Chain of Craters Road Tours
6 Reviews
One of the most scenic roads on the Big Island, the Chain of Craters Road stretches for 19 miles (31 kilometers) from the summit of Kilauea Volcano to sea level, a change in elevation of 3,700 feet (1,128 meters). The drive offers stunning vistas across changing landscapes, access to different volcanic features, and other interesting sites.
The Basics
Along the Chain of Craters Road, there are numerous lookouts and opportunities to view features like pit craters, lava flows, and lava trees. Some of the features are visible from pull-offs, while others require a hike in. Don’t miss the Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs around mile marker 16. At the end of the road, a short walk leads you to 90-foot-high (27-meter-high) Holei Sea Arch and a chance to hike (no trail) to more recent lava flow.
A number of sightseeing tours, including bicycle tours and shore excursions from Hilo, include the Chain of Craters Road, along with other highlights in Hawaii Volcano National Park. Tours may stop at other area attractions such as Liliuokalani Gardens, Rainbow Falls, or Punalu’u Black Sand Beach.
Things to Know Before You Go
How to Get There
The Chain of Craters Road is located inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Take Highway 11 to the park, then take Crater Rim Drive for 3 miles (5 kilometers) to the start of the Chain of Craters Road.
When to Get There
The Chain of Craters Road can be visited at any time. Conditions can change daily, so always check at the visitor center before setting off. There’s plenty to do and see along the road, so it’s best to start earlier in the day and leave yourself lots of time.
Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs
The Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs in Hawaii Volcano National Park include more than 20,000 examples, the most on the islands, including pukas, circles, geometric designs, human figures, canoes, and other designs. The trail to the petroglyphs is around 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) round-trip, and visitors should take care not to wander off the walkway.
The Basics
Along the Chain of Craters Road, there are numerous lookouts and opportunities to view features like pit craters, lava flows, and lava trees. Some of the features are visible from pull-offs, while others require a hike in. Don’t miss the Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs around mile marker 16. At the end of the road, a short walk leads you to 90-foot-high (27-meter-high) Holei Sea Arch and a chance to hike (no trail) to more recent lava flow.
A number of sightseeing tours, including bicycle tours and shore excursions from Hilo, include the Chain of Craters Road, along with other highlights in Hawaii Volcano National Park. Tours may stop at other area attractions such as Liliuokalani Gardens, Rainbow Falls, or Punalu’u Black Sand Beach.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There are no gas stations or supplies along the Chain of Craters Road; make sure you have enough fuel, water, and food.
- Wear sturdy shoes and be careful if you hike out on the lava, which may feature uneven terrain, brittle lava, cracks, and extremely sharp lava.
- Bring sun protection during the day; most areas along the road have limited shade.
- Bring flashlights if there is a chance you will still be out after dark.
How to Get There
The Chain of Craters Road is located inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Take Highway 11 to the park, then take Crater Rim Drive for 3 miles (5 kilometers) to the start of the Chain of Craters Road.
When to Get There
The Chain of Craters Road can be visited at any time. Conditions can change daily, so always check at the visitor center before setting off. There’s plenty to do and see along the road, so it’s best to start earlier in the day and leave yourself lots of time.
Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs
The Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs in Hawaii Volcano National Park include more than 20,000 examples, the most on the islands, including pukas, circles, geometric designs, human figures, canoes, and other designs. The trail to the petroglyphs is around 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) round-trip, and visitors should take care not to wander off the walkway.
Address: Chain of Craters Road, Pāhoa, HI 96778, USA
Admission: Varies
8 Tours and Activities to Experience Chain of Craters Road
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Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour
Pack in some of Hawaii’s most mesmerizing sights during this Big Island twilight volcano tour. Sample Kona-grown coffee from a local coffee farm, keep an eye out for sea turtles at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, and taste Hawaiian sweet bread at Punalu’u Bakery. Then, explore Volcanoes National Park before ending your experience by stargazing in a secluded location—perfect for taking in views of the night sky.
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From
$207.83
From
$207.83
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Kilauea Volcano Bike Tour
On this 2-wheeled, adventurous Kilauea tour, explore Hawaii’s active volcano from the comfortable seat of a bike, where you ride through multiple microclimates and past rugged volcanic terrain. This Hawaii bike tour is one of the best ways to explore Kilauea volcano, where every bend in the road reveals a new volcanic wonder, from steaming craters to lava fields to cliffs dropping off toward the sea. Even better, the tour includes visits to the steam vents and Thurston Lava Tube.
