Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is the trip highlight that most often eclipses the golf, and you should plan a full day for it. The park sits on the southeastern flank of the Big Island and protects two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, plus a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of steam vents, the 500-foot Thurston Lava Tube, and the Kilauea caldera, where active lava flows are sometimes visible from designated viewpoints.

The experience

Start at Crater Rim Drive for the major viewpoints, then choose your trail. The half-mile Devastation Trail boardwalk is the easiest introduction to the volcanic terrain. The four-mile Kilauea Iki loop descends to a crater floor and rewards the effort if you have the legs. Standing at the rim of an active crater is qualitatively different from any other natural attraction in the United States.

Logistics

Park open 24 hours, visitor centre 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry $30 self-drive, or $80 to $150 for guided tours from the Kohala Coast and Kona that cover transport and entry. From Kohala Coast resorts, allow 2.5 hours each way, so block out the whole day. Elevation is around 4,000 feet and runs 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the coast: bring a light jacket and closed-toe shoes. Check NPS for current volcanic activity and air quality advisories before you leave.