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Day Trips: Volcano Tours from Oahu

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Latest reviews of Day Trips: Volcano Tours from Oahu

Not worth the trip when there's no lava.

Flying one hour to a volcano that isn't active isn't worth the effort, time or money. We also saw 2 waterfalls, a lava tunnel, a lava field and Hilo, the town with the airport and closest to the volcano park. But again a ... more ll not worth the time, effort and money to go. Our guide, Dexter was good but he can't make up for the missing attractions.

This was a great tour!

We went to a black sand beach, bakery ( try the malasadas they're amazing), craters, lava field, lava tube, and steam vents. We didn't get to try their lunch because someone in the group was car sick(hard to eat when ... more someone is vomiting right in front of you) For the helicopter ride we went down the coastline instead of over the volcanoes due to weather around there. The pilot was amazing! He was very knowledgeable, funny, and friendly. This tour would have been a lot better if it wasn't raining (rains there a lot so bring a raincoat just incase) and we didn't have someone who got carsick. That wasn't the tours fault and I definitely would do this tour again.

This experience was amazing our tour guide Dexter was great explaining everything very well accomodating everyone’s needs would highly recommend this tour.

If not for the rain

Our quide, Dexter was excellent. He was very thoughtful and professional. He made an otherwise rainy, gloomy day a fun day. The tour gave us a great overview.

Big Island Tour

Perfectly organised day, from communication prior to the day to everyone involved in sny part of the tour. The guide was great, hugely knowledgeable and interesting. The helicopter trip was perhaps the most incredible ... more thing I have ever done. The ground crew were superb and the pilot made it the best trip ever. After waiting 30 years to do this tour it didn't disappoint. Could not recommend it highly enough.

Good tour, but you can't schedule nature

The timings and organisation of the tour were good. We were picked up from the airport and taken to see the Volcano National Park sites with a good guide who kept us informed and was accommodating of our needs. Unfortuna ... more tely you can't schedule nature and we didn't see any volcanic activity apart from a little steam, but it was still interesting, especially the lava tube. We had a helicopter tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters to finish off with, but I will not review that part, I will review their admin however. We really wanted a copy of the video of our flight as it was for a 50th birthday, but due to a technical difficulty could not get it at the time. We were told to just drop them a line, but after several emails and calls, still nothing - very disappointed in them.

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Hawaii Volcano Tours in Volcanoes National Park

Hike the Most Epic Lava Tours in Hawaii

Hawaii Volcano Tour: The Greatest Show on Earth

• Most Popular!

Epic Hawaii National Volcano Park Tours

Have the experience of a lifetime with our unique tour of Hawaii’s Volcano National Park and learn about its history while seeing the park’s most fascinating features! Book online.

• Hour Glass 2 Hours
• Clock 5am, 2pm, 8:30pm

Currently we can only offer the Epic Volcano Park tour . It is two to three hours of fun education on the volcano with one of our expert guides… they are super passionate and know everything about Kilauea.

It is not possible to approach the lava safely in its current location but it can be viewed from the overlook areas. We bring telescopes and cameras to maximize your view and send you home with great high-end pictures and videos of the summit eruption.

• The 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. tours are two hours in the prime viewing times.
• The 2:00 p.m. has much less visual viewing of the glowing lava but is longer and is a more interpretative tour that lasts three hours.

Epic Night Time Photography Tour

Come with us into Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park when it is literally yours to explore! Capture the volcano and the stars in breathtaking detail as you find the night’s best locations and are amazed by the park’s fascinating landscapes. Book your Hawai’i volcano photography tours online!

• Hour Glass 3 Hours
• Clock 1 a.m.

Welcome to EpicLava Tours in Hawaii!

EpicLava is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the world’s most powerful force! Get ready for fun as we guide you to the current eruptive activity and the greatest attractions of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We specialize in informative but relaxed tours that leave you with an understanding of the surrounding area, the basics of how our volcanoes work and the current activity that they are displaying.

We offer group and private tours, so feel free to contact us so we can help plan the perfect tour for your needs!

At EpicLava, our priorities are SAFETY and making sure your lava tours in Hawaii provides memories that will last a lifetime.

Explore Our Hot Reviews with EpicLava Tours!

I would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to get up close and personal with Lava! I have to say it was one of the best tours I have EVER done!

We had a fantastic guide Matthew guiding our group. He had us up early hiking out over the lava flows to the most active parts, and we were lucky to have a major flow erupt right by us while we were exploring.

