Kilauea Volcano Reviews

We were picked up at the Hilton Waikoloa Village by our guide Stephani from HF&T at 7:15 AM for an all-day guided tour of the Kilauea volcano national park. She gave us an excellent tour of most of the national park.

We saw the volcano crater from the Jagger Museum, visited the lava flows at the southern end of the park, saw two pit craters, explored a tephra field, the Thurston lava tube, and much more. Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack (lava cake, what else?) was included in the tour. Driving to, from, and around the park was in a very comfortable mini-van that easily held seven adults, the food, and our gear.

Stephani had a deep knowledge of the flora, fauna, and volcanoes that we visited. She answered nearly every question we asked. We made one one-mile hike through some steam vents and sulfur fields, and a shorter hike down to the lava tube. Neither hike was particularly strenuous.

Our exploration of the tephra field was particularly interesting to me. Investigating the various kinds of rocks that were ejected from a recent volcano (Pele's "tears" and "hair," for instance), and the trees that were encased in hot lava were fascinating.

I can highly recommend this tour when you are on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Mahalo (and you know what I mean, Stephani).

Unfortunately, restaurant and shops were closed now, but you still can trail around the volcano. In front of Kīlauea Caldera has steam vents. You may feel the power from this living mountain. You can park your car and start short trail with young kids. Please bring jacket. 2hours from Kailua-Kona by car.

Two trips, first on at night on the day Kilauea erupted; second during the day… recommend night view, but probably safer to hike around during the day.
My wife had turned on the TV on the 4th day in of our visit to Kona. The Kīlauea eruption was on the news…. We decided to drive from Kona area to see if we can get to the rim….
When we got to the NP, it was like trying to enter a large concert venue…
NP rangers were directing traffic, directed us to a parking area, where we started the hike to the rim… the trails have an amber marker lamp embedded in the hiking trail… (not everyone had a flashlight)… a headlamp or flashlight is recommended for hiking at night, even when 70 percent of the hikers had them, if you don’t you will hit dark spots… (wife had insight to take a headlamp along)….
The view of an eruption, is something that goes beyond visual, there is something spiritual about it. You will relate to the Native Hawaiians concept of Pele, much better. I enjoyed the paved roads up to the rim, and the paved trails, but I have to apologize to Mother Earth of the descrecration of the rim, with observation building (now in disrepair), and restaurants. (I plead guilty as part of society that did that, while enjoying the amenities and the resulting ability for me to be able to enjoy the eruption).
Now that I have reasonable made enough excuses for our society, and to our Native Hawaiians, the eruption as seen at night is amazing.
It is truly amazing, molten lava erupting…
The night sky in the area is lit up more than you would have though the eruption would. (I have witnessed Mt. Saint Helens erupting from the interstate, the same day it blew up… I happened to be on a trip from Seattle to Pocatello….
Two different eruptions, but volcanoes erupting is something that is an honor to witness.
The one in Washington took many lives, so you have respect its power.
The Kīlauea eruption is something I recommend everyone who has a chance to go to the Big Island to witness.
The area also provides incredible Bortle numbers, that you can see the Milky Way with all its magnificence as well.
Drive with respect to others, and be safe, don’t forget a flashlight

Unless you go at night, take a helicopter or walking tour, probably not. It's a 10 mile walk over rough lava to get to the flow through the park. You can rent a guide and take a 2 and 1/2 mile walk through private property to see it or take a helicopter ride. The park is still very impressive and worthwhile to see. You can see the lava smoke from Kilauea as well as go through lava tube and beautiful fern Forrest that makes you feel like your in Jurassic park plus much more.

Kilauea was active during our visit. Standing at the designated safety zone we could easily see the boiling lava in the cauldron. Yes, it would have been nicer to be closer, but it's neither doorman nor benign and, whilst I love volcanoes, I have no skills that would make se safe closer.
We found the museum interesting and educating but the draw was outside.
We returned at night. WOW, the crater was alive with rivers of lava and waterfalls of (exploding) lave. We were so happy with this experience.
Warning - it gets really, and I mean really, cold up there. For me it's jeans, warm socks, jersey, jacket cold.

The lava is spitting at Kilawuea. Beautiful site to see, and it is a cheap date. The lava flow cave and the Kiawuea Iki trail,are also excellent.

We visited Volcanoes National Park on 25th October as part of a tour group with Kailani Tours. Our guide Amanda was great and took us first to a steam vent were we got a free steam facial! We then went to the Kilaueu Caldera to look down into the crater. We couldnt believe how big it was. The lava had already gone from there when we visited and Amanda said that people in the area had only recently been able to move back to their homes after the recent activity. We then went to a lava field and were allowed to walk around and see and touch the two different types of lava that had solidified and cooled. On the way down we visited another large crater. We couldn't walk in the Thurston lava tube as it was closed because of all the eathquakes and not safe but we had a fantastic day with a great group of people seeing what nature was capable of.

Long drive from Kailua where we were staying, about 2-3 hours at times boring. Once we were at the park the sights and the nature paths were quite rewarding. Don't expect to see flowing lava just gas and steam. You have to drive another 38 mile round trip. You may or may not see lava. Take a rain jacket, snacks, and water. Best chance for lava viewing is at night. It was still worth the trip. Ten dollar fee for park entrance for me but good for life if you are a senior.

So worth the drive to the Volcano national park! Volcano house overlooks the caldera !!! It’s an amazing view . Enjoy your dinner while overlooking the volcano, stay at the lodge, drive or walk the trail to the steam vents and overlook point ! Amazing beautiful place! Lots to see and do even though some trails are closed due to recent eruption still so worth the drive up!

Seeing the lava flow from our ship at night was a spectacular experience. We saw Kilauea during the day and lava flowing into the Pacific at night. These are wonderful opportunities to see raw nature.

It's so much to do and see, this is my second time here. Came to visit Madame Pele, and even when was cloudy, the steam vents and all trails really worth the visit.
Will come back.

The power and majesty of the Kilauea volcano is on constant display and tomorrow (MLK holiday) the $30 admission fee is waived. But to stand there and look into the power of Nature, and then read about it, and listen to the park ranger’s talk is extra special at any price.
The items in the gift shops are mostly one-of-a-kind. And the art guild shop next to the Visitor Center is extraordinary. You’ll need a half-day to fully appreciate all that the places have to offer, so go; that’s our national park after all…

This is an impressive volcano and a must see if on the Big Island. The sheer power of the volcano is evident although you are a fair way fro the crater. The weather can be a little bad as well that does not help the views. The volcano is about 150 miles from Kona so allow 2.5 hours.

We got up early to cat the sunrise at Kilauea Volcano. You need to get up earlier if you want to park in the upper parking lot and the viewing station. Several cars around the center island in the lot and were told to move to the lower lot or they will be ticketed. We moved as ordered and then started to walk back up to the viewing station. Again the patrols stopped anyone walking up the hill.
ok, once you park and are satisfied with your viewing point, everything else takes care of itself. Set up your camera and witness a beautiful sunrise. Spectacular! - unless the clouds are too thick, in which case you must start again the next morning (earlier this time) and hope for a clear sky.

While the Kilauea volcano bike tour company (based in Weston, Fla) charges slightly less than the cruise price for bike tour in the Kilauea volcano, they have a TERRIBLE pilicy of reimbursement, requesting written medical certificate or no reimbursement at all. I warned them well in advance about a bad back, and they answered late, indicating that there is no refund without the medical certificate... NOT WORTH THE PRICE... they made us lost our $320!

