Private Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Tour (4 guests max):
Experience the Big Island’s living landscape on a fully private volcano tour designed just for your group. This customized day trip takes you from Kona coffee country and black sand shores to the dramatic craters and lava fields of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, home of legendary Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire. Along the way, you’ll hear island stories, learn how these islands were built, and see firsthand how an active volcano continues to shape Hawaiʻi.
About your tour:
Your private Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park tour focuses on Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and the diverse scenery that surrounds it. You’ll spend the day exploring key sites inside the park as well as classic Big Island stops such as black sand beaches and scenic coastal viewpoints. Traveling with a dedicated guide, you’ll enjoy a flexible pace, personal attention, and a rich blend of geology, culture, and history—ideal for families, couples, and small groups who want a deeper volcano experience.
What you’ll get – Kīlauea and the National Park:
You’ll explore many of the park’s signature features and viewpoints, which may include:
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park main viewpoints
Kīlauea Visitor Center for exhibits and orientation
Native rainforest trails and lookouts
Kīlauea Iki overlook
Active steam vents and sulfurous fumaroles
A walk through an ancient lava tube (such as Thurston Lava Tube)
Views of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater and the Kīlauea caldera
Walks across hardened, extinct lava flows
What you’ll do in the National Park:
On the slopes of Mauna Loa, in the southern part of the island, you’ll visit Kīlauea Crater—one of Earth’s most active volcanic systems. Your guide will bring you close to areas where the ground still smolders and volcanic steam vents rise from the surface, giving you a rare look at a living volcano. You’ll learn to recognize different lava types, see how vegetation slowly returns to hardened flows from the 1800s to modern times, and hear how over the past few decades hundreds of acres of new land have been added to the island.
Your guide will meet you at your Big Island hotel or at the airport and lead you through a full day of discovery. You’ll walk across a black sand beach, take in sweeping views of Kīlauea Iki Crater, smell the volcanic gases near steam vents, and step inside a lava tube that once carried molten rock underground. Stops typically include key viewpoints such as Halemaʻumaʻu and Kīlauea Iki overlooks, along with other scenic and educational locations within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. A visit to the park’s visitor center helps you trace the timeline of recent eruptions and understand the immense forces at work beneath your feet.
Location and difficulty – National Park portion:
Location: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Island of Hawaiʻi
Difficulty level: Easy, with light walking
Conditions: Volcanic fumes (VOG) may affect guests with sensitive respiratory conditions; some areas involve uneven, rough terrain.
Kona coffee belt and Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach:
Your private custom route also highlights the island’s famous Kona coffee region and southern coastline. You’ll travel through the Kona coffee belt along the slopes of Hualālai and Mauna Loa, with views of hillside plantations and coastal vistas. Stops may include Manukā State Park, the popular Punaluʻu Sweet Bread Bakery, and Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach. Here, you can stroll the unique jet-black shoreline and look for native Hawaiian green sea turtles resting along the waterline—an unforgettable photo opportunity.
Location and difficulty – Coffee and coast portion:
Location: Kona and southern Hawaiʻi Island
Difficulty level: Easy
Conditions: Weather can change quickly; showers are possible.
What to bring:
Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy walking shoes suitable for uneven ground. A light jacket is recommended for cooler or breezy conditions at higher elevations. Don’t forget your camera and reef-safe sunscreen to stay protected while you explore.
Meal options:
Lunch is on a no-host basis at a local restaurant, giving you the chance to sample island-style dishes of your choice. Bottled water, soft drinks, juice, and light snacks are typically provided during the tour to keep you refreshed throughout the day.
Our guides – ambassadors of aloha:
Your experience is led by a local guide who combines in-depth knowledge of Hawaiian history, language, and culture with a warm, welcoming “aloha” spirit. Through storytelling and local insight, they help you connect the places you see with the people and traditions of the islands. Safe, professional driving and guest care are core to their role, and guides receive ongoing training to maintain high standards of courtesy, knowledge, and discretion.
Our fleet:
You’ll travel in a clean, well-maintained, and comfortably appointed vehicle featuring reclining seats and powerful air conditioning—ideal for a full day of exploring. Aloha Sunshine Tours maintains its fleet to high mechanical and cleanliness standards, so you can relax and enjoy the scenery while your driver handles the roads.
