Kalapana Travel Guide

Tourist 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.
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.
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 breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (571 reviews)
The room was clean and comfortable.The surrounding of the house was amazing.We could even have a short trip in the jungle around the house.

Reviewed on 28 Feb 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 3.122.791 ₫ per night from 11 Mar to 12 Mar
3.122.791 ₫
3.707.128 ₫ total
11 Mar - 12 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Pahoa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Kehena Beach and SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (21 reviews)
The property is welcoming, accommodating, and the perfect blend of a social yet private environment. Very convenient to Kehena Beach. Jeff, the on site manager, is awesome!

Reviewed on 26 Feb 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 3.488.984 ₫ per night from 4 Mar to 5 Mar
3.488.984 ₫
4.141.843 ₫ total
4 Mar - 5 Mar
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! (233 reviews)
Room was spotless, we had everything needed for a couple of days, arriving and departing were very easy.

Reviewed on 15 Feb 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 Kehena Beach ...
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
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

Explore the great outdoors at Thurston Lava Tube and enjoy the volcano viewpoints during your trip to Pahoa. While you're in the area, wander around the natural setting.

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 romantic 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

Cities near Kalapana

Pahoa showing rugged coastline, night scenes and mist or fog

Pahoa