Island of Hawaii Tours
Private Guide Meet In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
5

Private Guide Meet In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

By Big Island VIP
Recommended by 97% of travelers
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Ages 0-120
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More


  • National Park Certified Interpretive Guide
  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
  • We have adult plastic ponchos only. Please dress children accordingly.
What's not included
  • Free to get in with a National Park Pass or pay the Park directly for $30/car good for 7 days.


Start:
  • Kīlauea Visitor Center, National Park, 1 Crater Rim Drive, Volcano, HI 96785, USA
    We will meet you at the Kilauea Visitor Center. Look for a van branded Big Island VIP in the Commercial Parking area by the restrooms. If there is an eruption on the day of your tour, don't panic; we will call or text you if we have to meet you somewhere else.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 8944P16

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Most travelers can participate
    • 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. https://goo.gl/maps/7oNjFwvdZbFWQ1np8
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 8944P16

    From
    $595.00
    per group (up to 8)
    Select date and travelers

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    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Big Island VIP
      113
      United States
      Joined in March 2016
    • angelnole
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing Private Tour - They have thought of everything.
      This was an incredible private tour! From the start, the booking process was seamless, with follow-up reminders and detailed directions to the meeting point. Jodi and Rob did an exceptional job catering to everyone in our group, from a 13-year-old to an 80-year-old, ensuring we all had a fantastic experience. We explored Volcano National Park and were lucky enough to witness the active volcano—an unforgettable sight! They also took us on side trips to stunning waterfalls and breathtaking beaches. Every detail was thoughtfully planned. When they say VIP, they mean it: they provided flashlights, raincoats, and even special gadgets to help us capture perfect photos. We can’t recommend Jodi and Rob enough for their outstanding hospitality and expertise. This tour was truly one for the books!
      Written January 6, 2025
    • christophermG6545GI
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Wonderful day with no stress
      This was a great trip. The family loved it including the kiddos. Rob was great and very accommodating. The trip from Kona is a long day if you drive it yourself. This is a great way to see the volcano from Kona and have some energy for the pool or Kona nightlife.
      Written January 3, 2025
    • joanner776
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Volcano tour - large group
      We received exceptional service from this highly professional tour company. Our guides were extremely knowledgeable and we loved hearing about their love of their island. The volcano is just amazing and we fit so much into our day. Thank you Jodi and Skylar!
      Written December 8, 2024
    • Culture06093452948
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Awesome! Highly recommend!
      Jodi was an awesome tour guide! Very knowledgeable about the park and the volcanoes. The pictures were a nice touch as well! Thank you Jodi for taking such good care of us!
      Written June 30, 2024
    • nancejane
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Beautiful Kona, from history to turtles
      My family was cruising on NCL Pride of America, and Kona was our second port on the Big Island. My son, being a history buff, was very interested in the history and culture of the islands, and the excursions offered by the cruise line did not fit the bill. This tour offered by Big Island VIP did. It was our second day with Rob (having toured Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park with him the previous day from Hilo). None of us are coffee drinkers, so we requested that we skip the coffee tour and visit a chocolate farm instead. Rob happily complied. We also were able to visit locations on Kona such as St. Benedict Catholic Church (the painted church) before anyone else arrived (extremely special having the church to ourselves and having Rob explain the history of it), Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. Having limited time in Kona, it was extremely helpful for Rob to play videos in the van explaining the sites before we arrived, and then answering our questions and explaining more of what we were seeing while we walked around. What a special day with an exceptional guide. I highly recommend Rob and Big Island VIP!
      Written June 2, 2024
    • nancejane
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      FANTASTIC private tour of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park!
      Our trip to Hawaii was a gift to celebrate many different events all at once (wedding anniversary, graduation from college, 30th and 60th birthdays), so we wanted to make every day special. Touring with Big Island VIP definitely made our day in Hilo and Volcanoes National Park extremely special. The four of us were cruising on the NCL Pride of America and had one day in Hilo, and we wanted to make the most of our time at the Park. We were originally going to rent a car and try to see the park on our own, but decided that we would be able to learn more with a guide. Rob picked us up at the pier early, and we were able to beat the crowds to the main tour spots, as well as go to locations in the park that not many people get to see. There is so much to see and do in the park, and we definitely appreciated Rob taking us to so many wonderful places. My husband was especially fascinated and had a wonderful dialogue with Rob about everything we saw throughout the entire day. The tour is enhanced by videos in the van explaining what we were about to see - the history of the volcanoes, the different types of lava, and the various eruptions that have occurred over the years. Rob is an encyclopedia of information, and it is evident how much he loves the island and sharing it with people. A bonus was that pictures were taken throughout the day, and shared with us after the tour. We all had a wonderful day (and had an equally wonderful day in Kona, for we booked a tour with Rob the next day as well)!
