This company did not disappoint! Mac was a phenomenal guide--extremely knowledgeable, professional,…read morecourteous, and accommodating. He didn't just share information about the places we visited; he brought them to life and made the entire experience memorable. I highly recommend this company, and if you can, be sure to ask for Mac.

What an amazing experience. We booked a tour to see the lava fields and enjoy a snorkeling…read moreadventure and it was a full day of adventure. Keep in mind there is no snorkeling on this excursion and the area around the Hilton is not safe or appropriate for snorkeling. I am writing the review solely on the lava field excursion part. My wife was very dissapointed that there was no snorkeling as we purchased new snorkeling equipment. Roxy was our tour guide and was probably the most knowledgeable and professional tour guide we have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Roxy was knowledgeable in the history of volcanoes on Hilo and elsewhere, horticulture, bird species, animals, Hawaiian culture, tourist attractions, history of the Hawaiian Islands, tribes and Capt. Cook, beaches, teachings, burial practices and so much more. Roxy told stories of the early days in Hawaii and how it evolved. Also as a noted her driving and safety practices were impeccable. If you are planning to come to Hilo you must make it a point to reach out to Roxy. We spent approximately 8 hours on the tour and it was so enriching although the lack of snorkeling was a dissapointment . Highly recommended Mahalo

Everything was amazing the people there were so nice, the cabins were amazing, and the pets are…read morereally sweet too. They have a Tv in the barn and a speaker for music and they play the news for us while serving us food as well. In conclusion the ranch is one of the best ranches you can go to.

Beautiful site, comfortable lodging, WONDERFUL family!! We unexpectedly stayed during the tsunami…read moreand were treated so well, it turned to be an awesome experience

I first came across Ka'u local buzz coffee and Paradise Meadows a couple of years ago and decided…read morethat this was the best coffee I've ever had. Same for the Mac Nuts. I immediately subscribed to their newsletter so I could keep up to speed on what they where offering. In a recent trip to Hawaii, we were finally able to visit in person and it was a fun experience. Enthusiastic staff, lots of laughter, delicious fruit slushies, Art Gallery with featured local artists, penny the pig, baby ducks, parrots that would squawk at you until you engaged in conversation. Premium Kau Coffee, Macnuts, chocolate, short bread, slushies, pizza (on the day we were there) made by two Italian guys. Yes please! After we gorged on free samples and margarita pizza, we went on a shopping spree at the well stocked gift shop (not sure if that's the correct term, maybe farmstand?). Since we spent a certain amount on goodies, a discount was given along with free shipping to Alaska (what?!?). It makes me so happy just knowing that places like this exist. My only regret about stopping is that because we were in go, go, go mode to get to a birthday party, we didn't spend nearly enough time here as I would've liked. Next time!

This is a must-see stop on the way to South Point. Admission is free, and you can wander the…read moregrounds filled with lush plants, birds, and an art gallery. Grab a bite from the food truck or enjoy the samples in the store. The macadamia nuts are absolutely addictive, and the thoughtfully crafted honey is just as incredible. We left a generous tip for our sample guru and went home with bags of macadamia nuts and a variety of honey. Everyone was so friendly and knowledgeable, and I loved learning how the honey develops its unique flavors. Best of all, it feels great to support local farmers!

This was a very fun experience. Be prepared to walk on uneven, rocky terrain and very dark caverns…read more It is recommended to wear good shoes, specifically hiking shoes, that will give you good ankle support and good traction. It is also recommended to wear long sleeves and pants to protect your arms and legs from accidental scratches and bruising. But most importantly, bring a headlamp so your hands are free to hold walls in order to maintain good balance. Do not bring a camera other than your phone and any extra things because that can hinder you when you're walking. If you complete the cave to the left after the stairs, it will spit you out near where the the parking lot, but you have to walk through the forest and brush which is very cumbersome and you can receive the most scratches compared to walking in the caverns. It also gets very muggy in the caverns despite water dripping from the ceiling. Is an incredible experience and it was super fun. There is no parking fees or no park fees. It is a feee experience with bathrooms at the top.

Very cool experience to walk through 2 caves…read more Bring a flashlight / headlamp. Your phone flashlight won't be as strong but can work if you have no options. Ideal shoes would be hiking boots but gym shoes will work. There are steep steps going down and then uneven rocks until the cave. The cave is uneven as well. Parking: maybe room for 10 cars, so parking could be difficult. When we went around 1pm on a Saturday, we didn't have a problem. Park and walk across the street to enter. Bathrooms: I did see some. Didn't use them though.

DO NOT BOOK! I booked a tour online and showed up at 5am and no one was there!! They did not answer…read moremy calls, texts, or emails. So I was stuck at the park in the dark at 5am by myself and very upset to not see lava. Still awaiting my refund ...

