Private volcano tours · Hawaiʻi Island
The island is still being made.
Private lava, coastline and night-photography tours of Kīlauea and the Puna coast — with Scott, who has guided visitors here since 2005.
500+ tours led1,000+ guestsPrivate groups only
Summit eruption ongoing
No overflows or spattering at north or south vents over the past day; strong glow and flames continue. No reactivation of Sept. 30–Oct. 1 intrusion. Earthquake activity continues underneath Halemaʻumaʻu. No anomalous activity outside the summit.
Glowing pāhoehoe · July 2016 · Lava Guides archive
01 — The tours
Three private tours. One very active volcano.
Every tour is just your group and your guide. Pick one — or tell Scott what you want to see and he’ll build the day around it.
01 / 03 · Kīlauea LavaKīlauea Lava Tour
Starting at $150
A private tour of the summit eruption inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Scott walks you through the eruptions that came before and how this whole landscape came to be — then brings you to a safe viewpoint to watch the lava from a distance.
- Private — just your group
- Inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
- Lava viewed from a safe distance
02 / 03 · Red Road CoastalRed Road Coastal Tour
Starting at $200
Follow Scott car-to-car through the jungle along the famed Puna coast — the last untouched coastline in Hawaiʻi — to the newest black sand beach on Earth. You stay in your own rental car the whole way, with a 2-way radio in every vehicle because cell coverage out here is limited.
- Follow-me tour in your rental car
- 2-way radio in every vehicle
- Ends at the newest black sand beach on Earth
03 / 03 · Night PhotographyNight Photography Tour
Starting at $325
For photographers who want more than a snapshot. Scott takes you to locations in the park chosen for big volcanic landscapes with the Milky Way overhead, and tailors the night to your group and your gear.
- Private — custom-built for your group
- Locations picked for the Milky Way
- Bring your camera gear
02 — Your guide
Scott learned this island corner by corner.
Scott left California in the late ’90s for the Big Island and spent years soaking up local knowledge from every corner of it. He started out teaching friends and visitors what he’d learned — and they’re the ones who pushed him to go pro.
Lava Guides has run since 2005, and the goal hasn’t changed: a safe, educational, unforgettable look at the most active volcano in the world.
“Quality, dedication, ethics: never waver from it.”
- Guiding since
- 2005
- Tours led
- 500+
- Happy guests
- 1,000+
03 — The archive
Twenty years of following the lava.
Kīlauea never looks the same twice. A few frames from the Lava Guides archive, 2008–2016. See the full gallery.
Swipe or drag to see more
- 2008
Pāhoehoe breakout · June 2008 - 2009
Night flow · December 2009 - 2012
Ocean entry at sunset · December 2012 - 2012
Christmas Day flow · 2012 - 2013
Dusk flow · January 2013 - 2016
Lava Tree State Park · March 2016 - 2016
Sea cliffs · April 2016 - 2016
Ropy pāhoehoe · July 2016
04 — In their words
“…still one of the best experiences we’ve ever had on any vacation.”
Jake Dowell · Westlake Village, California
Excellent private tour. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and gave us a fantastic day on the Big Island. We learned about history, geography, culture and much more. We are well traveled and have high standards, and we were very happy with our tour guide. Time and money well invested; it is still one of the best experiences we’ve ever had on any vacation.
Highlight of our weekend on the Big Island! We absolutely loved doing this tour and would recommend it to ANYONE who wants to do an experience of the island of Hawaii. Our guide Scott was brilliant — super friendly, helpful, considerate and extremely knowledgeable about the history and area. We love you Hawaii!
5 of us had our vacation on the Big Island in 2022. This is our 2nd time in Hawaii, with Oahu as our first island visit in 2017. This was indeed a memorable trip and a great bonding time with our kids. And this was made possible because of the assistance of Scott from Lava Guides who did a great job in arranging our tour of the must-see sights in Hilo, Kalapana, and the Volcano National Park.
05 — Good to know
Before you book.
Something else on your mind? Call 808-640-4098 — Scott’s happy to talk it through.
Will I actually see lava?
Kīlauea’s summit eruption comes and goes in episodes, so it changes week to week. The “Kīlauea right now” panel on the homepage shows the latest USGS update — and if you’re unsure, call before you book and Scott will tell you what the volcano has been doing.
Is it safe?
Yes. The lava tour uses viewing areas inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park that sit a safe distance from the active lava. A safe, educational day is the whole Lava Guides promise.
Do I need my own car for the Red Road tour?
Yes — it’s a car-to-car, follow-me tour. You stay in your own rental car the whole way and follow Scott. Every vehicle gets a 2-way radio, because cell coverage along the Puna coast is limited.
Are the tours private?
Always. Every tour is just your group and your guide, with per-person rates for individuals and small groups.
Can you plan a custom day?
Yes. Tell Scott what you’d like to see and he’ll build the day around it — photography tours especially are tailored to each group.
06 — Plan your tour
Tell Scott what you’d like to see.
Send a request and Scott will get back to you to set the date and details. Rather talk it through? Call during contact hours.