      Written June 2, 2024
    • 56anishk
      0 contributions
      1.0 of 5 bubbles
      Extremely rude lady with horrible customer Service. STAY AWAY
      Jodi the lady I was speaking to was EXTREMELY RUDE. We had a tour booked for hilo and the tour was booked. After I tried to call twice to ask legitimate question about lunch, she was extremely rude to me and got frustrated I called during "America’s World Cup" when I'm not even from America or know about it. Apparently people from overseas are supposed to know about that according to her I did not even contact her until weeks ago, this is the first two calls I made after not contacting her for weeks. No customers should ever be treated the way she treated us. Have posted the screenshots.
      Written February 11, 2024
    • maryjof926
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Outstanding Tour!
      Jodi was so helpful in her suggestions and arranging/booking our tour. We enjoyed our day immensly with Rob in Hilo. His knowledge of all things volcano is amazing. He made the tour so interesting with his expertise of the area & he kept us entertained & amused. He was very accomodating & we highly recommend Big Island Vip to anyone looking for local tours on the Big Island.
      Written January 2, 2024
    • Dream26350804064
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing!
      We visited as part of a Disney cruise where we stopped at Hilo, Kauai, Oahu and Maui. While we booked a private tour on each of the islands, our tour with Skylar was head and shoulders above the rest! Skylar showed up on time, in a clean, comfortable vehicle, with snacks, waters, and even flashlights for the lava tubes. He was prepared for anything we might need and was so knowledgeable about the area and the volcanoes National park. He walked around with us for the entirety of the tour, explaining things as we went, and answering any questions we had. He also took a ton of pictures that Jodi shared with us after the tour that we could download for free. We truly had an amazing day on Hilo!
      Written October 17, 2023
    • joseph563
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Jodi the best tour guide!
      Jodi was our tour guide and she was exceptional! We all learned so much, experienced so many views of the waterfalls, black sand beach, lava tubes and an amazing lunch at the Volcano park! She took so many pictures that are memorable!
      Written September 5, 2023
    • Marla R
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Blown away!
      Jodi was amazing! The tour was informative and fun. She made our group feel like part of her family. We were thrilled that she took so many pictures and gave us the digital copies. We had a group of 8 that one of our members put together based on Jodi’s suggestion of how to get others on the tour. Totally worth the cost we paid. I highly recommend Jodi and her company.
      Written September 2, 2023
    • Navigate49063199239
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Memorable Volcanoes Tour
      Very happy that we booked this tour! Skylar picked our group of 10 up on time and was well-prepared with rain gear, flashlights, water, and snacks. He took photos throughout the day for our group so we could just ralax and take in the sights. We had a tour around Hilo and saw some of the well-known landmarks, parks, and waterfalls before driving up to Volcanoes National Park. Everything was well-organized and very informative. Getting a first hand account of the history and culture of the area, information about native plants and animals, and of course about volcanoes made our trip so memorable. Thank you Skylar and Big Island VIP! Definitely recommend!!
      Written July 24, 2023
    • Noemis M
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Top of The Line Service
      Robin really made the difference when it came to exploring and experiencing what the Big Island has to offer. Robin was so knowledgeable and funny. His schedules were excellent and kept us on track. The more you move the more you see. He will cater this experience to meet your needs. The van was so clean and comfortable, we traveled in style! This is a must do!
      Written July 14, 2023
    • J5776BBjasond
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Highly Recommend!
      What a great tour! Rob took us all over the Volcano National Park and shared his love of the area and vast experience. We learned about the different types of lava (who knew there is more than 1 type) and got a feel for what it is like when the lava is flowing. He took tons of pictures for us so we could focus on having fun. If you are on the big island, book this tour!
      Written July 11, 2023
    • Jenny-JennyV
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Volcanoes Park Tour
      Skylar was an amazing guide! We all had so much fun and learned so much it was a perfect experience!
      Written June 16, 2023
    See all 113 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

    Popular mentions

    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles48 reviews
    Excellent
    47
    Very good
    0
    Average
    1
    Poor
    0
    Terrible
    0

