There's so much to do in Volcano you may just want to stay a while longer!

Volcano Village with its storybook charm and wealth of activities is a great "home base" point to stay while exploring The Kau, Puna and Hamakua districts of the Big Island. Hilo, the largest "city" on the island is just 30 minutes away and has a "lost in time" charm about it. Numerous day trips can include a variety of ocean sports, hiking & wildlife viewing, unique ethnic shopping, fishing and hunting expeditions, wine tasting, culinary tours, botanical gardens or dining experiences.

Area Attractions and Activities

Volcano Area, within 10 minutes

Explore a variety of hiking trails. See rainforest wildflowers, steam vents, giant scenic vistas and lava tubes both inside and outside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a designated World Biosphere Preserve.

Photograph the rare and endangered Nene Goose in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or on Mauna Loa Mountain trails.

Treat yourself to a wine tasting at nearby Volcano Winery and sample the only wines made with exotic tropical fruits, nuts and mountain grown Symphony grapes.

Play a round of championship golf at the Volcano Golf and Country Club with the backdrop of 13,000 ft Mauna Loa, snow-capped in winter. You may have to shoo away the Nene geese that also enjoy the lush golf course.

See thousands of blooming orchids at one of several local orchid farms open to the public, and even ship an orchid from Hawaii home.

Take a local artist studio tour. Volcano is home to a wealth of artists and craftsman including glass artists, woodworkers, painters , quilters and sculptors. Private studio tours can be arranged by appointment.

Monthly- Classes, workshops, poetry readings and presentations at the Volcano Art Center and Volcano Garden Arts. An assortment of Film, theatre, calligraphy, lei-making, writer's retreats, glass making, pottery, Hawaiian crafts, language and native plant workshops are featured.


Visit the Volcano Art Center Gallery in the park. Choose a class from their schedule of creative arts workshops, writing, Hawaiian culture & nature workshops for all ages.

Catch a live hula performance in the Art Center and witness the magic of authentic native Hawaiian dance and storytelling.

Join a free yoga, tai chi or seniors exercise class at our Cooper Community Center.

Dive into the Sunday Volcano Farmers market where an abundance of tropical treats, organically grown vegetables, local crafts, exotic fruits and flowers can be purchased. It's a "can't miss" social event the whole community turns out for.

Check out the theatre schedule for live performances by the talented local Kilauea theatre troupe.

Our charming Volcano Village has several restaurants for your dining pleasure. Choose authentic Thai cuisine at Thai Thai. Try gourmet wild game and fresh seafood at the elegant Kilauea Lodge, or a Wood -fired pizza and full menu at the Keawe Kitchen. There is also crater rim dining at nearby Volcano House in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, or casual fare at the Lava Rock Café.

Kau Region and the town of Naalehu within 30 min. drive

Explore the nearby Punalu'u black sand beaches with nesting sea turtles.

Hike or ATV to a remote and unusual green sand beach at the Southern most point in the USA.

Take a guided tour of Kula Kai Caverns, a complex underground network of ancient lava tubes.

Visit the Buddhist Temple in beautiful Wood Valley.

Hilo Town, 40 minute drive away.

Take a walking tour through downtown Hilo and experience a glimpse of pre- WWII Hawaiiana with it's art deco and Old Hawaii architecture, both original and restored.

Experience the thrill of a lifetime with a helicopter tour over an active volcano, or cascading waterfalls.

Swim, snorkel or body surf at one of Hilo's sandy beaches.

Visit the Pacific Tsunami Museum and learn about the remarkable power of tidal waves and a glimpse into early Hawaii history. Man the controls as you decide in a simulation whether to enact a mass evacuation due to an earthquake and Tsunami about to hit Hawaii.

Tour the Lyman House , an 1800's mission-house museum affiliated with the Smithsonian where you can learn about Hawaii's natural history and culture. The museums collections feature works of 19th and early 20th century artists, an interactive astronomy center, and the Shipman Collection of rare Chinese art and artifacts.