To put it succinctly: the guides (Jon and Jeff) are THE people you want escorting you through the volcanoes. Jon’s energy is contagious, and Jeff’s stories are–literally–legendary. More than just a tour of the area, you get a tour through time, with personal stories that help color the experience. I would recommend these guys to anyone who has a real interest in experiencing the history, not just looking at the land. Thanks, guys!

Epic Lava has most experienced and friendly guides. They shared many stories of their experiences and they even helped us take amazing photos.

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One Day Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Experience departing from Oahu

*Prices subject to change based on Airline availability

Take our one day tours from Oahu to the Big Island of Hawaii and experience the world’s most active volcano. Round trip inter-island airfare gets you to the Big Island for a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea volcano and the volcanic sites of Hawaii.

Tour Highlights

• Round trip Inter-Island Airfare from Oahu
• Friendly, Expert Volcano Tour Guide
• Visit to Kona Town
• Punalu’u sweet bread bakery
• Punalu’u black sand beach
• Kilauea Iki Rainforest Overlook
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Kilauea Visitors Center
• Active Volcanic Steam Vents
• Thurston lava tube
• National Park Admission
• Halema’uma’u Crater Overlook

Water, juice, soda, and snacks provided No-host lunch stop at local restaurant

What to bring: comfortable clothes, walking shoes, light jacket, sunscreen.

Duration: aprox. 10hrs.

• Description

About Your Tour

Here is your chance to visit Hawaii’s only active volcano and see the youngest of the Hawaiian Islands. On this one day tour, you’ll visit the town of Kona, sites like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Punalu’u black sand beach and discover the life of the Hawaii’s most active volcano.

This exciting tour to Hawaii’s most distinct feature is sure to highlight your vacation. Book your tour today and witness the power of Kilauea volcano and the Big Island.

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Popular Tours  ★

Hawaii volcano tours from Oahu are the perfect way to experience the rich volcanic history of the Hawaiian Islands. Tours to Hawaii’s most active volcano, Kilauea volcano departind daily from Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Kona on the Big Island. Feel the excitement of Big Island’s Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and experience the power of Hawaii’s volcanic landscape.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Experience From Oahu

Experience the power of Hawaii’s most active volcano. Circle the Big Island on the Hawaii Volcanoes National park experience. Walk on one of the largest black sand beaches in Hawaii, sip a cup of the Famous Kona Coffee, and stand at the summit of the worlds most continuously active volcano Kilauea

Book Your Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Experience today!

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Hawaii Volcano Expeditions

Experience the adventure of a lifetime, aloha and welcome.

Hawaii volcano expeditions are something that not everyone gets to experience. Volcanoes speckle the islands, and while your initial instinct is likely to veer away from exploring them, you’d be doing yourself a great disservice by not viewing these natural wonders! They’re a part of Hawaiian culture and history, so if you’re looking to get the most out of your Hawaiian excursion and truly see all there is to see, then a Hawaii volcano tour should be part of your travel itinerary.

What we offer

Tours by air, tours by foot, tours by bus, top hawaii volcano tours.

Oahu to Hilo: Volcano Adventure Tour

Difficulty rating.

Easy to Moderate

Tour Duration

Volcano Adventure Tour (from Hilo)

Elite Volcano Hike (From Kona)

Circle of Fire Helicopter Tour – Hilo

The View from Above

If you’re aiming to get the best view of a volcano, you’re going to want an overhead view. Through a variety of available packages, your chances to see some of these natural beauties from above increases tenfold. A selection of helicopter tours, offered with an open-door view to give an unprecedented view of the surrounding region, are readily available for adventurers that aren’t weary of heights. 

Tourists will explore the most active volcanoes around the globe, including Kilauea volcano located on the main island of Hawaii. Along with an aerial view of the beauty of these monumental natural structures, you’ll soar over lush forests, crystal clear waters, and black sanded beaches during your Hawaii volcano expedition. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Read our answers to our customers’ common questions. 

Everyone who visits Hawaii Volcanoes National Park wants to see lava.  You go there hoping to see lava fountaining into the air like on a National Geographic magazine.

Sorry to tell you, most visitors do not see lava.

Here’s why: Lava is dangerous. As soon as lava is fountaining or flowing in a certain area, Hawaii Civil Defense determines if it is safe to allow people near it.  Usually it is not safe and the area is closed off.

How to see lava on a volcano tour

The best way to be sure you will see lava is to take a helicopter volcano tour. You will see it from hundreds of feet away, but it is still magnificent.