    Silvia T
    9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2024 • Friends
    The trip to the volcano and its beautiful surroundings invites you to dream, offering unique moments and stories to experience. Skyler conducted the tour absolutely professionally, explaining everything and stopping at many great spots, giving us the opportunity to look around and enjoy the wonderful nature. Additionally, Skyler took photos, which we received the next day via a link in a very friendly email. The tour guide was equipped with cold drinks, snacks, umbrellas, rain jackets, and flashlights. We also received an information sheet about other great sights. All in all, an absolutely successful day. Thank you very much for the unique experience.
    Written August 4, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you so much Silvia! I'm glad you got your photos. Thank you so much for visiting the National Park!
    Written August 4, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Kathleen H
    Santa Cruz, California, United States16 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2022
    We did an early morning private tour with Rob this morning in Volcanoes NP. We met him at 5am at the visitor center in the park. Everything about this experience was seamless. Jodi, Rob's wife and partner, answered all of my questions before booking, allowed me to change my date after booking and then sent me this AMAZING suggestion guide of what to do on the island, where to eat, where to snorkel, etc. We visited a few of the places she suggested and were so happy we did. This was all BEFORE we even started the tour.

    We had to get up at 245am to make sure we left our condo in Kona at 3am in time to meet Rob. While driving in the dark we questioned our decision. Rob quickly shuttled us to a closed road where we walked about a mile to an overlook to see the lava lake. Because we left so early we were pretty much the first people there and got a premium viewing spot. Rob brought us flashlights and binoculars and he had a camera with a huge lens to take pics and video of us and the lava. As soon as we got to the spot we knew we made the right choice to get up early and book with VIP.

    After we watched the sunrise over the lava lake and clouds part from Mauna Loa, we headed back to the van. Rob, with his extensive knowledge of the park and weather patterns, changed up our route to help us avoid the rain (which was successful). He took us to see lots of different examples of lava flows, lava drains, native vegetation and the Thurston lava tube. In-between each stop he played us a curated set of video shorts, teaching us about previous eruptions and types of lava. His enthusiasm for the park and the volcanoes really came through and heightened our experience.

    At the end of the tour he dropped us off at the Volcano House for breakfast. The kalua pork hash was really delicious. He also showed us a hike to do following breakfast that left from behind the restaurant/lodge. The hike took us down to the edge of the forested rim of the crater. We saw endemic birds (Apapane and Amakihi) and worked off some of our breakfast.

    If we did not do this tour we would have arrived too late to the park to see the glowing lava lake. We also would have spent our morning in the rain as we would not have known when to go where. We also would have never gotten to see or learn so much in 3 hours. This was the best money we spent on our trip visiting the big island and Kauai!

    Oh, and he is a great photographer and takes lots of photos and videos and shares them with you :)
    Written October 23, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Wow Kathleen! That is the most incredible review I have ever read! I'm so glad we were able to help make your visit to the Big Island a memorable one! Mahalo nui loa! A hui hou (until we meet again)!
    Written October 24, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    NatTK
    Mississauga, Canada13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wake up early it’s totally worth seeing the lava in the dark( would recommend binoculars for a close up view of the lava crashing against the cliffs ). Jody offers more than just a drive out to the see the lava. It’s an educational experience as well. Jody is super knowledgeable on the surrounding vegetation and various lava formations.I recommend booking this private tour over any other.
    Written August 25, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you SO MUCH! Yes, binoculars are the best way to see it. I make sure we have 2 or 3 sets on every visit to the crater. Mahalo and a hui hou!
    Written August 27, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Julie Rist
    Woodbury, MN2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Volcano National Park was amazing and Rob was FABULOUS! This tour was the top highlight from our trip! The van was very clean and was for our family only—a feature we really appreciated!

    Meeting Rob at 5am was the best way to see the volcano and the changes sunrise brings. Rob was passionate, informative and helped us understand what we were looking at. After the tour concluded, we had breakfast at the Volcano House with a tremendous volcano view. Rob took many fabulous pictures that were emailed to us after the tour concluded.

    The other highlight was the list of key activities emailed to us before we arrived in Hawaii. This list was amazing and we were able to do many of the activities during our week on the Big Island! A truly GREAT resource to help newbie visitors prioritize what to see and do.

