Kalapana

Travel 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.
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.
#NationalPark The scene at dusk as lava spills into the ocean is amazing. Well worth the 4 hour round trip hike over rough terrain with a local guide. If you do make the hike be sure to have plenty of water, comfortable shoes and by all means use a local guide as nothing is marked and there is no frame of reference to see which way you are headed. Every year people get lost or seriously injured because they think they can make the hike alone unaided by a local. Some are successful and some are not.

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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 WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (574 reviews)
This is a very nice lodge with a great history. The room was spacious and we really enjoyed the hot tub and the nature trail. My only complaint is with the people in the room beneath us as we heard them talking well past the quiet hour of 10:00 pm. As the inn has no night manager, I was required ...

Reviewed on Mar 6, 2026

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Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant
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 CA $114 per night from Mar 15 to Mar 16
CA $114
CA $135 total
Mar 15 - Mar 16
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Pahoa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center and Mackenzie ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (24 reviews)
Wonderful property and super helpful and friendly staff

Reviewed on Mar 2, 2026

Kehena Mauka Nui LGBTQ Clothing Optional
Lokahi Lodge

Lokahi Lodge

2.5 out of 5
19-4050 Kalanikoa Road Volcano HI
The price is CA $167 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
CA $167
CA $199 total
Mar 29 - Mar 30
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Volcano. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and satellite TV channels. Popular attractions Aloha Candy Company and Kilauea Iki Overlook are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (236 reviews)
The room was clean and ready when expected. Location is great. Cute restaurants and store near by.

Reviewed on Mar 11, 2026

Lokahi Lodge
See all 642 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 WiFi, a garden, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Kilauea and Volcano Garden Arts are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (42 reviews)
Great location and beautiful landscaping!

Reviewed on Feb 22, 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 WiFi, free parking, and onsite spa services. Popular attractions SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center and Mackenzie State ...
9/10 Wonderful! (16 reviews)
Stayed at Cabin Kai 4 (Dec 26–30, 2025). Affordable and located in a beautiful, peaceful area with free parking, water, and Wi-Fi (weak). Major concern: No window coverings for the floor-to-ceiling bathtub window or windows above the bed and coffee bar, resulting in serious privacy issues while bathing ...

Reviewed on Jan 4, 2026

Kalani Oceanside Retreat
Family Friendly Home, with a Man Cave!

Family Friendly Home, with a Man Cave!

Keaau HI
Stay at this vacation home in Keaau. Enjoy laundry facilities, a pool table, and patios. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
10/10 Exceptional! (231 reviews)
Howard is such an amazing host. Very responsive whenever we had questions and gave great advice on activities on the island. This place is even better than it looks in the pictures. We were blown away by the size of the bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. The covered patios and decks is where ...

Reviewed on Feb 27, 2026

Family Friendly Home, with a Man Cave!
See all 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.

Popular places to visit

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
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
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 relaxing 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

Things to do

Big Island Adventure Bundle: 5 Epic Audio Driving Tours

Big Island Adventure Bundle: 5 Epic Audio Driving Tours

CA $48
per traveller
78% of travellers recommend
Big Island Adventure Bundle: 5 Epic Audio Driving Tours
Guests tasting small-batch Hawaiian coffee after participating in the roasting process.

Big Island Epic Coffee Tour - ATV Ride Included at Ohana Ranch

CA $67
per adult
Big Island Epic Coffee Tour - ATV Ride Included at Ohana Ranch
Big Island: Bottle Feed & Cuddle Baby Goats

Big Island: Hand Feed & Cuddle Baby Goats

CA $53
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Big Island: Hand Feed & Cuddle Baby Goats
Paradise Unplugged Productions Backlot Tour

Paradise Unplugged Productions Backlot Tour

CA $87
per adult
Paradise Unplugged Productions Backlot Tour
Cultivate Hapuu Ferns with Citrus Tea in the Hawaiian Rainforest

Cultivate Hapuu Ferns with Citrus Tea in the Hawaiian Rainforest

CA $87
per traveller
Cultivate Hapuu Ferns with Citrus Tea in the Hawaiian Rainforest
Experience Guava Cultivation in the Hawaiian Rainforest

Experience Guava Cultivation in the Hawaiian Rainforest

CA $87
per traveller
Experience Guava Cultivation in the Hawaiian Rainforest
See all activities in Kalapana

Cities near Kalapana

Pahoa featuring night scenes, mist or fog and rugged coastline

Pahoa

Kaimu beach park. Land which is younger than me.

Kaimu

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