Private - Hawaii Volcanoes NP and Black Sand Beaches Tour
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
Book an unforgettable private tour that will take you into the heart of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. From all the main highlights within the park to the lesser seen areas, your tour will go far beyond any experience with the bigger companies.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, this iconic park is a must see while in Hawaii. Experience two of the world’s most active volcanoes, critically endangered wildlife and some of the most unique geological, biological and cultural landscapes on earth.
Your exceptional naturalist will provide guided interpretation during your entire tour experience.
Upon booking your tour, one of our guides will contact you to discuss custom options we have available for your tour. Whether you’d like to spend more time star gazing, enjoy more time at our private waterfall location, or enjoy an extended guided hike, we’re here to make this experience memorable and most importantly – ALL ABOUT YOU!
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Strollers can be accommodated but a car seat must be provided if needed.
We can accommodate wheelchairs on this tour as long as they are collapsible and guest can enter vehicle on their own.
Tours can be adapted to accommodate all ages and abilities. Please let us know at the time of booking if you have specific needs.
Assuming no modifications to this tour, guests should be able to walk at least 0.5-1 miles with some steps included.
Guests must be able to walk on uneven or rocky terrain and we may encounter cool, wet, or muddy conditions.
What To Expect
Punalu'u Bake Shop
As you begin your tour, you’ll travel south along the Kona coast and absorb the breathtaking views of lush vegetation and coastline. Listen to your guide describe the cultural history of the area as well as the local flora and fauna. Arrive at the southernmost bakery in the United States. World renown for their sweet breads, malasadas (Portuguese fried dough aka “donut”) and other delicious treats. Enjoy a complementary coffee or tea and choose a malasada before heading on to explore the most beautiful black sand beach on the island.
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
One of the prettiest black sand beaches in all of the Hawaiian Islands. The jet-black volcanic glass sand here was formed from the rapid cooling of basaltic lava hitting the ocean water then shattering into tiny fragments. Enjoy the relaxing feeling of black sand under your toes while listening to the wind move through the palms and across the water. Your guide will keep a look out for green sea turtles and endangered hawksbill sea turtles that frequent the beach.
Options
3 Guests
3 Guests Pickup included
Volcanoes, Lava Tubes, and Petroglyphs (Private Tour)
Duration: 12 hours Pickup included
6 Guests
6 Guests Pickup included
7 Guests
7 Guests Pickup included
5 Guests
5 Guests Pickup included
4 Guests
4 Guests Pickup included
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Admission into all Parks
trail mix, fruit snacks, granola bars, beef jerky, chips, chocolate
Sit, relax, and enjoy a meal sourced with local ingredients and Hawaiian infused cuisine at a local restaurant in the town of Volcano
Gear - Patagonia Rain Jacket and Nano Puff, Nikon Prostaff binoculars, Black Diamond Hiking Poles
Complementary Photo package: 20-25 professional, edited photos shared via Adobe Cloud
All non-alcoholic beverages: water, juice, soda, hot tea, coffee and hot chocolate
Picnic style lunch from Punalu'u Bakery at either Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or Punalu'u black sand beach.
Available for purchase with dinner
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Love to go again
Punkyoz,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This excursion went perfectly from start to finish. Our booking experience with Shawn was very smooth and our day out with Lisa was a heap of fun. We were picked up at Kona Airport right on time. We had a great day out with personable and knowledgeable Lisa. Lunch was a picnic from the excellent bakery. Our only complaint was that they couldn't time the volcano to go off while we were there. I mean really, what's wrong with you guys?! We would definitely travel with this team again.
Best Volcano Tour the Big Island!
Katey73,May 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My family and I were incredibly fortunate to spend an entire day with Shawn on his private “All Day Volcano Tour”, and I can honestly say it was the most remarkable tour we have ever experienced. From start to finish, every moment exceeded our expectations—and believe me, we came with high expectations! Traveling all the way from Australia, we wanted to make our visit to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park truly special, and Shawn, along with Lisa’s seamless communication beforehand, ensured it would be. They checked in with me at every step, asking about our preferences and making sure our day would be tailored to exactly what we wanted to see and do. Shawn arrived promptly at 9 a.m. at our hotel, full of energy and ready to make our day unforgettable. From the very beginning, it was clear that this was no ordinary tour. Lunch, dinner, and unlimited snacks were included, making the day effortless and enjoyable. One of the highlights was having tea at the Volcano House Restaurant—a surprisingly simple meal that became my absolute favorite of our two-week Hawaii holiday. What truly sets Shawn apart is his insider knowledge and passion for the Big Island. He guided us to secret spots that only a local deeply invested in their clients would know—places most tourists would never find on their own. His explanations were both fascinating and engaging, sharing stories, history, and science in a way that made the volcano and the surrounding landscapes come alive. After our meal, Shawn suggested we return to the crater, and we were beyond lucky to witness the beginning of Episode 45—an experience we could never have planned or predicted when we booked our tour three months earlier. We were still at the crater long past the time we should have returned to our hotel, but Shawn’s dedication never wavered. He had already given us 12 hours of his time and energy, yet he went above and beyond so that my family could experience this once-in-a-lifetime moment. That level of commitment and care is extraordinary. If you are considering this tour, don’t hesitate for a second. It was by far my favorite day in Hawaii, and we’ve visited six times! Shawn’s combination of knowledge, warmth, and passion ensures that every single moment is special. If we are lucky enough to return to the Big Island, there is no question—we will be booking with Shawn again. This day will stay with us forever. MAHOLA SHAWN - don't change a thing you do because its perfect! Katrina Andrew Kyralee and Tayah!