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From
$179.44
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$179.44
Big Island - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Driving Tour
Explore Hawaii's active volcano with our GPS driving tour app! Shaka Guide is your perfect companion with turn-by-turn directions, information on what to look for, places to explore, and a truckload of interesting stories and Hawaiian legends of this powerful volcano.
Skip the tour bus & explore Big Island at your own pace for a fraction of the cost with the best self-guided audio GPS tours for Hawaii!
Rated the #1 best GPS tour app for Hawaii with over 6,000+ raving reviews and 200,000+ downloads.
Why you need it:
✅ You don't need service because you can download the tours & use them offline
✅ Much cheaper than a tour bus at only $4.99 for lifetime access
✅ Save time planning your trip because we have the best stops lined up
✅ Freedom to stop and go as you please, unlike a tour bus where you are confined to the pre-determined route (no fun!)
✅ Hear fun stories & great local music along the way
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From
$11.99
per group
From
$11.99
per group
Big Island Adventure Bundle: 5 Epic Audio Driving Tours
Shaka Guide is an audio tour app that gives you the benefits of a guided tour with the freedom to explore on your own terms. This Big Island Tour Bundle comes with five socially-distanced audio driving tours:
• South Island Epic Coastal Journey (8-10 hour tour)
• North Island Jungle Adventure Loop (8-10 hour tour)
• Kona Big Kahuna Loop (4-6 hour tour)
• Kohala Coast and Backcountry Tour (3-5 hour tour)
• Volcanoes National Park Tour (6-8 hour tour)
The app uses GPS to give you turn-by-turn navigation to historic sites, popular attractions, world-class beaches and scenic hikes with stories about the places you’re visiting and music to entertain you along the way.
All Shaka Guide Tours...
• Never expire - take them multiple times or buy in advance
• Work 100% offline - no data or wifi necessary
• Let you take the tour when you want - download the tour and choose the day that works best for you
*Please use the link in your confirmation email to download the app*
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From
$24.99
per group
From
$24.99
per group
Hilo Shore Excursion: Active Volcano Waterfall Black Sand Beach
Experience some of the Big Island’s top attractions during this day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the sights around Hilo. Learn all about volcanoes as you marvel at Halema'uma'u crater and explore the massive Kilauea Volcano. After an included picnic lunch, you’ll see Rainbow Falls and visit a black sand beach known for its green sea turtles.
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From
$167.54
From
$167.54
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Big Island Highlights Small Group Tour
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is unlike anywhere else on the planet, where one of the world’s most active volcanoes sends lava dripping towards the sea, and a towering mountain lies dormant and ready to pop. On this tour of the National Park, hear the legends of Madame Pele, the mythical Hawaiian fire goddess, a tour from Hilo to the eastern coastline and climb to the rim of Kilauea volcano. On this small group tour, your guide will customize the pace and number of sights. When you book, note your lunch requirements in the checkout field.
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From
$167.54
From
$167.54
Private Guide: Meet In Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The price listed is for a private family/group activity as listed. We added this activity the end of August 2019 because we live in Volcano and have heard from many travelers they didn't know what to do or where to go. We have gone to the Park for many years and we can ensure you get the most of your time.
We created this activity to make learning about volcanoes budget and family friendly. There is so much to learn in the Park and so much to see it would be difficult to know how to prioritize if you are on your own. You will follow us in the Park in your vehicle. This tour is customized to your and your group's interests. There are easy hikes and more difficult hikes, there is a lot to see and do if you have a little help with your options.
Give you and your family an exciting experience you will remember and get more out of the National Park than you would if you were on your own! This is customized to you so book today!
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From
$507.70
per group
From
$507.70
per group
Private Dlx Tour of the Volcano and Free Help for the Best Big Island Vacation
This Private tour is budget friendly because you meet us in the Park, the price is per group, so up to 11 passengers, all 11 seats are yours. This tour is brand new September 2019, it has been created from questions asked over the years on what people want to experience on the Big Island of Hawaii. We have lived all over the Big Island from Kona, Waikoloa and Hilo and now our home across from the Park in Volcano. We recommend taking this tour on the first days on the Big Island.
As we tell our first time visitors it is called the BIG ISLAND for a reason. At over 4,000 sq miles, and 10 of the planets 14 climate zones it's a very diverse place with many different rain fall patterns.
Much time and money can be saved on a well planned vacation to the Big Island of Hawaii. One of the most common mistakes we see tourists make on the Big Island is trying to do too much in one day. With this consultation we will endeavor to give you a playbook to a fabulous vacation on the Big Island.
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From
$741.34
per group
From
$741.34
per group
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