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• Volcano Night Lava Viewing Tours (8)
• Volcano Sightseeing Tours (16)
• Volcano Air Flights & Tours (6)
• Volcano Hiking Tours (4)
• Volcanoes National Park Bike Tours (1)

Volcano Night Lava Viewing Tours

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Latest reviews of Volcano Night Lava Viewing Tours

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

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 ko ... more na!

Worth the money for sure!

We really enjoyed this tour. It is a long one so be prepared. But they keep you hydrated and fed. I loved the black sand beach, and the sea turtles and the stop along the shore the most. But all of the events were really ... more fun. They packed so much into one day. it was a great tour and we had a lot of fun. The picnic, the stop at the bakery, and the dinner, you were all excellent quality as well.

Great day in Hawaii!

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

Amazing Tour Guide!

The perfect experience for first time visiting Kona! Loved the Coffee farm, black sand beach, and stargazing the most on this full-day excursion!

Fabulous Trip

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.

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, ... more 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).

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Hawaii Volcano Expeditions

Experience the adventure of a lifetime, aloha and welcome.

Hawaii volcano expeditions are something that not everyone gets to experience. Volcanoes speckle the islands, and while your initial instinct is likely to veer away from exploring them, you’d be doing yourself a great disservice by not viewing these natural wonders! They’re a part of Hawaiian culture and history, so if you’re looking to get the most out of your Hawaiian excursion and truly see all there is to see, then a Hawaii volcano tour should be part of your travel itinerary.

What we offer

Tours by air, tours by foot, tours by bus, top hawaii volcano tours.

Volcano Adventure Tour (from Hilo)

Difficulty rating, tour duration.

Elite Volcano Hike (From Kona)

Oahu to Hilo: Volcano Adventure Tour

Easy to Moderate

Circle of Fire Helicopter Tour – Hilo

The View from Above

If you’re aiming to get the best view of a volcano, you’re going to want an overhead view. Through a variety of available packages, your chances to see some of these natural beauties from above increases tenfold. A selection of helicopter tours, offered with an open-door view to give an unprecedented view of the surrounding region, are readily available for adventurers that aren’t weary of heights. 

Tourists will explore the most active volcanoes around the globe, including Kilauea volcano located on the main island of Hawaii. Along with an aerial view of the beauty of these monumental natural structures, you’ll soar over lush forests, crystal clear waters, and black sanded beaches during your Hawaii volcano expedition. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Read our answers to our customers’ common questions. 

Everyone who visits Hawaii Volcanoes National Park wants to see lava.  You go there hoping to see lava fountaining into the air like on a National Geographic magazine.

Sorry to tell you, most visitors do not see lava.

Here’s why: Lava is dangerous. As soon as lava is fountaining or flowing in a certain area, Hawaii Civil Defense determines if it is safe to allow people near it.  Usually it is not safe and the area is closed off.

How to see lava on a volcano tour

The best way to be sure you will see lava is to take a helicopter volcano tour. You will see it from hundreds of feet away, but it is still magnificent.

The chances of seeing lava from a helicopter are very high, but not guaranteed. Volcanoes are extremely unpredictable. Volcanic activity changes every day. The lava flow moves and the surface cools.

Do not make the mistake of going on a volcano tour to see lava. There are so many other reasons to go on a volcano tour. Our volcanoes have an amazing history, cultural significance, biological uniqueness, geological wonder, and a beauty like no other place in the world.

People who go just to see lava and don’t see it are disappointed.  People who go to appreciate everything else about the volcano enjoy themselves. If you do see lava on a volcano tour, it is a bonus and you are a lucky one.

You want a quick answer? Sorry, the answer is constantly changing.

As we mention all over this site, the volcano is active. That means that it is moving and hard to pin down. You might see photos from a friend who saw lava flowing into the ocean a month ago, but now it is nowhere to be seen.

This is why a  volcano tour  is the best way to view the volcanoes. Tours will take you to see the sights in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Then the guide will use his contacts to find where you have the best chance of seeing lava.

Sometimes it is best viewed from inside the National Park. Sometimes it is by the shore in Kalapana. Sometimes it can only be seen from helicopters. Some days you can’t see lava anywhere you look.

The key to an enjoyable visit to the Big Island volcanoes is to go for the volcanoes and consider any sighting of lava as a bonus. If you’re whole purpose is to see lava, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment.

If you insist that lava is your focus, then a  helicopter tour  has the best chance of seeing lava. The pilots search for lava and communicate where the sighting is the best.  When you get close, you can actually feel the heat from inside the helicopter.

Five different Volcanoes are on the Big Island of Hawaii:

• Kilauea volcano

Mauna Kea Volcano Summit. 13,796 ft. Photo https://flic.kr/p/4h5JWS

Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in Hawaii. It is also the tallest sea mountain in the world. From it’s base at the bottom of the ocean floor it is 33,000 feet taller than Mount Everest.  Mauna Kea hasn’t erupted for thousands of years, but is still considered dormant and could erupt again.

Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on earth in terms of volume.

Kilauea is the volcano that most visit us to see.  It is the most active volcano in the world. It began erupting in 1983 and continues to erupt today.

Vog is volcanic fog. It is similar to smog in that it is dirty with particles that are not in typical fog.

Vog is formed when gases from the erupting volcano get into the air, mix with sunlight, oxygen and moisture.

Like smog, vog is not healthy for humans, plants or animals. Many people living near Kilaeau, experience headaches and respitory issues from vog.

Visitors on our tours will see and breath vog, but we rarely have visitors who complain of health issues as a result. Generally, complaints come more often from prolonged exposure by those living near the volcano.

Nevertheless, we encourage all visitors to pay attention to their bodies and take the following precautions:

• Drink lots of fluids
• Don’t overexert
• Don’t smoke

Does vog smell like sulfer? A little bit.

More Information about the Latest Big Island Volcanic Activity:

• Update September 17, 2023: The Kilauea summit eruption that began on September 10, 2023, has ended.  There is currently no lava activity.
• Seismicity and volcanic gas emission rates remain elevated
• Flights to and from Kona International Airport (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO) are not affected and are operating as scheduled.
• All visitor accommodations and activities on the Big Island are operating normally.
• For more information please visit: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kilaueaupdate.htm

• Most Popular!

Epic Hawaii National Volcano Park Tours

Hikes to the current surface flow lava or ocean entry (whatever is currently available).

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 2 Hours
• Clock Start Time: 5am, 2pm, 8:30pm

We offer this tour every day of the year, LAVA is contingent to the volcano erupting.

If you are traveling with a large group, please inquire about our large group discount for 10+ guests

Experience Hawaii’s National Volcano Park on our Tours!

Be prepared for one of the coolest and most unique tours through Hawaii’s Volcano National Park! Our legendary tour guide comes with 50 years of experience and knowledge on the park and its history, and will lead you through the very best features that the 505 mi.² national Park has to offer.

Current volcano park hikes range from 1 to 2 miles in total, and are suitable for most physical conditions who can handle that distance. if you have any questions about the tour, make sure to contact EpicLava before booking your adventure.

What’s Included on the Epic Volcano Park Tour:

• We include bottled water and rain ponchos
• Make sure to bring closed toed shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunblock

More Information

Be prepared for all types of weather from rainy to Sunny…And bring your sense of adventure!

Related Activities

• Clock 1 a.m.
• Hour Glass 3 Hours

Epic Night Time Photography Tour

Come with us into Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park when it is literally yours to explore! Capture the volcano and the stars in breathtaking detail as you find the night’s best locations and are amazed by the park’s fascinating landscapes. Book your Hawai’i volcano photography tours online!

• Hour Glass 5 Hours

Private Lava Tour

You want to experience a real adventure, where the nature experience is in the foreground? Our tour brings you to where new land is created – feel the heat of fresh lava and experience this natural spectacle with your own eyes. In addition to the photographic aspect, you’ll get to experience a unique and unforgettable adventure with your private group!

First-timer’s guide to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Apr 18, 2024 • 11 min read

The scale and ferocity of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a wonder to experience © Yiming Chen / Getty Images

Unsurprisingly, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Hawaiʻi Island is one of the state’s most popular attractions.

This incredible landscape is home to two massive volcanoes – Kīlauea being one of the world’s most active – and stretches from sea level to the summit of Mauna Loa, one of the world’s largest. Sprawling across 333,259 acres on the island's southeastern side, the park is one of the most dynamic and diverse in the US.

Its ever-changing landscape boasts an assortment of terrain, from lush rainforests and barren lava fields to a volcano often dusted with snow every winter. Yes, even in Hawaiʻi!

So grab those hiking boots and binoculars and use our insider guide to get the most out of your first trip to this unique national park.

When is the best time to visit Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park? 

There isn’t an especially bad time to visit the park, which sees nearly two million visitors annually. The weather on the Islands doesn’t vary much, with temperatures fluctuating between 66-85°F throughout the year. Winter and early spring, though, tend to be rainier and cooler than other times of the year and hurricane season runs from June to November, which can mean tropical storms, whipping winds and torrential rain.

The busiest travel seasons in Hawaiʻi are summer and winter – summer is peak vacation time for families and winter lures travelers eager to escape colder climes. Expect more people on trails and longer waits for parking during these periods.

Spring and fall are slower travel months and ideal times to visit the park. Trekking conditions are much more comfortable without the intense summer heat and you’ll likely find better airfare prices and hotel rates at nearby hotels. The park does get a surge of visitors during spring break and around the weekend of the annual Merrie Monarch Festival , a week-long hula competition based in Hilo around late March or early April.

