Kalapana Travel Guide

Tourist 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.

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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! (566 reviews)
Everything was great

Reviewed on 10 Feb 2026

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Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant
Lokahi Lodge

Lokahi Lodge

2.5 out of 5
19-4050 Kalanikoa Road Volcano HI
The price is NZ$273 per night from 7 Mar to 8 Mar
NZ$273
7 Mar - 8 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Volcano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and satellite TV channels. Popular attractions Aloha Candy Company and Kilauea Iki Overlook are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (232 reviews)
Clean room, all necessary amenities, great location, easy check-in process.

Reviewed on 29 Jan 2026

Lokahi Lodge
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 NZ$231 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
NZ$231
2 Mar - 3 Mar
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! (19 reviews)
Got a cool room with a lot of privacy!

Reviewed on 9 Feb 2026

Kehena Mauka Nui LGBTQ Clothing Optional
See all 640 properties in Kalapana
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.
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (38 reviews)
Hapuu room is a magical and very cozy spot with an intimate view into giant ferns and forest. The other guests in adjacent cabinswere very charming. We were all checking in at dark in heavy rain — note, the driveway is dark driveway and coming from Hilo and Jade Street, it is technically the second ...

Reviewed on 9 Feb 2026

Tropical 1-bedroom cabin. Five minute drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
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
Lovely home with hot tub near Volcano National Park

Lovely home with hot tub near Volcano National Park

Volcano HI
Stay at this holiday home in Volcano. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities and patios. Popular attractions Aloha Candy Company and Volcano Garden Arts are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (231 reviews)
Great home & lots of space for our group! Worked great since we were so close to the volcano the morning it erupted!!

Reviewed on 15 Jan 2026

Lovely home with hot tub near Volcano National Park
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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

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
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
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

Activities

Big Island Adventure Bundle: 5 Epic Audio Driving Tours

Big Island Adventure Bundle: 5 Epic Audio Driving Tours

NZ$58
per traveller
78% of travellers recommend
Big Island Adventure Bundle: 5 Epic Audio Driving Tours
Experience Guava Cultivation in the Hawaiian Rainforest

Experience Guava Cultivation in the Hawaiian Rainforest

NZ$125
per traveller
Experience Guava Cultivation in the Hawaiian Rainforest
Experience Banana Cultivation in the Hawaiian Rainforest

Experience Banana Cultivation in the Hawaiian Rainforest

NZ$126
per traveller
Experience Banana Cultivation in the Hawaiian Rainforest
Big Island Jungle Tour with Banana and Guava Green Tea

Big Island Jungle Tour with Guava Green Tea

NZ$126
per traveller
Big Island Jungle Tour with Guava Green Tea
Cultivate Hapuu Ferns with Citrus Tea in the Hawaiian Rainforest

Cultivate Hapuu Ferns with Citrus Tea in the Hawaiian Rainforest

NZ$125
per traveller
Cultivate Hapuu Ferns with Citrus Tea in the Hawaiian Rainforest
HAWAII TIKI TOURS, LAVA ROCK SCULPTURES, OFF GRID LIVING

Hawaiian Tikis and Tea

NZ$125
per traveller
Hawaiian Tikis and Tea
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Cities near Kalapana

Pahoa which includes mist or fog, night scenes and rocky coastline

Pahoa

Kaimu beach park. Land which is younger than me.

Kaimu

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