Kilauea Volcano
Kilauea Volcano
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
186 reviews
Excellent
140
Very good
28
Average
11
Poor
4
Terrible
3
QZOCK
Seattle, WA270 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Couples
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
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
Written September 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JDSoui
Tampa, FL6,487 contributions
Mar. 2023
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.
Written March 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rina M
Paradise Valley, AZ21 contributions
Feb. 2023 • Couples
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!
Written February 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fiamma11
Vienna, VA4,906 contributions
Jan. 2022
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.
Written November 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike F
Antigo, WI254 contributions
Aug. 2022
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!!
Written August 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marilyn M
Columbia, MD134 contributions
Apr. 2022
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.
Written May 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
barry1170
Benson, AZ236 contributions
Apr. 2022
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).
Written May 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RealityEngaged
Kailua-Kona, HI44 contributions
Feb. 2022
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
Written March 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee L
80 contributions
Jul. 2021
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.
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.
Written July 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
psudino
Weehawken, NJ4,068 contributions
Mar. 2020
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.
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.
Written September 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jycyn2009
Tokyo, Japan
3/30現在、溶岩流の勢いが弱まっているとのことですが、現状を知る方法を教えてください。
ツアーに参加せずに、レンタカーで個人的に火口が見れる位置に近づけるのでしょうか
Janet B
Folsom, California, United States144 contributions
Couple questions. Can we get there with a regular car, not a 4-wheel drive? I ask because we did a tour for the summit due to the high elevation and we are hoping to drive ourselves to this volcano. What else is there to do there? Can we go before dark and do some things while we wait for the sun to go down?
nlcu
Eugene, OR37 contributions
Yes, regular car fine. You will probably have to hike to see the lava flow up close. If you want to do this, bring sturdy shoes, good flashlights and plenty of water. The lava can be very sharp if you fall. Every day conditions are different so check with the (excellent) ranger center for latest updates. The Rangers give interesting scheduled talks and walks and there are great exhibits at their HQ and at the Jagger Museum on the brim of Halema'uma'u caldera
The Park HQ and Ranger center are located not far past the main park entry gate. There's also a good art Gallery just past the center and the historic Volcano House inn & restaurant.
The village of Volcano, outside the Park has a few galleries and restaurants and many cozy little houses to rent via vrbo, Airbnb, etc. Because of the frequent mist and rain, the Volcano area is lush and dense with tropical plants and flowers. It's also cooler than either Hilo or Kona.
gg h
Tucson23 contributions
Should I schedule a tour of Kilauea or should we just do it on our own. I don't want to be tied to a tour but I also don't want to miss anything. What is the best way to see Kilauea?
Marie5466
Guanajuato Municipality, Mexico1,090 contributions
You do not need to be part of tour granted you have your own transportation. We just grabbed a map from the Park Visitor Center. Enjoy but make sure you have a good windbreaker. The wind, even when warm, can really kick up and chill you to the bones. We have seen many people unprepared for that. Once you get away from the main areas, traffic lightens up and there are many trails worth exploring. Start your day early.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Kilauea Volcano
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Kilauea Volcano:
- Private Guide Meet In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (From C$815.81)
- Hawaii Small-Group Volcano Experience with Lunch and Restaurant Dinner (From C$473.03)
- Fat Tire E-Bike Activity - Volcanos National Park (From C$272.85)
- Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour (From C$944.70)
- Big Island Active Volcano Adventure Tour (From C$198.26)
- Hotels near Kilauea Volcano:
- (5.34 km) Volcano Teapot Cottage
- (6.45 km) Hale 'Ohu Bed & Breakfast
- (7.06 km) Volcano Acres Ranch Bed & Breakfast
- (7.34 km) Volcano Rainforest Retreat
- (6.88 km) Volcano Village Lodge
- Restaurants near Kilauea Volcano:
- (6.30 km) Tuk Tuk Thai Food Truck
- (6.94 km) Cafe' Ono
- (6.06 km) Kilauea Lodge Restaurant
- (5.54 km) Ohelo Cafe
- (5.56 km) Eagles Lighthouse Cafe
- Attractions near Kilauea Volcano:
- (0.00 km) Kilauea
- (0.94 km) Kilauea Iki Trail
- (1.48 km) Akamai Adventure Tours & Travel, Llc
- (0.94 km) Steam Vents
- (1.50 km) Volcano Art Center Gallery