Hilo Travel Guides (Updated September 2026)

This was a great experience and we had a wonderful time. They went OUT OF THEIR WAY to make sure we saw what we wanted and even took us to a slightly different spot when part of the volcano was clouded in. They even got us local treats to try.

Agnes is the kind of guide you hope for but rarely get — warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely fun to be around. From the moment she picked us up, she set the tone for an incredible day in Hilo. She knows SO much about the island, but she shares it in a way that feels like a great conversation, not a lecture. She welcomed every question we had (and we had plenty!), and she made it feel like she was genuinely excited to share more whenever we asked.She took us everywhere: an erupting volcano (yes, erupting!), local shops, a beautiful beach, waterfalls, gardens, and those massive banyan trees that make you feel tiny in the best way. Early on, she noticed how interested we were in the plants around us, so she started pointing out names, stories, and uses — and we even ended up tasting wild ginger on the side of the road. It was such a fun, unexpected moment that made the day feel even more personal.And when someone mentioned macadamia nuts, she didn’t hesitate — she made it happen. Agnes is flexible, thoughtful, and clearly loves what she does. Her car was stocked with water, snacks, and umbrellas, which tells you everything about how prepared and caring she is.This tour was one of our favorite experiences in Hawaii, and Agnes made it unforgettable. Book her — you’ll be so glad you did.

Locally run small business, with great customer service. The owner/driver, Ray is very accomodating and informative. The locations we visited were absolutely amazing. Great value for money!

I had such a great experience! The smaller group made it so much easier to see more places and explore the Big Island efficiently without feeling rushed. Rae was an amazing and incredibly knowledgeable guide who made the entire day fun and interesting. He kept us stocked with drinks and snacks throughout the day and even ended with a fun quiz to see what we remembered from everything we learned. I’d definitely recommend this over a large group tour if you really want to experience and learn about the Big Island!

This tour was excellent! Holley was our guide. She was VERY knowledgeable and have a lot of information. She was very accommodating to the group and flexible with time and stops. I highly recommend this tour.

Big Mike was the best! You experienced the big Island through all 5 senses. Shout out to his wife for the beautiful handmade leis and special touches that you won’t get on other tours.

Our guide Mike was very knowledgeable as he was from Hawaii. It made the whole experience that much better. He had a very nice 15 passenger sprinter van which was very comfortable. All seats were full. We visited Volcano National park, turtles on the beach and waterfalls. Lunch was at this little island sandwich shop, out of the way, which was excellent! Then the farmers market for shaved ice! GREAT EXCURSION!

Great tour. Aaron was a great, informative guide with stories of island life. Take this tour you won’t regret it.

An amazing day! Aaron was entertaining and informational. It was a perfect day to be at the volcano.

Great way to see A LOT in one day .. all the main highlights of Hilo. Our tour operator was born & raised there so it was great to have that much knowledge leading us.

Our tour guide Agnes went above and beyond our expectations with her knowledge of the area and the sites we visited. We saw so much but never felt rushed or hurried. Trust me you won’t be disappointed if you book this tour especially if you have Agnes as your guide!

Great experience! Highly recommended! You don't have to walk a lot but you are gonna get tired after the day!

The tour was outstanding! Our tour guide Anthony was amazing. Very knowledgeable about the culture and history of the island. Very engaging and informative. Very upbeat, positive, accommodating and fun. The overall timing of the stops were adequate. We didn’t feel rushed and the lunch was fantastic local fare at a local restaurant. Overall it was one of the better tours in my travels. Anthony went above and beyond to ensure a great experience.

Our tour was provided by Shaka Braddah tours and Desmond and team was fantastic.  They were both so knowledgeable and funny – we felt like friends by the end of our tour. They also provided snacks and local delicacies throughout the day. We started the day with a slow drive pass Lili’uokalani Park and Gardens, before stopping at Rainbow Falls which were beautiful. We then proceeded to a black sand beach (we were due to visit Punalu’u Black Stand Beach, but that was inaccessible due to Hurricane Lala which had hit the island 2 weeks previously). However, this beach we went to did not disappoint and we saw a couple of green turtles chilling on the rocks! After a lovely lunch at a local restaurant, we then went to the Volcanoes National Park which was spectacular. Even though we did not see an eruption (it had erupted the week prior), it was certainly smoking a LOT and the views were fantastic. This was followed by a walk through Thurston Lava Tube which was completely different to anything we had experienced before. All in all a fantastic trip and would highly recommend it – FIVE STARS!

Amanda was good fun, knowledgeable and entertaining. The day was just perfect

Aaron is a great tour guide. Very informative on all of our stops. Love that he cares so much of his home town. He gave us so much information on the history of Hilo. Just wish we could have seen the volcano errupt.