8 Exclusive Hawaii Big Island Private Tours
Are you looking for Big Island Private Tours to make your visit even more special? I’ve got you covered!
I used to be a travel agent, booking private tours for my clients around the world. I also lived on the Big Island for a year and got super familiar with the island, discovering which experiences would be best as a private tour vs group tour.
If you’re looking for a more intimate and customized tour experience while in Hawaii, booking a private tour allows you to have the guide all to yourself and not share the vehicle with strangers.
I appreciate the flexibility and personalization of private tours, not to mention loving that feeling that I’m a millionaire (when I’m not)! 🤑
There is a variety of Big Island private tours that cater to different activities and interests, making sure your time in Hawaii is tailored to your specific wants and needs.
1. Big Island Backroad Adventures Full Circle Private Tour
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | ⏳Tour Length: 12-13 hrs
➡️ Check Availability and Rates for Big Island Backroad Adventures Full Circle Tour Here!
Why choose this tour? Embark on the journey of a lifetime with this uniquely tailored, all-encompassing circle island tour of the Big Island!
Get picked up right from your hotel to experience an authentic Kona coffee farm, taste delicious malasadas at the southernmost bakery in the U.S. (lilikoi, or Hawaiian passionfruit, is my personal favorite flavor!), stroll a black sand beach, then trek along lava rocks in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Continue on to gaze at cascading waterfalls, take in vista views of the Hamakua Coast and Waipio Valley before finishing your excursion in paniolo, or Hawaiian cowboy, country.
Don’t forget about the complimentary gear, meals, even photography that comes included with this tour. Do away with any travel stress when you book this exclusive private excursion!
This 12+hr, private guided tour is limited to 7 guests and will give you a well-rounded experience of what all the Big Island has to offer. I recommend doing this your first full day on the island so you know where you want to back and explore more.
The Big Island Backroad Adventures Full Circle Tour Includes:
- Bottled water
- Coffee and tea
- Soda
- Snacks
- Breakfast at a South Kona coffee farm
- Lunch in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, picnic-style
- Dinner at a surf and turf Waimea restaurant
- Gear usage – Patagonia rain jacket and Nano Puff , Nikon Prostaff binoculars, headlamps
- Admission into all parks and venues
- Complementary photo package of 20-25 professional, edited photos shared via Adobe Cloud
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Fully guided naturalist tour with educational materials and commentary
What past visitors have said:
“It was an amazing experience and it is in great part to our guide Shawn. Would recommend 100%!! Views were incredible, our guide was very flexible with anything related to our trip, and they got everything covered for us (food, jackets, good attitude, funny stories, etc.) One of the best adventures of my life!!” – Julio (read more reviews)
2. Aloha Kona Tours Private Luxury Charter Boat
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | ⏳Tour Length: 4 hrs
➡️ Check Availability and Rates for Aloha Kona Tours Private Luxury Charter Boat Here!
Why choose this tour? Ride in a private luxury charter boat where your friendly and knowledgeable captain will take you to the best spots along the beautiful Kona Coast and snorkeling to the famous Kealakekua Bay or another location of your choice. The private charter is completely customizable taking up to 6 guests on a 4 hour excursion.
With great attention to detail and making sure you are always comfortable, the Aloha Kona Tours crew will be sure to make you a repeat guest.
The Aloha Kona Tours Private Luxury Charter Boat includes:
- Beverages
- Snacks
- Snorkel gears
- Wet suit
- Float
What past guests have said:
“This was absolutely perfect. I chartered it for half the day with my parents and my partner and everyone said it was the highlight of their trip. It was perfectly relaxing and catered to whatever you want to do. Captain took us to see beautiful highlights of the island only viewable by boat. We were able to see two large pods of dolphins as well as snorkeling in Captain Cook bay. He provided refreshing fresh cut fruit after snorkeling and also artisan snacks along the way.” – Chelsea (read more reviews)
3. Big Island VIP Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Private Guide
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | ⏳Tour Length: 3.5 hrs
➡️ Check Availability and Rates for Big Island VIP Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Private Guide Here!
Why choose this tour? If you’re looking for the ultimate volcano experience, look no further than Big Island VIP’s private guided tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. With a certified experienced guide at your side, you’ll explore all the best sights this park has to offer, from lava flows to viewpoints and eruption sites.
I’ve visited this park multiple times and still haven’t seen it all. Having a private guide showing you the ins and outs of the parks and sharing interesting facts about the park and its history is definitely the way to go to maximize your appreciation.
Meet your guide inside the park, then travel in comfort in a luxury Mercedes van, enjoying an itinerary customized just for you and your group of up to 8 travelers. Whether you’re looking to trek over lava fields or just wanting to take in the awe-inspiring scenery, this is the perfect volcano tour!