Tuesday is the busiest day at the park – pick another day if at all possible. This is when the Pride of America , a cruise ship that sails around the Islands, docks in Hilo. Many of its 2000 passengers head to the national park, hitting popular stops like the Kīlauea Visitor Center , the Kīlauea Iki Trail , and Nāhuku (otherwise known as Thurston Lava Tube ). Winter brings yet more cruise ships to Hawaiʻi Island as thousands of North Pacific humpback whales migrate annually from Alaska to the warmer waters surrounding the Islands.

Though Kīlauea stopped erupting on Sept 16, 2023, the volcano still attracts visitors despite no visible lava fountains or flows. And it’s likely it will erupt again – the Puʻuʻōʻō eruption, which began in 1983 and lasted 35 years, ranks as the longest and most voluminous known outpouring of lava from Kīlauea’s east rift zone in more than 500 years. “If there is an eruption,” says Jessica Ferracane, the park’s spokesperson, “it is busy all day, every day, especially if it’s at the summit of Kīlauea.”

Planning tip: The park is currently undergoing a big disaster recovery project following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption and summit collapse. There could be temporary area closures, lane closures, reduced parking and other limited services for the next two years. Check the park website to check for construction closures and delays . 

Find out everything you need to know about what's happening in Hawaii throughout the year in  our guide to the best time to visit the Aloha State

How much time should I plan to spend at the park?

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park may not be as huge as Alaska’s 13.2-million-acre Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve – larger than Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park and Switzerland combined – but it does stretch from sea level to the summit of 13,681-ft Mauna Loa and across seven different ecological zones. You’ll need at least a full day to explore all the best parts of the park but two days are even better. 

Park staff recommend that visitors arrive by sunrise to hit the park’s most popular trails first – it's open 24 hours to allow everyone to maximize their time. Dusk is also a wonderful time to go exploring – the lack of light pollution provides dark skies that are perfect for stargazing.

There are a variety of hikes within the national park, from the easy 1.2-mile Kīpukapuaulu Trail to the challenging backcountry treks up Mauna Loa that can take two days. And having an extra day means you can visit the park’s quieter and less crowded Kahuku Unit on the southerly slopes of Mauna Loa. This 116,000-acre former ranchland is about an hour's drive from the Kīlauea Visitor Center and is open to the public five days a week. You can hike to the top of an old cinder cone, trek through a pristine Hawaiian rainforest or bike through scenic pastures with panoramic views of the ranchlands.

The tiny town of Volcano Village just outside the park is also well worth a visit, with its laid-back eateries and food trucks, art galleries, and  a vineyard and winery .

Is it easy to get in and around the park?

The nearest airport is Hilo International, about 30 miles northeast of the park (you can fly into the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole, but the drive from Kailua-Kona will take about two hours). Getting to the park from Hilo is easy – take Route 11 (Hawaiʻi Belt Road) west until you reach the main entrance. The drive takes about 45 minutes.

Hele-On Bus is the island’s only public bus service, operated by Hawaiʻi County. The No. 11 Red Line runs between Hilo and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, stopping daily at the Kīlauea Visitor Center. The bus schedule is subject to change, so check ahead. There is no public transportation or shuttle service within the park, so you’ll need a car to get around.

Top things to do at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Kīlauea iki trail.

One of the most popular hikes in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is the 4-mile roundtrip Kīlauea Iki Trail. The terrain is varied – it starts in a forest of native ʻōhiʻa trees and hapuʻu (Hawaiian tree fern) and ends with a walk across an otherworldly crater floor – and it’s short enough to complete in a few hours, giving you plenty of time to visit other parts of the park.

The trailhead is at an overlook of the crater formed from an eruption in 1959 that was marked by fountaining lava over a half-mile long and a plume reaching a world-record 1900ft high. The first part of the trail is a descent through a lush rainforest lined with native ʻōhiʻa and koa trees. Look for the white-rumped ʻapapanae , a nectarivorous Hawaiian honeycreeper, often found flitting from tree to tree. The switchbacks end at the crater floor, a vast moonscape that sharply contrasts with the surrounding native forests.

This lava tube – also known as Thurston Lava Tube – was created by a river of 2000°F (1093°C) molten lava about 500 years ago. Discovered in 1913, this massive lava cave is very accessible, with a flat rock floor and ceiling height of more than 20ft in places. Electric lights illuminate most of the path, though you may want to bring a flashlight – it takes about 20 minutes to stroll through the tube. The rainforest that surrounds Nāhuku is brimming with native birds, including the scarlet ʻiʻiwi , a Hawaiian honeycreeper listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Hōlei Sea Arch

At the end of the Chain of Craters Road – about 18 miles from the Kīlauea Visitor Center – is the Hōlei Sea Arch , a 90-ft-tall rock formation cut into the cliff of an ancient lava flow about 550 years ago. In 2020, the park opened a new viewing area about 1000ft past the gate at the end of the road and set back away from the cliff edge.

Puʻuloa Petroglyphs

There’s an area of Pānau Nui on the southern flank of Kīlauea with numerous pecked images, or petroglyphs, in the hardened lava. Puʻuloa, which translates to “long hill” in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language), is a sacred place to Native Hawaiians. The archaeological site here boasts more than 23,000 petroglyphs – the largest collection in Hawaiʻi – with motifs of circles, canoe sails, human forms, feathered capes and other geometric shapes.

Devastation Trail

This half-mile hike is suitable for everyone as it's wheelchair and stroller accessible. The paved path meanders through a stark yet beautiful landscape buried by falling cinder from lava fountains of the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption. You might find volcanic debris in the form of glass-like droplets and strands called Pele’s Tears and Pele’s Hair, respectively, named after the revered Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes. Nēnē (Hawaiian geese) frequent this area; refrain from feeding or interacting with this threatened species.

My favorite thing to do at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Unfortunately, there aren’t many places in Hawaiʻi where you find native forest birds anymore. Their populations have plummeted due to habitat destruction, predators like feral cats, mongoose and non-native mosquitoes that spread avian pox and avian malaria.

But at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, where native habitats are protected and able to thrive, you can see – and hear – a variety of these special birds, from the friendly ʻelepaio (Hawaiian flycatcher) to the elusive ʻōmaʻo (Hawaiian thrush), which can only be found in the montane rainforests on Hawaiʻi Island. The bright orange ʻākepa , an endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper with an odd-shaped beak, can be spotted in the high-elevation forests of the park’s Kahuku Unit. And if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the endemic ʻio , the only hawk species native to Hawaiʻi.

I love wandering along the 1.2-mile Kīpukapuaulu Trail, an easy loop through pristine native forestland in an area known as a “bird park.” A kīpuka is an area of land that’s surrounded by younger lava flows, like an “island” within a sea of lava. There are more native tree species per acre here than any other forest in the national park, which means you’ll find native forest birds that rely on the native trees that grow here.

How much money do I need?

Park entry costs $30 for a private car, $25 for a motorcycle, and $15 for pedestrians and cyclists. The park has gone cashless, so payment has to be made with debit or credit cards in person or online .

If you're also planning to visit Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park near Kailua-Kona or Haleakalā National Park on Maui, consider buying the Hawaiʻi Tri-Park Annual Pass for $55. This allows you to enter all three of these parks in a single, private vehicle.

The National Park Service offers free admission to everyone on the following days: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the first day of National Park Week in April, Juneteenth, the Great American Outdoors Act, National Public Lands Day and Veterans Day.

Average costs at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

• Basic room for two at Volcano House: $80 to $385 per night
• Airbnb in Volcano: $150 average per night
• Cup of coffee: $3.50
• Midrange meal: $15-$20 per person
• Local beer: $10
• Gas (regular) in Hilo: $4.81 per gallon

How to travel in the park consciously

With two active volcanoes and ongoing construction to repair damage caused by the 2018 Kīlauea eruption, it’s important to stay on marked trails and overlooks and keep out of closed areas. And no matter what you may have seen on social media, please leave the rocks alone and unstacked. Park staff often use ahu (stacked rocks) to mark trails; it’s not an invitation to do the same. Not only is it culturally insensitive but it can be disorienting to hikers who rely on the ahu to guide them along trails. It’s also long believed that taking lava rocks brings bad luck. Hundreds of people return rocks they’ve taken from the park every year.

There are many culturally significant sites within the park, itself a Unesco World Heritage Site. These include petroglyphs, historic trails, fossilized footprints, shelter caves, heiau (Hawaiian temples) and stone walls of canoe sheds and corrals. Many of these sites are listed in the National Register of Historic Places – please be respectful when you get the chance to see them close up.

The land within the park is sacred to Native Hawaiians, with moʻolelo (stories) and mele (songs) tied to this area. They believe Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes, lives in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater at the summit of Kīlauea. If you come across Native Hawaiians performing cultural rituals in the park, keep a respectful distance. Let them – and others – connect undisturbed with nature.

This article was first published September 2021 and updated April 2024

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The Best Volcano Tours in Hawaii

By Hawaii.com Team

If you’re looking to see lava, your best (and safest) bet is to book a Hawaii volcano tour. The best ways to see lava on the Big Island are by boat, by helicopter or by hiking across the dry lava fields. Keep in mind that, because you’re dealing with mother nature, lava viewings are not guaranteed and certain safety risks do exist. Check with tour operators or call 808-985-6000 for recorded updates of volcanic activity. That being said, here are the best volcano tours in Hawaii to get you safely to Pele’s red hot molten lava!

Lava Ocean Tours

Lava Ocean Tours will take you out on the water in the only US Coast Guard inspected lava boat, the LAVAONE, which offers the Big Island’s best lava boat tour! Get up close and feel the heat and hear the sizzle of molten lava flowing into the ocean. The best time of day to witness this wonder is early morning before sunrise or at sunset. However, no matter the time of day, you will be watching as a new earth is formed on the Big Island. Passengers must be 4-75 years old, under 250 pounds, and in good health.

