Hawaii Volcano Tour Tips: Top Suggestions From Discount Hawaii Car Rental
From glowing lava at twilight to ancient lava tubes hidden in lush rainforests, A Hawaii volcano tour offers one of the most otherworldly experiences on Earth. And with a reliable rental car from Discount Hawaii Car Rental, your gateway to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is just a scenic drive away.
Whether you’re planning a self-guided trip or considering a tour with an expert guide, Discount Hawaii Car Rental is here to teach you how to see volcanoes in Hawaii in style. Here’s everything you need to know to explore the Big Island’s volcanic wonders safely, efficiently, and affordably.
1. Why Hawaii Volcano Tours Are a Must-Do
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, and Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano by volume. The park spans over 300,000 acres of diverse terrain, including lava fields, native rainforest, and dramatic crater vistas.
Since its renewed eruptive activity in December 2024, Kīlauea has been putting on a dazzling show, with occasional lava fountains, glowing lava lakes, and steam vents lighting up the night. That’s why this Hawaii Volcano tour is a must-see. It’s a rare chance to witness geology in action—and it’s accessible with just a short drive in the right Big Island car rental.
2. Self-Guided vs. Guided Volcano Tours
So, what is the best way to see volcanoes in Hawaii? Self-guided tours allow you to explore at your own pace. And best of all, you can start your tour right off the plane with rental pickups at all major Hawaiian airports.
Self-Guided Tours: The Creative Option
Choosing the DIY approach to volcano tours has several advantages compared to guided tours. Self-guided means you have the freedom to:
- Customize your route, traveling from the Sulphur Banks to the Thurston Lava Tube or from Kilauea Iki Crater to Chain of Craters Road
- Take your time for pictures or just to linger at scenic spots
- Get an early start to catch a sunrise
- Stay out late to see the lava glow
That said, a self-guided Hawaii volcano tour requires planning. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park requires an entry fee of $30 for private vehicles, and the pass is good for seven days. You’ll also want to check the USGS for volcano updates and park conditions.
Need help planning your route? Check out this guide to self-driving volcano tours.
Guided Tours: The Educational Experience
If you prefer to leave the logistics to someone else, a guided experience is what you’re after. Guided tours offer:
- Transportation, park entry, and expert commentary
- Lessons about the history, science, and cultural significance of each site
- Options, such as half-day van tours, full-day hikes, or twilight lava viewings
- Great experiences for first-timers, families, or those short on time
Want to rent a car and join a tour? Choose from several key pickup locations, including Waikoloa, Hilo, or Kona, for added convenience.
3. Top Stops for Your Hawaii Volcano Tour
Steaming Bluff & Sulphur Banks
Sure, you can’t wait to see volcanoes in Hawaii, but why not start your journey with a short, accessible walk, one with dramatic volcanic gas vents and vivid mineral deposits. Steaming Bluff and Sulphur Banks are two distinct, yet nearby, geothermal areas located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island.
At Steaming Bluff, visitors can witness the dramatic sight of hot water vapor rising from the ground. A short distance away, Sulphur Banks is characterized by the presence of volcanic gases, including sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, which contribute to the formation of vibrant sulfur deposits. These locations offer visitors a unique opportunity to observe the active geothermal processes of the volcano.
Nāhuku - Thurston Lava Tube
Next on your Hawaii volcano tour, take a walk through a rainforest into a massive lava cave. Nāhuku, commonly known as Thurston Lava Tube, offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore a geological wonder within a rainforest setting.
This massive lava cave, formed by ancient volcanic activity, provides an accessible and captivating experience. The walk through the tube is a relatively easy 20-minute loop, immersing hikers in a subterranean world that reveals the powerful forces that shaped the Hawaiian landscape.
Kīlauea Iki Trail
A moderate hike across a crater floor with steaming vents and breathtaking views. The 1959 eruption of Kilauea Iki produced spectacular lava fountains reaching up to 1,900 ft, and the resulting lava lake cooled unevenly, leaving steam vents and cracks visible on the crater floor even decades later. During the trail, hikers walk across areas that still emit steam and may feel warm underfoot on cool mornings. It’s a unique site, and one that prepares you to see Hawaii volcanoes with a deeper understanding.
Devastation Trail
Devastation Trail is a half-mile, paved volcano tour in Hawaii that gives visitors a glimpse at the stark aftermath of the 1959 Kilauea Iki eruption. It’s a physically easy pathway that passes through a field of volcanic cinder and opens to a clear view of the cinder cone, Pu‘upua‘i. The trail offers a visual contrast between barren terrain and the beginnings of natural recovery.
Chain of Craters Road
Chain of Craters Road is a scenic, roughly 19-mile drive descending 3,700 feet to the coast, ending at Hōlei Sea Arch. It was built in 1928 and extended in 1965, but lava flows have repeatedly impacted the road, most notably from the Puu Oo vent, which has buried over nine miles of the road and even severed parts of it. If you want to include this destination on your volcano tour in Hawaii, be sure to check current conditions at the Kilauea Visitor Center.
Kīlauea Overlook / Halemaʻumaʻu Crater
Finally, the Kilauea Overlook is a prime spot to see the glowing lava lake at night (bring binoculars). In May 2025, Kīlauea produced lava fountains reaching over 1,000 feet, marking one of its most spectacular recent eruptions.
Since the eruption began in December 2024, episodes of activity, including lava fountains and significant gas emissions, have continued intermittently at the summit. While visitors must stay outside closed zones, safe viewing points still offer unforgettable views when conditions allow.
Hawaii volcano tours offer unforgettable experiences for the whole family, and Discount Hawaii Car Rental offers the vehicles to get you there. So, when you’re ready to visit the Big Island and embrace the wonder it is to see a volcano in Hawaii, check out the no-hassle, free-booking experience of Discount Hawaii Car Rental. Aloha!