(Pro Tip: call about changing your meet-up time to sunrise to hike and see the lava…if it is flowing)
The Big Island VIP Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Private Guide Tour includes:
- National Park Certified Interpretive Guide
- Sunscreen and bug repellent
- Trekking poles
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Binoculars
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Free photos of you and your family/group
- Adult ponchos
What past guests have said:
“Fantastic experience! We took the 5AM tour and our guide Skylar arrived on time to meet us. Loved being able to watch the sun rise behind the Kīlauea crater. We saw a lot in 4 hours, and learned tons about volcanoes. If your group can commit to the meet-up time, I recommend the early tour. Park was getting quite busy by the time we finished. As you can see, we got a “front-row” view to the crater and sunrise. Nice having Skylar’s undivided attention to answer our questions and take pictures for us.” – Andrew (read more reviews)
4. Private Sunset Cruise & Manta Ray Night Snorkeling with Aloha Kona Tours
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | ⏳Tour Length: 3 hrs | ⚠️Likely to Sell Out!
Enjoy a private charter with Aloha Kona Tours watching the romantic Kona sun go down while at sea. Then once it’s dark, get into the water for a magical time snorkeling with manta rays; an experience you’ll never forget (I know it’s one of my top favorite Big Island memories)!
Your private boat and crew will take up to 6 guests into the dark ocean waters to float on their custom-made light boards while these gentle giants dance below you feasting on plankton.
You will be provided with all of the necessary snorkeling gear, as well as a refreshing drinks and snacks, all while being kept safe and comfortable for the duration of the trip.
The Aloha Kona Tours Private Sunset Cruise & Manta Ray Night Snorkeling includes:
- Snorkel gear
- Clean, Dry wetsuits to keep you warm
- Floating noodles
- Drinks
- Snacks
What past snorkelers have said:
“We had a once in a lifetime experience snorkeling with the manta rays and Aloha Kona Tours! Captain Koichiro was amazing. He has a beautiful luxury boat. Julia was our snorkel guide. She is a marine biologist and very knowledgeable. She shared lots of facts about the manta rays and other sea life…Julia made sure we were in the right spot for the best viewing. Captain Koichiro served us fruit on our trip to the site and had hot cocoa waiting when we finished our snorkel!…He also took the time to take a photo of our family in front of the sunset which was so thoughtful. We loved our experience with Captain Koichiro and Julia!!” – Amy (read more reviews)
5. Mauka Makai Adventures Private Tour of Hilo and
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | ⏳Tour Length: 5.5 hrs | ⚠️Likely to Sell Out!
➡️ Check Availability and Rates for Mauka Makai Adventures Private Tour of Hilo and HVNP Here!
Take your group of up to 10 people on a private tour through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and around Hilo. Witness erupting lava in Kilauea (if the timing is right), explore different lava formations on short hikes, spelunk through Thurston Lava Tube and learn about Hawaiian history and culture along the way.
With the flexibility of a private tour, you have the option of spending your entire duration in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or heading back to Hilo to explore stops like Rainbow Falls, Liliuokalani Gardens, and Big Island Candies, a local chocolate factory with samples (their macadamia nut shortbread cookies are addictive)!
The Mauka Makai Adventures Private Tour of Hilo and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park includes:
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Pick-up from select Hilo hotels, bus terminal, cruise terminal, or airport
What past guests have said:
“Just finished our tour with Jill and it was outstanding! If there was an option for more than 5 stars, we would have selected it! Jill was phenomenal and very knowledgeable about the big island and treated us all like family. Thank you Jill for an awesome day and hope to see you again when we return!” – Andrew (read more reviews)
6. Big Island VIP Coffee to Culture Private Tour from Kona
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | ⏳Tour Length: 5 hrs |⚠️Likely to Sell Out!
➡️ Check Availability and Rates Big Island VIP Coffee to Culture Private Tour from Kona Here!
Why choose this tour? With room for 10 passengers, this 5 hour VIP Hawaii private tour will take you to some of the most famous and beautiful spots on the island, all in a high-end Mercedes van.
You’ll get to see and taste Kona coffee at Greenwell Farms (love me some coffee!), one of Hawaii’s oldest coffee plantations, visit historical Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, also known as the City of Refuge, witness the location of Captain Cook’s first landing on the island as well as his death, and possibly make friends with a Hawaiian green sea turtle at a lagoon.
Ask about tacking on a stop to stops like a farmers market, seahorse farm, or brewery tasting.
Your guide will be flexible enough to customize the itinerary to your own preferences, creating memories for a lifetime.
