Big Island Backroad Adventures

Private, All-Inclusive, Fully Customizable Tours of the Big Island  

Welcome to Big Island Backroad Adventures! We specialize in guided naturalist tours on the Big Island of Hawaii. Our private and all-inclusive tours allow you to personalize the way you want to explore Hawaii. We took the guess work out of what you might need on your Big Island tour, including meals and high-quality gear from trusted brands in all of our tours. Don’t be confined to a set schedule, or route, with a group of people that you don’t know! Let us do all the work and take you on a guided adventure that you will remember for a lifetime!

Ideal for families, a group of friends, wedding parties, honeymooners and more! Our guides will pick you up from anywhere on the island of Hawaii.

Big Island private tour vehicles displayed, a private SUV and private Mercedes van.

We offer tours to the following Big Island locations!

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tours

Embark on an unforgettable journey into the fiery heart of the Big Island on a private adventure to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where every moment is meticulously tailored just for you.

Waterfall Tours

A beautiful rainbow created by the mist of the Wailuku River at Rainbow Falls.

Discover the Big Island’s waterfalls on a private adventure through the lush rainforests, breathtaking waterfalls, and stunning vistas that showcase Hawaii’s natural wonders.

Big Island

Shore Excursions

Ancient boardgames in Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park.

Enhance your cruise experience with our Big Island shore excursion tours, offering a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation in this tropical paradise.

Best of Kona shore excursion stop at Hapuna beach.

Explore the enchanting beauty of Kona, Hawaii, on our shorter duration local tours, designed for those who want to experience the best of the area without a full-day commitment.

Big Island

Hawaii birdwatching tour spotted the endemic I'iwi bird, the iconic scarlet honeycreeper.

Join us on a captivating birdwatching tour, where you’ll have the chance to observe rare and endemic bird species in their stunning natural habitats.

See What Our Guests Have Said!!

