February 29th to March 6th, 2025

  6 nights/7 inclusive days  |  Maximum of 7 participants, and a minimum of 4 participants

Photography Tour Overview: January in Hawaii is the ultimate escape from the northern hemisphere winter blues, and that is just the beginning! The Big Island is the state's largest and most ecologically diverse island, with eight of thirteen of the world's climate zones. The island is also notably volcanic, and we frequently cross old and new lava fields as we circle the island, along with visits to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The other face of Hawaii is sub-tropical and contains a rich plethora of flora, and fauna, plus on the Hamakua coast, a variety of waterfalls. We'll start our photography tour with a whale-watching trip, and close it with prime seats at an ocean-front Luau complete with a Kona coast sunset. As with all of our photography tours, early and late shooting is scheduled for each day. Aloha!

Our itinerary . . .
But first things first! We suggest that you set your camera's clock to the local time, as your images will then synchronize with the times in our included photo tour field notes.

Day 1  |  West central coast
We'll get our Hawaii photography tour underway at 12 noon with lunch, a slide presentation by John, followed by a Whale watching - and photographing - excursion just off the Kona coast. Surfers catching waves south of Kailua is also scheduled today.
Kailua-Kona, 1 night

Days 2 + 3  |  The Hamakua Coastline
We cross from the east coast to the west today, passing through a 'European' looking landscape that was cleared to enable grazing cattle. On to, and down, the Hamakua coast for waterfalls and surfers.
On day 3 we photograph the flowers, ferns, waterfalls and ocean scenes at the Hawaii Tropical Botanical garden, plus Onomea Bay, more surfers and the Japanese garden in Hilo.
Hilo, 2 nights

Days 4 + 5  |  Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
We depart Hilo via the rainforest zoo/botanical garden. On south to Lava trees State Park, then to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park including twilight photography at the glowing Halema'uma'u crater in the Kilauea caldera.
On day 5 we'll photograph all day in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with subjects including volcanic craters, petroglyphs, incredible lava formations - some doing 'battle' with trees and flora - a sea arch, and tropical rainforest studies in macro including flowers and ferns . . . and much more as usual. There has been constant volcanic activity in the Kilauea caldera since 1983, with some periods more active than others.
Volcano, 2 nights

Day 6  |  Kona Coastline
Heading back to the west coast via the southern tip of the Big Island, we'll pause for studies of Green Turtles and a black sand beach. On to the Kona coast for 'old Hawaii' and a community perched on lava, plus studies of white coral on black lava. Then to the 'City of Refuge' at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park where ocean scenes, Green Turtles, Geckos and Finches add to the flavor. We shall close our Hawaii photography tour with a spectacular Luau complete with great food, entertainment, and photo ops including a Kona coast sunset. The included dinner on the last night of our photography tour will feature an 'It's You!' presentation of clients in action on this tour by John.
Kailua-Kona, 1 night

Day 7  |  Departure day
As there isn't any photography scheduled for the day of departure on this trip, your flight home can be arranged for any time today. Transport to the airport is included unless you’re staying on for a day or more.

Photo Tour Photographer/Leader: John Baker, Travel Images Photography Tours
The preceding itinerary is a copyrighted work by John Baker Photographer LLC, and Travel Images Photography Tours

Enhancing Your Photography Skills
Describing the assistance you'll receive on one of our photography tours takes more than a few words, so for greater detail please go here.

Exertion level: This photography tour is classified as 'non strenuous' to 'mildly strenuous'
A majority of images are found in close proximity to our vehicle
In every other respect this photography tour is considered non-strenuous to mildly strenuous

Do you need a Visa for travel to the United States?
Travelers from all countries can do a quick check of visa requirements here or here
Our international clients may need to contact the embassy of their intended destination in their own country for a visa. Go here or here

Photography Tour Cost, Deposit, Cancellation Policy and Enrollment Guidance

Trip Cost: $3,122 USD per person not including airfare. A 5% discount is applied to all double occupancies. A single room supplement is required for single occupancy

Single Supplement: 14% of the base cost of the trip

The deposit for this photography tour is $400. Make a deposit, or pay your tour balance here

Cancellation policy: Go here

Enrollment guidance: Go here

Included in the Trip Cost: The following items are included in the trip cost . . .

• Photography instruction throughout the trip by John

• All accommodations with private facilities [en-suite]

• All breakfasts

• Lunch on day one of the trip

• Dinner on the last night of the trip

• On-vehicle snacks and bottled water

• All ground transportation

• Airport pick-up on day 1, and drop-off on departure day. Arrival prior to day 1 is not included

• Entrance fees for sites and activities listed below under ‘Admissions Included’

• Following the trip you'll receive detailed field notes describing the time, place and subject of each photo stop, plus image uploads to a private web page of clients 'in action' on the trip

Not Included in the Trip Cost: The costs for these items are the responsibility of each participant . . .

• Airfare

• Travel costs between your home and the gateway airport and return

• Any transportation or travel costs incurred prior to or after the tour’s inclusive dates

• Pre-tour and/or post-tour accommodation

• Lunches and dinners except for lunch on day one of the trip, and dinner on the last night of the trip

• Alcoholic beverages

• Entrance fees or costs related to optional sites or activities not included in the itinerary

• Baggage fees

• Medical expenses

• Personal items such as the hotel mini-bar, laundry et cetera

• Incidental charges incurred at our accommodations such as movie rentals, internet and phone

• Travel insurance

• Passport or visa expenses

• Airport departure taxes, if applicable

Admissions Included in the Trip Cost:

• State parks

• Whale and Dolphin watching excursion

• A Luau complete with food, entertainment and photo opportunities

• Refuges and reserves, plus other places mentioned in the brochure

• Admission to Hawaii Volcanoes NP is included in our Commercial Organization, Commercial Tour Fees, and/or a Commercial Use Authorization [CUA] permit

• Helicopter or small plane excursions to view the volcano caldera, and admissions to museums et cetera are optional and not included.