Volcano Experiences
We are the Big Island’s number one private tour company that specializes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Learn morePrivate Shore Excursions
We pick up right at the Port in Hilo and we also pick up in Kona. We guarantee to get you back to the ship on time.
Learn moreOur Services
We offer tours that pick up in Hilo on the Big Island. Leave the stress and driving to us and relax!
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“Would not just recommend but urge friends and family to book with Big Island VIP…”
Darren R.- 2024
Our Goals
We want you to have an amazing day.
We want you to have an unforgettable day and gain a better understanding of volcanoes, rare birds and plants, and this fantastic place we call home.
Our promise to you
We guarantee to get you back to the ship on time if you are on a cruise ship.
We guarantee you will be the only ones in your group. We never mix groups of people.
We never give your information away, spam you, or subscribe you to a newsletter.
We will give you photos for free to help you remember your day with us and enjoy your Ohana.
FAQ
Kilauea has been erupting since 12/23/24, but the eruptions have been very episodic, as Kilauea is known for. Hopefully it’s erupting on your day 🌋🌋. We want everyone to see lava, but it’s above our pay grade if it’s erupting when you’re there 😄.
Everyone has the same access to lava. If there is lava, we want you to see it, believe me! We cannot control if that is possible. You will see plenty of past lava flows and eruption sites. Our goal is to provide you with a solid foundation in volcanoes, rock types, lava flows, and volcano formations. Depending on the volcano activity, we will change the route to give you the best viewing.
We used to take people RIGHT up to lava, or watch lava go into the ocean, but we have not had activity like that since 2018. Since 2018 there has been no lava going into the ocean and almost ALL activity has been confined to the summit caldera, Halemaumau Crater.
The eruptions have been very episodic, which is what Kilauea is known for. Hopefully it’s erupting on your day 🌋🌋. We want everyone to see lava, but it’s above our pay grade if it’s erupting when you’re there 😄.
During 2025 and 2026 so far, ALL lava and volcanic emissions have been confined to Kilauea’s summit. Mauna Loa hasn’t erupted since 2022. There is NO secret lava anywhere.
This totally depends on you and what tour you book. The National Park is 354,461 acres (554 square miles). Our goal is to show you as many different eruption sites and flows as we can. We want you to see sparkly rocks, see unique sites, and learn about the formations. We do not have time to show you the entire National Park; instead, we want to show you as much as possible within the timeframe of the booking you choose.
If anyone does not want to walk very far, they are welcome to wait in the van while others explore the area. There are also benches at several stops.
The areas of the National Park we will be exploring do not exceed 4,200 feet. We have never heard of anyone experiencing elevation sickness at this elevation.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has 7 ecological zones ranging from temperate rainforest to desert. The National Park is 354,461 acres (554 square miles) and spans thousands of feet in elevation.
Closed-toe shoes are best. We do a lot of walking (or less depending on you and your family/group) and the lava rocks are sharp. Keens and Crocs have a tendency to pick up rocks in the openings; enclosed athletic shoes are best. Hiking shoes are not necessary unless you are hiking on your own after the tour.
Dress in layers for mountain weather, it is often, but not always, 20-30 degrees colder than the beach areas and windy. The weather typically swings 20-40 degrees in a single day, similar to high-elevation areas worldwide. The higher humidity in Hawaii makes the temperatures feel colder or warmer than dry areas. It is often very windy.
A rain jacket can be handy, it rains almost daily in the rainforest areas of the National Park. Hawaii is also the rainiest state in the United States so a light raincoat can be helpful in other activities and on other islands.
We supply umbrellas and disposable ponchos if needed.
If you book a private “Meet in the Park,” you can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour starts.
If you book a tour that starts in Hilo, you may cancel up to 72 hours before the tour begins. Why the difference? We sell out for most cruise ships well before the cruise; we need time to find someone to rebook. 72 hours is standard in Hawaii for private tours.
Cruise Ship passengers, if your ship does not come into the Port you booked, we will refund you the same day. If the ship changes the order of Ports or its schedule, you will have the choice of a refund or we will try to complete the tour on the day the ship changes. Usually, we would need to contact others to see if they can move their dates. We give cruise ship passengers priority on scheduling.
We want everyone to receive the service they paid for if possible. We do everything in our power to accommodate people who missed their date due to weather and travel-related issues.
We love Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, we want you to walk away from your time with us understanding this natural wonder and World UNESCO Heritage Site.
Still have more questions? Check our FAQS page.
We try to return calls within a couple of hours.
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