Big Island Backroad Adventures5.0
Based on 56 reviews
See all reviews
review us on
2 years ago
Definitely recommend this tour! Our guide Shawn was very knowledgeable and told us so much about the island of Kona that not only did we see alot but also learned alot. We were able to enjoy each attraction and were not rushed through any of it. A MUST DO if visiting Kona. Thank you Shawn for being there to help us create memories that will last a lifetime. :)
3 years ago
We did the Big Island tour with Shawn and had a wonderful time! It was a long day full of beaches, a volcano, and waterfalls. We were exhausted at the end of it all, but we really felt like we had gotten a wholistic view of the island. Shawn was amazing: safe driver, highly knowledgeable, and he made sure we were happy the entire time. There was even a Lovell local dinner at the end of the day! This private, customizable tour is a must for anyone who wants to get a personal feel of Hawaii.
2 years ago
Shawn was an amazing guide! Our family did 2 private tours with him while we were in the big island, and couldn't be happier. It was amazing having time and location flexibility we needed, and Shawn was always super well prepared and shared amazing facts and knowledge about the island. It was also fantastic having real food from local restaurants at the tour (not just the usual cheap sandwich most tours provide) AND professional photography from Shawn which will be amazing for our family album. I couldn’t recommend Shawn enough!
3 years ago
Sean and Lisa provided us with an excellent wilderness hike though the Kona mountains. They were extremely informative about the plants, terrain and history of the Big Island. I highly recommend taking a wonderful nature hike with Big Island Backroad Adventure when visiting Kona Hawaii.
3 years ago
Our family did the private, full day water and fire tour. My husband and I agreed this was the best tour we’ve ever done. Sean is great at what he does; he is so knowledgeable about the island, a true naturalist. There was no question he couldn’t answer. He has thought of everything: comfortable expedition with plenty of room, pick up at our resort, microphone headset so everyone can easily hear him speak in the car, amazing lunch and dinner provided at local restaurants, in depth and interesting commentary about the island, included photos he took for us throughout the tour, and plenty of drinks and snacks. I was worried that a full day tour would be too long, but Sean kept our interest throughout the day, talking to us and showing us amazing sites. My favorite moments were the short hikes through the jungle to the waterfalls and volcanoes, walk through a lava tube, and feeling the steam of the steam vents. We stopped at a local food stand for lunch that was a highlight of our trip. We would have never found this on our own. They had such fresh food; we loved trying their freshly picked Hawaiian fruit, including passion fruit, papaya, and fruit smoothies. I am sure you will not be disappointed with any of Sean’s tours.
4 months ago
This was the most fabulous tour! I have been on another Circle Island tour before, but this one was much more enjoyable! Sean was so knowledgable about all things Big Island! We had 8 people on our private tour. We had plenty of room and got all our questions answered! Only thing missing is our pictures! I have not received them yet! If I could give infinity stars, I would!!!! Thank you for everything!
3 years ago
This was absolutely the best excursion we (myself, my husband and our adult daughter) did during our two week stay in Hawaii!! The highlight of our trip was spending the day with Shawn on the Water and Fire Tour. He is very passionate about all things Hawaii and his passion really shines through in the knowledge that he shares with you during your day. We really appreciated that he picked us up at our rental house, did all the driving and took pictures of us and everything we were seeing so we didn't have to worry about using our phones to take photos, and kept us fed and hydrated the whole day. He talked to us about the history of Hawaii, the legends and folklore, pointed out all the species of flowers, plants and trees, picked us fresh fruit, and pointed out all the different animals we saw through out the day. Sure you could see water falls and volcanos on your own but having someone talking to you about everything you are seeing and answering all your questions was priceless. I thought it would be awkward to spend so much time with a stranger but we said good bye to a new friend.
2 years ago
This was by far the best excursion we have taken! Shawn has knowledge of the plants, animals and geography like an encyclopedia. He shares so much interesting and sometimes fascinating insight throughout the day. It's like a real time David Attenborough! I highly recommend spending a few bucks extra for this private tour over one of the rinse and repeat bus or large van tours!
3 years ago
Wonderful private tour - well worth booking
1 year ago
This is a great way to see all the highlights of Volcano National Park Our personal guide, Shawn, made sure we saw all the wonders of the park. And Shawn is knowledgeable about the park and ecosystem of the island so he could explain what we were seeing. If you want to maximize your experience at Volcano National Park this is the way to do it!
3 years ago
Incredible Day! Shawn was an incredible guide who listened to what we wanted and provided so much information about the sights and experiences we had. The vehicle was super comfortable, and the time we spent driving was never boring thanks to the good conversation and the beautiful views. We would absolutely recommend this experience, and I’m sure the other tours they offer are just as awesome
2 years ago
Highly recommend Big Island Backroad Adventures! We were traveling with a group of 6 people and our entire group loved this tour. Our guide, Shawn, was amazing.
3 years ago
Shawn was absolutely the best guide we could have hoped for. He was a perfect fit for our family. We visited the waterfalls and a couple of other stops (premiere experiences in- and of- themselves, and Shawn had exclusive access that you cannot get with other guides). Shawn came prepared for anything and also treated us to lunch. His knowledge of the history, flora, and fauna of Hawaii is extensive. We are a nerdy family and like to ask lots of questions about nature and history. Shawn was very willing to share anything that he knew about any of this, and we appreciate having his perspective on all of it. Just a super nice guy who loves to share wonderful experiences with his customers. If I could give it 6 stars, I would. Highly recommend. Thank you Shawn.
2 years ago
Our whole island tour with Shawn, was the highlight of my trip to Kona. His knowledge of the big island is amazing. From coffee tasting first to dinner last, our whole day offered us many of the sights, sounds and delicious tastes of Hawaii that made our visit perfect. The photographs Shawn took are very professional. I appreciate that they were sent to us quickly and serve as great reminders of our special day. Thank you, Shawn
8 months ago
Our family's private tour with Shawn as our guide was beyond our expectations. Having a knowledgeable guide makes all the difference! Spotlessly clean and comfortable transportation, amazing waterfalls, a tasty lunch in the park, volcanoes and steam vents and lava tunnels! With a sunset dinner at the Volcano House.
2 years ago
My 18 year old daughter loved this tour and wrote most of this review. Awesome tour! Our guide Shawn constantly shared fun facts and information. He was very friendly and kept us engaged with jokes/personal experiences. Shawn was most knowledgeable about the geology and volcanic activity of the big island. He also had an almost encyclopedia memory of the island's history as well as the local fauna (whether invasive or native). He had a professional camera and took superb photos of us so that we'd have wonderful memories. The tour was well appointed in a 8 passenger Toyota sequoia. Shawn even had a headset/speaker that allowed him to share insights without shouting since it was relayed through the car speakers. We were offered snacks and drinks at every stop. The trunk contained a big cooler that we could place any of our own personal items. The tour also was well prepared with flashlights for the lava tunnel, binoculars for the huge crater and even umbrellas for the Hawaiian showers. Overall a very memorable and enjoyable time. The fresh malassadas and Hawaiian plate lunches from the Punalu‘u bakery were great and the dinner from FORC was sublime. warning: the BBQ chips are spicy! try them if you want, or confirm that I have a very poor spice tolerance. That stated, they were delicious and I regret it only a little bit.
6 months ago
We had a fantastic tour of the Big Island with Shawn. Would highly recommend!
3 years ago
Awesome expensive in one of the most remote places in the us.
3 years ago
What an amazing experience! From the start, Shawn helped create the perfect tour for us. We took a few things from his various tours and made it into a custom experience that was beyond anything we could have expected. Shawn was a great communicator beginning to end. He answered all of our questions before (and during!) the tour and made us feel comfortable with everything. Our day began with Shawn picking us up at our hotel. We had no idea what to expect as this was our first time doing a private tour. The initial ride before our first stop was fairly long, but Shawn was able to use this time to give us a tour of the island and fill us in on the history of the island. You can tell how much Shawn loves what he does and how much he loves the island. Shawn has an incredible and impressive amount of knowledge about everything and anything Big Island, you can feel his passion for learning and his passion for sharing this knowledge throughout the tour. Our kids (9 and 13) were easily entertained and engaged by Shawn’s knowledge and approach. This is by no means a tour just for families, it would be perfect for anyone, but Shawn effortlessly adapted the information for kids and adults. Spending an entire day with a stranger could be hard but Shawn is so friendly that we quickly felt like we were spending the day with a friend. During our tour we had to make some changes on the go and Shawn was able to adapt quickly and had some alternatives ready to go. Shawn really helped to make this tour feel special and personal. On top of all of this, Shawn had everything we needed-snacks, drinks, rain coats, and head lamps! He made it so easy to pack for this tour. We can’t recommend Backroad Adventures enough. It has been a few days since we did our tour and we are still talking about it. Shawn definitely made Big Island memorable for us!
1 year ago
Had an awesome day! Our guide Lisa was fun, very knowledgeable and adjusted things as needed. My son is in a wheelchair and they made sure he was able to see and participate in everything. Hands down the best tour qe have experienced!! Highly recommend Backroads Adventures!!
10 months ago
We had an absolutely amazing private tour on the Big Island of Hawaii! Our guide (Lisa) was a marine biologist (with multiple other expertises) and incredibly knowledgeable, sharing fascinating insights throughout the day that made every stop even more meaningful. They were wonderful with both adults and children and truly tailored the experience to our group. The tour was thoughtfully planned and very comfortable. The vehicle was spacious and had everything we needed for a full day of exploring. We were treated to great snacks and drinks along the way, and the picnic lunch was delicious and beautifully prepared—such a nice touch! We were a group of five adults and two children, and this tour was perfect for our family. It felt personalized, relaxed, and educational all at once. We highly recommend this tour to other families or anyone looking for a special, high-quality experience on the Big Island. This was truly a highlight of our trip!
10 months ago
Truly a wonderful tour! We had such a great time with our party of 10 and were able to enjoy a large family vacation with ease and see all the sights despite finicky weather! They accommodated vegetarian diet request with a picnic lunch and we had a very informative and beautiful day exploring the island
9 months ago
What an amazing day that we spent with Big Island Backroad Adventures and our guide Shawn. We elected to do a private 10 hour tour of the Volcano National Park, surrounding water falls and points of interest. Every moment was spectacular as Shawn expertly guided us around the Kilauea's volcano crater, lava fields and steam vents, we walked through a lava tube and stood on top of breath taking mountain peaks overlooking the beautiful terrain of the Big Island. We will always remember this adventure!
4 years ago
The only way to do land tours on the big island!! Spent the day exploring the Volcano park. So customized, and very accommodating. Shawn has a wealth of knowledge as a very experienced guide. The adventure vehicle is SO nice and comfortable! Clean and packed with snacks. We really appreciated the details of this tour; from the microphone he has connected into the sound system so you don’t miss the information on the drive, to the quality outerwear provided in multiple size options. Everything is so dialed. Thank you Backroad Adventures!!
11 months ago
Shawn guided us through the Volcano National Park and we cannot recommend him more highly. We had visited before but felt we needed someone who really knew the park to take us around to truly experience the majesty and the science. He did! For instance, at the Mauna Ulu Trail we saw a tree mold, a very long fissure and the lava field that resulted and tephra and reticulate. Highly recommend.

