4 Affordable Big Island Tours That Won’t Break the Bank

Big Island Guide Travel Guide
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Affordable Big Island Tours

The Big Island of Hawaii is known for being an ideal destination for families, but there’s no doubt about it: a trip to Hawaii can be an expensive endeavor. The experiences and memories you’ll return home with will be invaluable, but it’s important to take into consideration the cost of your trip and look for opportunities to save a bit of money. Thankfully, the breadth of available activities on the Big Island means your options to splurge or stay thrifty are almost infinite. If you’re looking to see the best of Hawaii’s Big Island on a budget, these mostly self guided, affordable Big Island tours will be a perfect compromise for your wallet.

Take a Self Guided Tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is known for its expansive scenic views of volcanic craters and up-close looks at recent lava flows, but it’s also one of the more affordable attractions on the island. While exploring the area can be a great adventure and you’ll need to stock up on a few key supplies if you plan to hike, the memories (and photos) you’ll come back with will be well worth the effort.

Hours and Admission
Open 24 hours (check for weather or volcanic activity closures)
National Park entry for a private vehicle = $30.00 (valid for 7 days)

Go Stargazing at Mauna Kea

A renowned point on the globe for astronomy, Mauna Kea is home to 13 observation facilities funded by 11 different countries. While access to these telescopes is limited to scientists and astronomers, the altitude (which reaches beyond the cloud layer) makes the summit ideal for stargazing.

Mauna Kea is the highest point in all of Hawaii and one of the few places where you can travel from sea level to 13,000 feet within a couple of hours, so if you plan to venture up the mountain, be prepared to stop at the visitor’s center and acclimate yourself if you plan to hike or progress further up the mountain. You need to be driving a full 4WD vehicle to continue to the summit.

Combining an informational documentary at the visitor center with a stargazing session, a trip to Mauna Kea in the evening is a wonderful way to explore the heavens from a uniquely Hawaiian perspective. Please check the VIS website for more information on happenings at the visitor center. If you want more than naked eye stargazing, a guided tour is a good option, especially if you do not have a 4WD vehicle.

Hours and Admission
Visitors Information Station – 9 AM to 9 PM
Self Guided Tour: Free!

Kona Coffee Tours and Tastings

Many Big Island coffee plantations offer affordable tours of their coffee farms. Some of the finest coffee plantations on the island open their doors to help introduce and educate visitors on the wonders of Kona Coffee. Here are a few of our favorite Kona Coffee Tours..

Because Hawaii contains the only suitable climate for coffee growth in all of the U.S., a tour of an estate, mill, or roasting facility provides incredible insight into the coffee growth and production from one of the most well-respected coffee regions in the world.

Take a Tour of the Big Island Waterfalls and the Waipio Valley

While it is perfectly possible to see the waterfalls on a free, self guided tour, there are also nice guided tours that are a good option for this adventure. Exploring the many waterfalls found on the Big Island is well worth a trip to Hilo and points north. You will be able to do a driving tour with short hiking stops at 5 different waterfalls. This is quite a large area so plan on a full day if you want to do the whole trip.

If you’re planning to cap your vacation off with a balance between adventure and relaxation, hiring a tour company to take care of travel arrangements, food, and navigation can be a good value. A tour of the Waipio Valley and Waterfalls is both fun and relaxing. They will take you down into the incredible Waipio Valley, where you can see several waterfalls. The tour companies have access to some areas that the general public can’t go, so you do get that extra value.

Admission and Hours
Self Guided Tour: $10-$25 admission at a couple of the waterfalls
Guided Tour Admission: $200+ per person
Hours: Vary by tour

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