Hi all - Party of four traveling to the Big Island for one week in May. Any suggestions on itinerary for visiting the VNP from Kona? We are taking a helicopter tour from Hilo one day, but would like to see the park also. It is a lengthy drive, so we%26#39;d like to make only one trip. I appreciate any tips! Thanks in advance.
One Day VNP from Kona - itinerary suggestions?!
leave Kona via the north 19 by 6am.... return via 11 to the south.......your going to drive 6 hours to hilo to catch a 45 min flight??? that may get cancelled without notice on another day? not wise
Take a circle island air tour from the Kona side... you will be spending $100 on gas each time
One Day VNP from Kona - itinerary suggestions?!
Thanks for the advice dan. Since we already booked the helicopter tour, and wanted to visit Hilo anyway, I doubt my party will want to cancel. The cost of the Kona air tour was about $400 per person, and no overhead volcano tour. That%26#39;s why we opted for the Hilo tour. I know gas is outrageous, and I%26#39;m not looking forward to the long drive, but we thought it would be a nice sight-seeing adventure. I%26#39;m supposed to call 24 hours prior to the flight to confirm. I%26#39;ll keep my finger%26#39;s crossed that it%26#39;s not cancelled, since we are looking forward to the volcanoes, more than anything else. Any advice on when to leave the park, and where to stop for food, in order to avoid a long, tricky drive back at night? I%26#39;d love to see the lava at night, but I hear we may not see lava at all, regardless of the time we go. Thanks in advance.
Would we be wise to visit the park, after our air tour in Hilo that day? Should be back on the ground by noon. How far is the drive from Hilo to the park? Would we be nuts to attempt this in one day, or is there an area of interest we should visit at the park, if we only have the afternoon? Suggestions?
VNP is about 30-45 minutes from Hilo and I think it makes sense to go there after your tour. If you want to spend more time in the park than the one afternoon, you can always return on another day.
Aloha, Figure 3 hours to Hilo regardless of the way you go. The helicopter ride should be exciting. When you are done it is about 30+mins to the park. It is a drive through volcano so there are many wonderful quick walks and many great hikes to choose from.
http://www.nps.gov/havo
Make a point to do Devastation Trail and The Thurston Lava Tube.
Depending on your time consider the Kilauea Iki hike, it will take you through both rain forest and a barren crater. About 2 - 3 hour hike.
Thanks to all for the tips! I think we would be better off heading down to the VNP after our tour. We%26#39;ll just make a day of it, and of course we can return if we want to see more. Thanks again, and can%26#39;t wait to take it all in!
I ditto the suggestion to take one route from Kona to Hilo EARLY, take your heli tour, then drive over to VNP for the rest of the day. Take the other route back to Kona, but leave so you will arrive before dark because of the driving conditions after dark. Also, a nice side trip for the southern route either going or coming is a stop off at Punalu%26#39;u Black sand beach. It is a very interesting sight to see and there are usually turtles sunning themselves on the beach.
Air tours that fly over the lava and around the park by Big Island Air cost $240-290.... not $400! and provide a much better view than from any Helo.
And you are in for a BIG suprise if you think the Hilo helicopter will fly over the volcano or the park...they will not, nor are they allowed to hover or descend below 1000 ft... ... they wont. Both Helo and fix wing will offer the exact same trip.
However, in your 50 min Hilo tour you will only be over the lava for 7 to8 min as it is a 20 min flight each way over suburban Hilo... and you will see several 30 ft waterfalls in backyards.... not the 400 to 2800 footers that the circle isnald sees
It will take 1 hour to drive from the airport to the park....
In my prior sdvice I suggested returning via the southern route.... this is presently not a good idea as you will be in heavy areas of toxic VOG...and visability can be reduced to almost zero at times.
Return via 19.....not 11 at this time
Oh, I didn%26#39;t know anything about the Big Island Air tours. I saw so many exciting posts on the helicopter tours, I didn%26#39;t hesitate to book one. Is the Big Island Air tour a small plane? I%26#39;d like to look into this. Also, thanks for advice on the drive home. I%26#39;d love to see the black sand beach, but I do not want to get stuck in the VOG and struggle for hours in the dark. Any black-sand beaches around Kona? I%26#39;ll alert my party. You guys are the best!
Big Island Air uses the Sky Caravan, High wing turbo prop... and has a 2 hour tour... The plane is built for 20 persons... but only carries 10...every seat over size and window.......check it out
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