We specialize in bringing Hawaii to you through our private and all-inclusive guided naturalist tours. With just your group, we can take you to all those lesser known, off the beaten path destinations around the Big Island of Hawaii. We strive to provide an intimate and ultra-luxury experience while still maintaining that rugged adventure feel. Enjoy many amenities that you won’t find with other companies, such as our top quality provided gear from trusted brands like Patagonia and Nikon ProStaff. The island of Hawai’i is home to an array of landscapes, climate zones, and unique wildlife. Our high-quality provided gear helps you have the best Big Island tour experience from wildlife viewing, to hiking, or stargazing!

With our various travel options and customizable add-ons, you can tour the island in a full circle, encounter waterfalls, visit volcanoes, or visit a unique and lesser-known high elevation ecosystem. We carefully craft every trip option to provide a stimulating experience. Whether you’ve come to the Big Island before or we’re welcoming you for the first time, we promise adventure that will deepen your appreciation for this special place

Perhaps most importantly, we understand that an incredible tour begins with an incredible guide. Our private tour guides on the Big Island are top of the line educated biologists that have spent years living, researching and going to school in the Hawaiian Islands. They’ve worked all over the planet as expedition guides, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, South Pacific to Northern Europe and many places in between. They have a strong foundation in geology, botany, biology and cultural history with many diverse perspectives to share based on their extensive travel experience. When you book your personal tour with us, you can trust that your Big Island Hawaii tour guides will give you meaningful insight into everything you see.

Let us do all the work and take you on a guided adventure that you’ll remember for a lifetime!

Ready to Book a Tour?

We look forward to taking you on an amazing adventure!