Hawaii Volcano Tours by Helicopter

Paradise Helicopters> offers a ride over the most active parts of the Kilauea volcano. This 40-50 minute ride will have you feeling the heat and then cooling down as you fly over some of the island’s magical waterfalls. This Big Island volcano tour is offered with or without doors!

Hike to See the Lava Flow

Hawaii Forest & Trail offers a guided 2-3 mile hike of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s most dynamic terrain with a National Park Certified Guide. Along with the hike, you will also explore a private lava tube complete with bright yellow and gold microbial mats. Guides provide gear, food, and drinks as well as insights into the history and legends of the volcano.

Volcano Air Tour from Kapalua, Maui

If you’re staying on the island of Maui and looking for a tour that will take you to see the volcano, check out Mokuele Air Tours departing from Kapalua, Maui. Though the highlight is the southern lava tubes of Hawaii Island where lava often flows into the sea, you will also get to see picturesque parts of Maui, cross the Alenuihaha channel and fly over stunning coastlines and mountains on Hawaii Island.

Not All Hawaii Volcano Tours Will Take You to See Lava

There are a lot of volcano tours on Hawaii Island, but not all of them will take you to see the lava flowing into the ocean. Most volcano tours will take you sightseeing around the island and on a trip through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. But, this does not necessarily mean you will see the lava flow.

Big Island Volcano Day Trip from Another Island

The source of lava is the Kilauea volcano which is located on the southeastern coast of Hawaii Island, also known as the Big Island. If you’re visiting Hawaii but staying on an island other than Big Island, it might be worth it to book an inter-island flight over for a day trip. The two main airports on the island are the Kona International Airport (KOA) and the Hilo International Airport (ITO). If you’re flying to the Big Island and renting a car, keep in mind that the Hilo Airport is closer to the lava than the Kona Airport is. However, it’s still about an hour drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park from Hilo, so be sure to get an early start and plan accordingly. Some tours will offer airport pick-up, just check your tour details or call the company.

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About Destination Hilo

• Membership Application
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Lava Ocean Adventures

• Reservations: 808.966.4200
• Fax: 808.982.7490
• Website: www.lavaocean.com and www.seelava.com
• Email: [email protected]

Tour#1 Sunrise Lava Boat Tour 2 Hour Tour, Check in 5:00AM

Hawaii’s Best Lava Tour takes you to view lava in the dark. Hear, See and Feel the heat as Volcano Kilauea pours molten lava into the sea. As the early morning golden sunlight rays warm the lava covered coastline, the ultimate lava viewing unfolds right before your eyes. Our experienced crew founded Lava Boat Tours on this very tour due to the fact that the Sunrise Lava Adventure Tours are the best for lava, wind, weather, & swell conditions. We offer both Hawaii group tours & private lava tours with seating for 24 passengers per Big Island Lava Tour.

*The major advantage the Sunrise Lava Adventure allows you is that you get the sun to your back which for photography purposes helps light the lava & Kalapana coastline. Please expect this ocean volcano tour to be the highlight of your Hawaii Vacation, we do.

If you’re on the Big Island this is what you came to see Volcano Kilauea’s red rivers. Watch as lava covers Hawaii’s beautiful Volcanoes National Park coastline creating new black sand beaches, lava sea cliffs, lava aches, and shaping the new Kalapana coastline.

• Adults (13+ Years of Age): $155 + Tax (0.07166)
• Child (6-12 Years of age): $125 + Tax (0.07166)

Tour #2 Volcano Coastline Tour 2 Hour Tour, Check in 7:15AM

Our morning volcano tour is the easiest for all around photography of past, present, and the current eruption of Kilauea Volcano. If you are out there to take lava photos think about this – The sun has broken the horizon and started its climb into the mid-morning sky to give you an abundance of natural back light for viewing lava and the best all around time to capture Hawaii lava photos. Our Volcano Coastline Tour takes you along the most remote Big Island Lava coastline to see lava tube, sea arches, black sand beaches as well as cultural and many other geological features. Day tours provide great Hawaii sightseeing, view the Kalapana coastline to and from Hawaii Volcano?s National Park.. If you missed the shot the first time you get a second chance on the way home. Come home from this Hawaii Vacation with lava pictures that will make family & friends wonder if you actually took them.

• Child (4-12 Years of age): $125 + Tax (0.07166)

Tour #3 Sunset Volcano Boat Tour 2 Hour Tour Check in 4:30PM

The Sunset lava adventure begins with a guided Kalapana Coastline tour of the Big Islands newest lands including Black Sand Beaches, Lava Caves, Sea cliffs, & Hawaii marine life. After a brief Big Island scenic cruise its time to view active lava. When the lava is entering the sea a boat lava tour is by far the best spot to view lava. Depending on conditions we can view anything from eruptive splatter cones to oozing rivers of lava. Our sunset volcano boat tour offers views of the sun setting over Mauna Loa & allows you great lava viewing of Big island lava up close and personal. Our Sunset Lava Tour leaves from Hilo side of the Big Island at the Issac Hale Beach Park / Pohoiki Bay. The excitement you’ll feel while watching active lava by boat will be an everlasting memory. On this Hilo Lava Tour to Volcano Kilauea you can see lava, hear lava, and feel the heat as molten lava sizzles into the Pacific Ocean from your front row seat aboard one of our Hawaii Lava Ocean Adventure Tours.

Tour #4 Volcano Coastline Fishing 3 HOURS – Puna Fishing

Includes everything you’ll need to go fishing in Hawaii. The original Lava Ocean Adventure & by far the crews favorite is our Hawaii Lava fishing. All tours will take you to see flow in lava, red hot. You have the chance to catch Ono, Mahi Mahi, Ahi Tuna, & other Hawaiian fish while fishing the scenic Hawaii coastline. During this charter your crew will set the lines for high speed surface trolling to catch pelagic fish.

• Bring your own lunch.
• Any health or issues pregnancy’s please consult your doctor before booking.
• Private (6 Passenger Vessel) Price: $1446.75 –

Tour #5 Go Fishing Hawaii 5 HOURS – Puna Fishing

Includes everything you’ll need to go fishing in Hawaii. The original Lava Ocean Adventure & by far the crews favorite is our 5 hr Hawaii Lava fishing tours. All tours will take you to see the current volcanic ocean activity. While trolling along the Kalapana coastline you’ll have the chance to catch Ono, Mahi Mahi, Ahi Tuna, & other Hawaiian fish. During the charter your crew will using successful fishing tactics including: high speed surface trolling, fish with cut bait, or live bait off shore for big game.

• Fishing – Bring your own lunch.
• Private (6 Passenger Vessel) Price: $1178.83

Destination Hilo 'Ohana

Visiting the big island.

We have currently discontinued our Big Island Museum Discount Pass! Please check the various museums directly to determine if they are open. Those that are open have special new prices and most of them require reservations.

See More about Hawaii Island's museums by clicking here.

Happening Around Hilo

HILO HULA TUESDAYS continues at the Mo`oheau Park Bandstand across from the Hilo Farmers Market at 329 Kamehameha Avenue every Tuesday from 12 noon to 1 p.m.  This free event is sponsored by Destination Hilo’s members and supported by various hula hālau who lovingly perpetuate our Hawaiian culture. Please join us.  We have a one-time […]

Hilo Hula Tuesday at the Mooheau Park Bandstand is being held every Tuesday through December 27, 2022, from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.  Please join us for this free event across from the Hilo Farmers Market!  Various well-known Hilo musicians and halau will be featured.

Connect with us!

Through collaboration with public and private industry, Destination Hilo strives to increase visitor satisfaction, extend length of stay, and provide innovative visitor activities offering unique Hawaiian experiences. Efforts are focused on improving quality of life for residents by contributing to a healthy social and economic culture.  Destination Hilo’s flagship “Hawaiian Greetings Program” provides music, entertainment, and networking services to thousands of visitors arriving at Hilo Pier and in Downtown Hilo.

Destination Hilo is supported by

WE ARE CHANGING THE WAY VISITORS EXPERIENCE HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK!  

Our private tours cater to small groups enriching the explorations that our clients prefer. with our specific area of expertise being kīlauea volcano, our locally owned and operated business only offers tours of hawai'i volcanoes national park. .

KAZUMURA CAVE TOURS Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii Photographs by: ROB RATKOWSKI We Are UNAFFECTED By The Current Eruptive Activity!

Cave formation.

Kazumura Cave is a lava tube on the island of Hawaii. The cave formed between four and six centuries ago, when a vent on the east side of Kilauea Caldera erupted, sending lava down the northeast flank of the volcano. As these lava flows advanced, they cooled from the outside in. This produced a hard crust around the flow, which protected the lava from cooling too quickly. (Hawaiian lavas erupt at approximately 2165°F (1185°C). The air and ground temperature is therefore cold to lava.) In time, this protective crust thickened and confined the flow to an oval or rounded conduit referred to as a lava tube.

Lava tubes which are active for long periods of time, can be enlarged by lava flowing through the tube. Lava is a very abrasive fluid which can erode the surround rock. Given enough time and favorable conditions, this erosion can form canyons and lava falls. Erosion can also expose gaps in the existing bedrock. Lava injected into these gaps sometimes remains molten, and later drains back into the tube to form lava straws or runs.

If during an eruption, a hole develops in the ceiling of a lava tube, that hole is called a skylight. Skylights allow heat to escape while admitting cold air. Any time the lava level in the tube drops, cold air entering a skylight can chill the surface of the flow causing a second crust to form. This produces what is known as a tube in tube. Cold air can also crack hot rock, allowing sections of the tube walls and ceiling to collapse, producing breakdown.

