volcano uprise with hubby

[rynker]

We're going to be at Bay Club in Kona. We want to see the lava flow. We are in disagreement on time factor. I think we need to rent a room somewhere to enjoy the time spent on traveling to the volcano.........he says we can do it all in one day, "no problem." We don't want it to be like a movie scene from "Family Vacation" when Chevy Chase is at the Grand Canyon and spends 2 minutes so he can get somewhere else. Does anyone know the time factor from Bay Club to volcanic action? Any advice and input will be greatly appreciated..........just a special note.........we are not touristy people. We love the beach and relaxation, but to see the lava flow is a priority for us to see. Thanks

 

[Luanne]

From the Bay Club I'd say at least 3 hours each way. We did it one time in one day. Never again. If you are planning to hike out to see the flow (if that is even an option currently) you'd never be able to do it in one day.

 

[DeniseM]

When we were on the BI last summer we stayed 2 nights at the Volcano Hotel and then drove on to Kona. We spent the first day at the Volcano park and then the 2nd day we took the long route to Kona (north route) and spent the day sightseeing on the way to Kona. We flew into Hilo (45 min. from the park) and flew out of Kona to do this conveniently.

It's 90 miles and about 2.5 hours one way the short way (south from Kona) - map

One thing to consider is that if you plan to hike out to the lava, the drive to the trail head and hike to the lava flow could be a 4-5 hour round-trip or more, and you will still want to see the rest of the park. Also - the lava is not always flowing and not always accessible, so check right before you go. Park website It certainly could be done as a day-trip, but it would be a long day, and tiring if you hike out the the lava flow and then have to drive back 2.5 hours in the dark.

It would be fun to spend the night. There is actually a hotel in the park with a view of the crater that would put you right in the middle of things. Volcano House

If you want something less expensive, but still in the park, you could stay at the Kilauea Military Camp (rustic resort for military and retired military and their families) if you have someone in the military who can make the Resv. for you.

There are also accommodation in nearby Volcano Village - but for one night, I would stay in the park.

 

[Luanne]

There are also accommodation in nearby Volcano Village - but for one night, I would stay in the park.

And I disagree, only because we love the Kilauea Lodge in Volcano Village. We have stayed there just for one night many times.

http://www.kilauealodge.com/

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

If the lava is accessible for night viewing, you should definitely do that. That will also make it much more feasible to spend a night somewhere near the volcano. (We give a strong recommendation for Bed and Breakfast Mountain View, which is halfway between Hilo and Volcano.)

When we've gone to the Big Island, we've found that by adding an extra two nights at someplace near the volcano, we can fly midweek. The savings in air fare (or the greater availability of frequent flyer miles) pays for the cost of the extra accommodations.

 

[debraxh]

The only way to guarantee you'll see the lava flow is to take a helicopter tour. And I guess that's not really guaranteed if there's no lava flowing above ground at the time of your visit.

The ability to view lava flow from the ground changes frequently & dramatically. Most likely you'll not be allowed to get very close. Depending on the conditions at the time it may be a football field away, or even further.

If you do hike to the lava viewing in the evening, then I would recommend spending the night nearby (Volcano or Hilo). It's a long drive back in the dark, and even longer if it's raining.

 

[lynne]

I do not know when your trip is planned, but....
The sulfuric acid conditions are very bad due to the recent eruption a little over a day ago. Most of the park is closed at the moment. You will need to keep checking daily for updates on the park and lava viewing. Right now the VOG throughout the island is heavy on the west side.

The lava eruption was a surprise to everyone but the good news is that it happened at a time when there was no one in the area. If you have an opportunity to view the flows - it is an incredible experience.

 

[rynker]

We are going in the third week of June. I appreciate all your input and information. Do you recommend that we wait closer to when we depart to see if there is a flow? We didn't realize it was that inconsistent on lava flow.

 

[Luanne]

We are going in the third week of June. I appreciate all your input and information. Do you recommend that we wait closer to when we depart to see if there is a flow? We didn't realize it was that inconsistent on lava flow.

If you think there is a chance you might spend the night in the Volcano area, I would make the reservation now (and make sure you can cancel it with no penalty). If you wait until the last minute you may not be able to find someplace.