We always enjoy going up to the Volcano National park and the whole area. Things had changed since we were there last but there is always something cool to see. Lots of vents but no flowing lava currently

Bad customer service! Bike Volcano does not care about safety. They are only out to make a buck.

I was looking forward to biking in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The day before our bike tour the volcano erupted emitting sulfur and ash. As a result, health threats closed the park. County and state officials issued advisories to residents of that area because of toxic gas. The "Bike Volcano" company failed to contact me. I flew into Hilo the morning of my bike tour, but realized I could not ride in these conditions because I suffer from asthma. The Bike Volcano company assured me that a new route had been mapped out for the bike tour - outside the park. I declined to take the bike tour because ash and sulfur permeated the air outside the park as well. They refused to refund any of my money. They were rude and inconsiderate; Bike Volcano gave me the impression that they did not care about the safety of their customers. For these reasons, I give Bike Volcano a terrible rating.

A tour company I do recommend is LOBO DEL MAR. They are a Hawaii activities and entertainment company. Brandy [--] was sympathetic to my situation and understood why I had to cancel my planned tours in the Big Island.

Great tour. A long day if you fly in from Oahu, but worth every second. Steve our guide was absolutely brilliant, his knowledge of the Volcano was outstanding and nothing was too much trouble. This would have to be the best tour in all of the hawaiian islands. The night viewing of the caldera was just amazing. Don't miss this one.

great tour with lots to see!
Very knowledgeable tourguide (YB) and he had a great sense for the group. He could answer every question that came up thoughout the day. He was very invested and went every step of the tour with us! He was able to transfer his passion for the Island and it's beautiful sights.

I would definitely recommend this tour and would advise to ask for the tour where YB is the tourguide, because it will updrage your tour to a very special day!

Crater hike INTO the volcano, along with a stop at Jagger Observatory, and Thurston Lava Tube made for a Great tour. Saw shooting lava from Jagger, and the landscape inside Kilauea was Mars-like! It was a rocky 4 mile hike into and out of the crater but take your time and watch your step and keep between the rock pyramids and everything should be fine.

so we wanted to see the actual lava

you have to drive down a winding road to the all the way from the tip down to the base, and then its a hell of a walk

be prepared and take water with you!!

its an hour and a half atleast
and you need good hiking shoes because you will be walking up and down lava rock the entire time

We were curious and oblivious to what we may see of the Kilauea volcano after the huge eruption of May-July, 2018; but we never expected to see a caldera THAT HUGE! The USGS has officially stated the Kilauea is no longer erupting (3 months of inactivity) and there’s no longer red lava to be seen within the caldera itself (what remains of the flow is near the coast) but WOW, what a sight to see! There’s steam coming from the ground along the caldera’s perimeter and we can see a massive crater feature before us. The learning center is open and filled with cool exhibits. Some of trails are closed for good reason, but the park is something everyone visiting Hawaii should experience.

Visit all the attractions in the park. Best to stay until night so you can see the red glow from the active crater.

If you want to see actual red lava, it's best to take a helicopter tour instead.

"The end of the road" is pretty cool, just make sure you're prepared for a mile walk in a really windy area.
Don't forget to walk down to the sea cliffs lookout.

It's been one of the privileges and thrills of my life to witness this volcano many times since my first experience in December, 1959 when, as a young teenager staying at the Volcano House with my family, I saw my first spectacular eruption. It was breathtaking and amazing, and because of that experience, I have had a lifetime fascination with volcanic actions everywhere. I didn't become a Geologist, but I took Geology classes and have insisted that everyone I know who comes to the Big Island go to Volcano and hope to see the fiery orange river oozing, recently pouring, and exploding into the sea, creating new land. If you are agile and fit, unafraid of falling on sharp a'a lava, and have sturdy hiking shoes and plenty of water, you can hike out to a current flow, preferably at night and get quite close to the fiery river, even walk on hot lava flowing beneath a cooled black crust. There should be Park Rangers around to direct you to the safest viewing. If you can't make this hike, and even if you do, you'll get a unique perspective of the many different eruptions and lava flows over time from a helicopter tour. Expensive, of course, but no better place to have that experience on a clear, "safe" day when toxic vog fumes released when lava meets seawater are blowing away from the island.

There is a nice observation point at the peak of the mountain that affords a view of the Kilauea crater as well as Mauna Kea in the distance. Fire is visible in the crater and is a spectacular sight after nightfall. There are trails for hiking as well as lava tubes to walk through and steam vents to observe. A nature center offers an informative movie and information. It only about 50 minutes drive from Hilo. Definitely recommend if on the Big Island.

Kilauea volcano was a pretty cool site. I took a tour that took me all over the National Volcano park. We started in the late afternoon and it ran into the evening, so by then the glow of Kilauea was beautifully illuminated! I just remember how peaceful and quiet the grounds were and for some reason the smell of the sulfur and various volcanic chemicals is burned in my memories. Every time I smell sulfur, it reminds me of my time in Hawaii. Although it was a pretty site, some might argue that it can be pretty boring because you don't go up close to the lava or anything. Although I signed up for the tour, seeing these sites is definitely manageable on your own. Just put your adventure shoes on and go for it!

This is a must see if you are on the big island of Hawaii. They have a great information center, and exceptional viewing areas.

We just returned from a visit to the Big Island. If you have the time, please take a trip to the new viewing location for the current flow. We were 1000 ft from a river of hot magma pouring into the ocean in several locations.

You can speak with park rangers and get information about Kilauea, which has been continuously erupting for 25 years now.

Remember, this viewing location is not within the Volcanoes national park, instead you take 130 from Hilo down until the road ends. Our hotel concierge had lots of good information and had visited the area herself.

Parking has been set up and during our visit, this viewing area was only open from 2 pm until 10 pm daily with the last car allowed in at 8 pm.

Radio announcments on local stations frequently provided updated information for people traveling to the viewing spot.

Once you park, it is a 20-30 minute walk across cooled lava rock which is very rocky terrain.

Be sure to take water, sunscreen, and good walking shoes. It is an incredible thing to see the Big Island growing in front of your eyes. The park ranger said several acres of land have been formed since this flow started at the beginning of March.

This volcano is still active. It had multiple steam vents coming out of the site as well as the whole crater. Lava tubes were closed because of the eruption in 2018, but will reopen soon. Make sure you visit the information center to understand the process that happened in 2018.

I'm very glad we went. The lava tube is unique. For the best view of the red lava you need to wait until just after the sun goes down and be at the park overlook of the volcano. One caution, the air is poor so it you have any breathing issues be careful. I wound up with a sinus infection and I'm told it's a common issue on the big isle. Even though I got sick, I'm glad we did it.

Kilauea is interesting but don't believe the Discover Hawaii website. The site and confirmation documents imply that you have a chance of seeing lava (pictures of it plus disclaimer 'we can't guarantee it'). In fact, you don't go anywhere near it so zero chance. We had Steve as our tour guide who took us to two terrible places for breakfast and lunch, drivelled on and on all day about anything and everything not relevant to the volcano, and promised us that his tour was special as he doesn't just go to gift shops - then took us around four. This tour is not worth the $330, you would be better off flying to Hilo and getting the helicopter flight that guarantees lava viewing.