A dropping lava level also allows lava sticking to the ceiling to sag and form lavacicles, (a feature similar in appearance to a stalactite). As the lava level drops further, the tube begins to drain and cool. The last bit of lava flowing over a fall has cooled to a putty like consistency and begins to pile up on itself. This forms an irregular column called a dribble spire. At the base of a fall, a thick crust forms on the plunge pool surface, and then sags as lava drains from beneath. The last tubes in tube, also begin to collapse without lava to support their weight.

It can take years for a lava tube to cool sufficiently to support life. As many cave creatures are dependant upon plants for their food, it is likely the cave is not fully colonized until after these plants have become established on the surface above.

Kazumura Cave is just one of several lava tubes that formed in that eruption, but it is by far the most important. As the worlds longest known continuous lava tube, Kazumura is a national treasure that is virtually unknown to all. Geologically speaking, Kazumura has been called a master lava tube. Nearly every type of feature found in a lava tube can be found in this cave.

So, if you’re planning a trip to the big island or already here, and would like to visit Kazumura Cave, call during business hours to schedule a tour.

• the LONGEST CAVE in the state of HAWAII at 42.5 miles (68 km) surveyed.
• the LONGEST KNOWN CONTINUOUS LAVA TUBE in the WORLD.
• the 33 RD LONGEST CAVE in the WORLD.
• the 7 TH LONGEST CAVE in the UNITED STATES.
• the DEEPEST CAVE in the UNITED STATES at 3613 feet (1,101.5 m).
• part of the AILA`AU eruption.  (A radio carbon dating estimate, places the eruption between 1410 -1470; however, oral Hawaiian accounts place the eruption two centuries later in the 1600’s.)
• PASSAGE DIMENSIONS can be as much as 69 feet (21 m) wide, and 59 feet (18 m) high.
• The TALLEST LAVA FALL is 45 feet (13.7 m).
• In volcano at approximately 3700 feet above sea level, the temperature is 59°F (15°C).
• In Hawaiian Paradise Park at approximately 90 feet above sea level, the temperature is 72°F (22.2°C).
• On it’s way to the ocean, the LAVA TEMPERATURE DROPPED 7.2°F or 4°C (basalt analysis).
• The ESTIMATED CAVE VOLUME is over 1.6 million cubic yards (over 1,220,000 m³).
• There are at least 101 known ENTRANCES to the cave.

TOURS AVAILABLE

All tours begin with a short walk through the Puna Rain Forest before descending a ladder and entering the cave. Shortly after entering you will be shown delicate gypsum crystals, which can be damaged by a single drop of water. Moving on a little ways, the passage abruptly ends. Two more ladders must be descended to reach the main passage 20 feet below. At this point the Lava Falls and Pit Room tours head up slope. After a short introduction to some of the cave organisms, the group moves on to the Lava Falls, four of them, each with their own special features and ranging in height from 5 to 16 feet. Above the fourth Lava Fall is a room decorated with lavacicles, straws, dribble spires, and more. After seeing a few more features the Lava Falls tour turns around.

Tour continues on from here. On the way to the Pit Room you will see more decorated ceilings, ascend 2 lava cascades, and pass through the snake canyon; but be prepared to clamber over rubble. The highlight of the trip is a feature which is so intricate that it is hard to believe that it is made of rock. After seeing the sights at the pit room, the group turns around and heads back.

After descending into the main passage, the Maze Tour heads down slope toward Eureka Falls and the Sexton Maze. On the way is Mongoose Falls. Here the group must climb down a 10 foot drop. Next comes Eureka Falls, which is 37 feet straight down. After checking out the drop it’s time to put on your gear and rappel down (single rope). Further down slope is Red Column Falls, here the tour turns around. The Sexton Maze is then entered by ascending a ladder. After crawling through the maze for about an hour, the group rappels back into the main passage, a 30 foot drop (double rope). It’s now time to ascend Eureka Falls and head back.

