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.
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 room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their 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 6 Mar, 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
Fully refundable
The price is S$169 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
S$169
7 Apr - 8 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Pahoa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 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 2 Mar, 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 S$184 per night from 18 Apr to 19 Apr
S$184
18 Apr - 19 Apr
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! (237 reviews)
I’ll try to be gracious and say that the room itself was clean and I understand that we came at a time where there was a severe storm going on, which is why there was no power or water. Since it is self check in, there was nobody we could talk to on site. I went into our room through a I called the ...

Reviewed on 19 Mar, 2026

Lokahi Lodge
See all 643 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.
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 Mackenzie ...
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 4 Jan, 2026

Kalani Oceanside Retreat
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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

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

5/5(1 review)

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

Guests tasting small-batch Hawaiian coffee after participating in the roasting process.

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

S$62
per adult
Big Island Epic Coffee Tour - ATV Ride Included at Ohana Ranch
Kalapana

Evening Volcano Explorer from Hilo

S$319
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Evening Volcano Explorer from Hilo
Big Island Jungle Tour with Banana and Guava Green Tea

Big Island Jungle Tour with Guava Green Tea

S$81
per traveller
Big Island Jungle Tour with Guava Green Tea
Circle of Fire

Discover Hilo Tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

S$554
per traveller
100% of travellers recommend
Discover Hilo Tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
Experience Guava Cultivation in the Hawaiian Rainforest

Experience Guava Cultivation in the Hawaiian Rainforest

S$81
per traveller
Experience Guava Cultivation in the Hawaiian Rainforest
Fat Tire E-Bike Rental - Volcanoes National Park

Big Island: Fat Tire E-Bike Rental - Volcanoes National Park

S$158
per adult
Big Island: Fat Tire E-Bike Rental - Volcanoes National Park
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Pahoa featuring rocky coastline, night scenes and mist or fog

Pahoa