Hawaii Volcano Tours

chasis on 06/01/2020 - 11:02

Happy new year Ozbargainers,

I managed to get a couple of the $308 Jetstar tickets to Hawaii in May. Looking at tour options and reviews, it sounds like a helicopter or boat tour over/around the volcano on Big Island is a must. But a bit more of a read seems to say that there hasn't been active lava flow for over a year.

I was hoping someone who has gone recently would be able to tell me if this is the case and if it is still a worthwhile activity if there is no lava flow?

Any other suggestions about what to do would be appreciated too. We plan to spend 3 days on Big Island and 5 days in Honolulu.

Thanks in advance.

PS. I've made a poll below for which volcano activity is worth doing.

Poll Options

  • 0
    Helicopter Tour
  • 0
    Boat Tour
  • 3
    Drive/Walk around
  • 8
    Not worth doing
Travel Hawaii North America United States

Comments

  • MS Paint on 06/01/2020 - 11:23
    +5

    Too soon?

  • elgrande on 06/01/2020 - 11:23
    +3

    Troll post?

    • chasis on 06/01/2020 - 14:14
      +1

      nope.

  • unco on 06/01/2020 - 11:30
    +3

    Went in September, no lava flow. Our guide said that the locals are worried because when there was lava flow, they could at least see where the activity was.
    Now that there has been no flow for a year, there must be pressure building up somewhere.

    We did a circle tour of the big island with this company.
    It was a whole day experience but we enjoyed being able to see everything in the limited amount of time that we had on the big island.
    https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g29217-d…

    Tour guide Kala was absolutely amazing, would recommend checking that you've got him!

    On our tour, we had a couple that flew in from Honolulu first thing in the morning just for the tour, then were dropped back at the airport just in time for their departure. I guess that's one way of seeing the whole island in one day haha.

    • chasis on 06/01/2020 - 12:00
      +1

      Thanks very much. I'll check out the tour.

  • Fysh on 06/01/2020 - 11:33
    +2

    When I was younger I went into a "dormant" volcano and it was a great experience for the Adrenalin and worry that came with the possibility something could happen. That volcano went kaboom a few years later. In the grand scheme of things that is not a lot of time in volcano years. I personally wouldn't have done it if I really knew the risks as well as the possibility of screwing ya lungs on toxic gases that are around.

    Mostly the inside of a volcano is rubble so the best walk / views are kms away walking through the more fertile lands taking a few photos etc that surround it etc.

  • Marty-69 on 06/01/2020 - 11:41
    +2

    Just returned, there's no active lava flow on the Big Island but lot of active steam vents in the park.
    Imo a helicopter tour is not worth it. You get a really good overview from the different lookouts and make sure to drive the Chain of Craters Road. I did a hike to the volcano floor, quite easy 2 hours return. Another hike was through the lava landscape to the Makaopuhi Crater, 4 hours return. Lots of historical stuff on the west side of the island and Mauna Kea is closed because of protests.

    If you get a chance, go to Kauai (the Garden Island). There're direct flights from the Big Island (Kona) to Lihue. It's small but beautiful and worth a helicopter tour. Waimea Canyon State Park and the Napali Coast are a must-see. Since it's the oldest island, it's a lot greener and a lot less barren volcano landscape than the youngest Big Island. I think 80% or 90% is uninhabited.

    I've spent 5 days on the Big Island, 5 days on Kauai en 3 days Honolulu. I didn't like Honolulu/Waikiki, way too busy and touristy but after the Garden Island, everything is busy.

    • chasis on 06/01/2020 - 12:02

      Thanks for the tips!

  • indium on 06/01/2020 - 11:43
    +2

    Can recommend Blue Hawaiian Helicopters Kauai tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3mVpS0Luk4

    Family member did the volcano tour on big island with Blue Hawaiian and although no lava flow still said it was worth it

  • EightImmortals on 06/01/2020 - 11:46
    +1

    You should totally do this.
    https://paradisecopters.com/magnum-p-i-s-chopper-flying-agai…

  • Skramit on 06/01/2020 - 11:54
    +2

    I did a bike riding tour down the Maui volcano. Was really cool (and fast!)

  • donbot on 06/01/2020 - 12:38
    +2

    Switch your days around, 3 in waikiki, 5 in big island (or other islands as people have mentioned). You'll see what I mean.. Waikiki is an overpriced gold coast. Blergh!

    Get a convertible and drive around the big island (yes, the whole island). Best advice I ever got - the open top roof just makes it such a better drive and feel much more scenic. Plus, its actually a great drive to do - good roads, minimal tourists and plenty of places to stop in.

    From the chain of craters road where its desolate and barren, to north of Hilo where its stupidly green and lush, its ridiculous. Plus, that way can stop in at the black sand beach down south, the crystal clear beaches up in the north west of the island… its great!

    • Skramit on 06/01/2020 - 13:06

      Waikiki is an overpriced gold coast.

      This and in my experience is full of american 21 y.o.'s looking to drink, party and be rowdy. I didn't enjoy waikiki apart from the beach.

      • donbot on 06/01/2020 - 13:46
        +1

        The beach is beautiful, albeit very shallow. If it wasnt for the masses of people overcrowding it, it'd be great! Kauna'oa (Mauna Kea) Beach on the big island was paradise. Quiet and relaxed with a distinct lack of chumps. Just got to have a car!

        Also - big island weather is insanely different. I believe Kona side is way drier than the Hilo side as a general rule. When we there, it was blue sunny skies in Kona, and drenching rain in Hilo. Not sure if thats an April thing, but something to consider as I'd have been annoyed if we stayed in Hilo and it only rained.

        • Skramit on 06/01/2020 - 13:49
          +1

          The beach is beautiful, albeit very shallow.

          Yes and very picturesque with the volcano at the end.

          I remember quite vividly wading out about 30m and seeing heaps of huge turtels swimming around us. Very cool!

    • chasis on 06/01/2020 - 14:15

      Thanks. I was keen to take 1-2 days off Waikiki and goto Kauai, but the girlfriend wants to do the shops and all the touristy stuff.

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