Kalapana

Travel Guide

My wife Jennifer standing in front of a lava flow with a flashlight on her face. i have to say this was a heated moment. A slip would have been fatal so I was a nervous wreck. Thankfully she has great balance and coordination.
My wife Jennifer standing in front of a lava flow with a flashlight on her face. i have to say this was a heated moment. A slip would have been fatal so I was a nervous wreck. Thankfully she has great balance and coordination.
This, my friends, is #lava. Real molten flowing lava coming down the pali (cliff) in Kalapana, #Hawaii on the #BigIsland. Last weekend, my Fiance and I partook in one of the coolest excursions of our lives; we hiked 10.5 miles in 5 hours to active, flowing lava. The trek certainly isn't for the faint of heart, pregnant women, people with asthma or heart problems, or the unfit. The lava flow is changing every second of every day, and on this particular day it was quite far away, hence the long trek. We went with a company called #HawaiiForestAndTrail, whom I highly recommend! You can read more about our experience, how to book it, the cost, and inclusions, and see all the cool photos on my detailed blog post here: https://contoursofatravelersmap.com/2018/03/28/hiking-to-active-lava-in-volcanoes-national-park-hawaii/ #lifeatexpedia #expediaconcierge #hawaiiconcierge
A door's off helicopter tour from Hawaii's Big Island gave me a unique perspective of the lava flow as it was just flowing into the ocean. Here you can see a little bit of the flowing lava, which is what I had wanted to see. However, what I found even more interesting, even after getting a better angle on the red lava, was seeing the hardened lava which had overtaken the road at certain points. I particularly loved the dramatic contrast between the devastated earth and the beautiful blue water, full of so much life. #BVSBlue
The ocean entry in Kalapana that was created when a 4 acre chunk of coastline fell into the sea leaving an open hole in the cliff face shooting hot magma into the ocean. The sight of this in the middle of an overcast day is incredible. It has been raining for 3 days so this was our first trip out to the ocean entry.
Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant

Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant

3.5 out of 5
19-3948 Old Volcano Road Volcano HI
Stay at this B&B in Volcano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (552 reviews)
There was a continental breakfast available when we were there. That was enough, amd it was filling. The fresh fruit was delilcious.

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026

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Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant
Kehena Mauka Nui LGBTQ Clothing Optional

Kehena Mauka Nui LGBTQ Clothing Optional

2 out of 5
12-7232 Mauka Nui St Pahoa HI
The price is €111 per night from 21 Jan to 22 Jan
€111
21 Jan - 22 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Pahoa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Kehena Beach and SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (17 reviews)
Beautiful area

Reviewed on 10 Jan 2026

Kehena Mauka Nui LGBTQ Clothing Optional
Volcano Forest Inn

Volcano Forest Inn

3.5 out of 5
19-4034 Old Volcano Road Volcano HI
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly B&B in Volcano. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Aloha Candy Company and Kilauea ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (173 reviews)
We just had a nice couple of days/nights there. It's close to the Park and very relaxing and easy.

Reviewed on 9 Jan 2026

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Volcano Forest Inn
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Kalani Oceanside Retreat

Kalani Oceanside Retreat

3 out of 5
12-6870 Kalapana Kapoho Rd Pahoa HI
Stay at this cabin in Pahoa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and on-site spa services. Popular attractions SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center and Kehena Beach ...
9/10 Wonderful! (16 reviews)
Peaceful setting. Loved the remote aspect. Hope it doesn't have many more huts built. Clean areas and very friendly and helpful staff.

Reviewed on 2 Jan 2026

Kalani Oceanside Retreat
Tropical 1-bedroom cabin. Five minute drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Tropical 1-bedroom cabin. Five minute drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Volcano HI
Stay at this cabin in Volcano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Volcano Garden Arts and Aloha Candy Company are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (26 reviews)
The location was great to visit Volcanoes, close to town and lovely tucked away vibes.

Reviewed on 23 Dec 2025

Tropical 1-bedroom cabin. Five minute drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Experience Tranquility in a Spacious 3-Bedroom Surrounded by Hawaiian Forest

Experience Tranquility in a Spacious 3-Bedroom Surrounded by Hawaiian Forest

2 out of 5
Mountain View HI
Stay at this holiday home in Volcano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Volcano Garden Arts and Aloha Candy ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (40 reviews)
We only stayed one night and it was a perfect base for our visit to the volcano, about a 10 minute drive away. The home is clean, beds are comfortable, towels are nice and thick, and the TVs are a good size. Only minor complaints are that the kitchen and bathrooms could use an update and the curtains ...

Reviewed on 26 Dec 2025

Experience Tranquility in a Spacious 3-Bedroom Surrounded by Hawaiian Forest
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Palm trees on the Black Sand Beach, Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii, USA

Pohoiki Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Pohoiki Beach during your trip to Pahoa? Discover the volcano viewpoints while you're in the area.

Pohoiki Beach
Hawaii

Thurston Lava Tube

Head deep into the rainforest to walk in this ancient tunnel carved from lava and marvel at the astonishing power of nature.

Thurston Lava Tube
In 1790 a swift moving lava flow leveled the forest here and drained away, leaving behind a new forest of "lava trees". These hollow rock columns were formed when the lava wrapped around the cool tree trunks and quickly solidified. When the molten lava drained away, these rock columns were left standing. The columns are hollow because the tree trunks themselves were incinerated during the process, but only after the rock had cooled enough to hold it's shape. If you look closely, you can sometimes see the texture of the tree bark in the rock molds.

Lava Tree State Monument

Enjoy the volcano viewpoints and explore Lava Tree State Monument, a lovely green space in Pahoa. Wander the seaside in this relaxing area.

Lava Tree State Monument
Road stops here

Ka Lae Apuki

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Ka Lae Apuki during your travels in Pahoa. While you're in the area, wander around the natural setting.

Ka Lae Apuki

Kehena Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Kehena Beach during your trip to Kehena? Wander the seaside and beaches in this romantic area.

Kehena Beach

Isaac Hale Beach Park

Enjoy the volcano viewpoints and explore Isaac Hale Beach Park, a lovely green space in Pahoa. Wander the seaside in this relaxing area.

Isaac Hale Beach Park

Things to do

Big Island Adventure Bundle: 5 Epic Audio Driving Tours

Big Island Adventure Bundle: 5 Epic Audio Driving Tours

€30
per traveller
78% of travellers recommend
Big Island Adventure Bundle: 5 Epic Audio Driving Tours
Kalapana

Evening Volcano Explorer from Hilo

€215
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Evening Volcano Explorer from Hilo
Big Island: Bottle Feed & Cuddle Baby Goats

Big Island: Hand Feed & Cuddle Baby Goats

€30
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Big Island: Hand Feed & Cuddle Baby Goats
Secret Tide Pool Hike - Jungle & Coast - Private

Secret Jungle Tide Pool Hike - Private

€85
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Secret Jungle Tide Pool Hike - Private
A Guided Hike Adventure Kilauea Iki and Lava Tube

Guided Hike Adventure: Kilauea Iki and Lava Tube

€128
per adult
Guided Hike Adventure: Kilauea Iki and Lava Tube
Eruption in Halemaumau Crater 9/10/23

Private Guide Meet In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

€533
per traveller
Private Guide Meet In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
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Pahoa showing mist or fog, rugged coastline and night scenes

Pahoa