Private Guide Meet In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Big Island of Hawaii , United States

Private Guide Meet In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

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(174 reviews)

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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About this experience

Learn more and see things you would never find on your own! Give us 3 hours, and you will learn much more about volcanoes, Hawaii's landscape, native plants, wildlife, and Hawaiian culture. We cannot show you the whole Park in only 3 hours, but we give you several stops to enrich your understanding and immerse your senses.

We created this activity to make learning about volcanoes budget and family-friendly. There is so much to learn in the park and see, but prioritizing would be challenging if you are alone. Ride along in our Mercedes van and see video footage of past eruptions. This tour is customized to your group's walking speed and interests.

After your tour with us, all the formations on the Big Island will make sense. Contact us for peak season dates.

* Dress code: LAYERS and raincoats; mountain weather can change 20 degrees.*

Available options

Private Guide Meet In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

What's included

Private transportation

Bottled water

National Park Certified Interpretive Guide

No van rides with people you don't know.

Adult plastic ponchos

Detailed itinerary

It is an exciting year to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea has erupted many times since 12-23-24. We want you to understand the unique formations you will see all over the Hawaiian islands, and you will after your 3-hour private tour with us. We never mix groups of people and change the stops to fit your family and group.

See the National Park in a way you would never experience alone. This three-hour tour is a private tour of the National Park, as much as we can show you. Only about an hour or less is driving; the rest of the time, we will show you past eruptions in the National Park.

We meet in the temperate rainforest of the National Park at the Kilauea Visitor Center. Although the Visitor Center is undergoing renovations, it is still the best location to meet. It is the first large building on the right after passing the Ranger booths.

The Visitor Center is currently undergoing renovations.

Stop 2

Experience the wonders of this 600+ year-old lava tube and learn how lava tubes form. You will also see a verdant temperate rainforest, rare ferns, secrets of the lava tube, and more. This half-mile walk is full of endemic species of plants and birds. We explain some of the ancient uses of certain plants and their unique development to survive in volcanic areas.

See the geologic phenomenon of the steam vent area at the summit of Kilauea. Learn how these vents were created, what is in the steam, and how the local people get water (if they drill down, they will hit hot rocks). See the local wild orchid and how the steam vents benefited the early travelers to Kilauea's summit.

Stop 4

Chain of Craters Road travels through several past eruptions of Kilauea and many unique lava formations. In only 3 hours we cannot show you all the sites along this dynamic stretch of road. We want to show you as much as we can of different eruptions.

It is not possible to list everything we will show you because that can vary with the weather, speed of loading and how sure-footed everyone is.

The amount of hiking and traveling across rugged terrain will be adapted to the group's fitness level and ability to walk and load/unload quickly.

What's not included

Entrance to the National Park is $30/per car, it is good for 7 days.

Available languages

Guide guide

Reviews breakdown

Viator 5.0

121 reviews

5★

120

4★

3★

2★

1★

Tripadvisor 5.0

53 reviews

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

Important information

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

After entering the Park, and passing the booths, the first building on the right is the Visitor Center, look for a Mercedes van that says Big Island VIP

Meeting point

The Visitor Center is currently closed for remodel, but it is still the VERY best place to meet. The Temporary Welcome Center is located down the road and only has porta-potties, and they are significantly more used than most people would ever wish to see.

Look for a van that says Big Island VIP.

Important notes

This booking does not include entry to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, since you are meeting us in the Park you can use your National Park Pass or pay the Park directly.

It is important tours start on time, please check how far your drive is to meet in the National Park.

About Big Island of Hawaii

The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest and youngest of the Hawaiian Islands, known for its diverse landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, active volcanoes, and lush rainforests. It offers a unique blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural experiences.

Top Attractions

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

This national park is home to two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. It offers hiking trails, scenic drives, and the opportunity to witness volcanic activity up close.

Nature/Adventure Full day Moderate ($30 per vehicle)

Mauna Kea Summit

Mauna Kea is the highest point in Hawaii and offers stunning views, stargazing opportunities, and a unique alpine environment.

Nature/Adventure Half day to full day Free (but requires acclimatization)

Waipio Valley

Waipio Valley is a lush, scenic valley known for its taro farms, waterfalls, and black sand beach. It is also a significant cultural site for Native Hawaiians.

Nature/Cultural Half day Free (but parking fee applies)

Hapuna Beach State Park

Hapuna Beach is one of the largest white sand beaches on the Big Island, offering swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing opportunities.

Beach Half day Free (but parking fee applies)

Akaka Falls State Park

Akaka Falls is a stunning 442-foot waterfall surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. The park offers a scenic loop trail leading to the falls.

Nature 1-2 hours Moderate ($5 per person)

Must-Try Local Dishes

Poke

A raw fish salad marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions, often served with rice.

Appetizer Contains fish, can be made with various types of seafood

Loco Moco

A hearty dish consisting of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and brown gravy.

Main Course Contains beef, eggs, and gluten (from the gravy)

Shave Ice

Finely shaved ice flavored with syrups and often topped with sweetened condensed milk or ice cream.

Dessert Vegetarian, can be made with various toppings

Kona Coffee

A premium coffee grown in the Kona region, known for its rich and smooth flavor.

Drink Caffeinated, can be decaffeinated

Popular Activities

Hiking Volcano exploration Water sports Beach lounging Spa treatments Scenic drives Traditional Hawaiian luaus Local markets

Best Time to Visit

April to June, September to October

This is the best time to visit the Big Island, with pleasant weather and fewer tourists. The ocean is warm, and the weather is generally dry and sunny.

21-30°C 70-86°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: English
Widely spoken: Hawaiian, Japanese, Tagalog
English: Widely spoken

Currency

US Dollar (USD)

Time Zone

Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST, GMT-10:00)

Electricity

120VV, 60HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

The Big Island is generally safe for travelers, with low crime rates and a welcoming atmosphere. However, visitors should be aware of natural hazards such as volcanic activity and ocean conditions.

Important Precautions:

• Rent a car with full insurance coverage
• Be cautious when purchasing souvenirs and tours, and research options in advance
• Be aware of ocean conditions and currents when swimming and snorkeling

Getting there

By air

Kona International Airport • 20 km from Kona
Hilo International Airport • 10 km from Hilo

By bus

Hilo, Kona

Getting around

Public transport

The Hele-On Bus is the public bus system on the Big Island. It is affordable but has limited routes and schedules.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber, Lyft

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Kona Hilo Waimea

Day trips

Mauna Kea Summit

30 km from Waimea • Half day to full day

Mauna Kea is the highest point in Hawaii and offers stunning views, stargazing opportunities, and a unique alpine environment.

Waipio Valley

60 km from Hilo • Half day

Waipio Valley is a lush, scenic valley known for its taro farms, waterfalls, and black sand beach. It is also a significant cultural site for Native Hawaiians.

Hapuna Beach State Park

30 km from Waimea • Half day

Hapuna Beach is one of the largest white sand beaches on the Big Island, offering swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing opportunities.

Festivals

Merrie Monarch Festival • April Kona Coffee Cultural Festival • November Ironman World Championship • October

Pro tips

Rent a car to explore the island at your own pace and access remote areas
Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park early in the day to avoid crowds and see the best views
Pack layers, as temperatures can vary significantly depending on the elevation and location
Try local dishes like poke, loco moco, and shave ice for an authentic taste of the Big Island
Respect the environment and local culture, and follow guidelines for visiting protected areas and sacred sites