Viewing the Kilauea volcano was such a treat for us. I was weary about the drive up to Kilauea but I am so glad I did it. Since we were staying in Hilo, we were told that it would take us an hour to get up there. The drive was easy and it probably took us just under an hour to get up. Be sure to bring a jacket or a blanket (we took the hotel blanket since we weren't prepared), The lava sputtering was amazing and spellbinding. A must if you are going to the Island of Hawaii.

My husband and I sought advise before hiking the Lki trail. Rangers are available to discuss with you the trails and your level of preparedness and fitness.Things to know are it is a breath taking drive to the volcanoes and shouldn't me missed by anyone. Hiking this trail you must ask your self Aim I fit enough? Small children it will be to much unless you are a hiking family. Lots of uneven steps. You must bring water, snacks, insect repellent, rain coat, a way to pack layers to add on and peel off. Sneakers won't work. Your feet will hurt. The rocks are sharp and sneakers won't protect your feet enough. We had hiking boots and I was grateful I used room in my luggage to pack them. Our hike took us 2 hours. We are fit. It can take up 5 hours if not. The lava tube was amazing and worth the slight detour to hike threw it. After our hike we went to the Rim that is located in the Volcano House. Service was lacking. We where seated right away but didn't get service for sometime. We ordered some appetizer and an awesome drink called a pain killer. One worked just fine after our hike :) We weren't in a hurry for we where waiting for sunset to see the volcanic activity at the observatory. That is worth hanging out and waiting for. Bring a camera a tripod helps also. The Vog was bad our night but we still enjoyed the show of seeing the volcanic activity. If not fit or physically challenged know you can drive to view the activity and the Observatory is accessible for physically challenged. Bring a coat. It is chilly at night! Enjoy!

Highly recommend going for a visit to the volcano. Heaps of things to look at and well worth the $20 per car to get into the park. Just be aware if you actually want to see lava it's a 4 hour return walk to the active volcano.

Having not seen an active volcano before, I have no comparison, but this was a wonderful experience. Flow was visible to the sea at a slow ooze and the crater was filled with lava that was visible. At night the smoke from the crater glowed from the lava inside. It was a beautiful scene to watch as the glow increased and decreased.

This is a must if you're on the big island, of course you are at the mercy of the weather to get a good view of the lava. We were lucky because when we stopped at the Jagger Museum viewing area the sun came out and we had a perfect view of the crater and the bubbling lava.

The tour guide Jay was wonderful. Having said that, there is NO swimming availablity as mentioned in tour description. Also, the food was beyond terrible. New food options are definitely needed. I'm not sure I would recommend this tour without explaining the downsides completely. Not exacely value for $$$

Amazing to be here, a active volcano! We were impressed. we recommend you take the helicopter tour from Hilo and the rain forest hike below ....several years of summer trips traveling to National Forest..so here we are in Hawaii at a National Park..we loved it! Volcano House is impressive!

Nature truly is amazing. One of the highlights of the Big Island tour because there are very few places on Earth where one can see an active volcano like this.

Unfortunately for us tourist, there hasn't been an active lava flow for a few years since the last major eruption, but it is still an active Caldera.

There are also really amazing steam vents that you can walk right up to and really get surrounded by this natural phenomenon.

During the day, you can see the steam from the lava rising from the crater and other steam vents in the park. But the lava is usually not visible. At sunset, the lava glows in the crater and you can see it vividly. Although at the end of September the activity wasn't as strong as earlier in the year, there was still a ooh-and-ahh from the crowd as we watched the lava glow into the night. Don't miss this!

Would have been worth it to go back for a night view but even though we didn't get to do that, it was well worth the visit. Great interpretive site. It gets really cold up there so be ready to bundle up or you won't stay long. Make sure you visit the Iki crater as well with the various local Ohi'a Lehua trees growing in pure black soil. Come early in the day and take your time...

Amazing!!! It was erupting and we visited at night and then the next day. Both were equally stunning. The view from the volcano house was great. Even though there were a lot of other people visiting, it never felt overly crowded because there was a lot of space to move around. A few days after we left, the eruption ended so we were extremely blessed to be able to experience it.

We took an evening ride and were not disappointed. The volcano was gurgling lots of molten lava and spewing sulphery smelling smoke for all to see.

I have visited Kilauea a number of times and am always impressed. Whether red lava flows or just smoke, the visual impact the volcano has had is staggering. Everyone should Kilauea at least once. Nature is fascinating.

While on a cruise recently my wife and I arranged for 14 people a private tour of the crater rim and surroundings of Kilauea, billed as the world's most active volcano, on the Big Island of Hawaii. We secured the services of a local Hilo company called Vavoom Volcano Tours, whose owner/operator is Lori Alana, and selected their Crater Rim Adventure. Everything we could possibly have wanted in such a tour was provided, with an air-conditioned vehicle, a knowledgeable guide/driver, a fantastic itinerary, and even perfect weather. We first went to a beautiful waterfall, albeit somewhat short of water (much like our own waterfalls at home in Australia), and then a set of steam vents near the volcano. After an easy walk through a spectacular lava tube we were driven up to the visitor centre by the crater rim, where we were able to hear an informative talk by a Volcanoes National Park ranger. Then we had a walk over "frozen" lava close to the edge of the current crater and were able to see down into it, with steam coming out of another "crater within a crater".
After a break for a rudimentary lunch, chile dogs and macadamia ice cream, we were driven around to the other side of the volcano, where there was a large lake of frozen lava, a former crater, with a path leading down 460 feet over a mile and a half to reach it. I personally had some difficulty here, but with the aid of one kind person in our party, I managed to get to the bottom and then back up again, while the others walked around the lake and cooked marshmallows on fissures in the lava bed on which they were walking. It was altogether a fantastic day and we wouldn't have missed it for anything.

Went to see the Volcanos, but the roads were closed. It would have been nice for the Park Ranger to let us know that some roads were closed.

The most active volcano in the world. A visitor centre explains what has happened here. Lava flows constantly to the sea. Viewed from the sea at night the flow is quite dramatic. As a result the Big Island grows bigger day by day though the new land is barren and useless at present.

Live in Hawaii!! What a beautiful sight! Every visitors should make this to the Volcano!

I am really glad we went to see this volcano. If you stay in Hilo (recommend Hilo Hawaiian) it is about 40 min drive up to the Jagger viewing area. (get a 3 volcano national park pass $25 , get in as many times as you like -can get it at Maui too) recommend viewing evening as sun sets so you can see the heat coming off the volcano - you see the smoke as the sun sets and then the orange hue strengthens as the light goes. (see the steam vents on the way and feel the heat from them so when you see the plume come off the volcano you have some appreciation.Best viewing was outside the Jagger museaum - get their before closing time when crowds are less then watch the volcano outide as the sunsets. Highly Highly recommend taking the helicopter tour from Hilo airport (Safari helicopters were personal, comfortable safe, fun and liked their job) then you get a real appreciation of the power, awesome size, heat, perspective of the volcanoes in the area. We got a great look and saw the lava running down the hill side and the lava fields, the boiling lava in the volcano. This perspective itself can never be underestemated for a real understanding of this natural phenomena. My son thought this was the best so when he saw the volcano from the ground and scrambled over the lava fields etc. when we landed we hopped into the car and went up to the volcano national park (grab lunch at volcano village - remember you have to turn off the main road! get water here! See the visitors centre then drive down craters road - give your self plenty of time. there is a two hour walk accross a dormant mini lava lake down this road. for the moderately fit and brave. I wanted to do this but not enough time (its hard to watch others do it when you want to go your self but I have a 7 year old.) Skip the tours do your self the favour and drive yourself it is really easy. Hire a car when you arrive at the airport you will be really glad you did. Best wishes Aloha. we went end March 2012.

