Start Planning!

You’re about to go on an awesome adventure in Volcanoes National Park, but there are a few things you should know about the tour before you get started. 

• The park has begun a major construction project, expect delays and limited parking. Learn more here. 
• Due to the 2018 eruption, the Jaggar Museum is closed.
• Entrance to Volcanoes National Park costs $30 per car.
• There are limited spots for food and drink in the park; be sure to pack water and snacks.
• Wear layers and bring a jacket; temperatures vary drastically in the park.
• The park is constantly changing. For updates visit the park’s site here. If you notice any inaccuracies or changes in the tour -- please feel free to reach out!
• Coming from Kona, the tour begins near Punalu'u. Coming from Hilo, the tour begins just south of Hilo on the Mamalahoa Highway or Hawaii Belt Road.

What to Expect

Ohia plant rising from lava field, Photo by Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) & Kuni Nakai

To Spend 4-6 Hours Exploring

This tour takes about a half day to complete, if you do one or two hikes -- longer if you choose to do every hike.

To Be Active

Volcanoes National Park is one of the most unique spots for hiking in Hawaii, and in our opinion, the world.

On our tour, we’ll take you to spots where you can hike into a volcanic pit crater or across an area that was once decimated by lava.

There are a total of four hikes on this tour and we recommend you do all of them!

To Learn

Volcanoes National Park is home to some of Hawaii’s most important legends.

The islands were formed from volcanic eruptions and these geologic events hold great meaning to Hawaii.

You’ll learn about Pele, the goddess of fire, walk along a path surrounded by ancient petroglyphs, and discover why the geology of the park is important to the scientific community today.

Budgeting

How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route, but here’s a breakdown of some costs:

• $30.00 per car: Entrance into Volcanoes National Park
• $15 per person: Lunch at nearby Volcanoes Village

Start Packing!

Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day. 

• Sneakers 
• Hiking Clothes 
• Jacket or Layers, temperatures vary drastically across the island 
• Lots of Water (We recommend several bottles of water per person as there are few places to refill.) 
• Bug Spray
• Sunscreen 
• Sun Glasses and/or Hat 
• Snacks 
• Credit Card 
• Car Charger *Very Important*
• Phone Mount 

Malama 'Aina

In Hawaiian the word malama means “to take care” and the word aina means “land.”

When you’re in Hawaii, we ask that you practice this and pick up your trash; respect the marine life, plants, and animals; and avoid spots that are unsafe.

Hawaii’s natural resources are precious; it’s up to all of us to help preserve these resources for generations by respecting the 'aina when you visit. 

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

Shaka Guide recognizes the use of diacritics in the Hawaiian language including the okina or glottal stop and the kahako or macron. In some instances, these have been omitted on our site to ensure the best online experience for our users since not all online platforms recognize these marks. We understand the importance of these diacritics to preserve the language and culture of Hawaii.

For more help planning your day check out our Hawaii Volcanoes National Park suggested itinerary.

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