Big Island trip question
 

Hello Everybody,

We are flying to Kona on 11th Dec and staying till 14th. We will be staying near Kona (hotel booked already). Our plan was to start driving towards VNP via Saddle Road during day ( 9am onwards ) and spend rest of the afternoon at VNP hiking and watching lava flow -- if we are lucky.

We are planning to leave VNP area around 6-7p and drive back to Kona (Waikoloa) using belt road (north) - Rt 19 as going back through Saddle doesn't look very safe during night.

Question is : Is it necessary to watch lava during night? Do we have to stay overnight near Hilo / VNP ? How safe is it to drive on Belt road during night?

thanks in advance.

Can you even do the saddle road in a rental? If the lava is glowing through holes in the tubes it is coming down, it might be worth waiting for the show. When we were there, it was making fantastic plumes of steam where it was going into the ocean, visible from Chain of Craters road. Do go into the lava tubes in VNP and go up to the rim of the crater if you can.

What emalloy is saying, some of the rental agencies do not allow you to drive on the Saddle Road. To do so is a breach of the contract. The problem being if the car is in an accident while on that road, you will be buying the car and your personal insurance may not be footing the bill.

The lava at Kalapana is generally best at night because of the radiating light. There are occassions when there is a fountain during the day but generally all you will see during the day is steam from the ocean enterance. Also you cannot get closer than .5 miles to the lava. So if you want my opinion, night is probably the best time to be wowed.

Bill

@emalloy and @wbpiii - I read somewhere earlier that some rental companies ( Hertz and one more ) do allow saddle road, but I will check again. If not allowed, we will take the belt road both ways. We will also check out lava tubes and rim of the crater if we can. Thanks for all the good info.

Looks like we will have to stay long ( may be till 9p ) to see the lava and we will. Question now is - Can we return back to Kona using belt road late night?

Shahshr, I did say "some", but I don't know which ones allow and which don't. You may have read it on Tripadvisor, but many "experts" there will say anything regardless of truth, so best to do your own investigation.

Regarding the northern belt road, I've taken it at night twice and I must say that the road is ok but there are other factors such as rain and "maui cruisers" that can add a little stress. It's very dark and there are many turns so that adds to tension. Having said that, I did it twice and I would do it again if necessary.

Bill

What's a "maui cruiser?"

no lights, no brakes, unregistered.

IMO, you really need to watch the lava at night. We got there just as the sun was setting. While it was still up, my reaction was just "ok, what's the big deal." When it got dark, the show really began! Just don't forget to bring a flashlight, because you will have to walk about a half mile or so to get to the viewing area (past Hilo town).

Driving along the north road back to Kona should be ok. Road is good. It will be a long drive though, especially if you are staying in Kona town and not along the Kohala Coast.

Do check with the rental car companies as some don't allow you to take them over the Saddle Road.

Saddle Road is fine. Actually, it's been repaved from the east, and the first few miles from the west have had the potholes filled. There's never been a Saddle Road restriction, to my knowledge.

Do be aware that the lava viewing area is at Kalapana, about 45 minutes from Volcano NP, in the opposite direction Kona. It is NOT at the end of Chain of Craters road. It is not near Hilo town (45 minutes from there too).

You definitely have to be there after dark. Its interesting at dusk, but gets better and better as the sun goes down. When we went this past September, we arrived around 5PM, and stayed at the viewing area till about 7PM. sunset was 6:30. Bring water, decent shoes, and a flashlight (although you can buy flashlights and water at the viewing area). Don't try to walk it in flip flops.

I know your visit to the BI is pretty short, but if you can spend a night in the area of VNP or Hilo, it might be worth while. The coastline north of Hilo, Hamakua, is a really gorgeous drive rivalling the Hana Highway. And the Hawaii Tropical Botanic garden and Akaka falls were terrific. You'd be able to visit these on your way back to Kona if you did an overnight trip. Just an idea...it really depends on what else you are doing in Hawaii and what your priorities are. I would understand if you want to spend more time beaching or snorkeling in the Kohala and Kona areas.

Thank you guys for all your suggestions, you have been wonderful!!

@bill, @travelinandgolfin & @sylvia3 - I will check with rental co.s if they allow the saddle or will do north belt road both the times.

@china_cat - Nice suggestions. We do have plans to fly to Maui on 14th for 6 days so drive to hana is in our plan ( depending on weather ). We probably will have to skip Akaka falls & Botanic garden as we want to visit VNA and later head towards Kalapana. Good to know that north belt road is a good drive, we might enjoy that during daytime if we don't take saddle road. We may be able to leave Kalapana area at around 6:30p as sunset for 11th Dec is around 5:45p !

So, how was your trip to the volcano? We're headed to the big island tomorrow for a week and was wondering how to drive to VNA was and if the rental car company did place restrictions on the saddle or north belt roads? Any other island advice would also be appreciated. Thanks!

nohogal, I just phoned National yesterday and they told me that there was no restriction on the Saddle road for their cars. It appears that some of the agencies are easing the restriction since the road has been upgraded. I suggest that you ask your agent.

Sylvia, it is not true that there has never been a saddle road exception. Three years ago Alamo would not let me drive it.