(All Reviews) Private Guided Tours (Sightseeing / Guided Tours), Big Island tours & activities, fun things to do in Big Island | HawaiiActivities.com

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All Reviews for Private Guided Tours in Big Island

Overall Rating

4.86 4.86 / 5

Reviews

279 reviews

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Amazing stargazing!

Reviewed by: Joe

My tour guide, James, was great! He was informative, kind, patient and made the experience fun. Seeing the sunset on a volcano summit and then stargazing afterwards is a bucket list thing that everyone should do! Unforgettable!!!

Local customer service: 5

Location & environment: 5

Schedule & duration: 5

Equipment & facilities: 5

Comfort & well-being: 4

Tips and suggestions

The altitude is a bit much. I felt dizziness several times, but it was manageable.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Solo Travelers
Weather: Sunny
Posted on: 2025/01/06
Activity Date: 2024/12/22

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Outstanding experience!

Reviewed by: Seema

We had a wonderful time with James! He explained things thoroughly! He did not try to rush us in any way, and took lots of nice pictures! I would highly recommend taking stargazing tour with Hawaiian eyes!

Local customer service: 5

Location & environment: 5

Schedule & duration: 5

Equipment & facilities: 5

Comfort & well-being: 5

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Families
Weather: Sunny
Posted on: 2024/12/29
Activity Date: 2024/12/25

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Breathtaking sunset and star gaze!

Reviewed by: Ziying C

We took the tour on 12/24/2024. It was a full car but very friendly and nice guests together! The eruption was very stunning and the star gaze - wow!
Our guide James is very helpful patient and good at photo shooting as well. He can also speak a little Japanese. Parka jackets saved our lives for sure.
The overall trip experience was excellent. The sandwich was surprisingly good as well.

Local customer service: 5

Location & environment: 5

Schedule & duration: 5

Equipment & facilities: 5

Comfort & well-being: 5

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Couples
Weather: Sunny
Posted on: 2024/12/26
Activity Date: 2024/12/24

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Awesome experience

Reviewed by: Swapped

Host was really good, very polite and understanding.

The sandwiches were good, and the hot coco while stargazing, was delicious cherry on top of the whole experience.

The only issue I would complain about is the vehicle, because the space was really cramped up and it was a struggle to get in and out of the vehicle. Many from the back of the vehicle complained about the air conditioning, but I didn’t feel any discomfort, even though I was in the last row

Local customer service: 5

Location & environment: 5

Schedule & duration: 5

Equipment & facilities: 4

Comfort & well-being: 4

Tips and suggestions

I would recommend adding details of the vehicle, and leg space availability.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Couples
Weather: Sunny
Posted on: 2024/12/23
Activity Date: 2024/12/21

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Great Memories!!!

Reviewed by: An amazing time!

My husband and I had a great time in the tour. We were picked up on time and the guide made the trip to the summit entertaining and we learned many different things about Hawaii during that time.
The sunset at the summit is breathtaking and our guide was prepared to take pictures that he later shared with all of us!
It got cold after the sunset…. so be ready. The hot chocolate while stargazing was a very nice addition!

Local customer service: 5

Location & environment: 5

Schedule & duration: 5

Equipment & facilities: 5

Comfort & well-being: 5

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Couples
Weather: Sunny
Posted on: 2024/12/21
Activity Date: 2024/11/30

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Excellent Tour Guide James

Reviewed by: Eric M.

James who was the tour guide was very nice and thoughtful in providing anything we needed and gave a very informative details about Mauna Kea and the surrounding areas. He was also very helpful in pointing out specific constellations during the star gazing tour. He offered and took pictures of us with our phones. I really enjoyed the tour and highly recommend anyone who comes to The Big Island of Hawaii to take this tour and hopefully James will be assigned as your tour guide.