This is a unique experience -- don't miss it. Begin at the information center -- it's worth the time. The Jagger museum is also wonderful. Although currently you can only drive part of the rim, be sure to visit the lava tube. When you're done, don't miss the Volcano Art Center -- wonderful art of all types. Take your time and enjoy.

Every time we visit Volcanoes National park, it's different. Always talk to the rangers to get the most recent volcanic activity.They are very friendly and full of information. We have been on several of the guided walks, and depending who is guiding, the range of info will be different. One of the great views are the stars at night. They look so close, you feel like you could reach up and grab one.

I went to Kīlauea Volcano and did not see the eruption. That was a good thing because if you do, you have to walk through the lava for 2 miles in pitch-dark black unless you bring a flashlight. I love the rewards, so even though it will be midnight, at that time I will still be willing to hike across the lava. Then they will definetly reward me. I hate this because it’s so scary

We arrived by cruise ship and drove to the volcano. There is a nice visitors center and we drove up to the crater. There are lots of walking trails and you can spend many hours in and around the park. We just saw the major sights and really enjoyed the lava tube.

We wanted to make the effort to visit the volcano during the current eruption, even though the crater trail is presently closed, preventing closer access and viewing.

The view from the lookout was a little disappointing as evidenced by the attached photo, however it was certainly worth the visit.

Seeing the Halemaʻumaʻu caldera in the daytime and again at night is a truly amazing experience! Currently, there is an active small lake in the cadera and can be seen in a couple of different ways. The first is the Keanakako'I Overlook. The parking lot is at the Devastation Trail and there you have a one mile slightly uphill trek on the now closed section of the Old Crater Rim Drive to get to the overlook to see the active lava lake. Currently (4/28/2022) this the best view to see active lava. Again, if you have health issues (I have heart and lung diseases) and are not in good physical condition, I don't recommend this choice. ****This is a very popular spot and the parking lot fills up fast with folks coming to see the spectacle at night (highly recommeded). Get there early to secure a parking spot! So, the second best spot and easier to access is the Kilauea Overlook. It also has a small parking lot just off of Crater Rim Drive with a short walk to the overlook. You will not get a good view of the lava lake from here, but at night, the red glow from it is spectacular! It has been raining and cloudy a lot up there recently, but the clouds enhance the glow (see photos from 4/28/22).

We visited the national park and were told to go to the county viewing area near Pahoa. It was an add'l 2 hours round trip drive but well worth it. We saw lava flowing over roads and explosions of molten rock 200 feet in the air. If they say to go, go!

Having been to Sicily and observing Mt Etna, I found Kilauea a much more fascinating volcano to visit. The crater is much easier to observe and the surrounding area and scenic places to visit are amazing. It is a beautiful National Park !

This was my fourth visit to Kilauea. The volcano changes constantly, so visitors never have the same experience. My number one TIP: Ignore your nice hotel room on the other side of the island and stay overnight at Volcano House. You need at least a whole day to see everything, and if you stay to see the lava at night, it is a very long drive back. (I speak from experience.)

On this trip, we hiked into Kilauea Iki, saw the lava enter the ocean, and watched the lava lake activity in Halema‘uma‘u Crater. We absolutely loved the hike! I will review that in detail elsewhere - but I highly recommend it - even for those who are "out of shape"! We saw the lava lake from the observation deck at Jaggar Museum. It was awe-inspiring during the day. We went back at night - and I can't describe the overwhelming beauty! We were lucky enough to be able to see the lava lake itself, and not just the glow. TIP: Take binoculars! It is beautiful with the naked eye, but with binoculars - WOW! We also hiked out to the lava viewing area to see the lava enter the ocean. Again, our visit was timed perfectly. We were able to see three streams of lava - use those binoculars again! Best viewing here is after dark. I highly, highly recommend the use of headlamps. Ours were very effective and it's much easier than carrying a flashlight. TIP: For this episode, start your hike from outside of the park. We started at Chain of Craters road inside the park... and that is a long, long, long, long hike (8 to 9 miles round trip) - most of it over the very uneven hardened lava surface. The hike from the other side was about a mile or less.

Overall, the volcano is a not-to-be-missed experience! Each moment makes your heart swell with the beauty and incredible majesty of our planet. Definitely include a visit when you are on the island.

Started with pick up at our hotel and got really lucky to get Grant Mitchell as our driver and tour guide. He really knew the whole island and not just the stops we made. We asked 100's of questions and he was great to answer them all. Coffee plantation, black sand beach and Hawaiian bakery stops were all fun but the highlight was the walking tour of Volcano Natl Park and the amazing Lava Tunnel. Many photo opportunities and the flaming volcani was best seen at night fall after dinner at the Volcano House perched on the crater's edge. Grant had video of Island and volcano for the dark drive home. If you can get on Grant's van, worth asking for him. Mahalo Grant. We will be back for more.

We went to Kilauea on a day that had very little sulfur in the air, so it was good to hike around. The lush grounds of the National Park are so beautiful, and the Visitor Center is extremely accommodating. The little 45 minute guided tour by a park ranger is great for kids. It is informative, and we learned many of the Hawaiian stories that relate to that area. The crater itself is amazing. You cannot believe what you are seeing, because it is huge and imposing, and very much alive. This is a great day trip from any part of the island. Bring and umbrella or rain poncho. We had great weather, but then, out of nowhere, there was a pretty good downpour. Of course, it cleared-up quickly, but you can get pretty wet if you aren't prepared.

The park provides amazing view of big creator of the volcano. Steam was coming out from the creator but no lava flow can be seen from the ground. It would be good to see the lava red colour reflected on clouds at night from far view.

We visited the Jaggar Museum where we read about the volcanic activity in the area of Kilauea caldera. On the day we were able to see some activity in the crater.

Having read about Kilauea and with TV spots featuring the sea entries fresh in mind we decided to make a journey all the way to Hawaii to see for ourselves some of those spectacular events. Seaching the web for the undertaking of such ventures we got in contact with Dr. Tom Han and subsequently made arrangements for a 5-day expedition in April 2019. It was agreed that a few additional participants would be welcome, and thus we ended up being a group of 6 people, including Dr. Tom Han himself plus Philip Deng, a geolologist in Kona.

Throughout the half-year period of tour preparation Tom Han supplied us with lots of information which proved useful, adequate and sufficient. Consequently we were able to bring the right gear including heat-resistant boots, head lamps, protective gloves, walking sticks and other necessary equipment. Furthermore we were duly introduced to possible volcanic hazards and had a proposed yet very detailed itinerary, everything presented in a very competent and professional way. The preparation also proved of high standard and fulfilling all needs. In fact the employment of their skills and knowledge gave us a head start that took us way beyond our expectations. Stunning country. Can't wait to visit again.