• Caving or climbing helmet
• Headlamp and extra light / batteries as needed
• Climbing Harness
• Rappelling device suitable for a single or double rope.
• A working ascending system consisting of two ascenders or purssics, with foot loop(s), - per person .
• Carabiners (Two minimum)
• Knee pads and fore arm pads are recommended. 

~~~~Ropes are provided!   Gloves, heavily used knee pads, and modified construction hard hats are available for use if desired; but it is recommended that you bring your own.~~~~

* If you have no vertical skills or gear, but would like to visit the maze, check out our VERTICAL TRAINING course.

TOUR INFORMATION

• All tours are by appointment only, so YOU MUST MAKE RESERVATIONS BY PHONE! It is recommended that you make RESERVATIONS as early as is practical. Book the MAZE TOUR at least ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE ; and the VERTICAL TRAINING at least a MONTH IN ADVANCE .
• Tours are given Monday – Saturday, 9 am – 6 pm. We are closed Sundays.
• Tours start at $35 cash per person for school groups. (Two hour tour only.)
• Tours are in English only. All visitors must have a working knowledge of English to enter the cave.  (Our top concern is cave preservation. We can’t protect the cave if visitors cannot understand and follow directions. No exceptions will be made!)
• WE PROVIDE – hardhats, gloves, and flashlights.
• YOU MUST WEAR - LONG PANTS and GOOD SHOES (hiking shoes recomended) . Lava is sharp! Your legs and feet must be completely covered. ( NO SLIPPERS , HIKING SANDALS , SHORTS or CAPRIS . )  If you are not appropriately dressed you will be turned away!
• The cave temperature is 65°F (18.3°C) and drippy.  Water drips all the time in places, more when it rains. You may need JACKET.
• Tours are limited to a maximum of six people for mixed groups, or seven people for a single group.
• Children visiting the cave must be at least 11 years of age, Well Behaved , and accompanied by a Supervising Adult . (2 hr. tour only)  Parents should be aware that most children under 11 do not have the attention span necessary for this tour. The guide explains lava tube geology to visitors and the pace is leisurely. 
• Must be a teenager for the 4 Hr. tour.
• Absolutely no kids on backs!
• No children on the Maze tour.
• The floor of the cave is uneven.
• Travel over breakdown is necessary on the Pit room and Maze tours.
• Visitors should arrive 15 minutes early .  If you arrive late, you may find the group has left without you. OR, if your party fills the tour, you may not be able to see as much as you would like because your guide needs to get back for the next tour.
• Water is OK
• Photographs are allowed. Anything within the range of the flash should turn out to some extent.

OUR TOURS ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE

• A cave is an enclosed underground cavity existing within solid rock.
• There are no natural light sources in the cave, only the lights we carry.
• To get on and off a ladder you must move to the edge of the drop.
• The cave entrance is gated and kept locked to protect the cave.
• 1. Please Do Not Touch Anything ! All lava formations are irreplaceable.  Many are quite fragile.  When a lava formation is damaged or broken, it is damaged or broken forever.  It will NEVER grow back! Crystals found in Lava Tubes are also quite fragile so please do not touch anything.
• 2. Please Do Not Remove Anything From The Cave , so the cave can be preserved for future generations.
• 3. Please Do Not Eat In The Cave . Food left behind may begin to grow fungi or bacteria not normally found in the cave. Some such introduced organisms can be harmful to cave creatures.

LOCATION and TRAVEL TIMES

Learn more about lava tubes.

One sentiment often expressed by visitors on cave tours is: I never imagined that a lava tube could be so interesting. The lava can take on so many different forms. It’s absolutely amazing.

Lava tubes do indeed possess an incredible diversity of features. As the guide at Kazumura, I try to show visitors as many features as possible and explain their formation.

After tours I would often hear: “You have given us so much information, I don’t think I can remember everything. Is there anyplace where all this information is written down?” 

To this I would answer, “No, not that I’m aware of.”

After a while folks started saying: “You should write a book.

Because so many of you folks have considered me qualified for such an undertaking, I decided to take your advice. The book is titled “ UNDERSTANDING LAVA TUBES AND LAVA CAVES

The book covers the two methods of lava tube formation, and various erosional processes. It looks at how air can color the rock and help shape delicate cave features. There’s a chapter which looks at the various types of lava formations and explains how they form. The book also provides information about other types of lava caves, and their formation. In addition to this, practical information about lava tube caving, and preservation, is provided. And there is a question section, which I have used to provide information that did not easily fit in the text.  (Book reviews / sales)

(Back to top of page) VERTICAL TRAINING     ABOUT US     TOUR REVIEWS CONTACT US     BOOK SALES     LAVA TUBE BOOK     Book Sales (U.S. Only) --> PHYSICS BOOK     KAZUMURA CAVE PRESERVE

Lava Ocean Tours Inc

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Lava Ocean Tours Inc - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

The Complete Guide to Hawaii's Famous Lava Tubes

The network of underground caves carved out by Hawaii 's transformative lava is a mysterious island treasure that few tourists take the time to experience and understand. In fact, many visitors remain completely unaware that they are walking on top of a vast chain of crisscrossing lava tubes. This is especially the case on Hawaii Island , where the most recent volcanic activity can be observed more closely.

How Lave Tubes Are Formed

While the world's most famous tunnels and caves were carved slowly over time by natural acidic water, Hawaii’s lava tunnels—which can take anywhere from weeks to months to form—are the result of volatile volcanic eruptions.

When a volcano erupts, a deadly combination of molten rock and gas explodes from beneath the earth’s crust. While the lava flows, its exterior begins to slow, cool, and harden into a crust while its still-molten interior continues to move. Once the hot lava (upwards of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit) has built up enough volume or reached a roadblock, it is pushed upwards and outwards to form a crack or opening—this becomes the entrance or exit to the tube.

With a texture unlike any other type of mineral cave, these volcanic tubes also range greatly in size: Some are too small for humans while others are larger than subway tunnels. Inside, ecosystems of animals that have adapted to live in the darkness thrive. If anything, the cold, dark temperatures inside a lava tube offer a welcome break from Hawaii's tropical heat.

How Native Hawaiians Used Lava Tubes

Lava-formed caves and tunnels were greatly important to native Hawaiians, who used them for both shelter and food storage. Precious drinking water from the earth could also be found dripping through the lava rock. These structures were also used as burial chambers and ceremonial areas, a reason why entry to many caves and tunnels on the Hawaiian Islands remain closed to tourists. 

Kazumura Cave: Formed by the 500-year-old ‘Ailā‘au lava flow of Kīlauea Volcano and spanning more than 40 miles, the Kazumura lava tube system is believed to be the longest lava tube cave on Earth. To see it for yourself, you will need to book a tour of the Lava Falls, Pit Room, or Maze. The cave is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Thurston Lava Tube: Perhaps the most famous of Hawaii’s lava tubes is the Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku) inside Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. The famous tube was closed for nearly 22 months following a series of powerful volcanic eruptions in 2018 that greatly affected surrounding sections of the island. The half-mile walk from the parking lot to the tube will take about 20 minutes; while it is open 24 hours a day, it’s only illuminated from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Pua Po'o Lava Tube: While Pua Po'o is about the same size as Thurston, it requires a great deal more effort to discover. Hikers must first climb down a 15-foot ladder from the mouth of the tube, scrambling over rocks and uneven terrain with little light before continuing in a crouched position for about 25 feet under a four-foot-high ceiling. To exit and finish the five-mile trek, a moderate climb up a large pile of boulders is required. The Hawai’i Volcanoes Institute offers guided tours that include information about the surrounding area and photo opportunities; these are available on alternative Wednesdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Located on the southern coast of Kauai , the Spouting Horn Blowhole is a natural lava tube that runs to the ocean. When the surf is just right, the blowhole can spray water up to 50 feet in the air. You can access Spouting Horn Park very easily using its ample parking. Pro tip: The blowhole is especially beautiful during sunset.

The Hālona Point Blowhole can be found right off the Kalanianaole Highway on the east side of Oahu . Many choose to pull over to the scenic lookout on their way to one of many surfable beaches or on their way back from snorkeling at Hanauma Bay . You’ll be able to view Hālona Cove from the right side of the parking lot, and a short (though very rocky) hike down will bring you to the water. Towards the back of the cove, there is an entrance to a lava tube, which extends under the highway and into the mountain. Do not venture near the blowhole, however; the slippery rocks have been responsible for many injuries and even fatalities.

Waiʻānapanapa State Park: An easy-to-access tube located on the black sand beach at Waiʻānapanapa State Park , this unique spot offers some amazing photo opportunities. The combination of the black sand with the crashing blue water in the background is mesmerizing (just be sure to exercise caution when attempting to enter or view the cave during high surf). 

Hana Lava Tube: One of the more popular stops along the famous Road to Hana , Ka’eleku Cave (Hana Lava Tube) is nothing short of a natural wonder. The tube runs about one-third of a mile past stalactites, stalagmites, and some spectacular rock formations once used as a fallout shelter during the Cold War era. Entrance to the tube costs $11.95 per person (children five and under are free) and includes use of handrails and flashlights.

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A Self-Guided Hawaii Lava Tour Through the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano Eruption

This self-guided Hawaii lava tour itinerary will take you to three sites through the past to relive a time in modern history: the 2018 Kīlauea volcano eruption. But first, the backstory…

The Tale of the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano Eruption

When you think of Hawaii and touring real live lava, it’s Kīlauea volcano. Kīlauea holds the Guiness Book of World Record for being the world’s most active volcano, having flowed continuously for 35 years from 1983-2018.  

You can meet the infamous volcano at the unambiguously named Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island . Here it is said that Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire, makes her residence. 

The star attraction inside the park is the summit of Kīlauea. Here sits Halema’uma’u Crater and inside used to be a glowing lake of burning magma. But in 2018, Kīlauea volcano erupted in a surprising and devastating way.

Kīlauea had already been uniquely erupting in two places for the last ten years: the summit of the volcano at Halemau’uma’u Crater and the volcanic cone Pu’u O’o. They sit about 11 miles (18km) apart but they were in tight communication with each other. 

Pressure in the magma system began building at Pu’u O’o in March 2018 and signs of it were literally overflowing into Halemau’uma’u Crater: the lava lake level began to rise and spill out into the crater.

On April 30th Pu’u O’o couldn’t handle the pressure anymore and collapsed. In response, two days later the lake of lava at Halemau’uma’u Crater began to drain like an unplugged sink. 

The loss of support from the liquid magma underneath the caldera floor caused many earthquakes and collapsing episodes. 26 collapses and 60,000 earthquakes later the crater had deepened from 280 feet (85m) to 1,600 feet (488m) and the diameter had nearly doubled in size to about 2 miles (3km). 

But where did the lake of magma drain?  It traveled underground for 25 miles until it reached Leilani Estates in Pahoa. On May 3rd the first out of twenty-four fissures opened in the Lower East Rift Zone neighborhood, spilling lava all over the place. Over the next two months, lava covered over 30 miles of road and destroyed 700 homes, displacing 2,000 people (thankfully no deaths). The Big Island also grew by 875 acres of new land.

