Volcano Water's edge Lava Hike
(click on pictures to enlarge)
Located at the Volcano National park, this trip takes about 2 hour
ride from KonaLani Inn. There is $10 entrance fee (good for one
week) to enter the national park. You proceed to the visitor center
and turn back the way you came and take the road closest to the toll booth.
Proceed past the Thurston Lava tube to Crater Drive and down the hill
(20 miles) to the end of the road. Park and walk out to the lava flows.
The best lava viewing (if there is none on the surface) is the fall
out of the lava tube into the sea. This is at the very end after
you pass all the steam coming out of the ocean. Since the wind is from
the northeast (trade winds) you can see best after you get on the northeast
side of the flow. Depending on how far from the end of the road you
park this is about an hour hike in and out. Bring good walking shoes
and water. Air quality may be poor as volcano gases are acid and irritating
especially to people with lung problems.