I have to give this 5 stars because of the sheer magnificence of this natural formation. The wonder it deserves goes without saying. A couple of tips, however...

A drive to the volcano park will let you drive through the steam vents on the side of the volcano. Another 1.2 miles up the road brings you to the Jaggar Museum which is quite informative, has a gift shop, but also affords you a splendid view of the volcano's crater where you can see more steam escaping and molten lava spilling out. The best time to really see this is twilight and after. Simply awesome.

The bad news is that the real money shot is virtually inaccessible. It requires a further drive of 45 minutes and then a 5-mile walk (10 miles round-trip) to the coast to view where the lava trails into the ocean. I don't think the walk is an impossibly arduous hike (from what the museum staff says), but it would require hours of your time and considerable stamina. My suggestion - drive to the museum at twilight, stay for 30 mins and be grateful for the sights you will see.

Take a trip to view an active volcano up close and personal. You get a great view of the simmering volcano on the grounds of the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum.

Had a fabulous experience. Each time at the park there is something new to see and new path to find. From the entrance, to the chain of craters road to the pull off areas to view and take in the sights or go for a hike. This is a great experience for all ages and activity levels.

Got there early before first light and we saw the red glow on a purple sky background. It was cold and drizzling but it was worth it. We then enjoyed a half day at the park. We need to go back because we didn't bring the right gear to go see lava. Next time will stay in the park.

It was a short drive from airport. We also drove completely around the Island, an easy day trip where you can see it all. The waterfalls, Black's and beaches, the lava flowing into the ocean. We rented a car cheaply and saw all for free!

Visited the volcano park. Walked on the trails, (please don't get off the trail there are hidden holes to fall thru into a lava tube) walked thru a Lava Tube during daylight. Beautiful views of the dry caldera crater. When it was getting dark we stopped at the Jagger Museum viewing area and we had a perfect view of the active crater and the bubbling lava. It is breezy and the wind is cold, should have a good jacket, and a flashlight with you to see where you are going. The area is not lit well on purpose to see the glow.

There are several places where you can safely and easily view Kilauea, which is very active right now. The best is from the Jaggar Museum, which is at the top of Volcanoes National Park. It's free to visit and you can learn a lot about Kilauea there...but, better yet, you can SEE Kilauea!

Tips:
1. Go up around 1 hour before sunset and visit the museum and the gift shop. They have many great books about volcanoes. I got a nice one from the USGS for only $6, complete with lots of great info and nice color pictures!
2. Stay until just after dark and take pictures of the volcano. It lights up the whole caldera!
3. Spray yourself with mosquito repellent and/or wear a jacket + long pants! There are mosquitoes up there! I got bit a couple of times! Prevent that, if you can!

Remarkable slice of nature, still active and steaming from a lava pit just out of view. Parking is abundant nearby, and the gallery provides relief from the wind and sun.

Although there is no lave, there steam vents and the caldera are worth visiting. The guided tours are nice too.

Part of Volcanoes National Park. With the 2018 eruption, much of it is still closed off. From the overlooks you can visit, it's amazing!

Very good to the HILO Island we saw the black sand the Tour guide told us they had Tsanami and the lava of the Volcano taking big area of the land still steaming everywhere
We went to Macadamia factory we pass pawpaw plantation
We saw an orchid plants cost $20,000 must be very rare plants
We learn that ARNOTS BISCUITS own block of apartments in Hilo Island
The ORACLE HAD ALSO BOUGHT THE INTIRE ISland
The Hilo Island one day it will be no more extent I hope not what happen to the people who live there

We came before sunset around 5:00 to view. Saw the steam pockets. The real show is after the sun goes down to see the lava glow. It is very peaceful and quiet and excellent to view at night. The mountain is very cold so dress accordingly and don't forget your camera!

Interesting but can get very crowded. The crater rim drive is closed part way due to the eruption and volcanic haze called vog. If you haven't been worth doing once.
If you have breathing problems be careful.

We see land disappearing eroded by the Ocean everywhere and this is the place where you can just find the opposite. The drive thru the Chain of Craters to the Sea Arch of Holei will expose one to see how vast it is and how new land would look like or it was millions of years ago. Though the volcano is not active now, one can see how it would have been and the drive is at least 2 hrs from the welcome center. It is beautiful and you will be on a different planet.

I am so glad that we visited here in hire cars. The thought of being pushed for time when visiting a place like this must be terrible.
First stop the visitors centre here you can get your bearings and a Ranger will explain what the up to date position is with the Volcano. Second stop was the steam vents but take the time to walk over to the crater rim there was far more activity to be seen here and better than looking down a manufactured safety vent. Then on to the museum and the closest you can get on foot to the inner crater. Then you appreciate the vastness of this sleeping giant. Then finally off to the Lava Tube. Amazing as you go down the walkway to the tube how the temperature drops and the humidity increases.
If you are going here by a tour check first exactly how long you get and what parts you will be going to.
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This was a bucket list item for me. The key is to go at dusk or after dark. The first time I went, I went during the day, and Kilauea is just a bunch of grey smoke/steam during the day. I heard that the time to see it is after dark, but it turns out you don't have to wait for full dark. We were there maybe 30-45 minutes before sunset, and it was phenomenal to me. Bright red, and you could see the lava jumping and spraying up. My only disappointment was that my excellent iPhone 6 camera only captured the glow and not the details of the lava. If I get to go again I'll try to take a good camera with a zoom.

My Kumu (hula teacher) and I have been watching closely to the crater since it has been filling up recently, and we decided to hop on a plane and just go for a day. The Hawaiian Airlines has cheaper tickets for the early and late flights, so we flew out at 6 in the morning from O'ahu and later departed from Hilo at 9:00p.m.. This schedule worked out perfectly for our one-day trip. I saw sunrise over the islands on plane.

You need to have some luck with clear sky in order to have a good view of the mountains. We were really lucky that there was hardly any cloud in the morning. I heard that a fabulous way to explore the Big Island is to take a helicopter ride. We did a rental car instead, which was more affordable and flexible. The Volcano House (hotel) across the Tourist Center is a good place to grab some sandwiches. Make sure to have a walk behind of that house, for there is a precious view of a crater and steams on the mountains. The Tourist Center (Visiting Ctr) has a nice movie which gives you a good start of the tour, and is a nice safety orientation. The Military Camp near to the Tourist Ctr has a café that provides nice warm food for people to sit down and enjoy. The café hides behind the cabins, and you will need to make a circle to find it.

Walking on Lava, walking through the Lava Tunnel, and overseeing the craters are memorable experiences. If you can stay for a little longer, go back to the museum after dark to join Pele for her fabulous celebration of fire. Once it is dark, you start to see the pink and then red glows of the fresh lava from the top of the crater. 6:00p.m. is the starting of the beautiful night view, and 7:00p.m. gets even better. Try to avoid the bus loads of tourist rush at 8 by arriving there at 9 if you want to be there in the total darkness. Bring a flash light and plan to park far down the road.

It takes about one hour from the Volcano Park to Hilo International Airport. Plan extra time for unpredictable weather. Have a wonderful trip! Aloha!

Tips:
Wear comfortable shoes (closed toes), especially if you are planning on hiking.
Drink a lot of water.
Wear sun scream.
Be respectful to Pele and the nature.
Bring warm cloths (it is cool or cold in the mornings and evenings, and when it is rainy).
Do NOT take lava stones home!

