one day trip to volcano park

We are only going to have one full day and 2 partials on the big island. Will arrive at Kona 4:30pm. Have a trip to the volcano park the next day. Most interested in seeing the flowing lava. How long does it take to get there form the motel and how are the roads?

( will be doing some travel at night I expect to get there and be able to enjoy the whole day.) The next morning we will swim with the dolphins at 9am - 10am. We have to leave the Kona airport at 2:30. Will that give us enough time to get to the airport and turn in the rental car? Are there places at the resort to get some souveniors of the big island? We won%26#39;t have much time to go many other places. One more question, how late are the different water things open? Will we have a chance to do any of them when we get there the first night?

one day trip to volcano park

Unfortunately, unless you take a helicopter, you won%26#39;t get much of a view of flowing lava. The lava flow is 3 miles from the end of the road, and the area surrounding the flow is off limits due to the danger of land collapsing.

From Waikoloa, it%26#39;s about a 3 hour drive to the volcano each way; maybe a little less depending on the traffic. The roads are in pretty good shape, though they are twisty and only 2 lanes. (Waikoloa is probably the worst place to stay if you are going to the volcano; it%26#39;s on the opposite side of the island.)

However, it%26#39;s probably about a half-hour drive from Waikoloa to the airport, so you should have time to shower, clean up, and get to the airport afterwards.

one day trip to volcano park

the last water or snorkel tour leaves at noon.

you will not see flowing lava unless you take an air tour from Kona.....Big island Air. cost about 250.@

When you get here at 430 it will be dark by the time you get to the hotel.....iit is a 4 hour drve to the park and annother 1 in it to get within a mile of the lava.....

Travel at night is on unlit, narrow roads with no services.....not good to do...... revise your plans

You do not have anywhere near enough time....

Check in, take an Air tour, see the Hilton dolphins.... cant do any more. sorry

Your schedule on the big island sounds very similar to ours. We didn%26#39;t swim the with the dolphins but did hang out and watch them.

This is a short summary of how we handled it.

Arrive in the evening: Hilo Airport

Took saddle road and went stargazing on Mauna Kea

Dinner at Merrimans

Arrive at Waikoloa Hilton

Next Morning: Only full day

Breakfast and watched dolphins at hotel

Go to the beach in the morning

Place of Refuge

Black Sand Beach

Volcano - Crater Rim Drive, Chain of Craters road

Walk out on Chain of Craters at dusk to see the flowing lava down the side and flowing into the ocean (yes, you can see the lava)

Back to Hotel

Last day and leave Big Island:

Went to Hilo for Helicopter Tour

Back to Saddle Road and up Mauna Kea

Botanical Gardens

Mauna Loa Factory

Left the island

We really enjoy seeing as much as we can! Hope that will help with your trip! Enjoy!