Comments on: Tips for Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

By: sheila

sheila — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:47:45 +0000

Thanks for seconding the motion to fill up the gas tank, kjb. Oh my, I’d hate to think about having to walk from the end of Chain of Craters Road, with all those miles of heat soaking black lava. I’m getting thirsty just imagining it.

By: sheila

sheila — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:38:43 +0000

Thanks, Dave, for your input on how long to plan. I realize there’s not a one size fits all scenario for how many days to plan to visit HVNP, but I usually advise staying in that area for a minimum 2 nights. The first time there, we spent our first three nights in Volcano and we weren’t even lucky enough to see any lava activity at the time.

My thoughts on helicopters? I love the idea. From a bird’s eye view, you can better appreciate the force and vast area the volcano has altered. Plus, if you’re lucky enough to get to see lava flowing, you’ll never forget the sight!

I only know of one boat tour (http://www.lavaocean.com) which just takes people to see the current lava flow to the ocean. I would have liked to have taken this tour the last I was there, but just couldn’t fit it in.

By: kjb

kjb — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:36:54 +0000

You’re right on with the gas tip. We had plenty, but I definitely did not realize how long the Chain of Craters Road was. Fill up–it’d be a long walk back.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:17:08 +0000

I would plan on dedicating two days to explore the volcano.

You can easily spend a full day driving around, taking pictures and looking at all the cool stuff & another day to make the hike out to the lava and back.

How would you budget your time?

Any thoughts about helicopters or boats?