The area surrounding the Kilaeua crater area has been opened up again since last year's eruption. Whilst it is too dangerous to enter the crater, there are plenty of features to see. There are steam vent lookout around a mile past the visitor centre. You can get there by car, however I highly recommend walking from the centre and going through the sulfur banks on the way. The sulfur banks are also amazing to see, smell and hear. It is an easy flat walk and you can go back via the section of the Iki trail that is still open. The view from the steam vents overlooking the crater is spectacular and I think better than the vantage point of Volcano house.

We drove from Kona to the volcano and returned. I recommend you either book a room at the hotel or one of the cabins within the park if you are coming from Kona. We missed the views of the glowing lava at night due to being there during the day. What an awesome sight. We could only imagine what the forces were like when that eruption occurred. There is a small museum that describes what happened to some scientists that were taking samples. Describes the temperature of the lava and shows the remains of their tools and clothes.

Having the most amazing adventure can only be possible with a knowledgeable tour guide, Grant of Kapoho Kine Adventures booked in our Hotel resort at Kona, Big Island, Hawaii. He took us on an exploration tour to Kilauea Volcano. He, not only enlightened us with some of the best source of facts and materials that made the trip well worth our times, has also took us on a new in-sight to an ECO hiking path for discovery. Thanks to him, we have discovered tea leaf with medicinal values, wild fruits, wild birds and even came across a snake. YES. A SNAKE. Did someone mentioned “It's amazing! There are NO snakes in Hawaii!” Sadly, that's one rumor that just isn't true –Our Tour guide, he made our visit fun and exciting. We have found a cutest snake. Trust me, I never, in any of my dictionary, would associate a snake with cuteness of any sorts. However, I have made an exception in this case. The snake we discovered was extremely small, fit in palm of your hand with plenty of room to spare. Got to be one of the world's smallest snake ever. He spotted it and enlightened us with his charms and professional knowledge in which he shared generously throughout his tour. As I have mentioned, best trip ever. Thank you to you Grant. We have a ton of fun with you. You have made our visit truly unforgettable.... Sincerely yours, Susan

This was fantastic! Volcanoes National Park was our main draw for the Big Island and it did not disappoint. We returned 2 different days as there are so many points of interest that a single day would make it impossible to see them all. I recommend staying in Hilo and doing this one as it is a minimum 2.5 hour drive to and from Kona. This makes it rather tiring to commute. The roads are narrow and winding, and we experienced rain both days we went. I fo not wish to repeat the driving experience, despite being from Northern BC, and being used to driving narrow, winding roads in adverse conditions.

Once we went up to the Jagger Museum, and saw Mme. Pele putting on a show, we were left agape. It is truly something to behold the power of the earth beneath our feet and how fragile the part we cling to, truly is. The lava lake was only 26 meters below the crater rim on the day we went, so we had a really good show.

Go up in the evening, but wait until about a half hour after sunset before going up to the Jagger Observation deck - especially if you have young children. We found the crowds to be thick and pushy until the first tour buses started leaving at about 7pm. After the first waves got bored and left, the crowds thinned and viewing was more comfortable and spectacular in the dark. The trails are well marked and lit with lava-colored lights, so I also recommend parking at the lower lot and walking the 1.7 mile loop to the museum. The path is paved and smooth, but will be difficult with very young children or persons with mobility issues.

Not to miss!

I was so pleased that I did not opt for a helicopter flight as there was no lava activity happening. You get quite a good view from the Visitors Centre and Museum.
I was a little disappointed I will just have to visit again when it is doing something.

Of all the attractions in the islands of Hawaii, none are as visited as Kilauea, the volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park actively erupting, oozing lava, spewing gaseous clouds, and periodically rumbling and plumping up then sending surging flows into the sea.

If you are making a trip to the middle of the ocean to visit Pele at Halema'uma'u, her own house of everlasting fire, there are a few ways to prepare for your visit that will make it all you hope for. Most visitors come in hopes of seeing flowing lava. There are several ways to achieve this, the main one being luck. We had visitors last week who booked a helicopter tour and were treated to sights of lava inside skylights in the lava, but before they left, the lava surged and they were among the lucky few to be at Kalapana to see the river of lava spill over the mountain.

It helps you plan your stay better when you have a sense of how much time it will take to explore the various aspects of the volcano.

Lately every night at Jaggar Museum as dusk takes over, the glow from the lava within the crater at Halema'uma'u glows brilliant orange. To enjoy this site, you will need a flashlight to find your way from where you car is parked to the edge of the viewing area. You can even use your cell phone here to light your way if need be. The walk is short. You will want to be wearing a long sleeved shirt and most likely a light fleece jacket. At 4000 feet, the mountaintop can be chilly. FYI - the drive back to Kona is two and half to three hours, so spending at least one night in Volcano is something to consider as you make your plans.

Several times in recent months Pu'u O'o vent has spilled surface lava down toward Kalapana. Hawaii Civil Defense has taken charge of the viewing area. They cordon off what they determine is a safe distance from the flow, and it is safe from any effects of red hot lava, being hundreds of feet away. If you come early in the day before 10 am, you can walk closer. Use your good judgment - the lava is hot, and you can tell. It is all but impossible to walk right up to it, it is so hot. Do not venture out onto any new shelf, as the shelves collapse. But a hike over fairly recent flow along the ocean edge can yield some spectacular views of the lava entering the ocean. Wear a brimmed hat, light clothing, use sun screen, and bring plenty of water. There is a food stand at Kalapana where you can get a plate lunch, into the night. It is separate from the end-of-the-road viewing area. If you have gone to the end of the road, to find the beach area and the food stand, follow the road back and make the right turn to go over to Kalapana.

There are also lavaboats. There are several tours. The cost is about $150 a person, and the tour director will know in advance if the lava is flowing, and should be willing to share that info with you. If not, you may want to pass or move along to a tour director will let you know the lava status before venturing out. The tour leaves before dawn, so you will want to be in the mood to get up at 4 am or so. I will say it is very much worth it, as long as the lava is there.

When you are making your travel plans, in order to give yourself the flexibility to see the volcano in its glory and from these aspects even without a formal tour, you will want to book some nights nearby. There are vacation rentals in Kapoho and Kehena, not far from Kalapana. Near the park, there are vacation rentals and an inn. Currently and perhaps until 2012, Volcano House in the park is closed for renovations. And there is Hilo with a couple of hotels. Hilo is more than a half hour from the park, and if you are doing intense hiking or even relatively moderate hiking and driving about, it is extra nice not to have to drive far to get to where you are staying. You will be looking for accommodations to fit your travel group and your budget. There are some very inexpensive places to stay in both areas, but it is also an opportunity to spend just a little more and get a whole lot more for your money. A private hot tub under the night sky is a huge plus, and there aren't a lot of places that offer that amenity. But they are out there.

As hosts to travelers, we have noticed certain "traveler's habits" you may want to consider as you prepare for you Hawaii trip. Hawaii is a very casual place. Most people wear flip flops everywhere. If you are hiking, you will need footwear that closes over your toes. There are hiking sandals that hold your foot snugly - best if the toes are protected against jagged edges, that you can even wear into the water. You will seriously not need any other footwear, other than possibly snorkel gear. If you plan on snorkeling, ask your hosts if they provide gear. You may be able to borrow theirs and not have to bring yours along. Or you can rent some at a very low price. You will find that your swim suit, a couple of tshirts, shorts, and maybe a dress or one pair of regular pants are all you need. For the mountain top, a long sleeved shirt and fleece jacket. All that will fit in a small backpack.