The chances of seeing lava from a helicopter are very high, but not guaranteed. Volcanoes are extremely unpredictable. Volcanic activity changes every day. The lava flow moves and the surface cools.

Do not make the mistake of going on a volcano tour to see lava. There are so many other reasons to go on a volcano tour. Our volcanoes have an amazing history, cultural significance, biological uniqueness, geological wonder, and a beauty like no other place in the world.

People who go just to see lava and don’t see it are disappointed.  People who go to appreciate everything else about the volcano enjoy themselves. If you do see lava on a volcano tour, it is a bonus and you are a lucky one.

You want a quick answer? Sorry, the answer is constantly changing.

As we mention all over this site, the volcano is active. That means that it is moving and hard to pin down. You might see photos from a friend who saw lava flowing into the ocean a month ago, but now it is nowhere to be seen.

This is why a  volcano tour  is the best way to view the volcanoes. Tours will take you to see the sights in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Then the guide will use his contacts to find where you have the best chance of seeing lava.

Sometimes it is best viewed from inside the National Park. Sometimes it is by the shore in Kalapana. Sometimes it can only be seen from helicopters. Some days you can’t see lava anywhere you look.

The key to an enjoyable visit to the Big Island volcanoes is to go for the volcanoes and consider any sighting of lava as a bonus. If you’re whole purpose is to see lava, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment.

If you insist that lava is your focus, then a  helicopter tour  has the best chance of seeing lava. The pilots search for lava and communicate where the sighting is the best.  When you get close, you can actually feel the heat from inside the helicopter.

Five different Volcanoes are on the Big Island of Hawaii:

• Kilauea volcano

Mauna Kea Volcano Summit. 13,796 ft. Photo https://flic.kr/p/4h5JWS

Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in Hawaii. It is also the tallest sea mountain in the world. From it’s base at the bottom of the ocean floor it is 33,000 feet taller than Mount Everest.  Mauna Kea hasn’t erupted for thousands of years, but is still considered dormant and could erupt again.

Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on earth in terms of volume.

Kilauea is the volcano that most visit us to see.  It is the most active volcano in the world. It began erupting in 1983 and continues to erupt today.

Vog is volcanic fog. It is similar to smog in that it is dirty with particles that are not in typical fog.

Vog is formed when gases from the erupting volcano get into the air, mix with sunlight, oxygen and moisture.

Like smog, vog is not healthy for humans, plants or animals. Many people living near Kilaeau, experience headaches and respitory issues from vog.

Visitors on our tours will see and breath vog, but we rarely have visitors who complain of health issues as a result. Generally, complaints come more often from prolonged exposure by those living near the volcano.

Nevertheless, we encourage all visitors to pay attention to their bodies and take the following precautions:

• Drink lots of fluids
• Don’t overexert
• Don’t smoke

Does vog smell like sulfer? A little bit.

More Information about the Latest Big Island Volcanic Activity:

• Update September 17, 2023: The Kilauea summit eruption that began on September 10, 2023, has ended.  There is currently no lava activity.
• Seismicity and volcanic gas emission rates remain elevated
• Flights to and from Kona International Airport (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO) are not affected and are operating as scheduled.
• All visitor accommodations and activities on the Big Island are operating normally.
• For more information please visit: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kilaueaupdate.htm

5 Easy Day Trip Big Island Volcano Tours From Oahu Hawaii

Looking for Big Island volcano tours from Oahu but intimidated at the prospect? Look no further!

I lived on the Big Island for a year and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) was one of my favorite places to go hiking. If you have the opportunity to visit, even from a different island, I highly recommend it!

I have a list of Big Island volcano tours from Oahu to meet different needs! Whether a group or private van tour, a helicopter tour, or self guided tour, you have options.

Short on time? Get to the point with my top choice tour:

Aloha Sunshine Tours

I love how they take care of all the logistics from inter-island air tickets to loading you onto your air-conditioned van on the Big Island to take you to the volcano, so all you have to do is show up!

Best Hawaii Volcano Tours from Oahu

Because there is no active volcano on Oahu and Kilauea is not in Honolulu, you’ll have to fly to the Big Island to see it.

These tours will make it easy for you to get from Oahu to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in a day.

1. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Experience from Oahu with Aloha Sunshine Tours

⭐ Rating : 5 out of 5 stars 🕑 Start Time : 8:00am ⏳ Tour Length : 12 hrs

>> Check Rates & Availability Here! <<

Aloha Sunshine Tour includes:

• Round trip interisland flight from Honolulu to Kona
• Expert volcano tour guide & air-conditioned vehicle
• Snacks & drinks
• Visit a Kona coffee farm, Punalu’u Bake Shop, and Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Admission: Kilauea Visitors Center, Kilauea Iki Rainforest Overlook, Volcanic Steam Vents, Thurston lava tube , Halema’uma’u Crater Overlook
• Duration : 9hr tour + flight time

Take the quick 45-min flight from Oahu to the Big Island and get picked up by your tour guide. Make a stop at a coffee farm for some delicious Kona coffee.

Stop at Punalu’u Bake Shop for some of the best malasadas on the island (lilikoi is a favorite!).

Count turtles on Punalu’u Black Sand Beach . 

Enter Hawaii Volcanoes National Park , meeting a park ranger at the visitor center , getting blasted by warm steam vents , taking in the view of the ginormous Kilauea Crater (hopefully she’s smoking!), walking through Thurston Lava Tube , and enjoying the Kilauea Iki rainforest view. 

Stop at a local restaurant for a no-host lunch (pay at own expense). 

After a full day of exploring the world’s longest continuously erupting volcano, catch your flight back to Oahu.

What a great and fun filled day! We really enjoyed this tour! The day was setup well and the transportation from start to finish was easy and well put together. Mel was a great guide and kept people engaged. John – read more reviews

2. Volcanoes National Park Safari Helicopters Tour

⭐ Rating : 4.5 out of 5 stars 🕑 Start Time : 8:00am-3:30pm ⏳ Tour Length : 55 min ⚠️ Likely to Sell Out!

Safari Helicopters Tour includes:

• Flight in an ASTAR B2 helicopter (doors on)
• Pilot narration of terrain and history
• Flight tour over Kilauea volcano, Leilani Estates, Hilo, and waterfalls.
• Maximum 6 passengers
• No Minimum age; lap child allowed
• Weight sensitive tour – individual weight not to exceed 249lbs or extra seat purchase may be necessary
• Not included : gratuities, snacks
• Duration : 55 minutes

Fly yourself from Honolulu, Oahu and catch a helicopter tour right from Hilo International Airport

Take off on an unforgettable 55 min , doors-on helicopter flight around Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, checking out three distinct rift zones :

• Upper East Rift Zone ( Napau, Mauna Ulu, and Halemaumau Craters)
• Middle East Rift Zone (Pu’u O’o Vent)
• Lower East Rift Zone (site of 2018 eruption: Leilani Estates and Isaac Hale Park )

Get a bird’s eye view of the incredible power that Kilauea has to simultaneously destroy and create.

Your pilot will talk about the history and science of what you are looking at as well as offer opportunities for any questions you might have through the two way headset .

You’ll also have views flying over lush forests and gushing waterfalls . 

A helicopter ride over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will not be an experience you’ll soon forget.

“This was my first experience in a helicopter and it did not disappoint! The views of the volcanoes were spectacular even on a cloudy day. Seeing the waterfalls and landscapes was breathtaking. Our pilot was incredible and I felt completely safe the entire time. “ Jessica – read more reviews

3. Private Sprinter Van Tour: Kona Coast to Volcanoes National Park

⭐ Rating : 5 out of 5 stars 🕑 Start Time : varies ⏳ Tour Length : 9.5 hrs

Big Island VIP Private Tour from Kona includes:

• Private tour in air-conditioned 10 passenger Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van
• National Park Certified Interpretive Guide 
• Informational videos between stops
• Fully customizable itinerary to fit your preferences 
• Items provided for use: sunscreen, bug repellent, trekking poles, binoculars, raincoats, and umbrellas; booster seats for smaller children 
• Bottled water and snacks 
• Free photos of you and your family 
• Not included : gratuities, brunch & lunch, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park entrance fee $15 Per Person
• Duration : 9.5hrs
• Operated by Big Island VIP

First, fly yourself to Kona from Honolulu . Then take a 5 minute cab ride from the airport to meet your private tour guide at Kona Mountain Coffee.

The tour company can drop you off at the airport, but not pick you up due to regulations.

Be sure to grab a cup of 100% Kona coffee before heading out on your private island adventure.

Drive over Saddle Road between volcanoes Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Stop and see Rainbow Falls cascading over a lava cave, drive through Liliuokalani Park and Gardens , and see black sand beach (and maybe turtles!) at Richardson Ocean Park .

Informative videos play in the van in between stops to update your knowledge on upcoming stops.

Head to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to see Kilauea up close and personal. Get blasted by volcanic steam vents, take in a panoramic crater view, walk through a 400yr old lava tube, and more! The “must see” park sites take about 3-4hours to enjoy.

