During the tour, you will end at Kalapana to watch the lava as it enters the ocean at sunset, or Halema`uma`u Crater, which contains a surging lake of molten rock. The crater is located on Kilauea, the earth’s youngest and most active volcano. An explosion in 2008 set off the current activity. Its vast size is astounding—a standard American football field could easily fit into the 510-ft. opening! At night, the lava lake bubbling within glows scarlet red, visible from miles away. (Leave it to Kona to find a way to make lava sound romantic.)

Photo Credit: K. Aleisha Fetters
Supporting images courtesy of Hawaii Forest & Trail