Volcano National Park Hawaii

[irv]

We will be going on a cruise to Hawaii in April 2017, staying on the islands for 10 days. We intend to stay on 2 islands, Hawaii (big island) and Oahu, probably big island 1st. I am keen to explore Volcano National Park, at this stage we can book in Volcano Guest House right in the park, my question is how long do I stay to properly explore this part of the island, will be staying 5 days on each.

Look forward to your advice.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

We will be going on a cruise to Hawaii in April 2017, staying on the islands for 10 days. We intend to stay on 2 islands, Hawaii (big island) and Oahu, probably big island 1st. I am keen to explore Volcano National Park, at this stage we can book in Volcano Guest House right in the park, my question is how long do I stay to properly explore this part of the island, will be staying 5 days on each.

Look forward to your advice.

The Big Island has plenty to offer, and certainly has a completely different pace to it than Oahu - The Big Island has a fantastic Slow ambiance about it!
When I stayed on the Big Island a few years ago, I based myself in Hilo ( which very much has a local feel) and stayed for 7 nights, and still did not see everything I had planned to see and do.
My advice would be to hire a car on the Big Island as both tours and public transport are extremely limited, particularly if you wish to go on a lava walk.

 

[get me outta here]

We stayed in Hilo. We enjoyed the food market as we had some basic cooking facilities. I particularly was moved by the Tsunami Museum and learned a lot. You definitely need a car but I don't know if you need to stay right on the periphery of the Park as I didn't notice much there for food and shops, but must admit I wasn't looking for them.

Took a helicopter ride over the top of the active part of the flow and was rather bemused by the safety instructions of what we needed to do if we ditched, which may have been into the red hot lava flow.

 

[opusman]

We stayed at the Sheraton on the Big Island, it had a nice laid-back resort feel without being ridiculously expensive. Definitely get a hire car.

A non-volcano highlight was star gazing at the Mauna Kea visitor center - highly recommended if you have time.

 

[ReLoad]

Have a similar trip in the planning for next year, as far as hiking goes, how close/far up can you get to the volcano by car/foot?

 

[get me outta here]

You can go up quite close by car, and till your shoe soles start to get hot burn on the surface.

Have a similar trip in the planning for next year, as far as hiking goes, how close/far up can you get to the volcano by car/foot?

 

[Mal]

Have a similar trip in the planning for next year, as far as hiking goes, how close/far up can you get to the volcano by car/foot?

Depends where the lava flow is at the time. Make sure you wear the right stuff (shoes and trousers etc), the cold lava is not easy to walk on.

 

[ReLoad]

Depends where the lava flow is at the time. Make sure you wear the right stuff (shoes and trousers etc), the cold lava is not easy to walk on.

You mean i have to wear pants?

 

[Mal]

You mean i have to wear pants?

As an honorary Pom, I can't use the term 'Pants' to describe trousers. At least without a small giggle.

Basically set lava is actually very jagged/rough, and not a simple path! You need to protect yourself from any fall etc.

 

[get me outta here]

Yep, good idea to wear pants and trousers for extra padding when falling onto the bum. Seriously though, the cold set lava flow is likened to being as sharp as glass if broken. As the flow has run, it cools on the outside whilst still may have been red hot and flowing inside. Then, when cold, leaves an invisible hollow tube that when standing on it may give way to cause serious injury. This is my amateur geology interpretation, there may be others here who have more fascinating info.

Basically, they say stick to the paths at your own risk. There is a huge tube that people walk through.

You mean i have to wear pants?

As an honorary Pom, I can't use the term 'Pants' to describe trousers. At least without a small giggle.

Basically set lava is actually very jagged/rough, and not a simple path! You need to protect yourself from any fall etc.