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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Hawaii Volcano Tours in Volcanoes National Park
Hike the Most Epic Lava Tours in Hawaii
Hawaii Volcano Tour: The Greatest Show on Earth
- Most Popular!
Epic Hawaii National Volcano Park Tours
Have the experience of a lifetime with our unique tour of Hawaii’s Volcano National Park and learn about its history while seeing the park’s most fascinating features! Book online.
- Clock 5am, 2pm, 8:30pm
- Hour Glass 2 Hours
Currently we can only offer the Epic Volcano Park tour . It is two to three hours of fun education on the volcano with one of our expert guides… they are super passionate and know everything about Kilauea.
It is not possible to approach the lava safely in its current location but it can be viewed from the overlook areas. We bring telescopes and cameras to maximize your view and send you home with great high-end pictures and videos of the summit eruption.
- The 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. tours are two hours in the prime viewing times.
- The 2:00 p.m. has much less visual viewing of the glowing lava but is longer and is a more interpretative tour that lasts three 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!
- Clock 1 a.m.
- Hour Glass 3 Hours
Welcome to EpicLava Tours in Hawaii!
EpicLava is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the world’s most powerful force! Get ready for fun as we guide you to the current eruptive activity and the greatest attractions of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We specialize in informative but relaxed tours that leave you with an understanding of the surrounding area, the basics of how our volcanoes work and the current activity that they are displaying.
We offer group and private tours, so feel free to contact us so we can help plan the perfect tour for your needs!
At EpicLava, our priorities are SAFETY and making sure your lava tours in Hawaii provides memories that will last a lifetime.
Explore Our Hot Reviews with EpicLava Tours!
I would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to get up close and personal with Lava! I have to say it was one of the best tours I have EVER done!
We had a fantastic guide Matthew guiding our group. He had us up early hiking out over the lava flows to the most active parts, and we were lucky to have a major flow erupt right by us while we were exploring.
To put it succinctly: the guides (Jon and Jeff) are THE people you want escorting you through the volcanoes. Jon’s energy is contagious, and Jeff’s stories are–literally–legendary. More than just a tour of the area, you get a tour through time, with personal stories that help color the experience. I would recommend these guys to anyone who has a real interest in experiencing the history, not just looking at the land. Thanks, guys!
Epic Lava has most experienced and friendly guides. They shared many stories of their experiences and they even helped us take amazing photos.
Lava Ocean Tours Inc
- See all photos
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Lava Ocean Tours Inc - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Hawaiian Lava Boat Tours
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Hawaiian Lava Boat Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
VOLCANO SAFARI
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Kaumana Lava Tube is now reopened on Jan 16th 2024
Cruise Ship Friendly Tour
In 2018 several earthquakes cracked open the roads, lava fountains started spewing lava 300 ft into the sky and nearly 2,000 residents were evacuated. Join us for an exciting adventure in to the east rift zone of Kilauea volcano's devastation! Ready to step onto the newest formed black sand beach and explore lava caves!
Volcano Safari Highlights
- Newest Black Sand Beach
- Liliuokalani Gardens and Banyan Drive ( drive by)
- Rainbow Falls
- Kaumana Caves (Lava Tubes)
- Volcanically heated hot pool
- Lava devastation sights Fissure 8
- Stop for lunch at local Vendor (not included in tour cost)
DEPARTURE TIMES
Hotel departure times are based off our other departure times. Departure is usually 9:00 AM OR 9:30 AM You can see our departure schedule below or call our office at 1-800-901-0468
PICK UP / MEETING LOCATION
Cruise Ship Hilo Port - . After departing the ship you will enter a terminal building. Guide will be holding the sign “C Big Island ”
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel 71 Banyan Dr. Hilo HI 96720
CRUISE SHIP GUESTS
WE GUARANTEE TO HAVE YOU BACK TO THE CRUISE SHIP IN TIME FOR DEPARTURE AND IF YOUR SHIP DOES NOT COME INTO PORT YOU WILL BE FULLY REFUNDED.
Cruise Ship Departure Times
Usually between 8:30 am and 9:00 am The time is subject to change as we schedule our departures around cruise ship arrivals and departures
Cruise Ship Checkin Location
When departing the ship you will enter a large building through double doors. Before exiting please look for your guide holding the sign “C Big Island Tours.” We ask all guests to please plan to be at the designated departure location at least 10-15 minutes before the departure time listed above. This info will also be on your confirmation.