We visit Volcano Park each time we visit the Big Island, and have never hiked out to see the flow. We started to one year, and realized we couldn't do it. I know many, many people say it's the highlight of their trip. But, there is much to see even if you don't make it out to where it's flowing. I think someone mentioned that at times the only way to guarantee seeing the flow is to take a heliocoptor tour.

Sometimes the flow varies from day to day.

 

[DeniseM]

We are going in the third week of June. I appreciate all your input and information. Do you recommend that we wait closer to when we depart to see if there is a flow? We didn't realize it was that inconsistent on lava flow.

The lava flow changes & moves all the time and and sometimes there is no flow at all. I agree with Luanne, make a cancelable reservation for accommodations.

 

[DeniseM]

We started to one year, and realized we couldn't do it.

What happened?

 

[Luanne]

What happened?

If I remember correctly it was dh, me, our two daughters (who were pretty young) and our aupair. We had flashlights, one went out, the lava was hard to walk on (and I'm not particularly sure footed). We had no idea how long it was going to take us to get out there, and the final straw was when we saw a family heading back towards us with one of their kids all cut up from falling on the lava rocks. Just didn't seem like a real fun thing to do.

 

[BevL]

It can be done in one day, but it is a long day. The first time we went to the Big Island, we were two families with a number of kids, so it would be have four hotel rooms and we just couldn't afford it. We did the trip from Paniolo Greens, which is a few minutes from the Bay Club to Hilo, stopping for waterfalls, etc., along the way. Then out to the Park, not a lot of time hiking the lava tubes, etc., but then we did hike out to the lava flow, which was accessible at that time, around sunset. HIked back in the dark and drove back.

It's a long, tiring day. We've been back twice since then and both times have stayed in Hilo, once at a bed and breakfast, and this last time we stayed at a hotel in Hilo. No kids with us so we can afford it and it makes for a much nicer trip.

 

[lynne]

Chain of Craters Road is closed at the moment due to the fumes. A new temporary viewing area has been set-up outside of the park - off of route 130http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lavaflows.htm.

I am sure by June, the flow will change again.

 

[IreneLF]

Daily lava update

To find out lava conditions on the island, updated on a daily basis
as well as some helpful tips about hiking conditions, and road closures due to lava:::

808 985 6000

 

[debraxh]

After reading my earlier reply, it sounds very negative and that wasn't my intent. We were disappointed by what we could see when we did the hike to the flow back in 2001. I wish that someone had told us what it would really be like and perhaps our expectations would have been more realistic and we wouldn't have left disappointed. I didn't have a digital camera back then but I have a couple of pics I could scan if you're interested, just let me know.

We did have a great time though, except for the drive back to Kona in a torrential rainstorm along the Hamauka coast!

 

[Jim Bryan]

I'll be on the Big Island Wed. the 27th. We are staying 15 mins. from the Volcano but I'm not curious about it. We will probably jut relax for a couple of days before going up to Paniolo in Waikoloa.

 

[reddiablosv]

Lava viewing and the trip from the Bay Club.

Hi, I just got back from the Bay Club on the 22nd. It really is 2.5 to 3 hours from Waikoloa to the volcano state park. The chain of craters road is closed as is 1/2 of the road around the rim of the crater. However, right now, at night the steam vent in the center of the crater glows bright red. So driving to the park and back is doable. The rub is that the lava flow is about a 1.5 hour drive away from the Park. It is located on private property off of Highway 130. You can drive almost to where the lava can be viewed flowing into the ocean. Your walk is about 600 feet on a clearly marked trail. We hiked down to it at sunset and got to view it in day and nightime conditions. You definitly want to view it at night. It was very spectacular. Now do I believe you could do all of this in one day and return to the Bay Club that night. Sure you could, but scince it is your husbands idea not to stay overnight, make sure he does all the driving!! The last car allowed in to view the night time flow is 8PM. You should be home by no later than 1AM.!! And while you are at it suggest that he return to Waikaloa via the Saddle road. A night trip over that road while he is already exhausted will guarantee that next time you suggest that you stay overnight, he will listen to you. Ben

 

[daventrina]

... We had flashlights, one went out, the lava was hard to walk on (and I'm not particularly sure footed). ...

And it is very very DARK.