by Andrew B., Friend of Paradise in Hawaii

One of the main reasons our family visited the Big Island of Hawaii was to tour Volcanoes National Park. My wife and I first visited over 20 years ago and while we were there we hiked a small portion of the Park. Recently we returned with our two teenage sons; we wanted to see the volcanoes in a new way, and to see much more of the Park.

Ready for an adventure

We spent some time at the Visitors Centre learning all about the park and the geology of the volcano before heading out for a unique tour. We joined a bike volcano tour group and set off on a half-day adventure. Our sons still consider it to be one of the coolest things we did in Hawaii!

Plenty to learn at the Visitor’s Centre!

A nice ride through lush scenery!

We were part of a group of ten cyclists. Bike Volcano provided everything, including the bikes and helmets, right there at the Visitors Centre. Their Professional Interpretive Tour Guide took us through fantastic terrain, which was mostly downhill on paved roads and trails, and shared geological and mythological information with us throughout the experience. From lush ancient Hawaiian rainforests to dynamic lava landscapes, we saw numerous volcanic craters, felt the heat from real active steam vents, and walked deep into the Thurston Lava Tube. We explored rough lava fields and eventually ended up traveling right down to the ocean shoreline to see the newest parts of the Island built by more recent lava flows.

Kileua Crater

Thurston Lava Tube

Beautiful view at the end of the journey!