Departing from the Kohala/Kona side of the island, this is a great sightseeing tour that gets you close to the current volcanic activity on the Big Island. The first stop is south of Kona at a coffee farm where you'll get to see the orchards and learn about the harvesting and milling process while sampling the world-famous Kona coffee.

The tour then continues past the scenic view of Kealakekua Bay and South Point, the southernmost point in the United States before arriving at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, a great place to see Hawaiian green sea turtles.

In the afternoon, visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You'll travel along the park's Chain of Craters Road. There will be various stops along the way within the park, including past flow sites, steam vents, scenic lookout points and the Thurston lava tube.

After enjoying a sit-down dinner at a local restaurant near the park, your guide will take you to a great location for stargazing through a portable but powerful telescope. Depending on weather conditions, you will be able to observe stars and planets. It is an experience similar and comparable to stargazing at the Mauna Kea Visitor Center.

Tour Highlights:

• Visit a Kona coffee farm and sample Kona coffee
  
• Punalu'u Black Sand Beach - jet black sand and green sea turtles
  
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - visit popular lookout points and see the Thurston Lava Tube
• View the glowing lava inside the active volcanic crater that lights up the night sky
• Observe stars, planets and galaxies under the pristine night sky near Mauna Kea (weather permitting)
  
• Learn about the history, culture, geography and ecology of Hawaii's Big Island from your knowledgeable, certified guide

• Picnic-style lunch: teriyaki chicken, grilled fish, steamed white rice and purple sweet potatoes (vegetarian alternative: tofu, steamed vegetables, sweet potatoes and white rice) - if requesting a vegetarian meal, please notate next to guest's name when making your reservation
  
• Dinner at a restaurant near the park (menu provided at restaurant)
• Assorted juices, snacks and bottled water