Complimentary photos are included to help commemorate the day!

Optional sites to add to your tour could include (but not limited to) 1-3 of these:

• The Painted Church
• Punalu’u Black sand beach
• Volcano House for souvenir/art shopping
• Lunch at the Rim Restaurant
• Akatsuka Orchid Gardens
• Volcano Winery
• Or take advantage of the extra time to hike a trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

“Outstanding Tour Gide Rob. Perfect. Extremely knowledgeable and friendly. A real gentleman. AND his tour was professionally done down to the minuets detail. Thoroughly enjoyed and valued this all day trip. Rob took the time to acquaint us with items of interest that I doubt other guides would have.” john – read more reviews

4. Private Sprinter Van Tour: Hilo to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

⭐ Rating : 5 out of 5 stars 🕑 Start Time : 8:00am, 9:00am ⏳ Tour Length : 6 hrs

Big Island VIP Private Tour from Hilo includes:

• Private tour in air-conditioned 11 passenger Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van
• Vans have professionally wired headsets so everyone can hear
• Items provided for use: binoculars, ponchos; booster seats for smaller children 
• Not included : gratuities, lunch, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park entrance fee $15 Per Person
• Duration : 6hrs

For another private volcano Big Island tour from Oahu, start in Hilo for different scenery.

First, fly yourself to Hilo from Honolulu . Take a few minute cab ride from the airport to meet your private tour guide at Big Island Candies.

Be sure to stop inside for some free shortbread cookie samples before heading out!

Commence on your island tour through Liliuokalani Park , a historical Japanese garden, then down Banyan Drive , a road laden with banyan trees planted by famous people like Babe Ruth and Amelia Earhart.

Drive up the road to view crashing Rainbow Falls , 80ft of falling water.

Informative videos play in the van so you can appreciate upcoming sites.

Then take off for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park , stopping at the visitor center, steam vents, Uekahuna Overlook, and Thurston Lava Tube.

Have lunch and/or coffee at the Volcano House with a beautiful view of smoking Halemaumau crater.

Your tour will end with a stop at Richardson Ocean Park to see black sand beach and likely a sea turtle or two!

Optional sites to add to your tour could include (but not limited to) 1-4 of these:

• Coffee Farm
• Scenic drive including sea cliffs
• Hilo Farmer’s Market
• Akaka Falls (this pick will not allow time to eat lunch)

“What a great experience with Big Island VIP! Our guide Skylar was courteous, engaging and very knowledgeable about the park’s geology, flora and fauna. He even customized our trip based on our preferences, spending time in parts of the park that most tours don’t explore.” lorrie – read more reviews

5. Self-Guided Big Island Volcano Tour from Oahu – with Shaka Guide

Check Rates & Download the Shaka Guide app and tour here: 🌋 Volcanoes National Park Shaka Guide Tour 🌋

You can always DIY a Big Island volcano tour from Oahu as well. This gives you the flexibility of spending as much (or as little) time as you want at each site. 

First, book a flight and car rental from Honolulu to Hilo. 

Hilo is only about 30mins from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park compared to Kona which is 2.5hrs away. For maximum island time take the first flight out to Hilo and the last flight back to Honolulu.

You won’t be offroading so you can get rent a regular car vs a 4×4 . Get the car size that best suits your needs.

If the timing is right, I highly recommend stopping in Mountain View for breakfast (or second breakfast?) before entering the park. 

I love the deliciously squishy mochi donuts from Mt View Bakery . They have rotating flavors so you’ll never know what to expect. Grab one or two per person then take them next door for what I consider to be the best served coffee on the island . 

Koana serves “slow coffee”. Brian only serves pourover Big Island coffee which he roasts himself.

Get a full experience by smelling the bean varieties and watch as he meticulously and skillfully pours hot water over the freshly ground beans. This silky, fresh cup of coffee will undoubtedly blow your mind!

He also serves his own drinking chocolate concoction!

Enjoy your donuts and caffeine in the little garden before getting back on the road for the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park entrance. 

Entry fee for the park is $30 per vehicle.

While you can drive through the park sans guide, I highly suggest downloading the Shaka Guide’s audio guide Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour . I love the quirky voice that narrates sites as you drive along throughout the park with Hawaiian musical interludes. It will be like having an actual guided tour in your own car.

The main highlights you’ll want to hit are the Steam Vents , Uekahuna Overlook , Kilauea Iki Crater Lookout , and Thurston Lava Tube .

