Volcanoes National Park & Sunset Lava Tour

Fully experience the wonder of the world famous Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park with knowledgeable and friendly local guides. You will see and learn about the geology and history of all the main sights, including the active Halema’uma’u Crater of Kilauea, the Thurston Lava Tube, Jagger Museum, and recent eruptions and lava flows, as well as explore off-the-beaten-path overlooks among the lush rainforest.

The tour continues to the Puna district (about 1 hour drive from the Park), where you will witness and learn about the powers of both destruction (of property) and creation (of land) from eruptions over the past 50 years, including a lava flow in 2015 that put the town of Pahoa on edge as it crept towards it. Walk over land that is likely younger than you, including a black sand beach.

After a catered local dinner, you will visit one of two locations, depending on the best conditions that day, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience viewing glowing red lava under the night sky! Currently lava can be seen flowing down the volcano at Kalapana, and you will be viewing the spectacle safely from a private observation deck, with binoculars for some close-ups. Alternatively, you will return to the Park to see the glow of bubbling lava in the active crater.

NO AVAILABILITY? Check out our other similar volcano tour.

• Fully experience the broader volcano region by also visiting the Puna Region outside the Park where the most recent flows have been
• View lava flowing down volcano in Kalapana (if conditions allow)
• Restaurant dinner catered by a handpicked local favorite
• Pick-ups available in Kona and Waikoloa
• Small group tour with a maximum of only 11 people (often less) in a van designed for 14
• Private observation deck in Kalapana provides easy/safe lava viewing from high vantage point

The van picks up at multiple convenient locations in Hilo (included), Kona (extra $20/person), and Waikoloa (extra $20/person). Approximate pick-up and end times are (Oct 1 – April 31 / May 1 – Sept 30):

• Waikoloa: 7 am / 7:45 am ; return around 10-10:15 pm
• Central Kona: 7:45 am / 8:30 am ; return around 10:15-10:30 pm
• Keauhou (south Kona): 8:10 am / 8:55 am ; return around 10-10:45 pm
• Hilo Airport: 9:30 am / 10:15 am ; return around 9 pm
• Hilo Hawaiian Hotel (main Hilo pick-up with free parking): 9:45 am / 10:30 am ; return around 8-8:30 pm
• Volcanoes National Park (see FAQ for details): 10:45 am / 11:30 am ; return around 7:15-7:45 pm

Hawaii Big Island Revealed Guidebook:

If you had to name the one thing the Big Island is most famous for, it would undoubtedly be Kilauea Volcano. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is the most fascinating place you may ever visit.

It is a humbling experience to stand there and observe Earthly creation, like seeing the planet during its fiery adolescence. There are not many places on this planet where you can walk on ground younger than you are, where you can be assured that there is absolutely nothing alive beneath your feet except for the earth itself. We've been there when people from all over the world stand in awe, tears streaming down their cheeks as they tell their children, "You may never see anything like this again in your lifetime.

Lonely Planet Guidebook:

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park: Hawaii’s Top 20

Fodor's Guidebook:

If you do nothing else on the Big Island, do the volcano

• Local family owned & operated business since founded over 10 years ago
• A portion of proceeds are shared with Hawaiian families in need through the Hawai’i Food Bank
• Office is 100% solar powered

• No refunds after 48 hours prior to activity time (1 week for private tours)

• 4.166% Hawaii sales tax (GET)

• All children less than 18 must be accompanied by an adult
• Persons with severe asthma are not recommended