Can you Explore Volcano National Park on a Cruise Day to Hilo?

Volcano National Park – 1.5 hours round trip to get to park. 4-5 Hour Visit: http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/ccr_tour.htm. Explore the summit of Kīlauea volcano via Crater Rim Drive; an 11-mile road that encircles the summit caldera, passes through desert, lush tropical rain forest, traverses the caldera floor, and provides access to well-marked scenic stops and short walks. (Crater Rim Drive is closed between Jaggar Museum and the Chain of Craters Road junction due to volcanic activity in Halemaʻumaʻu crater).

Stops:

*Start Your Tour at Kīlauea Visitor Center. *Jaggar Museum. *Kīlauea Overlook. *Steam Vents, Steaming Bluff and Ha'akulamanu - Sulphur Banks. *Kīlauea Iki Overlook. *Nāhuku - Thurston Lava Tube. *Puʻu Puaʻi Overlook. *Devastation Trail. *Hike to Keanakākoʻi Crater.

Also explore the East Rift and coastal area of the Park via Chain of Craters Road. This road descends 3,700 feet in 20 miles and ends where a 2003 lava flow crossed the road. Lava flow activity is always changing. Check at the Kīlauea Visitor Center for the most current information. No food, water, or fuel is available along the Chain of Craters Road. (18 Miles). Stops: *Lua Manu Crater. *Hilina Pali Road. *Pauahi Crater. *Mauna Ulu. *Mauna Ulu Flow Across Chain of Craters Road. *Mau Loa o Mauna Ulu. *Kealakomo Lookout. *Pu‘u Loa Petroglyphs. *Hōlei Sea Arch. *End of Chain of Craters Road.

Yes, very easily. Discussed here frequently.

Just to be clear, both roads?

Generally, yes. The only issue will be what might be closed due to volcanic activity and the related toxic gas spread. When we were there last, the portion of Crater Rim Drive past the Observatory was closed due to toxic volcanic gas. What is open and accessible can change pretty quickly.

Otherwise all you mention is open and accessible quite easily.

Agree with Bruce that you can do this on your own. You might not get in all of the stops mentioned (depending on the amount of time spent at each stop) but you'll get to see most of what's mentioned, and it will be a very interesting day.

I'd focus on the summit area first and then use what time you have left to do Chain of Craters Road (or just part of it, depending on your timing.) You'll still get excellent views of craters and lava fields if you only have time do the road part way to the ocean.

Yes, as others have said, it's something that can be enjoyed in one day. An organized tour will cost more than renting a car and doing it yourself, but you'll save the time spent picking up and returning the car and finding your way around.

If you do it yourself, I'd suggest stopping at the information center, then doing the Chain of Craters road first. That 20 mile trip back up from the sea can be very slow (narrow, winding road) and it's best to make sure you're not late getting back to the ship. If by any chance you have time left over at the end of the day, stop at the Atkatsuka Orchid Nursery on the right side of the highway heading back to the ship. Unbelievable orchids and they can ship plants back to the US.

We just did this last week....Rented a car, visitors center, steam vents, Kilauea overlook, Jaggar Museum (saw red lava splashing so we spent a good bit of time there and checked out the museum), Kilauea Iki overlook, Thurston lava tube, Pu'u Pua overlook, Devastation Trail and drove to the end of Chain of Craters Road with multiple stops all the way to the sea arch...We arrived about 9-915 and I think we left the Sea Arch at about 2:15 in order to get the car returned by 4.

For our Hilo port day we were able to hike the Kilauea Iki trail, walk through the Thurston Lava Tube, drive down the Chain of Crater road and back to the Jaggar Museum with the Kilauea overlook. At the end of the Chain of Crater Road we hiked out to where the lava crossed the road and saw the Sea Arch. On the drive back up we stopped to hike out to the Pu'u Loa petroglyphs. We were in the park by 9:30 and left at around 3PM. We had time to go to the Big Island Candy store before returning the rental car at the airport.