    You will not be disappointed if you book with Big Island VIP tours. An amazing experience! Thank you Rob for an fantastic day!
    Written November 25, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Mahalo Julie A pleasure showing you the Volcano. a hui hou Rob
    Written November 26, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Fun travels
    Lemont, IL1 contribution
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2023 • Couples
    Being able to walk around in the lava tube and on the lava was pretty neat. Was a bit surprised what we paid and we got. Would have liked to have seen more sites than what we did. Our guide was very knowledgeable and nice. We did discuss plants which was nice but felt the tour was 50/50 between plants and lava. Would you enjoyed more about the lava than what were shown. Felt the tour is way over priced for what we got and could have had a similar experience seeing the park ourselves even though we wouldn’t have had the knowledge of a guide.
    Written March 7, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Interesting feedback. Thank you.
    Written March 10, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    davis1492
    Atlanta, GA32 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We visited Hawaii for the first time with another couple, and we went to the big island specifically to visit Volcano National Park. We had some hesitation in paying for a guide, since we figured we could read all about it and find the lava flow, etc. however, we would do it all over again. Robert is a very knowledgeable guide who shared a lot of information with us that we would not have gotten on our own. He was great to keep in contact with us about what time we should arrive, and the importance of that as it was getting daylight earlier each day, and he wanted to make sure we had a good period of darkness to view the lava. We arrived right on time, he drove us to the area where we took a short hike to the lava, and we were treated to amazing views. As he drove us to other areas in the park, he was careful to avoid rainy places that he noted in the distance, so we could enjoy our tour without rain (stay on the big island for a week and you will understand our appreciation). Not only is Robert enthusiastic in sharing his volcano knowledge, he is also well versed in the flora and fauna of the area. We asked lots of questions, and our 4 tour was over too quickly. At his suggestion we then ate breakfast at the Lava House, which ended up being the perfect thing to do after our tour.
    Written May 2, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Aloha and thank you SO MUCH for the kind words! We appreciate you making the effort to arrive early, it is almost always worth the effort. I hope you enjoy your visit to the Big Island!
    Written May 2, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Chocolatelover755
    Merida, Mexico12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2023 • Family
    Big Island VIP is a must-do tour if you are visiting the Big Island. Their volcanoes tour provided another perspective to an already incredible park.

    The structure of the tour is one of the biggest reasons to go with Big Island VIP. Unlike other commercialized tours, Big Island VIP offers private tours. Not only does this allow flexibility, but it makes the tour feel much more personal.

    The guides are excellent too. For our tour, we had Rob, a charismatic and fun guide. He was extremely knowledgeable about not just the park but the island. In a way, it’s best to plan this tour for the beginning of your vacation, as he provides advice for other activities on the island. Rob was dedicated to making sure we had an enjoyable and comfortable experience. We could really tell his passion for the park and the tour.

    The biggest selling point is the tour itself. It is one thing to see the park, but it is another to learn about it. Rob’s knowledge on geology provided a new insight. We visited the park before, but after our tour with Rob, we will never see the in park the same way. Rob took us off the beaten path, allowing us to see parts of the park few get to see. Even though we had a 2 hour tour, Rob doubled our time, making sure that we had the full experience. Along the way, he took excellent pictures. Giving us something to remember the tour by.

    In short, Big Island VIP offers a tour that few other companies can match.
    Written January 3, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Mahalo it was a pleasure showing you Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Rob. A hui hou
    Written January 4, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Andynnj
    Hoboken, NJ47 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    May 2022
    The volcano park tour with Rob was fun and informative, and he even took photos of the volcano for us! He showed us the amazing sites around the park (lava trees, Thurston lava tube) while sharing historical details and his own experiences with the volcanoes and the park. He gave us useful tips and recommendations for sights and places to shop and eat. I highly recommend this tour, especially if you would like to get up before dawn to see the glow of the volcano. Our time at the park would not have been as good without Rob’s information and guidance.
    Written May 25, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Mahalo! Thank you for trusting us and getting up early!
    Written June 1, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Lauren S
    Philadelphia, PA11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nov 2022
    We had a fantastic time! Justin was awesome with our 4 and 6-year-old kids, and he was clearly very knowledgeable. It's such a huge, beautiful place. It was super helpful to know where to go! We were able to hike to see lava the night before when it was dark, so the 9am trip was the perfect compliment.
    Written November 17, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Aloha Lauren, mahalo for taking the time to write a review! I hope you enjoyed your time on the Big Island! A hui hou!
    Written November 19, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    kaylo_traveler
    Huntersville, NC32 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had a great tour of volcanoes National park with Jodi. It was exactly what we were looking for and she really helped us make the most of our time in the park. We had an amazing experience viewing the lava before sunrise and then toured all the highlights of the park (plus some) after that. Jodi was knowledgeable, prepared, friendly and made the tour interesting/engaging for our whole family. Highly recommend!
    Written November 19, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you so much! It was my pleasure!
    Written November 20, 2021
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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    Private Guide Meet In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park provided by Big Island VIP

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