In September the eruption concluded and the Big Island was forever changed. Popular beaches and tidepools, towns and neighborhoods were buried and gone forever.

Kīlauea has been quiet for the most part since but is still considered an active volcano and could perk up again at any time.

Hawaii Lava Tour Stop #1 – Kīlauea Volcano

• Address : Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 1 Crater Rim Drive Hawaii National Park, HI 96781
• Park hours : open 24hrs a day, 7 days a week.
• Park entrance fee : $30.00 per vehicle, good for 7 days. If the ranger station at the entrance isn’t open there is a self-pay station at the Kīlauea Visitor Center a little ways further. You can put your cash in the box there

Start this Hawaii lava tour of the Kīlauea 2018 eruption at the source in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park located at mile 28.5 on Hwy 11.

Get different vantage points of this powerful volcano. Drive the north end of Crater Rim Road. The road used to do a complete loop around the crater but when the crater collapsed in 2018 it took a chunk of the road with it. 

Steam Vents

The first stop is at the steam vents to the left. You’ll be able to put your hands and face in the warm steam coming out from this not-so-sleepy volcano. Just a short jaunt from the parking lot gets you to your first viewing of the crater. 

Kīlauea makes a melodramatic first impression with its own personal smoke machine (aka steam vents coming out of the cliffs).  This show-stopping cavity is a one-man…one-volcano?… show, playing all the parts: the diva, the stage, the backdrop, visual effects, director… 

Here you can peek over the edge of the cliff and look down at the cracks and crevices that design the crater floor.  

And this is just the first stop; there’s so much more to come!

Further down the road are two more angles of the volcanic profile. 

Kīlauea Overlook

Kīlauea Overlook is next. A simple sign reading “Kīlauea” with an arrow pointing left brings you to a parking lot. The view just a short walk away gets you up higher above the crater. You get a better sense of just how massive this hole is. I haven’t been to the Grand Canyon but I imagine there’s some similarity to the Great Awes involved.

Uēkahuna Bluff

Saving the best for last, the unrivaled view is at the end of the road about a quarter-mile further at Uēkahuna bluff, newly reopened since the 2018 eruption. Here you can see the entirety of the vast 2-mile wide caldera. Get your panorama mode set on your camera because you aren’t gonna fit the whole thing in normal mode.

Remember, this is the source of the 2018 flow. From here the lava lake drained away and poured out its contents 25 miles away.

You might meet a ranger here to answer any in-depth questions you have about the volcano. 

Another way of viewing this massive hole in the ground is hiking the Crater Rim Trail. It is an easy 4-mile roundtrip hike from the visitor’s center to Uēkahuna Lookout. There are many points of access along the trail if you don’t wish to walk the whole length or someone in your party can pick you up/drop you off: Visitor Center, Steam Vents, Kīlauea Overlook, and Uēkahuna Lookout.

The Kūpinaʻi Pali trail, or Waldron Ledge is another easy, paved, and wheelchair accessible portion of the trail and is only one mile roundtrip. This will give you yet another view of the crater and its sense of glory.

You used to be able to hike the caldera floor on the Halema’uma’u Trail. It is currently closed past marker 10 (right before you get to the floor entrance) due to sulfur dioxide gas and the uncertain nature of the volcanic activity.

Once you have gotten a good sense of the magnificence of the crater, what it was and what it is, it’s time to go see firsthand what kind of devastation it caused in 2018.

🌋 Download the Shaka Guide’s Volcanoes National Park Tour for a complete tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Have a personal tour guide in your car as it navigates you via GPS throughout the park.

Hawaii Lava Tour Stop #2 – Leilani Estates

Again, the fissures are about 25 miles away from Kīlauea but you have to drive up and around to get to it. Continue the lava tour by heading east on Hwy 11 then south on Hwy 130. It’s a 35-mile drive that will take about an hour to arrive at Leilani Estates neighborhood. 

When you turn onto Leilani Ave, keep going until the road ends at the barrier. There are many-a-warning-sign indicating trespassers could be arrested, so stop here and just observe from afar.

About a half a block down you can see the mound of lava that crosses the road. It’s no joke how high it is. While you can’t see the lava up close here you still get a sense of wonder about it.

It’s also fascinating how fast nature can take over anything in its path. The paved road from the barrier to the lava hill is already half “eaten” by plants uninhibitedly allowed to grow.

Next, backtrack and head south on Kupono St.

You’ll drive over some brightly colored fish painted on the pavement and then you will see Fissure 8 Tours on your left. A house unassumingly sits with a steaming lava mound RIGHT IN ITS BACKYARD! 

Notice the sulfuric aromatic notes drifting through the air. Clearly Kīlauea is still conscious and well.

Melissa is the owner of Fissure 8 Tours and amazingly her home was spared even though she is right at Fissure 8, where the predominant amount of lava erupted that destroyed most of Leilani Estates. 

You can get in touch with Melissa here to schedule a 2 hour private guided lava tour where she will give you an in-depth educational visit.

BOOK A 2HR E-BIKE/HIKE TOUR OF FISSURE 8 Bike around Leilani Estates and hike over Fissure 8 with a tour guide showing you the way and telling stories of the incredible 2018 eruption! ➡️ Check Rates and Availability Here!

Further down Kupono St the road temporarily becomes gravel because lava had crossed the pavement and had to be cut away. You’ll see piles of a’a lava surround tree corpses to your left and to your right. Steam also billows up among the rocks and through the trees. You can spy yellow spots of sulfur among the lava rocks, and smell it too.

It’s crazy to see the juxtaposition of death and life living next to each other with the lava sitting amongst rainforest foliage. And just like tornadoes can destroy one house but spare its neighbor, you can see the lava field pass the same judgement, or mercy, on one house but not the other.

You can drive around to other corners of the neighborhood to see additional pockets of destruction but most of the side streets that were affected by the lava are closed off for residents only. 

Hawaii Lava Tour Stop # 3 – Isaac Hale Beach Park

• Address : 13-101 Kalapana Kapho Beach Rd Pahoa, HI 956778
• Park hours : 7:00a-6:40pm
• Entrance fee : FREE

The last stop on this Hawaii lava tour through modern history ends at the beginning…of the future of the Big Island.

The 2018 lava flow still covers Pohoiki Rd so you have to take the long way around, 12 miles and about 30min, to get to Isaac Hale Beach Park. Continue south on Hwy 130 until you reach the end and head east on Hwy 137.

You will drive across the rollercoaster-esque pavement and through the lush Malama-Ki Forest Reserve (the magical, tropical roads of your dreams) which will suddenly open up to a couple of 2018 lava fields. The road has been cut through and laid with gravel so it’s still traversable. You can look up the fields and see dead trees resting on top of the lava that killed them.

Once you’ve wound your way through the jungles the road ends (again, because of the lava flow) at Isaac Hale Beach Park. 

Pohoiki Black Sand Beach

And why are you here, you ask? Whelp, here lies Pohoiki Black Sand Beach, a new black sand beach that is forming with remnants of the 2018 Kīlauea volcano eruption. 

Black sand is formed when hot lava hits the ocean, cools down quickly, and explodes into pieces that wash up onto the shore. As the waves crash over and over again the fragments get ground into sand.

The 2018 flow stopped short of filling up Pohoiki Bay, 230ft from the harbor. You can see the contrasting dark lava rocks that flowed into the ocean and the new, lighter black rocks/sand getting created on shore. The black sand is more coarse and rockier than what you think of as sand, but the waves are still working at grinding it into a fine sand.

The boat ramp that used to be a busy take-off point for volcano boat tours and fishing boats is now buried in this new black sand, creating a ghost town, or rather a ghost harbor.

The future of this bay is uncertain for a couple of reasons. One is that black sand tends to disappear if it’s not being replenished with new lava, so unless another eruption happens in this same area there won’t be new lava coming. Second, because this was the only boat launch in the Puna district they may rebuild it so locals can return to their main source of oceanic income, but that will impact the geography of the new beach. So enjoy it now for we know not what the future holds.

For another black sand beach be sure to visit Punalu’u Black Sand Beach .

Pohoiki Warm Spring and Ocean Thermal Ponds

A unique and special way to visit this park is to bathe in the geothermal ponds. The new black sand beach has created a few warm springs (because they aren’t hot enough to be hot springs). You can wade in these natural warm baths in a couple of spots.

You’ll see the first ponds by the boat ramp and a little beyond by the tree line. These are the newer ponds created by the building up of the black sand beach. They aren’t very deep and are at a comfortable 75-85°F (24-29°C), depending on the tide and time of day. 

While not completely dangerous , there are warning signs to swim at your own risk. Don’t go in if you have open cuts as there may be bacteria in the water. 

Further back into the trees is the original pond, Pohoiki Hot Springs , which was formed by a collapsed lava tube. Here the water is warmer and deeper than the other ponds and you are set in the middle of the lush forest instead of on the rocky beach.

What a relaxing way to end your day of historical lava themed touring!

BONUS: Sleep at Kīlauea Volcano

Level up your Hawaii lava tour by staying in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at the Volcano House in one of their Volcano Crater View Rooms.

You read that right! A room with a personal view of the crater! What a way to kick off this historic geological excursion of Kīlauea volcano. 

>> Check Rates and Availability for a Room at the Volcano House Here! <<

Learn About More Volcano Sites on the Big Island: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Kahuku Unit Mauna Loa Scenic Road

🌺 Big Island Travel Planning Guide 🌺

🚨  Should I buy Hawaii travel insurance?

YES  — I recommend Travel Insurance Master because you can compare multiple options with one click. With plans starting at $5/day per person, why not give yourself piece of mind? Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!

 🚗 Is it safe to rent a car on the Big Island?

YES — It’s totally safe to drive on the Big Island. And unless you plan to chill by the resort pool the entire time, renting a car is pretty much a necessity on the Big Island! Jeep rentals are popular . I recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental , as they have some of the best prices around.

📞  Will my phone work on the Big Island?

PROBABLY  — Most, if not all, cell providers work on the Big Island. However, be prepared for some dead spots in the more remote parts of the island. For example, I always lose service driving through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park .

🛏️  What’s the best way to book my Big Island accommodations?

For Big Island hotels,  Booking.com is amazing because you can often reserve your room with no money down. If you are looking for an Airbnb condo with a kitchen and more space, don’t forget to check VRBO  for potentially better prices and options.

✈️  What’s the best site to buy Big Island flights?

I recommend looking at Skyscanner for finding cheap flights. Pro Tip : check if flying into Hilo is cheaper than flying into Kona.

🛂  Do I need a passport to visit Hawaii?

NO  — If you are a US citizen, you do not need a passport as Hawaii is part of the United States . If you are from out of the country, the same passport and visa requirements are the same as entering anywhere in the United States from your country.

🧳 What should I pack to the Big Island?

Pack for tropical weather but also prepare for colder than expected nights and early mornings, so a light sweatshirt is recommended. Check out this list of 5 Things Not to Forget to Pack .

Aloha! I'm Tabitha, an ex-travel agent turned travel blogger. I've lived from fire (Big Island Hawaii) to ice (Alaska) to the lukewarm (Washington State). I've traveled Europe, Scotland and England being my favorite, Costa Rica, Cancun, Canada, various US states, and more. No matter if it's a staycation or international vacation, every trip I take there are things to explore and discover! I'm here to take what I learn and help others think outside the box when composing their own travel itineraries.

