Travel guides & island stories

Big Island travel blog.

Practical guides to Hilo tours, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, waterfalls, lava viewing, and cruise shore excursions.

2025-06-156 min read

Best Hilo Volcano Tour for Cruise Passengers

How to choose a Hilo shore excursion that fits your port window, sees the volcano, and gets you back to the ship on time.

Hilocruise shipvolcano tourshore excursion

2025-07-025 min read

A side-by-side comparison of Hawaiʻi Island's two most famous waterfalls near Hilo, and how to see both in one day.

ʻAkaka FallsRainbow FallsHilowaterfalls

2025-08-107 min read

Everything you need to know about seeing lava on Hawaiʻi Island, from current eruption updates to cultural etiquette.

lavaKīlaueavolcanoBig Island

2025-09-055 min read

A complete guide to Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach: turtles, history, facilities, and how to visit as part of a Hilo volcano tour.

Punaluʻublack sand beachhonusea turtles