VELTRA tours & activities, fun things to do

Stop and explore the cathedral like Kaumana Caves, enormous lava tubes that were active with flowing lava in the 1881 eruption which threatened to destroy the town of Hilo.

Please Note: This Kaumana Caves stop is only available with Kona and Kohala Departures due to the location of the caves. You will stop here on the way to Hilo, before guests in Hilo are picked up to join the tour.

Your next stop is the Mackenzie State Recreation Area on the Puna coast, the location of the historic eruption of 2018. The highway was shut down here by 40 ft tall wall of crumbling lava which flowed to the ocean. Hike along the flow to cliffs overlooking the new black sand beach before heading to Isaac Hale Beach Park. Lava flows circled this park but somehow left the park itself completely intact. A boat ramp which once provided access to the ocean is now in a pond completely cut off from the ocean. Blocking the boat ramp from the ocean is the New Pohoiki Black Sand Beach. When the waves are up, you can hear the volcanic rocks pounding and grinding against each other in the surf, creating more new black sand. You will enjoy a picnic lunch here at the park, weather permitting.

Next you will travel to the infamous Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Stop briefly at Kilauea Iki overlook before setting off on a hike to Keanakakoi, walking over the sink holes, cracks and buckles in the road that were caused by the recent eruption. From here you will get a bird’s eye view of the trail you will take leading down into the Caldera. The trail into the Caldera is about 2 miles round-trip.

After hiking into the caldera you will head to the famous Volcano House to take in the spectacular views before heading to the Volcano Winery, the southernmost winery in the United States. Take a private tour of the vineyard and winery, sample up to 8 different types wines ranging from sweet to dry and enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner before returning to your hotel.