Local customer service: 5

Location & environment: 5

Schedule & duration: 5

Equipment & facilities: 5

Comfort & well-being: 5

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Solo Travelers
Weather: Sunny
Posted on: 2024/12/04
Activity Date: 2024/12/02

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Stunning and otherworldly views

Reviewed by: Briza Del Villar

This was such an amazing experience. I felt like I was on another planet and our guide James was such an awesome guy. I’m hoping to experience this again in the future soon

Local customer service: 5

Location & environment: 5

Schedule & duration: 5

Equipment & facilities: 5

Comfort & well-being: 5

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Families
Weather: Sunny
Posted on: 2024/11/30
Activity Date: 2024/11/27

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Excellent Guide - knowledgeable and helpful

Reviewed by: Ravinder

The best part is the guide took excellent pictures of everyone with the sunset and stars.

Very knowledgeable and answered all questions. Was very considerate and made sure all were ok during the trip.

Setup the telescope very well - we could see the rings of Saturn very clearly.

Local customer service: 5

Location & environment: 5

Schedule & duration: 5

Equipment & facilities: 5

Comfort & well-being: 5

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Families
Weather: Cloudy
Posted on: 2024/11/14
Activity Date: 2024/11/12

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset Stargazing Tour

Reviewed by: Joan

Our guide, Koki, did a fabulous job with the Sunset photos for each of us at the summit and also a great job getting everyone's photo with the stars. He was an excellent driver and went slowly on the bumpy gravel part of the drive.

Because Koki's Japanese dialect is not something most English speaking people understand, he needs to speak more slowly and distinctly. I had a great deal of trouble understanding him - seems like I could only catch 4 out of every 10 words, and that is not something I expected on this tour. Granted, out of the 10 people, there were 2 Japanese men and Koki spent a lot of time on the way home speaking only to them in Japanese.

So, I had very mixed feelings about this tour. I come to Hawaii at least a couple times a year and I would definitely ask more questions about the guide and his speaking and understanding ability before I take my nest tour.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Solo Travelers
Posted on: 2024/11/11
Activity Date: 2024/11/09

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Unforgettable experience

Reviewed by: David D

Todd, our guide, was great. Great driving up the steep dirt road. Great info about the geology, topography, observatories, constellations and more. Engaging, informative. All the other details too - nice sandwich, hot beverage and clothing for the cold. Did I forget to mention the views? Fantastic views of the sun setting into the Pacific and a clear night sky.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2024/09/11
Activity Date: 2024/09/09

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Nice experience

Reviewed by: Rahul

Guide was very informative and friendly. I recommend this trip.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2024/09/03
Activity Date: 2024/08/09

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour & Tropical Waterfalls Sightseeing from Hilo

Papa Henry the best

Reviewed by: Catbear

Wonderful small tour with great guide Henry ✨️ lots of fantastic information and lovely attractions. Lunch was awesome too by Millies! Yum great value and excellent tour guide Henry

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Volcano Adventure Tour
Attended as: Solo Travelers
Posted on: 2024/08/04
Activity Date: 2024/07/30

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Wonderful experience

Reviewed by: cj

The Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour was amazing. It is a must do and the pictures are a treasure. Our guide was great, took picture that we downloaded and twas very informative.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2024/08/01
Activity Date: 2024/07/09

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Great tour.. highly recommend

Reviewed by: Tyler W

We Embarked on a magical family stargazing tour in Hawaii! Marvel at the breathtaking night sky, where countless stars twinkle above. We Learned about constellations and celestial wonders from knowledgeable guides. We Created unforgettable memories together as we connected with the universe and each other under the enchanting Hawaiian night. A must-experience adventure! Awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome
️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2024/07/31
Activity Date: 2024/07/29

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Absolutely amazing!

Reviewed by: Phil

Francis was a really fun guide and took care of us really well, making sure we were all doing okay with the high elevation. Sunset was gorgeous, seeing the moon through an 80x telescope was really cool, watching the stars come out was great. If you have a choice, go during a new moon, we had about 70% moon and it created a lot of light pollution in the sky. The other guide (Tom?) was really good at pointing out all the main constellations, even naming some of them in various different languages since we had a mixed ethnic group. Very knowledgeable. Phenomenal, phenomenal tour.

  • Sunset above the clouds at 13,800 feet elevation

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2024/06/18
Activity Date: 2024/06/16

Elite Volcano Hiking Tour - Explore Kilauea’s Most Recent Eruption & Lava Flows

Amazing Experience!