I mention this as we see travelers bringing huge rollerbags full of stuff they truly do not need. Then they rent Jeeps that cannot be secured and have to lock their roller bags up in their rooms. When you are traveling the tiny communities of back roads Hawaii, your accommodations are likely to be small. Even the premium beachfront hotels on Waikiki can have small rooms and tiny closets. There is just no room for huge roller bags. Travelers are very resistant to packing light, but Hawaii is certainly one place you can do that, and it will work out very nicely. If you are thinking you want to have room to bring back stuff, look for a folding nylon duffel, or simply pick up a re-usable shopping bag with handles, and use that as carry-on for your return.

Lastly, food at Volcano. There are restaurants, and some are very good and maybe even excellent. Some not so. There are two convenience stores. Down the mountain there are regular grocery stores. It takes a chunk of your time to grocery shop, and food is much more expensive here than on the mainland. Eating out and eating in will cost you about the same, except maybe breakfast. Before you drive up the mountain, it's generally a good idea to stop at Hilo Farmer's market for fresh fruit, maybe some eggs for breakfast, and veggies if you plan to cook. Suisan Fish market on the bay front has local fresh catch. If your stay encompasses a Sunday morning, there is also Volcano Farmer's market for all kinds of food including pre-made. Plus the best coffee on the island...

To visit the Kīlauea is a must. Be early or very late there to see the glow of the lava and to be able to listen to the volcano. It’s amazing that you can park so close to an active volcano and actually watch the lava spraying up in the air.

We could not see much on a very rainy day, but the weather cleared up on the chain of craters road. Ponchos are available for purchase at the visitor center. The road around the crater has be cut off and you can only drive a short distance, so a hike is necessary to look around. Skip the volcano if a rainy day is forecast.

An amazing tour by our guide Marcus from KapohoKine Adventures. He was on time and great with our three kids, one of whom is a 15 month old baby. We checked out a coffee farm with miniature donkeys, a great little bakery in a small village in the south of the Big Island , the black sand beach at punalu'u, the Thurston Lava Tube, Kilauea Iki and the main crater - fantastic experience for our family. We travelled all the way from Australia to see the Volcano and it was awesome.thanks Marcus, from Gareth, Mel, Riley, Luciella and Lexi-Rose Curtis, Australia.

Timing is everything. You won't see anything that looks like fire unless you are there around dusk. In early May this was 5:30-6:30. Then the fire below turns the smoke pink from the volcano. Go earlier in the day to see the lava fields. Definitely visit the lava tube. The visitor's centers are worth some time. Then exit the park (save your entrance ticket so you won't need to pay twice) and go eat dinner somewhere in the nearby village of Volcano. Then come back to see the best views of the pink smoke reflecting on the flames below. Note: the park is 2 hours drive from Kona or 40 minutes from Hilo.

At the time of the visit, there was no eruption just some steam that was visible. Nevertheless, it is impressive to get so close to a volcano that has erupted to varying degrees before visiting and will do so again. Both during the day and in the dark, the volcano leaves an impression.

Miranda's Tour Company of Hilo, Hawaii gave us an uncomparable tours and excellent services that will always be remembered. The driver and tour guide named Mel took us to many different beautiful places and provided us with tons of information. It was an exciting day for all of us.

Love the peace, tranquility, and ambience of this place... so many places to explore.. great place to get away from city life... We come up here to rejuvenate and love the cool mountain weather and usually stay two to four days..

Everything about this tour was first class. The tour lead (Eric) had exceptional knowledge of the volcano and Hawaiian culture. He really makes the tour and would be the best tour guide we've experienced. We originally booked the tour as we like our cycling, but the riding is only a small part of the tour. The 5 hours is spent learning about the history of the volcano and Hawaiian culture and using the bikes to ride from one site to another. The tour is very well organised and equipped. Everything is supplied for the bike (helmet, gloves, water bottle etc) and they are very safety concious.

We had a perfect sunny day for the tour which Eric said was unusual. It would be worth taking a light rain jacket if you can. The support bus follows the tour so you can leave whatever you don't want to carry with you in the bus. Lunch, snacks and water is aplenty. The day ends at the Volcano winery. The wine is well...um....not great, but it's only 15 minutes at the end of the day.

This tour is a must do.

This volcano is active and is a unique experience, I had a blast and experience something beautiful . Thank you Hawaii!

The caldera is huge and filled with smoke and steam. Although we were there during the day, amid all the smoke and the steam we did get to see lava bursts from Halema’uma’u crater. The observation area got very crowded so it was a challenge to get good photos. A visit to Jagger Museum is a must. It helped me to have a better understanding of volcanic activity and to become more aware of the different types of lava. The Park website is excellent . By going to “what’s going on with the volcano” there is a wealth of information including the current conditions and videos showing lava flow, etc

What an uplifting experience. We were enchanted with the folklore as well as the geology and botany information that Eric (BikeVolcano.com) was able to deliver with such ease. He kept us enthralled from beginning to end. We were picked up by Pretty, our van support person. We quickly got to know her and enjoyed her company very much. As for Eric, our guide, he possesses quite a few degrees and we were lucky to have someone of his extensive background spend five hours with us. They are both very down to earth, we enjoyed the whole day. After being picked up, we were brought to the museum for a short tour so that Eric could give us some background information of what we would see during the day. After being equipped with our bikes and safety gear, we look off and completed the trip in a number of segments, never too long to be tiring. At each stop, he enthralled us with his stories and informative data.
I highly recommend this company. Our most memorable moments in our two weeks in Hawaii were indeed this tour, as well as the Polynesian Village in Oahu.

Visited Kilauea May 2017 and it was a very interesting trip. We learned lots from the Park Rangers and had fun navigating through hiking trails and seeing the volcano at night, very cool.

We flew from Oahu to the Big Island for the day. First we took a private ground tour to the National Park and then a helicopter tour over the volcano. THE people were terrific, but the volcano was the disappointment. I did not expect a spewing volcano, but I did expect to see some lava. We saw a few trickles of a stream. I had to struggle to see the lava from the helicopter. (You will not see ANY lava from the ground).

I found the museum small and boring as well as the visitor's center.

If you happen to be on that island, I guess it is worth the visit, but not worth a day trip. We spent $3,000 in airfare and tours. Just not worth that kind of money.

Visiting Volcano National Park is a must do on the big island. The Visitor"s Center provides background information and guidance about what to see. We could only walk around part of the Kilauea Volcano rim due to eruptions the previous year but I would not have missed this experience and the distant views we had of the volcano for anything. We also drove down Crater Rim Road afterwards. Also recommended.

The Volcano national park is a must see. Get you close to hot lava, and the views are amazing. We visit the park every time we are on the Big Island of Hawaii

This is a must see on the island. Only part of the rim walk is available since last year's eruptions but you can still see a lot. The highlight is being able to walk across the now solis lava lake.

We went April 10th early AM.
To our surprise, the caldera was spewing lava!
It was a lucky sight!
Highly recommended

This was by far the best part of my visit to the big island. 4 days and countless other adventures but we're else can you an active crater. No not the gushing oozing kind but a small fountain with the crater liquified. For the best experience go at night and see the sky glow with pink tint from the lava inside. Bring a good lens to get good photos but it's visual experience like none other.