TOUR DURATION
Approx 6 hr
12-14 passenger Ford Transit, Mercedes or 6 passenger mini Van
Only $129 per person
Searching Availability...
Tour Details
Click for details.
Includes:
- Bottle Water
Excludes:
- Lunch (available to purchase at local vendor)
What to Bring/Wear
Comfortable close-toed shoes
Activity Level
Moderate Tour – Guest must be able to walk on uneven terrain. Stairs descending into a lava tube are slightly steep.
Not recommended for guests with physical limitations.
Not recommended for children under the age of 5 years.
Not recommended for women that are pregnant.
Tour is not wheelchair accessible.
More Info/Itinerary
Click to learn more.
Liliuokalani Japanese Gardens & Banyan Drive – Drive by: Famous Banyan Tree Drive planted tree by Babe ruth and many others. Largest Japanese garden outside of Tokyo
Down Town Hilo - Pass by no stop: See the historical downtown Hilo and learn about the devastating tsunamis of the past.
Rainbow Falls – 15-20 min: 80ft waterfall over lava cave
Kaumana Caves – 20 min - Will be descending into the lava cave through a skylight opening.
IMPORTANT UPDATE : Kaumana is now open as of Jan 16th 2024
Pahoa Town – Drive through a Historical booming plantation town and now a laid-back hippie town with old-school artistry charm and wood-plank boardwalks
Lava Trees and Fissure – 25 min: Walk a trail among lava trees that looks somewhat of a petrified forest and look down into a deep fissure
Lunch stop 30-40 min: Local Vendor
New 2018 Black Sand Beach – 20 min: This is the newest formed black sand beach on the Big Island. There is now swimming
Volcanically Heated Hot Pool – 5 min: Next to the newly formed black is a geothermal pool. Sorry no swimming in this as it is high in bacteria.There is now swimming
Lava devastation sights Fissure 8 – 10-15 min: These sights will be throughout the tour showing you where lava has come in and destroyed local areas of Hawaii.
Will we get to see active lava?
While this is a very dynamic situation that is subject to change at any moment there are fissures still smoldering since the huge eruption just a few years ago but no current surface molten lava can be seen anywhere.
Can we swim in the Volcanically heated hot pool?
Sorry no. While some locals still continue to swim there, it is stagnant water and very high in bacteria.
Can you accommodate a wheelchair, scooter, or walker?
No sorry, this tour has many locations you would not be able to access with a wheelchair, scooter, or walker.
What is the temperature? Rain Poncho needed?
The climate in the eastern rift zone is tropical. While most of the time it remains clear it is not a bad idea to have a rain poncho on hand.
What about the Mauna Loa Volcano Eruption
The Mauna Loa Volcano eruption has not affected this tour. However, Mauna Loa is still currently an active volcano and things can change without notice. The Mauna Loa volcano eruption is still currently a long way away from Kilauea Volcano
"After reading the reviews on the lava boat tours we decided on this cruise because it was a smaller group. Didn't really know what to expect but it far exceeded our expectations and was an amazing up close tour of the volcano and lava. The pictures really don't capture how amazing this tour really was."
"oleathia did a great job of assisting me in planning our volcano safari trip which we took on our 45th wedding anniversary. junior, our tour guide, picked us up on schedule, and the van was clean and in good condition, there were only two other couples on the trip which created a nice small tour group.", "four of us were booked for the volcano safari while in hilo for the day with ncl. it did not disappoint. luana and kayla were amazing. very friendly, knowledgeable and were willing and open to suggestions. they are both new so we expected some snafus but there were little to speak of, really. they have firsthand knowledge of the places we went and were able to go places that any cruise excursion would never have gone.".
Telephone: 1-800-901-0468
E-mail: [email protected]
All Rights Reserved | C Big Island LLC | Site by Fix8
Captain Gene’s
Come and Experience the chance of a lifetime!!
Water, Earth, Wind and Fire!
All meeting here for you on our Big Island of Hawaii!
Our Lava Boat Tours give you the chance to come in contact with one of the most primordial experiences on the planet: Making New Land!
Pele (Hawaiian fire Goddess) has been creating new land here on the Big Island for millennia, and flowing recently since the 1960s. Viewing where she makes entry into the ocean is of the highlight experiences of any vacation here on the Big Island.
Where the 4 Elements meet!
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