Visiting the volcano

Question

Kilauea is presently erupting, although the eruptions are intermittent and random. We are staying at Waikoloa Beach and are thinking of driving the 2 hours to get a look.

A few questions:

1. We realize the night views are superior, but we would be visiting around midday. Is it possible to see much of the plume of fire during daylight hours?

2. Where are the best viewing spots? Does the Volano House hotel allow people to view from their outdoor patio area?

Thanks!

Answer

Visiting Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park while Kīlauea is showing activity can be an incredible experience, even if you go during midday. Since the eruptive behavior is currently intermittent, what you see depends heavily on the moment you arrive — but you can still have a rewarding visit.

1. Seeing the eruption or plume during daylight

Midday viewing is definitely more limited than nighttime, but you can still sometimes see activity depending on the exact nature of the eruption at that moment. During daylight, the classic red glow is usually washed out by sunlight. However, you may still see:

A visible steam or gas plume rising from Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.

Occasional bursts or spatter if lava is above the crater floor (only when eruption is active and vigorous).

Changes in the crater landscape, especially if you use binoculars.

If the eruption is very weak or paused at that moment, you may not see much beyond steam and gas. Night viewing is dramatically better, but midday can still be worthwhile if you manage expectations and are interested in the geology and the park itself.

2. Best viewing spots for current Kīlauea activity

During active periods, the National Park Service typically identifies recommended viewing areas depending on safety and where activity is visible. The most common viewing locations include:

Kīlauea Overlook — One of the closest and clearest public viewpoints into Halemaʻumaʻu. Often a primary stop.
Steaming Bluff / Wahinekapu (Sulphur Banks) — Offers broad crater views. Good for plume visibility.
Crater Rim Trail segments — Walkable sections between viewpoints provide several angles without crowds.
Devastation Trail to Keanakāko‘i Overlook — When open, this area offers excellent panoramic views of the larger caldera.

These areas are open during daylight hours and do not require any special permits. Parking availability varies, so going earlier in the day helps.

Viewing from Volcano House

Yes — Volcano House has an outdoor terrace and indoor picture windows that directly face Kīlauea Caldera. Even non-guests are allowed to walk through the lobby area and step out to the overlook. Many visitors use this spot for a quick and easy view, especially if activity is visible from that side of the caldera.

However, note:

The best viewing sometimes requires walking to the designated NPS viewpoints, which can offer closer or clearer sightlines.
Volcano House can be crowded when the volcano is active, so the NPS overlooks may offer a better overall experience.

Additional Tips

Check the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park eruption update page the morning of your visit — it tells you whether lava is visible that day.
Expect cooler temperatures and possible rain at the summit (4,000 ft elevation), so bring layers.
If you can stay until sunset or twilight, visibility improves dramatically even if you cannot stay past full darkness.

Even if midday lava views are limited, the park’s landscapes, steam vents, crater views, and scenic drives make the trip from Waikoloa worthwhile. If you catch the eruption during an active phase, it’s a bonus — but the visit itself is still memorable.

Visiting the volcano

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