Had tried to see this on a circle island cruise years ago but we were turned away from Hilo because of high surf. We considered driving to Hilo from Kona and taking a helicopter tour. However, my husband was qustionably over the weight limit...so since our condo didn't have a scale, we'd possibly lose our $. So we decided to drive. Sooo much better...PLUS the day before I called the helicopter people, the lava stopped flowing after like 9 years. We would have seen no lava anyway. A must see volcano!

The crater was awesome as we took pictures from the visitor center but due to the high activity going on around us as the rangers monitor the air they closed most of the roads to sight see. I suggest you call ahead before visiting the volcano national park. They have a hotline telling you the current conditions. We found out about that from the ranger inside the park.

It's grand. It makes me feel so small as a human. It's a gorgeous view, both wonderful and frightening to me!

Just to view it was an awesome sight. Smoke coming out and its huge mass.
Although the steam vents didn't have a lot coming out, once you step closer, you could feel the heat. We walked through the smaller crater and you could see the broken lava, looked like broken pavement. We just marveled at how awesome our God is and prayed that this volcano didn't start erupting while we were in the middle of it as much as we wanted to see active lava flow. The hike was not bad and the lava tube was fun to walk through. Then we drove all the way down to see the petrogliphs and the sea arches, quite a drive but once in a lifetime trip, might as well.

My husband and I visited Kilauea in 2005. We drove around Crater Rim Drive to see the sites. It was ok, nothing too exciting, of course it was raining that day. We also drove down Chain of Crater's Road to see the Pu'u O'o lava flow. It was recommended that we arrive around 4:00 in the afternoon to get a good parking spot, or you have to hike to your hike. You will need a good flashlight (1 per person), extra batteries, water and snacks. Also, wear rugged boots, thick pants and bring a light rain jacket . We started our hike about an hour before dark. The terrain is very rough. We hiked for about 2 1/2 hours toward the lava flowing into the ocean. It rained off and on the entire trip. We used the light of the lava as our guide. When we finally reached our destination we watched lava bubble in pools and flow into the ocean. It was amazing! We didn't venture to close for fear of hot spots or getting to close to the bench (which can collapse in the ocean). We took our video camera and got some pretty good footage of the lava. It was a once in a lifetime trip for us. We loved every minute of it. It is not an easy hike, and be sure that you take water.

The volcano is amazing. Walk the trails around the area, not all were open when we visited due to sulphur activity, but it was still awesome. Visit the Jagger museum just before sundown and stay to see the glow of the volcano.
On our way to the park, we stopped at Southpoint where you can jump off the southern most point of the U.S., a green sand beach and a black sand beach where green turtles were sunning on the beach. At the Green Sand beach, it's worth paying the family who will drive you down the 3 miles to the area, especially if you're short on time, it's still a hike down to the beach. I think we paid $15 round trip and it took 20 minutes to drive the rough terrain 3 miles. The Black Sand beach is a park that you can drive to and it's very cool. We saw green turtles on the beach.
If you stay in the park area near Volcano Village, don't miss the farmer's market on Sunday for baked good, fresh fruit and veggies and pancakes.

This is something you want to do as a family. Cost is $15.00 for a vehicle

If coming from Kona plan a full day and visit falls too when in the area.

Best time to view the Volcano is at night. You'll get great views of red light and lava.

The museum closes at 9pm. That helps give you great knowledge and shutter from wind and cold.

Dress warm at night time.

Enjoy

It was disappointing because the volcano was not erupting. No red lava flows. Just cooled lava, rents in the earth, and steam. Other than the sheer size of the caldera, it was boring.

This was so awesome! We finally made the night view after being there 3 times during the day. Just amazing and my kids loved it, even needed a potty break all the way back to the porta-potty's and wanted to walk all the way back! I was asked a few times if it was worth it, absolutely!!

My wife and I visited Kilauea Volcano in July this year. We checked beforehand about current lava flow and were told that there hasn't been any actual flow for some time, but the caldera always has activity in it. We hired a car and drove to the national park in the late afternoon, got some food in a restaurant on site, and then made our way over to the main viewing area. The weather was pretty poor, with a lot of cloud, but luckily we could see pretty well.
The sight of the smoking caldera was pretty impressive even in the daylight, but as the sun went down and darkness fell, the glow was amazing to see. Anyone would find this interesting.

My entire visit to the Island of Hawaii revolved around wanting to see Kilauea. You can add to your experience by spending a little bit of time on the days leading to your visit on the USGS site that tells you about the seismic activity that happens almost daily, recent pictures from places you'll never get to walk and alert status on the volcano itself. Having all of that in mind made our day time visit quite impressive even without the beautiful glowing colors you see at night.

Booked this through NCL cruise. Wanted to go to Volcano National Park but it was full. We lucked out this tour was amazing. Our guide Jordan was knowledgable and informative. What an amazing tour one of the best we had. Black lava beach, waves crashing, lava trees, what a GREAT tour! Jordan even had cool towels, soda and snacks for us. Would do this again in a heartbeat.

After arriving at our hotel we decided to drive the 2 1/2 hr drive to the volcano so to get a better view in the evening when much darker. The lava if any will be seen better.
The roads are slow going getting out onto more open roads.
If driving you have to stop at the
Punalu'u bakery and have the passionfruit puffs, they are amazing.
Also the sweet breads.
The volcano is located within the national park.
You do have to pay to get into the national park.
Parking is easy and there are Rangers to assist.
It could also be easily accessed by wheel chair. It is a bit steep in some places but doable.
The gift shop is good and reasonably priced. There is also an interesting museum.
Word of warning it does get very cold at night so a jacket is a must.
We will definitely return another time and do the 22km round trip hike to where the lava meets the ocean.
Well worth the long drive.

We drove to the Kilauea Caldera inside Volcano National Park. It is a must see even tho it has already erupted and there is no active lava flow. We saw the steam vents and walked the crater rim trail. This was our first stop after the visitor center once inside the park.

what a great site, we used Nui Pohaku Adventure tours whom took us on a cycle tour to the volcano, lava tube, rainforest and around the national park. Took 5 hours but included food and drink. Tour team was funny and very informative, and then at night brought us back to see the Lava glow from the actual volcano

To see the lava flow is simply a must experience in your life time. That’s new life making the island… I’d strongly suggest seeing it after sun set or couple of hours before dawn break. The glow in itself is gorgeous and you get to see all of the bright orange lava fountains and branches (that you can’t see in the day light); however, it’s good to see in the day light as well as it gives you the view of the crater and surrounding steam vents. I’d suggest viewing from both ends. East end (devastation trail) is a longer drive from the park entrance and is a 1.5 mile walk one way (on paved road) but seems to be closer to the crater. West end is a short drive and a short walk to the crater but seems to be further away. Also a lot more popular. Bring head lamps!

This is such a fascinating , active volcano. While there was no lava flow when I was here in November, it is still a must see. Loved all the steam vents, it was otherworldly.

what an amazing and powerful place you should try and experience the volcano from both the ground and air, it is just spectacular. If you get the opportunity try and do the twilight tour with Hawaii forest and trail with chris as your guide great tour and well worth it