Reviewed by: Jody

This was such an amazing experience that I hardly know where to begin.

I can't say enough about Jen, who was our guide. From the moment we met her at 7:30 am (she was early to pick up near our residence) until she dropped us back home ~12 hours later, she made the trip such a positive experience. She was very personable and easy for my husband and I to chat with us as we made the ~1.5 hr drive to pick up the rest of the passengers in Hilo.

She was constantly pointing out areas of interest and sharing background information and context so that we could fully appreciate the sights of the Volcano park.

The 3 mile hike was great, and it was so interesting to spend time on the caldera floor, although I will admit that the trek back up truly tested my stamina!

All in all, an amazing day!

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Elite Volcano Hike from Kona Hotels
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2024/06/11
Activity Date: 2024/05/18

Big Island Highlights Tour - Volcano, Waterfall, Black Sand Beach, Coffee & Wine

Excellent Tour and wonderful tour guide

Reviewed by: Sarah & Scott

Great experience. Our tour guide Grant is top notch. His knowledge on the everything the big island and particularly the volcanoes was impressive and he makes it so much fun. Highly recommend if never have explored the big island before.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Tour
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2024/05/26
Activity Date: 2024/05/24

Mauna Kea Evening Stargazing & Daytime Solar Viewing Tour with Dinner

Great tour

Reviewed by: Elena M

Henry is a wonderful tour guide. He told us so many interesting things about Big Island culture, history, plants, geology, stars. He was great with the kids and took a good care of us all. The Rainbow fall was beautiful and the banyan tree nearby was insane! The star gazing was great even though the conditions were not the best (bright moon). For me the best experience of the tour was getting deep inside the cave - it was amazing, I had never seen anything like it.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: From Hilo - Rainbow Falls, Kaumana Caves, Solar Viewing & Stargazing with Dinner
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2024/02/26
Activity Date: 2024/02/22

Deluxe Big Island Day Tour, Volcanoes National Park & Dinner at Kilauea Lodge

Didn't see the lava show, but still was amazing

Reviewed by: Eder

This is one of the best tour I had, the driver always take care of you even if you Re late lol.
But it was an amazing experience you can meet new people and have a great time, I would do it again when I come back to kona!

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Deluxe Volcano Tour
Attended as: Solo Travelers
Posted on: 2024/01/09
Activity Date: 2024/01/07

Mauna Kea Evening Stargazing & Daytime Solar Viewing Tour with Dinner

Stargazing tour

Reviewed by: Kavya Ganapathy

The trip was fantastic and Ray was super informative. It was a beautiful night and we got to see a lot of stars and planets and the moon rising as well. It was spectacular and a must try for everyone! We thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend it!! Also loved the hot chocolate touch at the end because it was quite cold on the slopes. The pickup and drop off was on time. The one thing that could have been better in my opinion was the food options and I also wished we had stopped somewhere to see the spectacular sunset. Apart from that, we really enjoyed it

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: From Kona & Waikoloa - Solar Viewing & Stargazing with Dinner
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/12/30
Activity Date: 2023/12/28

Deluxe Big Island Day Tour, Volcanoes National Park & Dinner at Kilauea Lodge

Great day in Hawaii!

Reviewed by: Firelight

It was a great days long adventures around the island. I would highly recommend it!

  • Sea turtles at black sand beach!

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Deluxe Volcano Tour
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/12/16
Activity Date: 2023/11/26

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Amazing experience! Great tour guide!

Reviewed by: Harish

We had an amazing experience and time on this trip. Our tour guide, Stefan, was deeply knowledgeable, fun and friendly. The tour started on time and went out perfect. They provided mitts and coats which kept us warm along with hot chocolate. It was a great evening with no clouds. The views were unforgettable. Five stars, would book again!

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2023/11/24
Activity Date: 2023/10/11

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Once in a lifetime!

Reviewed by: L in Az

This was on my bucket list. My guide was very informative. He took pictures, individual and group pictures of us during sunset and during the stargazing event. Be prepared to bounce around on the dirt road to the summit. Totally enjoyed the hot cocoa and BLT sandwich that was provided.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Solo Travelers
Posted on: 2023/11/22
Activity Date: 2023/11/18

Big Island Highlights Tour - Volcano, Waterfall, Black Sand Beach, Coffee & Wine

Great tour!

