Spectacular volcanoes, craters and steam vents are waiting to be explored at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that has recently reopened after a period of tumultuous volcanic activity. The landscape of Volcanoes Park has dramatically changed as the floor of the Kilauea crater sunk over 1,500 feet and the overall caldera quadrupled in size and widened by over a square mile. Today, the explosive eruptions, earthquakes and ash clouds have been replaced by remarkable changes in the summit area. The highlights of this exciting tour include visits at each of the following destinations in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park while riding to each stop in comfort on a deluxe motor coach. Walk through the Kilauea Visitors Center to receive information on the Park’s current conditions, view educational exhibits and interact with park rangers. Enjoy unforgettable views of Kilauea from Volcano House, just a short walk across the street. Kilauea’s massive size and scale is realized from this vantage point. Then you’ll be engulfed in rising steam as ground water seeps down to the hot volcanic rocks at the Steam Vents. The area between the edge of Kilauea’s caldera and the outer cliffs are treeless because the extreme heat destroys their roots; only shallow-rooted grasses and other hearty plants survive here. On you return to the pier, visit the Big Island Candies Store. Established in 1977, each of its delectable candies and cookies are hand-crafted in this factory store. View the production process and see what goes into making these world famous Hawaiian treats. All products are made from only freshly roasted Big Island macadamia nuts and pure Kona and Ka‘u coffee from farms on the Big Island. Since its founding, Big Island Candies has continuously introduced new and imaginative products that "wow" both the eyes and taste buds of its growing legion of fans. The Volcanoes National Park Tour is not to be missed and includes round-trip transportation from the pier by deluxe motorcoach.

Gain an understanding of the Big Island’s history through attractions that highlight the life of the early Hawaiians and the influence of Catholic missionaries. Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park will offer a glimpse into the early culture, as it was a place of refuge for those that had violated the sacred laws known as kapu. There, you will see a temple where criminals could be absolved of their transgressions and safely return to society. To complement the experience, you will visit the 19th-century Painted Church. Its interior features frescoes and murals of biblical scenes that a Belgian priest painted to teach the islanders Catholicism. The missionaries were also instrumental in dismantling the harsh kapu laws. You will also learn how coffee was introduced to Hawaii in the 1820s and how it is processed today at the Royal Kona Coffee Center. It is an excellent setting to enjoy a cup of fresh-brewed Kona coffee.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit one Hawaii’s most sacred sites, where criminals could find safe refuge.
• View the biblical murals and frescoes that adorn the Painted Church.
• Enjoy a cup of Kona coffee and learn about its production at a coffee mill.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Sit back and enjoy the sights along the famed Hana Highway without having to navigate the twisting, curving road yourself. With an expert driver at the wheel, you won’t miss any of the incredible scenery of lava cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, the rugged northern coastline, lush hillsides of feathery ferns and trees laden with tropical fruits. You’ll stop to explore various sites along the way to "Heavenly Hana," in this wonderfully natural and pristine landscape. This tour goes to Hana and returns on the same route. A box lunch is included at the start of the tour.

PREBOOK ONLY. NOT AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING ONBOARD. The luau is an essential part of the Hawaiian experience, and the cultural extravaganza at the historic Kilohana Plantation is a feast for all the senses. You’ll have the option to gather around the traditional fire pit and watch the roast pig emerge, a special treat to accompany the already lavish buffet of local delicacies and desserts. While torches blaze, graceful hulas and energetic fire dances will entertain you, and the ancient sea voyages that brought the original Hawaiians to these islands from Polynesia will be brought to life in story and song.

Explore Honolulu’s highlights – from Pearl Harbor and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific to Hawaii’s first Christian church, and Iolani Palace and Washington Place, both former residences of the Hawaiian monarchy.

Pearl Harbor is one of Hawaii’s best-known landmarks and the scene of the devastating aerial attack by Japan that drove the U.S. into WWII. The Pearl Harbor Visitor's center exhibit galleries bring visitors closer to the sights and sounds of the events leading up to the attack on Oahu and its aftermath. These galleries display personal memorabilia, dramatic photographs, artifacts of the battle, and other exhibits.