Touring the Volcano - Here's the scoop!
karenandmarc,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed a full day of touring the southern side of Hawaii to enjoy mouthwatering malasadas at the iconic Punalu'u Bake Shop, visit the resting turtles on a black sand beach, overlook the Kilauea crater, picnic at Hawaii Volcano National Park, and enjoy dinner overlooking the smoldering Kilauea volcano. Shawn provided water, beverages, snacks, jackets, and the flashlights necessary to safely walk through the lava tube (cell phone flashlights are not strong enough). Shawn was knowledgeable and kept the pace comfortable for our small group. Overall and excellent day!
Educational, entertaining and fun - excellent tour!
Ella97062,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Shawn. Everything was thought about and accommodated, from the ease of pickup at our condo, to the beverages and snacks provided during the tour, to the high consideraiton of our interests and comfort, and the high-quality, comfortable vehicle. We learned so much during this tour about Hawaiian history, culture and ecology - Shawn was a great tour guide. I can't imagine touring the Volcano National Park without a guide like Shawn. And having a driving guide meant that neither me nor my husband had to miss out on the sights while one of us stayed focused on driving. Plus you get free photos after the tour (all of which were too large in size to upload here - but trust me, they were great!) Highly recommended!
Excellent and comfortable
Erich G,Jul 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent private tour; the guide knows almost everything about volcanoes and takes you to the right spots! Very comfortable SUV.
Do it so you don’t miss the wonders of Volcano National Park.
Curious06008314449,May 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great way to see all the wonders of the park plus we had a guide who could explain what we were seeing. We definitely recommend this tour!
Best Day Ever!
Lmhall10,Feb 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing day with Shawn. We enjoyed a great stop at the Punalu'u Bake Shop for delicious malasadas and to order our lunch. Next we stopped to enjoy the black sand beach and watch some turtles. The highlight for us was spending the rest of the day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Shawn was a great guide making several stops to check out specific features like the steam vents and the partially covered old Chain of Craters Road and providing lots of great information about what we were seeing. He led us on an enjoyable hike that suited our entire group which was something we particularly wanted to do. It was great being with someone who could answer our questions about the Park as well as fit in well with our group (not an easy task!). Our dinner overlooking the crater was delicious and the photos Shawn took during the day were great additions to our own. This day was well worth it and highly recommended!
Integrity and dependability
KlaraP022023,Jan 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A rare deluge and flash flood warning and high wind condition etc. occurred about 12 hours before our scheduled trip. It didn’t improve much until 2 hours before. Shawn called and initiated a cancellation (which we wouldn’t be able to do per terms) out of caution because our tour would very likely be less than satisfactory and even not safe. We truly appreciate his integrity and dependability. 5-star no matter what. We will book Shawn when we do this tour next time.
What a great way to see/learn about the amazing volcanoes!
DocMarkS,Sep 4, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a day to remember! This tour is a whole day, so be prepared to get a lot of steps in (sometimes over steep or rugged terrain) but always well broken-up into digestible bites by the guide. (Bring water and sun protection for when out on the hikes, but water/snacks are plentiful once back to the truck, which is comfortable and air conditioned). The guide knows his stuff - I learned so much as we absorbed the sights (and sites) along the way. He seemed to take us to so much more than we'd have ever encountered had we tried to just go it alone (which is why we like to hire guides like this when we travel to really dig in to what we are seeing/experiencing). He's friendly, prepared, patient, and personable...I highly recommend considering this tour. Is it cheap? Not really but it covered a lot and was well worth it in our estimation.
Volcan and Waterfalls in Big Island
Flavio B,Jun 13, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Some things are sublime and on this tour of the waterfalls and volcano parks you will understand that. It brings together nature, knowledge, beauty, amazement and reflection. End the day with an excellent dinner in a wonderful environment. Getting to know a volcano up close was fantastic. Highlight for the guide, Shaw ( Big Island Backroad Adventures Tours), who with tranquility and knowledge provided unforgettable moments for my family. Thanks e congratuletions for job.
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Operated by Big Island Backroad Adventures