Almost all of the folks brought cameras and many, more serious, photographers also brought tripods. Since it's a little confusing figuring out the logistics of lava viewing, I wanted to share our experience. For a longer answer see our tips for choosing a lava boat tour. Near dark the 2 close parking lots will fill up and then begins a wait in line to be allowed entrance to one of the 2 lots. It's definitely different now what with the eruptions. From the East Side - Kalapana Lava Viewing Area The west side of Ocean Entry can only be reached by car through the main entrance of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Don't let this deter you, just do what the guided tours do and swing wider in your approach, staying further to the east (the way you came in) before cutting in to the glowing lava. The last 100 years of volcanic activity can be divided in 7 eruptions. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Currently there are no surface lava flows to visit on the Big Island. 90% of travellers recommend this experience. Check local news or the front entrance to see if lava is flowing. Interested? This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Try arriving late (after 9 pm) or before sunrise to skip the crowds. (Ranger told us they stop patrolling around 9pm so presumably the traffic flow dies down. On the 3rd of May 2018 several fissures in the Leilani Estates subdivision opened, marking the start of this new eruptive episode that didnt stop until early September 2018: the Lower East Rift Zone eruption. At the time of my visit in December 2009, the viewing area was open daily from 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., as long as conditions remained safe for the public. From Kea'au follow Highway 130 until the road ends and you would see the Restricted Access signs shown above. Lava Viewing at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Travel Caffeine Instead, we were stopped by "official" looking people telling us that we could not proceed unless we rented bicycles, or sign up for a shuttle at 20 dollars per person. Leilani Estates is still a residential neighborhood and all roads except for Leilani Avenue are private. Plus it was a slightly longer walk (4.5 miles each way). (Only relevant when an active lava lake is present in the Halemaumau crater). This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Property details for 104 Kalapana Vacation Lots Lot 104 Exterior Exterior Features Pool: N Roads: Unpaved Land Information Fairly Level Lava Zone: 2 Land Tenure: Fee Simple Land Area: 7500 Flood Zone: X Agriculture Dedicated Lot Information Lot Description - Land: Rocky Lot Number: 104 Oceanfront Parcel: N Zoning: A-1A Property Information Credit: USGS webcam image Right image KWcam image taken on October 2, 2021, at 6 a.m. HST. Lava Viewing Area, Kalapana: See 321 reviews, articles, and 445 photos of Lava Viewing Area, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 10 attractions in Kalapana. more, Night Manta Ray Adventure on the Big Island, Hawaii, Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour, Big Island, Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel- Small Group, Kona's Deluxe Snorkel - Beat the Crowds to Captain Cook and Place of Refuge, Waterfall Rappelling at Kulaniapia Falls: 120 Foot Drop, 15 Minutes from Hilo, COMBO: Sea Caves, Wildlife & Reef Snorkel on Speed Boat Adventure, Keauhou Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kailua-Kona, HI, Small Group Whale Watch at Kona, Hawaii (max of 6 person), Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stars Free Astro Photos Hilo Kona Waikoloa Pick Up, Beach Snorkel - Sea Turtle and Black Sand Lagoon, Uncle Robert's Awa Bar and Farmers Market. Thanks. A larger list of outfitters that organize hikes to the lava can be found on the price comparison website hawaiiactivities1. A sign at the start of the trail warned visitors to follow the marked trail. We walked in to here while it was light and each of us needed a flashlight to safely navigate our way back to the road. No homes or infrastructure were threatened, and excellent views of her massive glowing, churning, flowing, fountaining lava lake were available from numerous overlooks along Klauea caldera rim for many months. When did you go? Near dark the 2 close parking lots will fill up and then begins a wait in line to be allowed entrance to one of the 2 lots. The Kalapana Lava Viewing Area was located at the end of Highway 130, about 32 miles or an hour drive from the town of Hilo on the east coast of Hawaii's Big Island. During nighttime spots of incandescence may remain near the vent, along channels, and at the flow front for days or weeks as the lava flows cool. If you get the further lot away you will walk .8 miles to the closer parking lot; then it's another 1.1 miles on a flat crushed rock road to the viewing area. I am sure it would now be closed. End of Route 130 Volcano National Park, Kalapana, Island of Hawaii, HI 96778. A powerful proviso in the program prohibits. This is a short film by Lance Page from Page Films that takes viewers on a journey through the infamous 2018 eruption of Kilaueas lower east rift zone. Public viewing opportunities change all the time but an example is the Steaming Bluff overlook of the Halemaumau crater in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It is very unworldly and overwhelming out here. Lava Viewing Area 321 0.3 miGeologic Formations Chain of Craters Road 357 Scenic Drives Holei Sea Arch 615 Points of Interest & Landmarks Lookouts Contribute Write a review Upload a photo Reviews Filters Detailed Reviews Makawao, HI Victoria, BC40 contributions You MUST Go!! I assumed the area was currently closed due to recent activity in the vicinity. Is the lava viewing area at the end of Hwy 130 open at this time? Mo. Lava flowed down from the Puu Oo and Kupaianaha vents (1.5 miles away from each other) in the '80s and '90s, covering entire communities with . Oahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands. Please follow any instructions given by park rangers regarding a safe viewing distance. The 2018 Lower East Rift Zone eruption in numbers: The best way of getting to know a volcano is to see it, and the same goes for individual eruptions. The remainder of our guide is relevant only when lava is visible on the surface. Because of this we answer some of the most asked (and answered!) The so-called volcanoes and waterfalls tours from Hilo start at around $399 for ~55 minutes of flight time. You just have to see it to believe it. Review of Lava Viewing Area Reviewed 28 February 2017 via mobile There were many people already at the viewing site, but they made the right decision. I am planning a trip to Hawaii - Lava Viewing Area.