disappointed!!! Also, the tour van was very clean.
Awesome dude, challenging weather, saw a lot of sites that the cruise ship was cancelling. Made the group trip super fun and a great adventure.
The BEST!!! Van clean Justin was so organized funny and very informative about the environment and history of the island. I am 75 years old and no problem with getting around. So much fun!!! Thank you Justin Michelle from Ohio👍
Justin is an amazing tour guide with a great sense of humor! Our ship’s departure time got moved up, but he adjusted the tour so we could see everything. There were only 3 others on the tour with us! I highly recommend this tour! Thanks Justin!
We booked this tour last minute when our cruise ship tour was cancelled due to an approaching storm. We were extremely pleased to meet Justin and spend a fun and entertaining day with his group. Despite difficult weather conditions, he put together many local sights with expert commentary. His warmth and enthusiasm made the day very memorable.
Justin was an awesome guide, very entertaining with all kinds of stories but also full of information about all aspects of the area. I liked seeing so many places since we were only in Hilo for a day. There was just the right amount of time in each location. I learned from him that my birthstone Peridot is the mineral that gives green sand beaches their color. I enjoyed learning that since I’ve always thought it was a kind of an uninteresting birthstone. I highly recommend Justin’s tour.
We had an absolutely fantastic time on the Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Beaches & Hilo Highlights Day Tour yesterday! Our guide and driver, Justin, was simply wonderful. He was highly professional, knowledgeable, and kept the energy amazing throughout the entire 7 hours.The itinerary was incredibly well-planned. We were lucky enough to see the volcanic steam vents at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, walk through the mysterious lava tube, and witness the unique golden-colored waterfalls after the heavy rain! The stop at Big Island Candies for free coffee and treats was an absolute delight, and we even spotted wild sea turtles at the black sand beach.
Justin is a one man tour expert! Such a wonderful personality. Very personable, knowledgeable and a wealth of knowledge. The tour was a passenger van that held 12 passengers. The van was immaculate! There was plenty of opportunities to ask questions and free water was provided. The stops were breathtaking. The volcano, the waterfalls. WOW! We also stopped at the macadamia nut farm and candy/cookie factory. The opportunity to try samples and buy some sweets were fantastic. Ending the day at the beach watching turtles (honu) was wonderful. It was a fun packed day with a lot to see and do. Justin is just fantastic. I would highly recommend.
Provided a great flavor of the island getting to see many of the experiences you read about before you vsit the island with an extremely fun and knowledgeable guide.
Justin was Great and funny!! Commentary was awesome and useful. Vehicle was clean both interior and exterior. Very professional demeanor with family swag. I learned so much during the tour and we were able to see parts of the island I didn’t plan. I over packed thinking I would need water and coverage in the event it would rain. NOPE!! Plenty of water, umbrellas were available and it was optional to stay behind in selected stops. Very accommodating. My daughter is very shy but Justin’s energy was so welcoming, she was comfortable enough to playful during f this experience🥰. Justin you are a gem💎
Justin was an amazing tour guide… Very knowledgeable, kind, and friendly! The van was immaculate and very comfortable and it was a great way to hit the most popular tourist spots in a short period of time at a pace everyone can handle.
One of the most informative tours we have taken. We missed the 51st eruption by less than 24 hours! Justin, the guide, did an amazing job of involving all the participants with interactive and entertaining dialogue. Very enjoyable
A great tour of several areas. Volcanoes, black sand beaches, and macadamia nut cookies. Justin was the perfect amount of funny, informative, and personable! Highly recommend this tour to check out the area - great experience!
Our tour guide Justin was amazing We were treated like family and learned alot of things throughout the tour. I would highly recommend booking him 10/10
Justin is a great tour guide. I highly recommend using his company. He'll take great care of you as you see these spectacular sights!
The tour guide/driver was excellent. He related many stories about himself and the areas we were visiting. He was very knowledgeable about the island. He had great concern for my husband and myself who are in our 80's and have a problem with long walks. We loved this whole trip.
Justin was wonderful. He is very knowledgeable about the area and island. We saw a black beach, waterfalls, lava tunnel, a volcano that had erupted a few days ago and more! Fabulous tour guide!
Justin, with Makaio Tours, our guide was amazing. He truly provided our family with unforgettable memories. He was prepared for all weather situations. He provided great accommodations for our service animal. He provided history, knowledge and experience of all the areas we toured. Justin also provided advanced coordinated texts and guidance to help avoid any confusion on meeting points and accommodations. Viator coordinated and provided my family with great memories!!! Thank you
If you want to see key highlights of Hilo while on the big island, why not sit back and let Tony do the driving. We toured with a small group in a spacious and clean tour van while our local guide, Tony, made us feel like we were long lost friends. Tony is extremely personable, funny and knowledgeable on all things pertaining to Hawaii and the big island. We could have enjoyed these experiences on our own but Tony’s insight added a profound dimension to what we were seeing and doing. Tony owns the company and takes great pride in showing off the wonders of his homeland, and spreading the Aloha spirit. Don’t hesitate; this is money and time well spent. Be prepared to laugh and learn! Tony is truly amazing!!
