Our Story
Who We Are
Wild Hawaiʻi Tours is a Big Island-based, family-operated tour company on the Island of Hawaiʻi, offering thoughtfully crafted private tours that showcase the island’s most beautiful and meaningful places. Whether you’re planning months ahead or arriving last minute, you can count on us for a seamless, personalized experience from start to finish.
We offer a collection of carefully designed itineraries built from our favorite places across the island—routes we know and love, refined through years of local exploration. Each tour is fully flexible and can be adjusted to include your own bucket-list stops, ensuring your day feels truly your own.
Before your tour, we take the time to connect with you directly to understand your interests, pace, and travel style so we can tailor the experience specifically to you. From there, every detail is thoughtfully planned and delivered with a relaxed, friendly, and down-to-earth island approach that puts you at ease the moment you book.
Meet Your Local Guide
Gary, founder of Wild Hawaiʻi Tours, built this company from the ground up with a deep love for the island and a commitment to creating meaningful, personalized experiences. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems off the beaten path, it is our kuleana (responsibility) to share the very best of the Big Island with your family or group in a way that feels authentic, welcoming, and truly unforgettable.
Originally from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Gary began his journey as a lifeguard with the local beach patrol, where his passion for water safety, education, and the marine environment first took root. In 2014, he made the leap from Florida’s shores to the Big Island of Hawaiʻi to pursue a career in Physical Therapy—but quickly found himself drawn more deeply to the island’s landscapes, culture, and spirit of exploration. Over the years, he has traveled extensively across the island, developing a strong connection to its geology, history, and vibrant Hawaiian culture, which ultimately inspired him to begin guiding others.
When he’s not leading tours, Gary can be found soaking up quality time with his wife and raising their son—often with a surfboard in hand teaching the joy of riding waves. Outside of family time, he’s out exploring the island he calls home, whether surfing, spearfishing, hiking, freediving, mountain biking, or playing bike polo. His active lifestyle keeps him deeply connected to the natural world and continually fuels his appreciation for the beauty, energy, and spirit of Hawaiʻi.
Meet Our Guides
Kona Chris
Hailing from the rugged mountains of Utah, Kona Chris seamlessly bridges the high-desert landscapes of his home state with the dynamic volcanic terrain of Hawaiʻi Island. Blending a deep-rooted passion for earth sciences with an innate gift for storytelling, he brings the island's unique geology, endemic flora, and rich cultural history to life for every visitor. His experience guiding in the outdoors ensures seamlessly managed, safe excursions, while his genuine local knowledge and engaging narrative style turn standard sightseeing into unforgettable, immersive journeys.
Aaron
Aaron has been guiding on Hawaiʻi’s Big Island for more than 20 years. Originally from Michigan and educated in California, he came to Hawaiʻi and developed a real appreciation for the island’s landscapes, geology, and natural history.
Much of his time is spent guiding in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, where he enjoys sharing the story of how the island was formed and the volcanic activity that continues to shape it today. He’s also a fly-fishing guide on the Big Island, putting clients on bonefish one day and exploring lava fields the next.
In the summer, Aaron heads north to Alaska, where he fishes and guides in Katmai National Park. His background in Earth Sciences and years spent working in the field have given him a practical understanding of the places he guides and a lot of stories along the way.
Whether he’s chasing bonefish along the Hawaiian coast, walking across a fresh lava field, or spending time on the rivers and in the bear country of Alaska, Aaron enjoys getting people outside and helping them experience these places firsthand.
Why Choose Wild Hawaii Tours?
Private Big Island Tours, Designed Around You
Experience the Big Island like never before with personalized private tours designed for families, couples and luxury travelers seeking authentic Hawaiian experiences. Skip the crowds and rigid itineraries as you explore the island at your own pace, guided by local expertise and genuine island hospitality.
Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, exploring volcanic landscapes, relaxing on black sand beaches, or connecting with Hawai‘i’s rich culture and history, we know the hidden gems and scenic side quests that turn a great trip into an unforgettable experience.
From breathtaking natural wonders to off-the-beaten-path locations, every tour is thoughtfully tailored to create a seamless, comfortable, and deeply personal journey through the beauty of Hawai‘i Island.
Local Experts
Passionate local guides share insider stories and cultural insights you won't find elsewhere.
Private Experience
Small groups ensures intimate experiences and personalized attention throughout your adventure.
Custom Itineraries
Every tour is tailored to your interests and pace for truly memorable experiences.
The Island of Hawai‘i
Wild Hawai‘i Tours is based on the Big Island of Hawai‘i, a place known for its dramatic landscapes, from active volcanoes and black sand beaches to lush rainforests and waterfalls. As a locally owned, family-run company, we specialize in sharing both the island’s iconic sights and hidden gems through carefully designed private tours.
Every itinerary is built from real local experience and can be tailored to your interests, pace, and bucket-list stops. Before your tour, we connect with you to customize the day so you can experience Hawai‘i Island in a way that feels personal, relaxed, and truly unforgettable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about your journey with Wild Hawaii Tours
While the Big Island is home to active volcanoes including Kilauea, the most active volcano in the world, it is not guaranteed that they will be erupting during your tour. If lava is visible and safe for viewing it will be our main goal to get you as close as possible!
Our tours run from 4.5 to 11 hours, depending on the tour, and our full day tours run up to 11 hours. We feel that is the ideal time needed to see each attraction in a no rush relaxed pace and leave room for side quests if they arise! However if that seems too long or you have something else in mind we are more than happy to accommodate!
Full price will be charged for cancellations and 'no shows' unless we receive advance notice of 24 hours. If something comes up, we will do our best to get you rescheduled. We will cancel in the event of extreme weather for a full refund. Cruise ship guests: If your boat does not come into port a full refund will be given.
We recommend shoes and clothing that will keep you comfortable for a long day. You are more than welcome to bring a change of shoes/clothes as well for our more adventurous activities.
While our vehicle is not wheelchair accessible we are more than happy to make it work as long as you are comfortable with it. Please make sure to reach out in advance!
Yes of course! Many of our guests fly into Kona (recommended) where we will start our adventure. We will work with you to choose the best flight times to maximize your day.
Yes. Guests of all ages are welcome on our tours. The National Park Hiking Tour is recommended for ages 6 and up.
Per group. Our tours are private: $1,900 is the price for your group of up to 6 guests. Groups larger than 6 ride in our Sprinter van, with tiered pricing.
We pick you up at your accommodation and drop you off there after the tour. Cruise ship guests are picked up at the pier in Kona or Hilo.
Yes. Our cruise ship tours come with a guaranteed return to port, and we plan your day around your ship's schedule. Ships keep different schedules, so please contact us before you book.
Reserve Your Private Experience.
Your private, fully customizable Hawaiʻi experience awaits. Explore everything the Big Island has to offer with a knowledgeable local guide tailored to your interests and pace.