KEAAU GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Hilo in a Day: Waterfalls, Gardens and a Sweet Finish on the Hamakua Coast
A relaxed, 6-hour guided sightseeing circuit from Hilo that visits Liliuokalani Gardens, downtown markets, Rainbow and Akaka Falls, and Big Island Candies—useful for planning a gentle, full-day introduction to East Hawaiʻi.
Hilo in a Day: Waterfalls, Gardens and a Sweet Finish on the Hamakua Coast.
This Hilo Day Tour is a deliberate, easy-paced run through East Hawaiʻi’s lush shoreline and townscapes: morning pickup in Hilo, a stroll through Liliuokalani Gardens and the downtown farmers market, lookout views at Rainbow and Akaka Falls, a stop in historic Honomu for lunch, coastal drives past Bayfront Beach and the King Kamehameha statue, and a finale at Big Island Candies.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Akaka Falls: A 442-foot Curtain
A short paved loop brings you to a viewpoint for Akaka Falls, the tour’s most dramatic cascade, plunging 442 feet through lush rainforest and anchoring the Hamakua Coast leg of the day.
Liliuokalani Gardens and Hilo’s Farmers Market
The itinerary pairs the serene, koi-filled Liliuokalani Gardens with downtown Hilo and its daily farmers market—largest on Wednesdays and Saturdays—offering tropical fruit, local honey and handmade crafts.
Big Island Candies: Chocolatiers and Shortbread
End the tour watching chocolatiers at work and sampling the shop’s famed chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies—an easy, memorable souvenir stop after a day of sites.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
You move at a deliberate, unhurried pace: hotel or cruise-port pickup in the morning, measured stops at garden paths and market stalls, short lookouts at Rainbow Falls, a quick paved loop at Akaka Falls, time for an independent lunch in Honomu, and a relaxed coast run back to town with a sweet tasting to close.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this tour.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tour is advertised as a 6-hour sightseeing excursion; the operator schedules morning pickup with a mid‑afternoon return.
Plan to arrange/purchase lunch on your own in Honomu Village; the tour includes a stop where you can sample Big Island Candies’ chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies.
Expect only short, easy walking: Rainbow Falls has an accessible lookout and Akaka Falls involves a paved 0.4-mile loop trail.
Pickup is provided from Hilo hotels or the cruise port; exact pickup time is confirmed when you book.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Hilo Day Tour?
The tour is advertised as a 6-hour sightseeing tour.
Where will I be picked up?
Pickup is offered from Hilo hotels or the cruise port; the operator confirms the exact pickup time at booking.
Are there any hikes on the tour?
There are no strenuous hikes: Akaka Falls is reached via a short paved loop trail of about 0.4 miles, and Rainbow Falls is viewed from an easy lookout.
When is the Hilo Farmers Market largest?
The farmers market in downtown Hilo operates daily but is largest on Wednesday and Saturday.
How tall are the waterfalls visited?
Rainbow Falls is described as an 80-foot waterfall; Akaka Falls is a 442-foot waterfall.
Is lunch included on the tour?
No—Honomu Village is listed as a great spot to grab lunch on your own during the tour.