Volcano National Park Lava Flow!
It is awesome. Hot molten lava all the way from Volcano National Park spills into the ocean! Tour boats so close, their hulls are surely made of asbestos! We sit for almost an hour entranced by the spectacle, impatient for the late afternoon sun to give way to darkness. Finally, it reveals the red, hot lava within the steam spiraling skyward.
Our trip to the Big Island is a celebration of my birthday and our anniversary. Yes, that’s right. Several years back I got a shiny new husband on my birthday. Now, we have two reasons to celebrate on that day.
A bike ride to volcano lava.
We hop a plane to the Big Island, check into our lodge in Volcano, then head down to where the lava enters the ocean. “Pop up” bike stores at the end of the road rent bikes for about $20 for 3 hours for the 45-minute ride over the crushed lava path to the “site.” You can also walk, but it will take you about 1.5 to 2 hours to cover the 4.5 miles.
Along with the bike, you can rent a basket, headlamp for your hat, and a helmet. Then, off you go! The “road” is relatively flat with a few small hills. Don’t worry – you won’t be the only one out there. So, even if you need to take your time, there’s plenty of others doing the same.
When to go on the Volcano bike ride.
Go during daylight! Fortunately, we arrive at 4:30 PM which is perfect. It is light enough to enjoy the views going out and just in time for stunning sunset views.
Don’t go before 3 PM because the parking attendants are not there. As a result, visitors are sometimes cited if they just park along the road. Anytime from 3:30 to 9 is good.
As if the lava pouring into the ocean isn’t enough, this amazing sunset provides the perfect backdrop. Because it is getting dark, we don’t stay past sunset. Finally, it is dark enough to see the “red” in the hot lava. Satisfied, we to head out for our ride back.
Places to eat after the Volcano ride.
Surprisingly, upon our return, there are several new “popup” eating kiosks, in case you have an appetite. It is quite an adventure and certainly well worth doing!
Getting to Volcano bike rental shops.
There are several bike rental “shops” to choose from but we chose kaimurentals.com. To reach the viewing area from Volcano, drive towards Hilo on Hwy 11 (Mamalahoa Hwy;) turn right on Hwy 130 just outside of Kurtistown, and stay on 130 until the end which is Kalapana.
Visit to Volcano National Park.
Our next adventure is into Hawaii Volcanos National Park to see Madam Pele in person. The last time we explored the park, which is open 24/7, was several years ago when the lava was barely visible.
Best volcano view in the park.
Recent activity is quite different and very dramatic. As a result, the best view is from the Jagger Museum at the far end of the park. Here, there are permanent spotting scopes for up close and personal views. Even without the scopes, the bubbling lava is easily seen by the naked eye. However, the actual lava is about a mile away!
The Volcano House Lodge.
While the view from Jagger the best, there are other exciting viewpoints. One, which we like and recommend is from the Volcano House, a lodge located within the National Park. Here, you can book a room or enjoy a meal while viewing the caldera. Because of this, we have dinner there twice and love it. The first night is without reservations (recommended) when we opt to dine at the bar.
Other Volcano Park points of interest.
Although the caldera is the obvious focal point, there are many other points of interest. For example, there are sulfur banks, steam vents, and a visitor’s center to explore. In addition, a lava tube and a hike across the dormant Kilauea Iki crater are unique experiences. Plus, all of these are easily reached while in the park.
Lava tube in Volcano National Park.
The lava tube is a cool respite on a warm day. Plus, it is well lit and large enough so no ducking is needed. What’s more, it is fun to explore while enjoying the beautiful rainforest around it.
Hike the Kilauea Ike Loop.
You can also hike the 4 mile dormant Kilauea Iki loop which is fairly barren. On a hot day, it is best to go in the early morning. Starting high on the ridge, the trail gradually descends to the floor. Here, vegetation gives way to lava rock. As a result, it’s not hard to imagine you are hiking on the moon!
A side trip to Hilo on the Big Island.
If you are tired of the volcano, Hilo is a short 45-minute drive down Hwy 11. For a different experience, go the opposite way towards Kona on Hwy 11. Here, you can visit the famous Punalu’u beach, also known as Black Sand Beach. Turn makai (towards the ocean) between mile marker 56 and 57 on Alanui Road.
We make the drive and are rewarded with the opportunity to see several turtles resting on the beach. Remember, stay at a minimum of 25′ from them if there are no barriers. However, if there are barriers, respect the distance anyhow!
Volcano Village.
The Village of Volcano is charming and quaint with restaurants for all price ranges. If coffee is your “thing,” as it is ours, you’ll find a coffee counter inside of the Kilauea General Store. Here, they will whip up just about anything you want!
We have a great time exploring the Volcano Village on the Big Island of Hawaii, as well as the National Park and the surrounding areas. This is a trip we highly recommend! If you’d like to see more photos of our trip to Volcano, please check out our Facebook page where we posted several others.
Where to do after the Big Island.
Done exploring the Big Island? You may want to jump over to Kauai on Southwest Airlines. While there, check out our Early Morning Princeville Walk post, which was updated in 2020. If a stay at Koke’e State Park is on the agenda, our post on choosing the best Koke’e cabin for your visit is a must read!
Thank you for joining us on our visit to Volcano Village. We’d love to have you along for future adventures, so please sign up in the sidebar to travel along with us. We respect your privacy and never sell or share your emails. Until then, Aloha!
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