Kilauea Caldera Hike Volcanoes Park 2018 Eruption Sites

Descend the Halema’uma’u Trail to witness Kilauea’s 2018 lava-scarred coastline up close.

This small-group volcano tour from Kona or Kohala resorts hikes the 2-mile Halema'uma'u Trail down into Kilauea Caldera, passing ancient tree ferns and the dramatic aftermath of the 2018 eruption. You'll explore Kaumana Caves, cross Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, visit the Kilauea Visitor Center and Sulphur Banks, and end at Volcano House. A National Park Service certified guide leads the day. Lunch and dinner are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Kaumana Caves State Park30m
2. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park3h · entry included

Explore Kilauea Volcano and Surroundings

• Travel across Saddle Road
• Hike Kilauea lava flows
• Visit Kaumana Caves lava tube
• Drive through Hilo town waterfront
• Stop at KapohoKine Adventures store
• Visit Kilauea Iki Overlook
• Hike down Halema’uma’u Trail
• Observe Sulphur Banks and ancient forests
• View Kilauea Caldera and Halema’uma’u Crater
• Return to Volcano House for views

The experience

The hike itself is the centerpiece. You descend the Halema'uma'u Trail (established in 1846 and used by Mark Twain's guide Alex Lancaster) down about 2 miles roundtrip into the caldera floor. Along the way you pass Sulphur Banks and walk through ancient forests of tree ferns, some over 1,000 years old. The trail crosses the landscape where the 2018 eruption buckled the road and left behind sinkholes and massive rock slides. When you reach the caldera floor, you stand before an enormous pit where the lava lake drained out, leaving a crater 1,000 feet deep. The guide, certified by the National Park Service, explains the volcanology and geology as you move through the park, pointing out native birds like the yellow 'amakihi and the red 'apapane.

Before the main hike, you explore Kaumana Caves, a cathedral-like lava tube system that brought lava within 1.5 miles of downtown Hilo during the 1881 eruption. The day starts with a drive across Saddle Road between two of Earth's tallest volcanoes, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, then passes through Hilo's historic waterfront. You'll stop at the Kilauea Iki Overlook and Keanakakoi to see the damage the 2018 eruption caused (buckled pavement and sinkholes) before heading down into the caldera itself. The tour ends at Volcano House, where you can absorb views of the park from higher ground.

Lunch and dinner are included, so you're fed throughout the 13-hour day. Bottled water comes with you. Pickup is from either Waikoloa/Kohala resorts or Kona resorts at 7:00 AM, depending on which option you choose at checkout.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• lunch and dinner.
• pickup from your resort in Waikoloa/Kohala or Kona.

Options for this experience

2 options

Pick-up from Waikoloa/Kohala ResortGuide in English · 08:00Waikoloa/Kohala Resort pickup is included

Pick-up from Kona Resorts at 7:00 AMGuide in English · 07:00Kona Resorts pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SaturdayDepartures at 07:00 and 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 30 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Physically demandingInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Kapohokine Adventures

Is this one for you?The 13-hour commitment and high fitness requirement mean this tour suits travelers who want to spend a full day on the volcano and are comfortable with sustained hiking. If you're staying at a Kona or Kohala resort, pickup is included, so you don't arrange your own transport to the park.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How steep is the hike down into Kilauea Caldera?

The Halema'uma'u Trail is about 2 miles roundtrip on a paved road down to Keanakakoi and then into the caldera itself. The National Park Service certified guide will pace the group, and you'll pass through ancient forests and past Sulphur Banks on the way down. The tour requires a high level of physical fitness.

What will I actually see of the 2018 eruption?

You'll see the aftermath directly: buckled pavement and sinkholes at Keanakakoi where the eruption damaged the road, and a massive rock slide on the caldera floor to your left as you reach the bottom. The Halema'uma'u Crater itself grew larger during the eruption, and the lava lake drained out, leaving behind the 1,000-foot-deep pit you'll stand before.

What is Kaumana Caves and how does it fit into the tour?

Kaumana Caves is a lava tube system that brought lava as close as 1.5 miles from downtown Hilo during the 1881 eruption. You explore the dramatic cathedral-like interior early in the day before heading to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for the main hike.

Will I see native Hawaiian wildlife on this hike?

Yes. The guide points out native birds such as the yellow 'amakihi and the red 'apapane as you walk through the ancient forests of tree ferns on the Halema'uma'u Trail. Some of these ferns are over 1,000 years old.

How long is the full day, and what time does it start?

The tour runs 13 hours total. Pickup is at 7:00 AM from either Waikoloa/Kohala resorts or Kona resorts, depending on which option you select at checkout.

Who leads this tour?

A National Park Service certified guide leads the group in English, providing in-depth narration on the volcanology, geology, and history of the volcanoes and lava flows you encounter throughout the day.