Reviewed by: Mpy14

The tour was very well organized and very well planned. I felt I saw so much and learned a lot about the culture and history of the island. Jim was full of interesting information and made the trip memorable Fun group.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Tour
Attended as: Solo Travelers
Posted on: 2023/11/21
Activity Date: 2023/11/19

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour & Tropical Waterfalls Sightseeing from Hilo

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour and Tropical Waterfalls Sightseeing from Hilo/ Volcano Adventure Tour.

Reviewed by: Grace and Reggie

The tour guide ( Dexter) from Polynesian Adventure Tour picked us up from the hotel on time. Very knowledgeable and very informative . He knows all the places and history of the Big Islands (Hilo). Patiently waiting for us to finish the tour. We really had a great time. We will use the Polynesian Adventure Group again.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Volcano Adventure Tour
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/11/10
Activity Date: 2023/11/08

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Amazing Experience

Reviewed by: Mikey

The entire experience start to finish was amazing. Wes was our guide and driver and took the time to explain what to expect and educate all of us on the island and the history of Hawai’i! I would recommend this tour to anybody who would like to enjoy the beautiful Mauna Kea! Wes also took the time to take photos of us at sunset and stargazing!

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Package
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/11/04
Activity Date: 2023/11/02

Deluxe Big Island Day Tour, Volcanoes National Park & Dinner at Kilauea Lodge

Fabulous Trip

Reviewed by: Tracy

This tour was the highlight of my families trip. The tour was amazing and our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. He was happy to answer all of my children's questions.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Deluxe Volcano Tour
Attended as: Families
Posted on: 2023/10/29
Activity Date: 2023/10/02

Evening Volcano Tour from Hilo - Kalapana Village, Black Sand Beach & Dinner

AWESOME

Reviewed by: Richard Robertson

MUST DO!

This was a great tour - really educational and fun. Be prepared for rain, you are in the rainforest and it rains a lot. Our guide came prepared with umbrellas and rain jackets, flashlights for the lava tube, water and snacks.
Andre, our tour guide was amazing, experienced and incredibly knowlegable of the volcanoes, land, plants and trees, Hawaiian culture, plus more, and the history of all mentioned. He made sure we were always entertained during the approx. 8 hour trip.
Would recommend shorts, closed toed shoes (sneakers fine) suntan lotion, somewhat water repellant light jacket (in case your tour does not provide).

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Evening Volcano Explorer
Attended as: Friends
Posted on: 2023/09/27
Activity Date: 2023/09/20

Big Island Highlights Tour - Volcano, Waterfall, Black Sand Beach, Coffee & Wine

Great Great Great tour even better guide and hospitality.

Reviewed by: Mob_cali_breaks (IG)

Incredible tour but our Tour guide, Anson really brought the island and the tour to life. Honestly enjoyed the tour to the max but we would pay to just hang out with Anson again. Lol. I'm sure all the guides are great and extremely courteous.

All the jokes we made he would rebuttal and be involved all while still maintaining his poise and professionalism. It's the little things guys and this tour has it all. Thank you From the bottom of our hearts.

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Tour
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/09/09
Activity Date: 2023/09/08

Big Island Highlights Tour - Volcano, Waterfall, Black Sand Beach, Coffee & Wine

Wonderful Tour

Reviewed by: Barbara

We had a lot of fun on the tour Ridge was amazing and gave us a lot of good local history and knowledge. If he didn't know the answer to a question he found it out for us. We'd highly recommend this tour to anybody looking for a great day on the island.

Reply from activity provider

Aloha, Barbara!
Thank you for sharing your positive experience! Ridge is indeed a fantastic guide, always eager to provide local history and insights. We're thrilled to hear you had a lot of fun and enjoyed the tour. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you back for another great day on the island in the future! Mahalo again!

Helpful
Rating:
Packages: Standard Tour
Attended as: Couples
Posted on: 2023/09/07
Activity Date: 2023/09/05
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