Makati Tours Hawaii with Justin as the tour guide was a once in a lifetime experience! The tour was full of interesting facts, laughs, and great memories were made with our family! Justin was very personable sharing his knowledge and experiences, not to mention he looked like The Rock! : )
Justin did an amazing job. Very knowledgeable and personable! Rainy day and he did everything possible to keep us dry and show us a great time. I have motion sickness and he made sure I was up front to prevent issues. Highly recommend this tour!
Justin was awesome!! Very entertaining and knowledgeable. We would highly recommend and he was very family oriented.
My husband and I have been on excursions all over the world, and this was by far the best one we have ever experienced! First of all, the value is unbeatable. It is a full-day experience for the price we normally pay for a brief, one- or two-stop tour. We were picked up at 9:00 AM and weren't dropped off until after 4:30 PM. Our itinerary was packed with incredible stops: we got as close to Kilauea as possible while listening to insider stories only a local could share, walked through a stunning lava tube surrounded by nature trails, and enjoyed lunch and shopping in Hilo. We also took in the breathtaking views at Rainbow Falls, stopped by Big Island Candies for delicious macadamia nut cookies, and wrapped up the day spotting sea turtles on the black sand at Richardson Ocean Park. Secondly, Justin—the owner and tour guide—absolutely makes the trip. His company is named in tribute to his son, and his entire demeanor reflects how much he honors his family through his business. He is hilariously funny, kind-hearted, and possesses a genuine love for the island that shines through everything he does. He treats everyone like family, and you leave the tour feeling like you’ve made a wonderful new friend!
It was an awesome day with a tour guide who customized our event to everyone on our groups liking. Justin treated us like we were part of his family
Justin was awesome!! He is very knowledgeable about Hilo and Hawaiian culture. Had a fantastic tour.
Justin shared true mana. This was amazing & unforgettable. More than just a tour it's an experience.
The entire day was wonderful. Justin was entertaining, informative and very personable. He paid attention to everyone on our tour and was available if anyone needed assistance. He made our day one of the best days of our vacation.
Justin is a fantastic host. He made me feel like a member of his family. He’s funny, outgoing, very informative, and knowledgeable. This was a true tour—whatever question you have, he knows the answer: whether it’s about the island’s history, topography and volcanoes, or the Hawaiian language. I had the most fun!
Justin was the absolute best! We really knows the ins and outs of Hilo and went the extra mile to take us to great views/experiences! Highly recommend!
Justin is an awesome tour guide. While the volcano national park was closed due to an eruption and ash spewing all over, Justin found other things to fill in the tour. By the end, he was family! We definitely would recommend the tour, but especially Justin. The tour van is very sweet too!
This tour is run by Justin, who is not only very entertaining but very knowledgeable. We were lucky enough to see Kilauea erupt and Justin was even prepared for that! You'll be in great hands and laugh a lot while seeing amazing sites. His tour is highly recommended!
we really enjoyed our time with Justin, we had the best group of new friends for the day, Justin was very knowledgeable about the island and especially the volcano and lava tube, it was so cool seeing the turtles too. you can tell he really enjoys people. five stars all around
We took this tour with Justin! He was very knowledgeable about the Hilo area. And Volcano National Park! He made the trip so fun! The tour bus was spotless. We have taken lots of tours on trips! This is the best one ever!
Justin was a great tour guide. He gave us a nice mix of geology, botany, local history, and local culture. I can’t recommend him enough!
This was a fabulous excursion! We got to see so many different things, and Justin was a wonderful guide! He was knowledgeable about each place we visited, and his sense of humor kept the whole day light and fun! One of the best excursions we experienced in Hawaii!!
It was Excellent the tour guide was Excellent well informing very pleasant very accommodating and very sociable.
Justin’s tour was awesome! Saw amazing sights and enjoyed Justin’s energy & knowledge which enhanced our experience.
The tour was fabulous! The owner/operator, Justin, was the best tour guide we have ever had. He took us to places that other tours don’t go. Being a native Hawaiian, he knew the history of the islands which others may not know. He was fun and personable and absolutely loved his job. His van was immaculate. I would give him 10 stars if I could. Mahalo
Justin was dynamic, informative and being a Native his knowledge was over the top. He made us feel like a part of his family. The fee was fair and the length of the tour was great. I would have had a longer tour with him.
Take this excursion, you will Not be disappointed Justin was amazing, and took us to every great spot, very funny and personable. He treated us like family for the day. He will get you to the best spot to see the volcano, waterfall and sea turtles, and teach you Hawai’i life on the island.
Guide is very personable and inclusive. I’m so happy I went with this tour, the others seem like they just take you to the places and let you figure it out on your own, this one was informative and fun! Genuinely had a great time.
Awesome Awesome Awesome Awesome Awesome Awesome Awesome and um....did forget mention......Awesome??? Justin made us feel like a part of the Hawaiian family! He shared great experiences and brought our group together like a family. I'm sure there are great tours in Hilo and all across the big island but if you are looking for the BEST then Justin is your guy!
Justin is awesome! The whole experience was incredible very informative we had a great time and would highly recommend him!
The trip was amazing! Episode 40 started on our trip! We enjoyed all the stops and would highly recommend this tour!
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
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