Our final Big Island blog is on the south region, and we did not save the least for last! Trust us! This aspect of the island is home to the other-worldly Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
A glimpse of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
One of our days on the island was completely consumed by Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We made a quick pit stop at the Kilauea Visitor Center to make our game plan for the day. We kept our car parked at the visitor center while we hiked north/west on the Crater Rim Trail to the Kilauea Overlook where we could see the smoke from the active volcano. We were very lucky that the Halemaumau crater of Kilauea became active just weeks before we arrived! While we were there it remained active- with lava fountains and a rising lava lake but staying contained enough to keep the park open. We couldn’t have planned it any better! On our way back from the Kilauea overlook, we were warmed by the steam coming out of sporadically placed vents and got slightly high from the volcanic fumes meandering through the sulfur banks. We then drove to the Kilauea Iki parking lot where we hiked to the Lava Tubes and down to the crater floor.
Where we stopped to come up with our game plan!
Overview of our volcano hikes!
Crater Rim Trail
Warming up by the steam vents from the active volcano.
Starting to feel funny wandering around the sulfur banks.
Entering the lava tubes!
On the floor of a vast crater.
Where we stopped to come up with our game plan!
Overview of our volcano hikes!
Crater Rim Trail
Warming up by the steam vents from the active volcano.
Starting to feel funny wandering around the sulfur banks.
Entering the lava tubes!
On the floor of a vast crater.
Active Volcano
Next stop was the viewing area for the active volcano! This was so cool to see in daylight but was even more spectacular to see at night. While we waited for it to get dark out, we drove the Crater Rim Drive all the way down to the ocean where you’ll find the Holei Sea Arch. We didn’t want to leave the park and wait in line to get back in at the ranger station (yes- everyone piles into the park at night to see the lava), so we ate dinner within the park at the Volcano House. We would have had front row seats for a wonderful view of the active crater if we weren’t stuck in a cloud, but we still enjoyed our boozy milkshake and Hawaiian dishes. At dusk, we snagged the last parking spot in the Devastation Trail parking lot. We walked 0.5 miles on the Devastation Trail on our way back to the Active Volcano Viewing Area. There were a lot more people here at night, but it was so worth it to encounter nature’s firework show featuring bright orange lava fountains!
You know, just a volcano erupting behind us!
Crater Rim Drive – the darker black you see is newer lava and the grey is older lava.
Look closely to find the Hotel Sea Arch!
Not the best day for a view from the Volcano House.
Devastation Trail in the spitting rain.
Joining the crowd to watch Kilauea erupt at night!
Pictures don’t do it justice, but this was truly a spectacular sight!
You know, just a volcano erupting behind us!
Crater Rim Drive – the darker black you see is newer lava and the grey is older lava.
Look closely to find the Hotel Sea Arch!
Not the best day for a view from the Volcano House.
Devastation Trail in the spitting rain.
Joining the crowd to watch Kilauea erupt at night!
Pictures don’t do it justice, but this was truly a spectacular sight!
Unique Beaches
Volcanic lava is what creates black sand beaches across the island- but more condensed in this south region. Punalu’u Black Sand Beach Park was very easy to get to from the Hawaii Belt Road. This beach is known for sea turtles, and we were able to spot a few in the waves. We continued our unique beach venture by stopping at the Papakolea Green Sand Beach. Locals hang out at the entrance to offer rides to this beach in their truck beds. We opted for the free route – hiking this mostly flat yet bumpy trail. We thoroughly enjoyed the 2.75 mile walk along the rugged coast to the green sand beach tucked away in a beautiful cove with a steep backdrop. We arrived early enough in the morning for there to only be a handful of people at the beach, but droves of people were coming in on our way out. Adam doesn’t particularly love trail running, but he was willing to jog back this time in order to make up some time for us to be able to grab food before our scheduled coffee plantation tour (see Big Island – WEST).
A very accessible beach!
Spotting sea turtles!
The black sand means extra warmth!
Locals waiting to drive people to Papakolea Green Sand Beach.
Hiking along the rugged coast!
Papakolea Green Sand Beach
Getting down into the bowl was pretty fun!
It really is green!
We chose to trail run back instead!
A very accessible beach!
Spotting sea turtles!
The black sand means extra warmth!
Locals waiting to drive people to Papakolea Green Sand Beach.
Hiking along the rugged coast!
Papakolea Green Sand Beach
Getting down into the bowl was pretty fun!
It really is green!
We chose to trail run back instead!
And that’s the whole island! We continue to pack an insane amount of things into each day, so if you are the travel type who likes to linger, you’ll want to spread out all of these activities from our four Big Island blogs over a longer span than 5 days. We highly suggest Hawaii’s Big Island if you are looking for an adventure trip! You won’t find the Honolulu high rises and massively overcrowded beaches here- and that’s just fine.
Hawaii’s Big Island sure did not disappoint!