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We are a local small business that will give you an in depth look into the beautiful island of hawaii through safe, relaxing, fun, and exciting professional tours with generous per-person rates for individuals or small groups. embark on your journey to several of our key locations or choose your own adventure and let us be your guide to a memorable experience., the mission, our mission is to inspire travelers, from all over the globe, by providing a safe, educational, and diverse tour of the most active volcano in the world., book your adventure with lava guides, we are a local company offering you an in depth look into the beautiful island of hawaii..

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.

Jake Dowell

Westlake Village, California

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!

Nakamura Family

Kobe, Japan

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.

Mark Hernandez

Killeen, Texas

This is an incredible family adventure. It is safe, fun and free of mosquitoes and bats. You will marvel at the underground lavascape, as your mind expands and your world becomes more wondrous. Temperatures are comfortable year round and the clear cinder trail is easily traveled. (You must have good vision and be physically fit for walking on this natural terrain).

Want to visit The Hana Lava Tube, but do not have transportation? Call Temptation Tours at: (808) 877-8888 or visit Temptation Tours' Web site

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I’ve Lived in Hawaii Nearly All My Life — and These Are the Most Underrated Destinations in the Aloha State

From one of the only green-sand beaches in the world to the southernmost point in the U.S., these are the top places to visit in Hawaii, according to a local.

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Hawaii has beckoned tourists away from their daily routines to experience paradise for years. Nearly 10 million people made the trek to the archipelago last year, a destination with a population of around 1.5 million. The Hawaiian islands offer accessible natural beauty throughout the year — from the mountains (known as mauka ) to the sea (called makai ). Think sun-drenched beaches with warm water, waterfalls hidden in rain forests, and sand in hues of white, black, and red. Perhaps what makes Hawaii so special to visitors is the spirit of aloha — a warm hospitality not found anywhere else — and a rich cultural heritage dating back centuries. 

Hawaii is one of the most coveted destinations in the world, but travelers often merely scratch the surface of what the state has to offer. As someone who grew up in Honolulu — a popular tourist stop — and resides there currently, I see it all the time, but I don’t blame them. Tourism has been significant in Hawaii for so long, it seems like everything has been touched by visitors. It can be hard to distinguish what’s worth the crowds and early mornings (to beat traffic) and what’s truly Hawaiian or local. 

Hawaii is more than meets the eye, and there’s a transformative experience awaiting visitors who want to go beyond the beaten path. If you’re looking to experience the spiritual power of the Aloha State's natural beauty and history, or see where the locals like to go , here are 10 underrated places to visit in Hawaii.

Waialae Avenue, Kaimuki

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Located a short drive from Waikiki, Waialae Avenue is the artery of Honolulu’s quaint Kaimuki neighborhood. The stores, restaurants, and coffee shops lining the street pulsate with energy. If you’re looking to purchase locally crafted goods, Waialae Avenue has you covered. In fact, there’s an entire movement dedicated to supporting the small businesses of the area, known as Keep It Kaimuki . I’ll typically start my day with a shaken iced latte concocted with locally sourced coconut syrup from Bean About Town before hitting some of my favorite stores like Da Shop , which carries books from Hawaii-connected authors, and browsing the creations of local fashion designers at Ten Tomorrow .

Stargazing Along East Oahu

Hawaii Tourism Authority/Dana Edmunds

If the skies are clear, you should make time for a nighttime adventure. My suggestion is to drive east out of Honolulu and into Hawaii Kai. Take the windy Kalanianaole Highway (carefully) to the Halona Blowhole parking lot, or all the way past Sandy Beach Park and stop along the beach. Away from the city lights, the stars and moon glow brightly across the vast sky. Aside from the beautiful view, stars hold cultural significance to Hawaiians — for centuries, they’ve been used for storytelling, ceremonies, and wayfinding by voyagers.

Yokohama Bay

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People come to Hawaii for the beach , and while Waikiki may technically have one, it often feels too crowded to relax. For a true beach day, pack up some snacks and gear and head all the way west to Yokohama Bay. (Or, stop by Aloha Poke and grab a bowl of fresh rice and cubed ahi tuna to enjoy on the beach.) It’s the furthest west you can go on Oahu, and about a 1.-5-hour drive from Honolulu. Upon arriving, you'll be met with a wide stretch of golden sand that's surrounded by mountains. As long as there’s no northwest swell wrapping around the island, the turquoise waters are inviting. And since you’re facing the west, be sure to stay for the stunning sunset.

Lyon Arboretum

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The flora of Hawaii is part of the state's allure: vibrant flowers like the plumeria and hibiscus; big, green, Jurassic Park-like foliage; and tropical fruits like mangoes and papayas that flourish naturally. The islands' distinctive geography and diverse climates give rise to a rich array of plant life, including unique endemic species that are exclusive to Hawaii, like the spiky, silver ʻāhinahina. You can spend some time learning about Hawaii's flora by visiting Lyon Arboretum in Honolulu’s Manoa neighborhood. Comprising 194 acres and more than 6,000 taxa of tropical and subtropical plants, Lyon Arboretum is a research center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and an outdoor museum of living plants with a mission to conserve Hawaii’s rare and native plants. Guests can meander the hiking trails or check out the botanical gardens on their own or with a guided tour.

Nakalele Blowhole

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The majestic power of Mother Nature can be seen throughout the islands, but Maui’s Nakalele Blowhole is one of the best places to witness that force up close. Getting to the blowhole, located on the northern part of the island, requires a windy and scenic drive along Honoapiʻilani Highway. The parking area offers a good vantage point for seeing the blowhole and its surrounding dramatic lava rock coastline — and humpback whales in the wintertime. The more adventurous can take a 20-minute hike down steep and rocky terrain to some tide pools, making sure to heed any warning signs along the way. Before embarking, make sure to check the tide is high; otherwise, there isn't enough water for the blowhole to erupt. If you’re lucky, there will be a local stand selling banana bread.

Petroglyphs at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Tourism Authority/Tor Johnson

Perhaps one of the top attractions throughout the islands, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a dynamic, ever-changing landscape thanks to its active volcanoes. While the volcanoes may steal the show, there are other parts of the park that are worth visiting, too. One of those lesser-known spots is the Pu‘uloa Petroglyphs , with pu‘uloa meaning “long hill.” Considered a sacred place, this archaeological site has more than 23,000 petroglyph images, including geometric shapes, canoe sails, and other motifs representing the life of ancient Native Hawaiians. Visitors can take a short hike through a 500-year-old lava field and view the fragile petroglyphs from a boardwalk.

Wailua River State Park

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Nestled into the lush rain forests of the aptly named Garden Isle, the Iraivan Temple is remarkable for a few reasons: The South Asian temple design features ornate white granite intricately carved without power tools in Bangalore and India and assembled together on Kauai. Having the Hindu temple in Hawaii is also unique, as it gives visitors and locals a rare chance to experience Hindu philosophies. The backdrop of the Wailua River Valley, where an adjacent waterfall flows and there are many shades of green, adds to the tranquility. Visitors to the temple must book a reservation for personal meditation and worship. Once you've tapped into your serenity, spend some time in Wailua River State Park , less crowded than Waimea Canyon. The free state park is full of hiking trails to waterfalls and stunning views. For an immersive experience, take a two-mile river cruise filled with Hawaiian songs and stories by the family-owned Smith’s Kauai .

Hamakua Coast

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While the Kohala Coast gets lots of attention for its sunshine, pristine beaches, and array of resorts, the Hamakua Coast is Hawaii Island’s more rugged, verdant counterpart, with vibrant valleys and majestic waterfalls in a magical, rainy setting. Start your drive from Hilo via the Hamakua Heritage Corridor. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to stop at botanical gardens, waterfalls, and scenic outlooks. You’ll likely hit some crowds at the more popular spots like Rainbow Falls and Waipio Valley Lookout, but if it’s your first time to the island, these locations are still worth a visit. I recommend stopping for lunch and a tour at Hawaiian Vanilla Co. , a small, family-owned farm that offers vanilla-themed dishes and a tasting tour. The drive ends in the agricultural town of Waimea, and if you don't stop for lunch at the vanilla farm, grab a burger at Village Burger Waimea, where the beef is as fresh and local as possible.

imageBROKER/Thomas Lammeyer/Getty Images

Hawaii Island offers travelers the chance to visit Ka Lae , the southernmost point in the U.S. Holding much cultural significance, Ka Lae (or “the point” in Hawaiian) is believed to be where the first Polynesian voyagers landed in Hawaii and one of the earliest settlements on the islands. Evidence of the ancient Hawaiians remains there to this day, including an ancient fishing shrine, marked by stone walls and a platform where fish was once prepared. To get there, drive to the end of South Point Road in Naʻalehu on Hawaii Island until you reach the 69 and 90 mile markers. You’ll be perched atop high cliffs where the ocean crashes below. Once you finish reveling in this sacred space, head over to Papakolea Beach, one of just four green-sand beaches in the world.

Hanalei Pier

Hanalei Pier is a must-visit spot on Kauai . Walk out onto the pier, where local kids like to jump off, and soak in the sweeping vistas of the bay, veiled in rain clouds and teeming with vibrant greenery. Hanalei is my favorite surf spot, where the cold river water meets the warm, salty sea. If you’re not experienced, you can always sit and watch people ride the waves, called heʻe nalu in Hawaiian. While in Hanalei, combine your visit with some responsible tourism and leave Hawaii better than when you arrived.

You can volunteer at the Waipā Foundation , a living learning center that perpetuates Hawaiian values and stewards more than 1,600 acres of land. Every fourth Saturday of the month, the public is welcomed to help take care of the land — whether reforesting native plants or restoring a fishpond — in an action called malama 'aina .

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3 New Hotels To Build A Trip Around In 2024 From Hawaii To Paris

Released on 04/24/2024

[Narrator] Every year, Conde Nast Traveler

releases its annual hot list,

which celebrates the best hotel openings

and more from around the world.

Here, a chic new addition to New York's Nomad District,

a reimagined and lovingly restored Hawaiian retreat,

and Paris's most exclusive new address are just three

of the standout properties on this year's hot list.

New York's Nomad neighborhood has been an epicenter

of cool new hotels for over a decade now,

you know the kind of places

that actually make the hotels the destination,

but we'd say none of the others here nails the mix

of high design, phenomenal food,

and just plain fun like the Fifth Avenue Hotel.

Immediately you'll notice the design.

It's a whimsical riot of color

and curiosities from the mind

of design Master Martin Brudnizki.

Here he takes his cues from the building's gilded age roots,

but also the travels of the hotel's owner.

All of the design layers fit together.

And honestly, staying here kind of feels like

entering the wildly designed pied-à-terre

of some wealthy, distant, globe-trotting relative.

Though we're happy to say, for all the hotel's originality,

they kept the most important, most classic detail.

Bathrooms come with the deepest sinking tub