In central Honolulu stand face to face with the larger-than-life statue of King Kamehameha I, the leader who united the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom. Just across the street you’ll see the Iolani Palace, residence of Hawaii's last two monarchs. European in design, it boasted Hawaii’s first electric lights, flush toilets and internal phone system. Also nearby is Kawaiahao Church, Hawaii's first Christian house of worship, built of coral slabs from the offshore reefs.

At the heart of the downtown historic district you will notice the elegant Washington Place, now a museum, and once home to Liliuokalani, Hawaii’s last queen. Drive through the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, in the extinct volcanic crater known as the Punchbowl. It is the final resting place of some 53,000 veterans who lost their lives in 20th century wars, including those who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Enjoy panoramic city views on your drive to the airport.

OVERVIEW

Zip along the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii on a 41-foot Super-Raft and enjoy an extended stop to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters. The powerful, twin-engine vessel is open-air with plenty of shaded bench seating so you should be comfortable as you race along the gorgeous Kona coast. After assessing the wind and water conditions, the captain will select the most suitable spot for your snorkeling adventure. The Big Island boasts the highest percentage of live coral in the Hawaiian Islands and where there’s coral, there’s fish. You can expect to see an ever-changing parade of marine life that may include fluorescent-colored tangs, oddly shaped trumpet fish, graceful manta rays and green sea turtles, known locally as honu. Triggerfish are also found here and are considered the unofficial Hawaiian state fish. They’re rather unusual looking as indicated by their 21-letter Hawaiian name, which means “fish with a snout like a pig.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise off the naturally beautiful Kona coast of Hawaii in a powerful 41-foot Super-Raft.
• Snorkel a coral reef or another spot that should be teeming with colorful marine life.
• Keep an eye out for showstoppers like green sea turtles and Hawaiian spinner dolphin.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a panoramic drive along the island’s beautiful western coast and stop at attractions that are particularly relevant to Hawaiians. Upon reaching Kealakekua Bay, you will see the statue that marks the spot where early Hawaiians killed British explorer Captain James Cook in 1779 following a dispute. A bit south lies Pu’uhonua, a spiritual site where criminals once sought refuge and absolution from Hawaiian priests. The temple platforms and other structures that you will see were intact in Captain Cook’s time. Continuing on, you will stop for a sandwich or poke bowl at a popular lunch spot and then a cup of Kona coffee at Caffe Florian, another favorite among locals. A behind-the-scenes tour of the Royal Kona Coffee Center will reveal how those special beans are harvested and brewed. The focus will turn to natural attractions at the nearby lava tubes and at Turtle Cove, where sea turtles are abundant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive along the island’s western shore and visit attractions of great cultural significance.
• Stop at a seaside site that was sacred to the early Hawaiians and still is today.
• Enjoy favorite local foods and drinks such as a poke bowl and Kona coffee.
• See natural wonders such as lava tubes and observe sea turtles resting on a beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Hear spine-tingling tales of murder and mayhem while walking through the heart of Kailua-Kona, a city with a long history of hauntings and horrors. Not for the squeamish or faint-hearted, this supernatural stroll is sure to raise eyebrows and goosebumps, even in broad daylight. You will learn about the bloodcurdling curse of King Kamehameha’s burial cave, the ghosts of the monarchs that haunt Hulihe’e Palace and the malevolent spirits lurking in the shadows to choke the living. Even non-believers tend to fear the Hawaiian demigods known as kupra, who are evil shape-shifters that can transform themselves into seemingly harmless humans – like your tour guide – before pouncing. You can’t escape the ghosts and goblins as Kailua-Kona was built over blood-soaked battle grounds and sacred sites. But don’t despair, there is hope. Certain Hawaiian tribal tattoos, especially those depicting sea turtles or sharks, are said to offer protection. You do have one, right?