The Big Island VIP Coffee to Culture Private Tour includes:
- Kona hotel or port pickup
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Complimentary photos of you and your group shared via Smugmug cloud service
- Air-conditioned vehicle
What past visitors have said:
“Jodi and Rob were amazing to work with from booking to touring. Jodi answered ALL my questions before and after our tour. Rob was great, sharing his knowledge of the areas which made our tour more interesting. There were 10 of us on a 34 day cruise and when we chatted at the end of our cruise, we all agreed that the professionalism of Rob and Jodi made this one of our best tours!” – Mary (read more reviews)
7. Bite Me Sportfishing Private Charter Boat
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars |⏳Tour Length: 6 hrs
➡️ Check Availability and Rates for Bite Me Sportfishing Private Charter Boat Here!
Why choose this tour? If you’re looking to reel in a big one, book a private charter boat with Bite Me Sportfishing. Your knowledgeable crew provides all of the fishing equipment your group of up to 10 people will need to potentially catch yellowfin tuna, ono, spearfish or a striped marlin. You can either be a seasoned fisherman or new to the sport, it doesn’t matter; this company caters to everyone.
If fishing isn’t your thing, that’s okay too! Just enjoy the ride with unparalleled views while snacking out of the cooler.
The Bite Me Sportfishing Private Charter Boat includes:
- All fishing gear and bait
- Full-sized fighting chair
- Cooler with ice for your own beverages and food
- Clean onboard restroom
- Knowledgeable captain and crew
What past fishers have said:
“These folks were the best! Went out for a full day fishing charter, and had a great time. Didn’t hurt that we caught 3 marlin on the trip, but even not considering that Captain Momi and Alex were a great crew, did all they could to make the trip enjoyable. I highly recommend.” – Eric (read more reviews)
8. Private Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours
⭐Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | ⏳Tour Length: 2hrs
➡️ Check Availability and Rates for Private Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours Here!
Why choose this tour? Private Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours offer an unparalleled experience of observing the beauty and power of nature from above. This 2hr private flying tour for up to 4 passengers is a great way to explore the vast landscapes of Hawaii Island, from lush rainforests to a hot lava lake to majestic waterfalls.
From your helicopter, you will get an unparalleled view of the most active volcano in the world, Kilauea before exploring the Hamakua Coastline with its wave-swept shores and deep valleys only accessible by air. You will then ride above sacred valleys on Kohala Coast and get close enough to observe 2000-foot waterfalls then cross over the Kohala Mountain to cruise over the Gold Coast.
The Private Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours includes:
- Personal pilot narration accompanied by an individually selected soundtrack
- Amazing aerial photo ops
- All taxes, fees, and fuel surcharges
What past passengers have said:
“Seeing the beautiful green cannon with a waterfall that seemed to go on forever! Flying over a volcano while it was erupting!” – Toni (read more reviews)
💞 Looking for romantic things to do on the Big Island? Find ideas here!
Epilogue: Private Tours on the Big Island
If you’re looking to make your Hawaiian vacation extra special, consider booking intimate and customizable Big Island private tours. You’ll get to see some amazing sights and learn a lot from your professional, knowledgeable guides.
Plus, you can choose from a variety of activities like visiting a volcano, snorkeling, fishing, or flightseeing.
So what are you waiting for? Book your perfect Big Island private sightseeing tour today!
🌺 Big Island Travel Planning Guide 🌺
🚨 Should I buy Hawaii travel insurance?
YES — I recommend Travel Insurance Master because you can compare multiple options with one click. With plans starting at $5/day per person, why not give yourself piece of mind? Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car on the Big Island?
YES — It’s totally safe to drive on the Big Island. And unless you plan to chill by the resort pool the entire time, renting a car is pretty much a necessity on the Big Island! Jeep rentals are popular. I recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental, as they have some of the best prices around.
📞 Will my phone work on the Big Island?
PROBABLY — Most, if not all, cell providers work on the Big Island. However, be prepared for some dead spots in the more remote parts of the island. For example, I always lose service driving through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
🛏️ What’s the best way to book my Big Island accommodations?
For Big Island hotels, Booking.com is amazing because you can often reserve your room with no money down. If you are looking for an Airbnb condo with a kitchen and more space, don’t forget to check VRBO for potentially better prices and options.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Big Island flights?
I recommend looking at Skyscanner for finding cheap flights. Pro Tip: check if flying into Hilo is cheaper than flying into Kona.
🛂 Do I need a passport to visit Hawaii?
NO — If you are a US citizen, you do not need a passport as Hawaii is part of the United States. If you are from out of the country, the same passport and visa requirements are the same as entering anywhere in the United States from your country.
🧳What should I pack to the Big Island?
Pack for tropical weather but also prepare for colder than expected nights and early mornings, so a light sweatshirt is recommended. Check out this list of 5 Things Not to Forget to Pack.
