Sightseeing Tours

Sightseeing Tours

Guided tours on the island are great for specific things: seeing Mauna Kea, exploring Waipio Valley, maybe even touring Volcanoes National Park (especially if your time is short). Sticking to a guided tour the whole time, though, would not be a great idea. Half the fun of the island is in exploring it on your own. Plus, if you stick to a guided tour, you'll only see the major tourist attractions, none of the Big Island's many hidden treasures.

Local tour-bus operators conduct volcano tours and circle-island tours, with pickup at the major resorts. Costs range from $38 to $160, depending on pickup location and length of tour. The circle-island tour is a full 12-hour day, but Jack's and Polynesian Adventure Tours also offer half-day tours to the volcano, Mauna Kea observatory, and around Kailua-Kona. Hawaii Forest & Trail offers a volcano tour, Mauna Kea tour, several other specific sights tours, and the option of customizing a private tour.

Jack's Tours.[. 808/329-2555 in Kona; 808/961-6666 in Hilo; 800/442-5557. www.jackstours.com

Polynesian Adventure Tours.[. 808/329-8008 in Kona; 800/622-3011. www.polyad.com

Roberts Hawaii.[. 808/329-1688 in Kona; 808/966-5483 in Hilo; 800/831-5541. www.robertshawaii.com

Hawaii Forest & Trail.[. 808/464-1993. www.hawaii-forest.com