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What is the best time of day to visit Kilauea volcano?

The best time to visit the park is after 9 p.m. when most tourists are leaving. The park is open 24 hours so coming later in the night makes it easier to find parking and view the current eruption.



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The best time to see the lava is when its dark. One or 2 hours before sunrise is the best time to skip the crowds, bit late at night (after 10 pm) is a good alternative if you don't like to wake up early.

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Lava cools very quickly at first and forms a thin crust that insulates the interior of the lava flow. As a result, basaltic lava flows can form crusts that are thick enough to walk on in 10-15 minutes but the flow itself can take several months to cool!

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But because only the flames are blue, rather than the lava itself, the effect is only visible at night—during daytime, the volcano looks like roughly any other.

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At 1,219 meters, (4,000 feet), the summit of Kilauea can be chilly at any time. Bring a rain jacket, wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

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November and March are the wettest months, whereas during the summer months the amount of rain can decrease up to half the peak rate. Average monthly rainfall for the Big Island.

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From Kilauea Iki Overlook: 3.3 mile (5.3 km) loop. Plan for approximately 2 to 3 hours.

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Explore the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and watch the orange glow from molten lava within the Kilauea caldera against the beauty of the starry evening sky, a sight only visible when the volcano is actively erupting.

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