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through downtown as the guide regales you with chilling tales of the supernatural.
• Pass by haunted hotels, ancient burial grounds and sites known for paranormal activities.
• Hear about some of the notorious events behind these terrifying tales.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Sail on a sleek catamaran to beautiful Kealakekua Bay and snorkel its sheltered waters, which are teeming with colorful marine life. The bay lies off the western shore and holds the Big Island’s only underwater state park, a marine sanctuary renowned for the clarity of its waters. The cruise will be immensely pleasurable as the 50-foot catamaran offers plenty of room to stretch out in the sun and relax in the shaded but open-air cabin. On the way, you will dine on classic Hawaiian cuisine and hear about the island’s history, especially while passing the spot where legendary British explorer Captain James Cook was killed in 1779. Still, the underwater wonders are the star attractions, including marine life found nowhere else in Hawaii such as lizardfish and flame angelfish, a flashy species often seen grazing on coral reef algae. Feel free to enjoy the open bar on the return cruise.

OVERVIEW

Ride an electric bike through the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and stop along the way at attractions that showcase the unusual nature of the state’s only UNESCO World Heritage site. Traveling by fat-tire e-bike couldn’t be easier because its battery-powered, whisper-quiet motor makes pedaling a breeze, allowing you to go farther with less effort. You will experience that firsthand as you ascend into the park on the way to the visitors center, whose enlightening exhibits will prepare you for the drama of seeing the Kilauea volcano in person. One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea has been steadily erupting since 1983 and the surrounding terrain is extraordinarily dramatic. You will behold this towering shield volcano and its caldera – the cauldron-like depression at the top – from a lookout and from the Volcano House Hotel. You will also pause at the Thurston Lava Tube, a cavernous tunnel that was filled with flowing lava 500 years ago.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Zip around Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on an e-bike that makes pedaling easier.
• Learn about the park’s geology and volcanic history at the visitor center.
• View Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, from several vantage points.
• Stop at the Thurston Lava Tube, through which a river of hot lava flowed centuries ago.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Paddle through the brilliant blue waters of Hilo Bay in a kayak and enjoy a unique perspective of the city and the volcanoes looming in the background. After a briefing to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will ease into a kayak and follow the guide into the crescent-shaped bay. From there, you will have an excellent view of Hilo’s urban landscape, which sprawls along the coast and up into the flanks of the volcanoes. The guide will point out and describe Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano that is the highest point in Hawaii. Then there is Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano. It too is a spectacular reminder that the Hawaiian Islands are volcanically formed. While paddling through the bay and around Coconut Island, be sure to look for green sea turtles, symbols of good luck and longevity. You will also kayak up the Wailuku River to view its gorgeous waterfall.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle around Hilo Bay in a kayak as the guide describes the surrounding natural beauty.
• See the massive volcanoes Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa from a unique water perspective.
• Enjoy an up-close view of Coconut Island and the waterfall on the Wailuku River.
• Look for green sea turtles gracefully swimming by in the bay’s crystal-clear waters.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Bring water shoes, towel, bathing suit and a change of clothes.

OVERVIEW

After a scenic drive through Upcountry Maui, you’ll arrive at the zipline course, which sits near the edge of Haleakalā National Park at 4,200 feet above sea level. An experienced guide team will outfit you with safety gear before leading you through an active conservation restoration area being replanted with native trees. Along the way, your guides will share their knowledge about the history of Haleakalā National Park, its delicate ecosystems, and the cultural significance of the area. When you arrive at the first zipline, you’ll be clipped in for the first of five exhilarating rides down the slopes of Haleakalā. The adrenaline journey culminates in a thrilling zip on Hawaii’s only pendulum zipline, where riders reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour! While pausing on the elevated platforms between ziplines, you will enjoy views of Haleakalā National Park, the West Maui Mountains, and the islands of Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, and Kaho‘olawe just offshore.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride five separate ziplines, including the only pendulum zipline in Hawaii.
• Enjoy the adrenaline rush of riding ziplines as high as 90 feet over a canyon.
• Get a literal bird’s-eye view of Maui and surrounding islands as you race between zipline platforms.
• Hike through an active conservation restoration area that is being replanted with native Hawaiian trees.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear athletic or hiking shoes with a fully enclosed toe and heel.