Shop interesting boutiques, antique stores, a variety of ethnic restaurants and farmers markets in Hilo's downtown.

Visit a Bonsai nursery en-route to Hilo and marvel at tiny, several -hundred year old trees.

See rare white tigers and exotic birds at the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo situated in a rainforest and featuring rainforest species.

The Hilo area has a wealth of tropical botanical gardens. Hilo Botanical Gardens, Nani Mau Gardens and the University Of Hawaii all feature exquisite collections of tropical flowers, cycads and palms.

Captain Llyod Good offers small, personalized whale and dolphin Eco Tours from Hilo.


Take a yummy factory tour at Mauna Loa Macadamia nuts or Big Island Candies.

Puna District 45 min. to 1 hour drive

Bathe in a natural hot springs pool adjacent to the ocean.

Visit lush, lowland rainforest and see lava tree molds in Lava Tree State Park .

Take a workshop at Hiiaka's Garden, a garden of native Hawaiian Healing herbs and plants.

Wander through colorful old Pahoa Town.

The Hamakua Heritage Coast 1-1/2 hr drive North of Hilo.

Take a scenic costal drive past huge gorges with waterfalls and rugged ocean coastline.

Sip a freshly made tropical fruit smoothie at the "Whats Shakin" fruit farm and smoothie bar along your scenic drive.

Visit Akaka Falls, a waterfall with a 100 ft drop, in a lush, tropical forest fragrant with wild ginger.

Learn about Hawaii's Sugar Industry heritage at the Lapahoehoe Train Museum.

Explore two botanical gardens with several thousand species of tropical plants set amid winding paths and cascading waterfalls. World Botanical Gardens  boasts a 300 foot, 3 tired waterfall and Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens  with over 17 acres of plants.

Step back in time and explore the antique shops of Honokaa Town, home of the Hamakua Music Festival held annually in May.


Visit the rugged Waipio Valley Lookout and ride a horse or 4 wheel drive jeep into the valley below.

Special Events Calendar

February- Valentines Day
Valentines Day in Volcano is a special getaway. Enjoy a romantic evening by the fireplace and an elegant dinner at a nearby restaurant.


April- The Merrie Monarch Festival- held annually the week following Easter this is the ultimate Hawaiian cultural event featuring Internationally acclaimed hula competition, crafts and other special events. Lodging is scarce and sells out early.

July- 4th of July in Volcano is an authentic small town celebration that attracts visitors from all over the island. This celebration includes a parade with marching band and antique cars, delicious community BBQ and local crafts.

July 31st- The Kilauea Wilderness Run, a marathon, 10mile , and 5 mile race and walk held annually at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Sept- Aloha Festivals- Various cultural events and fairs throughout the island. Special presentations and cultural re-creations in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

November- Just before Thanksgiving , Volcano artists open their homes and studios to the public. This arts stroll is a not to be missed event.

Thanksgiving and Christmas- Not to be missed are traditional holidays, island style. Colorful lights, the air scented with fragrant Ohia fires and delicious local foods.

Monthly- Classes, workshops and presentations at the Volcano Art Center. Film, theatre, calligraphy, lei-making, writer's retreats, Hawaiian crafts, language and native plant workshops are featured.

Private Homes Big Island
Affordable, fully equipped Big Island vacation rental cottages on the sunny Kohala Coast, near best beaches.

Hawaiian Air Packages

Hawaii Vacation Guide Kohala Coast
The Big Island vacation guide covers Kohala Coast activities, beaches, events, golf, hiking, hotels, real estate, restaurants, vacation homes, vacation rentals, big island attractions, Hawaii vacation links.

Kailua Kona Accommodations from Owner Direct Vacation Rentals
Why stay at a Kailua Kona hotel? Rent privately-owned condos and homes at Kailua Kona on the Big Island and enjoy your Hawaiian Vacation today.

Planning a ski vacation? Here's where we like to stay.