News of the recent Kilauea volcanic activity on the island of Hawaii reminded me that I still…read morehadn't reviewed EpicLava, and my phenomenal experience with John and his wonderful team this past Christmas. The word epic may not even do justice to the ethereal experience of watching these rivers of liquid fire up close; the flowing lava is 2,400 degrees hot! The 5-mile hike over pahoehoe lava fields starts at 4AM, so that by the time the blazing sun is in the sky, you're well-nigh finished with much of the exposed hike. These folks have an unwavering focus on the safety of the group; they pace the hike according to the capabilities of all the individuals in the group. John's passion about this geological marvel is contagious. John and Jessica advise visitors to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, long socks, and sturdy, closed-toed shoes for the hike; they provide gloves (along with water and snacks) for the hike. This is because the sand particles covering the lava flow crust have the sharpness of broken glass, and can cause serious cuts if they come in contact with the human skin. By the time I had finished the hike, I had already planned my next trip with this team of lava explorers.

Bigger of an operation now compared to back when I was growing up in Hilo. But they have always…read morekept the fact that you can walk in and see the workers hand dipping cookies and whatnot. They've not changed much besides having newer items here and there. They've classic chocolate dipped shortbread cookies are always a winner. Best part about visiting is that you get samples of their products if you just ask kindly! The staff are always so friendly and helpful. I wish they would bring back the Peanut Butter Crunch Bars!

Make sure to check this place out if you're in the area! We stopped by around 8:30 AM and honestly…read moreweren't even sure it was open at first--the building looks pretty dark from the outside because of the tint. But as soon as we walked in, we were warmly greeted by the wonderful staff, and the whole vibe completely changed. Inside, the space is bright, inviting, and thoughtfully set up. We were offered samples of their Kona coffee along with a couple of treats of the day, which was such a nice touch. As you walk around, you can actually watch them making their delicious goodies, which makes the experience even more fun and tempting. The shop was beautifully decorated for the upcoming Easter holiday, and they also had some really lovely gift boxes--perfect if you're looking to bring something home for family or friends. There's also a small area where you can grab drinks (and possibly ice cream too). I ordered a green tea latte, and it was absolutely wonderful. Overall, such a cozy, welcoming spot with great treats and friendly service. Definitely worth stopping by--whether you're craving something sweet or looking to pick up a thoughtful gift!

I'm so grateful to Yvette for being our private tour guide. If you're going to spend the whole…read moreweekend with someone, you'd want them to be fun, friendly, and have amazing ideas for places to go. We laughed the whole time and Yvette is really funny and quirky. I included pictures of where we went bc I forgot the names to everything lol. We didn't have to worry about a thing, Yvette took care of everything for us. She brings life, fun, magic, and adventure into everything she does! She's so sweet and caring as well. You'll be well taken care of and laugh your butt off with Yvette! She's so nice and flexible, I never felt uncomfortable with her. Next time we go to Hawaii, we will for sure reach out and try the other things we never got to try with Yvette!

My review is for my tour in Florida, but I really wanted to leave a review on how awesome Yvette…read moreis!It was my first time coming to Florida and I absolutely loved it, thanks to Yvette! The private tour guide, took me everywhere I wanted and showed me many historical places, like the southernmost point in Keywest! Also, of course we went to Miami & visited the Versace Mansion, and walked around Ocean Drive. I had never tried Cuban food, and Yvette ( the private tour guide) took my mom and I to the best Cuban restaurants, like Versailles on Calle Ocho, and La Carreta! She also took us to a very beautiful mall called Aventura Mall. Thank you Yvette for making my first time in Florida a memorable experience.

I lava you. This was…read morereally great to see real life lava. It has always been a life long dream of mine to urinate inside a volcano. Lol I can tell you this lava flow is miles away from the volcano it self and once you get with 10ft of the lava. The heat is so intense! I was able to watch the lava break and flow like a hot lava watefall. It just like watching National Geographic expect with 1000 degrees in heat right in your face! My pictures don't even begin to outline of details the acutally site, heat or awe of amazement. Right now it is a 4.2 mile hike out to the lava. I opted to rent a bike. The bikes are $10 an hour and pretty good bikes. Full suspension. But I can tell you this it is not an easy ride. The road is made of loose gravel. I was in the lowest gear 99% of the time. It took about 40min to paddle out there. I was going faster than most. As I was passing people so keep that in mind. I can regularly ride my bike 8.4 miles or more. But this ride is really tuff. I consumed 1.5liters of water on this ride. So bring lost of water and stop and chug it often. I did this trek at night hoping to see more glow and less flow. What I got was both and it was a spectacular show. If you look to the right off in the distance you can see what looks like two red eyes glowing. That is pele smiling at you as she oozes gifts of new land. YES! new land. You can actually watch the earth be made and how it's made. Totally worth the trip! Add this to your bucket list!

Excellent adventure to the lava flows at Kalapana! This couple respects the land and culture and…read moreis knowledgeable on both as well. They guided us carefully through the Kalapana lava flows, seeking out the most comfortable path available through the lava yet doing so as not to tread on anything fragile or dangerous. Hank was supremely prepared - binoculars, snacks (fruit, nuts, energy bars), flashlights, medical and boot repair equipment, etc. and spares of everything. As a former hiking guide myself, I can tell you that Hank and Malia are doing this absolutely right! For anyone looking to hike to the active lava flow from Kilauea, we highly recommend this terrific couple!