for an unmissable post-shopping soak.

Oh, and two words, martini cart.

If you allow yourself just one indulgence here,

it has to be the happy hour martini cart

they wheel up to your room,

with the most perfectly poured cocktails

with all the accoutrements.

It's bliss.

But word of advice, that should not be in place

of the downstairs portrait bar.

A moody, sexy cocktail lounge

that fills up fast by the trendiest of New Yorkers.

For a complete change of scene, the legacy lives on,

on Hawaii's big island where the Rosewood group of hotels

and resorts has revived the beloved Kona Village

with a fresh twist.

From the 150-hale or bungalows,

to the resort's own outrigger canoe,

which guests can take out for sunrise paddles,

the village pulls in its destination at every opportunity.

Though the historic grounds, black sand beaches

on acres of pools makes it easy to spend all day outdoors,

you definitely will not want

to skip at least an afternoon at the Spa Asaya.

It's built right into the lava flow,

and you can actually see Hualalai live volcano

off in the distance.

That breezy indoor/outdoor design carries over

to the rooms too,

where San Francisco-based Nicole Hollis nimbly avoids the

easy design tropes of Hawaiian kitch

by going big on texture.

The bathrooms are ginormous with alfresco showers

and loads of stone and black to mirror the lava fields

and black sand beaches visible from the lanai,

where you'll want to park yourself

for long stints in the morning over coffee

and after dusk, staring up at the stars.

The resort has some solid restaurants,

but honestly, there may not be a more perfect vacation bar

anywhere in the world than Shipwreck.

Built of an actual old boat that was owned

by the Resort's original founder.

The drinks are a lot of fun and honestly, fantastic.

Important to note, too is the resort's dedication

to sustainability.

Working with cultural advisors on how to preserve

and protect cultural sites at the hotel,

like its petroglyph field.

It all combines to a resort

that can feel like a perfect homage to the land's culture

and an environment along the most memorable

and tranquil black sand beaches.

And then there's the supremely elegant 1, Place Vendôme,

which is hard to miss right

above the Chopard Boutique in Paris's first arrondissement.

They do things a little differently here.

There is no check-in in the lobby,

but what you will find is signature Parisian glamour

with an exquisite stone staircase.

Staying here feels like you've foregone a standard hotel

in favor of your own private members club,

which in a way it is.

No non-guests are allowed through these hallowed doors.

There are just five rooms

and 10 suites in the entire property,

all of which have been masterfully created

by famed interior designer Pierre-Yves Roussel.

Each has its own personality and aesthetic point of view.

Some are done in stark whites and cobalt blues,

others have pop art style curvaceous chairs,

mosaic showers, and embroidered wallpaper.

The singular approach to design helps remind guests

that this is a more personalized approach to

what a hotel can be.

And then there's the cuisine,

masterfully prepared by luxury hospitality vet

Boris Algarra.

From the high tech kitchen,

he and his team craft dishes as beautiful

as the setting itself,

including a 24/7 breakfast menu

that are plated so beautifully,

you kind of don't want to ruin it by taking that first bite.

Also, there may be nothing more luxurious than

settling into the property's gigantic,

hug-like sofas with the most perfect coffee or tea,

or upgrading that to a glass

of red from the owner's own vineyard.

A top hotel draws in the best of food, design,

and comfort to become a destination all their own.

Any hotel that you choose will guarantee a great vacation.

And for more information on all these hotels,

including what to pack, head to cntraveler.com.

These hot list tours are brought to you by Capital One.

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20 Fun Things to Do in Hawaii with Kids in 2024

W ith so many fun things to do in Hawaii with kids, the Aloha State is one of the best destinations for a family-friendly vacation. Each of the Hawaiian islands  is unique and offers an abundance of kid-friendly activities and accommodations for the best family vacation. Not sure which Hawaiian island to visit? Check out our list of things to do in Hawaii on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island (Big Island).

Oahu is typically the easiest Hawaiian island to reach and the most affordable for family travel. It also has some of Hawaii’s best beaches for families. Rent a car to drive around the island and experience the many fun things to see and do on Oahu.

Hula lesson in Waikiki. Photo credit: Mimi Slawoff

1. Visit Honolulu’s Many Kid-Friendly Attractions

Honolulu is a bustling city with many family-friendly oceanfront resorts and attractions like the Honolulu Zoo , Waikiki Aquarium , Bishop Museum and Pearl Harbor . Plus, famous Waikiki Beach is one of the best places to learn to surf and paddle board.

2. Learn About Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor is the site of WWII’s 1941 bombing attack and home to the USS Arizona Memorial . Tickets for the 75-minute USS Arizona Memorial program are free. However, there’s a limited number available each day.

The program includes a short video (with actual attack footage) and a round-trip boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, located above the remains of the sunken ship. The ship is the final resting place for more than 1,000 men.

Since Pearl Harbor is one of Oahu’s top attractions, it’s strongly recommended that visitors make advanced reservations online at www.recreation.gov .

3. Hike on Diamond Head

There aren’t many places in the world where you can walk along a trail to the edge of a 300,000-year-old crater, but Diamond Head is one of them. A hiking trail leads to the summit for panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Honolulu.

SheBuysTravel Tip : To beat the heat and crowds, you should get an early start for this popular hike.

4. Snorkel at Hanauma Bay National Preserve

Located on the side of Koko Head, Hanauma Bay is about a 30-minute drive from Honolulu. With beautiful blue waters, Hanauma Bay is a great place to snorkel and see its 400 species of tropical fish and abundance of green sea turtles.

5. Polynesian Cultural Center

The Polynesian Cultural Center features six island villages representing Hawai‘i, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji and Aotearoa (New Zealand). At this Polynesian-themed park and living museum, you can learn about various traditions through interactive and hands-on activities. For example, learn to throw a wooden spear, paddle a canoe and cook like a Polynesian.

The center also has family-friendly luaus with a variety of traditional food like lomilomi salmon, chicken long rice and kalua pork. Note that no alcohol is served at this luau.

6. Book Exciting Adventures at Kualoa Ranch

The family-owned Kualoa Ranch offers many different types of tours sure to thrill adults and kids of all ages. Adventures include horseback riding, jungle expeditions, beach outings and visits to Hawaiian fish ponds.

7. Watch Surfers on the North Shore

The North Shore is the rustic and laid-back side of the island with legendary surf beaches and food trucks serving fresh fish tacos, shrimp and more. Take a surf lesson at Hans Hedemann Surf School or just watch the pros. Laniakea Beach is one of the best spots to see sea turtles sunbathing.

8. Eat Shave Ice in Haleiwa

This little surf town is home to boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. It’s also where you’ll find Matsumoto Shave Ice – one of the best places to enjoy the snow cone-style treat.

FIND PLACES TO STAY NEAR OAHU

Father and son surfing together along the Kaanapali beaches in Maui. Photo credit: Deb Steenhagen

Maui is a popular island for many reasons. It’s a developed island with stunning natural attractions. Kaanapali Beach is a resort area on the western shore of Maui and is home to a variety of beachfront hotels , great family-friendly restaurants , lots of free things to do with kids  and beautiful sunsets.

9. Take a snorkel cruise to Molokini Crater

Enjoy a catamaran cruise to one of the best snorkel and scuba spots in Hawaii – Molokini Crater . The crescent-shaped crater is home to thousands of tropical fish, Hawaiian green sea turtles and other marine life. You can also take a whale watching boat tour to the area.

10. Visit the Maui Ocean Center

Kids of all ages will be impressed with the Maui Ocean Center ’s many exhibits. It features a 750,000-gallon Open Ocean exhibit with a 240-degree view acrylic tunnel, outdoor tide pools, turtle lagoon, living reef and daily presentations.

11. Spend a day on Haleakala

A dormant volcano, Haleakala sits at 10,023 feet above sea level. Catch a sunrise or sunset from the summit. Daytime views are also stunning. Note that it can be chilly at the top, so bring sweaters for everyone.

Don’t rush off the mountain without visiting two unique farms. At the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm, you can walk through lavender fields. Nearby, the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm produces award-winning cheeses. On the kid-friendly tours, you’ll feed goats and sample cheese.

12. Drive on the Road to Hana

Pack the car with snacks and drinks for an incredible road trip. Get an early start to beat the crowds on this popular drive. The drive is just 52 miles long. But with 620 curves and 59 narrow bridges, it can take a few hours. Along the way, you’ll see waterfalls, black sand beaches and the charming town of Hana.

Pack essentials for land and ocean activities when visiting Hawaii. Photo credit: Mimi Slawoff

Kauai’s mountains and valleys are lush and green, flowing with waterfalls and rivers that are ideal for paddle boarding and kayaking. Other places to visit include Waimea Canyon, Poipu Beach and Hanalei Bay.

13. Horseback Riding at Princeville Ranch

Located on Kauai’s North Shore, Princeville Ranch is one of Hawaii’s oldest cattle ranches. Horseback riding lessons are available for ages 4 and older.

14. Book Ziplining and Mountain Tubing Tours

Kauai Backcountry Adventures  offers the best family activities for an adrenaline rush. On the mountain tubing tours you’ll float down an old sugar plantation irrigation system, through open canals and through several tunnels hand-dug circa 1870.

In addition, the company offers a seven-line Zipline course through a lush forest.

15. Sail Along Napali Coast

The Napali coast spans 17 miles along Kauai’s North Shore. Guided snorkel cruises are an excellent way to see the stunning Napali Coast’s cliffs, sea caves and waterfalls.

My son practiced his snorkel skills in the pool prior to our snorkel adventure on the Big Island. Photo credit: Keri Baugh

Hawaii Island (Big Island)

Hawaii Island, also called the Big Island of Hawaii, has an array of diverse outdoor adventures suitable for the whole family. In fact, because the island has 10 of the world’s 14 climate zones, you’ll also experience a variety of terrain and weather. Explore beaches, waterfalls, cultural sites and coffee farms on the Big Island, which is home to two active volcanoes – Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

Many of the large Hawaii Island resorts, such as the Fairmont Orchid on the Kohala Coast , offer hula lessons, canoeing and other Hawaiian cultural experiences  for their guests.

16. Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hilo

Stop by the visitor center for park news and activities before exploring this unique park that has hiking trails, steam vents, lava tubes and a rainforest. Older kids will especially enjoy trekking through the rainforest to the crater floor pocked with steam vents.

Akaka Falls, Big Island. Photo credit: Mimi Slawoff

17. Visit Akaka Falls State Park

Located along the northeastern Hilo Coast, Akaka Falls State Park is the site of two waterfalls on one short hike. Follow a footpath through a rainforest to see the 100-foot Kahuna Falls and the towering Akaka Falls . This is a lovely outing for kids of all ages.

SheBuysTravel Tip: There are a few picnic tables by the parking lot.

Hilo Farmers Market. Photo credit: Mimi Slawoff

18. Shop at the Hilo Farmers Market

The Hilo Farmers Market  features over 200 vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, Big Island food products, tropical flowers and handmade craft items. It’s a great place to shop for picnic items to bring to the beach or back to your hotel.

19. Snorkel in Sunny Kona

The sunny Kona district is great for beach activities like snorkeling , paddle boarding and spotting dolphins and honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles). One of Kona’s most unique adventures is the nighttime manta ray boat tour. It’s a magical experience to float on top of the water in a calm bay, with bright lights attracting the rays who swirl inches below.

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