To see the active lava you’ll hike Crater Rim Trail from the Devastation Trail parking lot. The 1 mile hike is on a paved path until you divert to the right down a short gravel path to the viewing point. There you will get to see actual lava coming out of the caldera (if it’s “turned on”). 

Keeping track of time, take Chain of Craters Road all the way to the end, passing many craters you can stop at (including Devil’s Throat which is not marked on the map), a petroglyph field (a must hike if you have the time), and finally to the water’s edge to glimpse Holelei Sea Arch .

For a fancy lunch, I would make reservations at the Volcano House restaurant , with panoramic views looking into the steaming crater. Out of the park in Volcano Village are other options like Tuk-Tuk Thai Food Truck or Kilauea Lodge Restaurant .

The beauty of having your own car is being able to tour at your own pace. You might have time for other stops before your flight back to Oahu, like a wine tasting at Volcano Winery , a peak at Rainbow Falls , a climb through Kaumana Caves , or shopping in historic Hilo .

See? That wasn’t so hard to do a self-guided day trip from Honolulu to Volcanoes National Park, was it?

Know Before You Go 

If you are flying over from Oahu to the Big Island just for the day you are not going to be able to see the lava glowing and flowing in the dark; flight times are not going to accommodate that. Your only way of seeing lava in the dark is if you take a self-guided tour and stay the night on the Big Island.

Also, the Big Island guided volcano tours from Oahu do not include the 2-mile roundtrip hike to see the lava flow from the Crater Rim Road overlook. You will be able to see smoke fluming out of the caldera from the Uekahuna overlook, but no lava flow. 

If you take a helicopter tour you will fly over the caldera and also see the lava from above if it’s flowing.

Check current lava conditions here .

How to get from Oahu to the Big Island for a Volcano Tour?

The only way to get from Oahu to the Big Island for a volcano tour is to fly over. Oahu is 200 miles from the Big Island with lots of water in between. If you’re an avid swimmer, maaaayybbbee you could breaststroke your way across 😛

Otherwise, it’s a quick 45min flight from Honolulu to Kona or Hilo. Hawaiian Airlines or Southwest fly direct from Oahu to the Big Island. 

You’ll likely be taking the first flight of the morning to the Big Island and the last flight out (which isn’t very late). The trip will be a whirlwind, but if this is your only opportunity to come see the volcano then it’s the price that you’ll have to pay.

✈️ Book your Oahu to Big Island flights here! ✈️

What To Bring on A Big Island Volcano Tour From Oahu?

You’ll only be gone for the day so you won’t need to pack much on your volcano tour from Oahu to the Big Island, but you’ll want to be prepared for bipolar weather.

Kilauea is at 4,000ft elevation so some days it can get a little chilly, especially if it’s cloudy. Highs are usually mid 70s while the evenings often dip down to the 50s. The temperature warms up the further down Chain of Craters road you go. Thus, layers are highly recommended when visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. 

What to wear : Tank/tshirt Pants or shorts (depending how easily you overheat) Good walking shoes/sandals Light/rain jacket (which can double for warmth if it’s chilly) Hat (the desert sun can sometimes get brutal) Sunglasses 

Items to bring : Small daypack (to carry clothing layers and misc items) Camera Battery charger  

When is the Best Time for a Big Island Volcano Tour from Oahu?

Anytime is the best time to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and take a tour from Oahu to the Big Island. Temperature and weather vary little throughout the year. 

However, while Kilauea is an active volcano, the volcanic activity is too sporadic to predict. It could be spewing lava in the morning but by evening it can go to sleep.

Epilogue: Easy Day Trip Oahu Volcano Tour to the Big Island

An Oahu volcano tour to the Big Island is totally doable and something to seriously consider on your Hawaiian vacation. 

You have many choices like a Big Island in one day volcanoes, waterfalls, sightseeing, and history small group tour. Or a scenic helicopter tour over the volcano. Or even a self-guided tour with the help of a GPS audio guide.

Don’t let that little body of water called the Pacific Ocean keep you from experiencing an active volcano just because it’s on a different island!

Aloha! I'm Tabitha, an ex-travel agent turned travel blogger. I've lived from fire (Big Island Hawaii) to ice (Alaska) to the lukewarm (Washington State). I've traveled Europe, Scotland and England being my favorite, Costa Rica, Cancun, Canada, various US states, and more. No matter if it's a staycation or international vacation, every trip I take there are things to explore and discover! I'm here to take what I learn and help others think outside the box when composing their own travel itineraries.

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