Kaumana Caves Park
Kaumana Caves Park
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Kaumana Caves Park
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
54 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Jeff AMansfield, Texas73 contributionslava tubes throughout the island. No need to only go to this park.There are lava tubes throughout the island. No need to simply go to this park. You can visit some lava tubes on the Kona highway just outside of the Kona airport. Just do a Google search for lava tubes on big Hawaii island. It will show you several places that are easily accessible from main roads. They don't require a hike. Bring a strong flashlight and a headlight. You can typically park along the road walk through them and get , a great sense of how neat lava tubes are on this islandVisited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 February 2024
- Anon8815Trenton, New Jersey756 contributionsLoved ItLava tubes = the coolest. Bring long sleeves as it will get cooler the deeper you go and will help protect you from scratches. But more importantly bring a headlamp. Ideal to go with a companion as it quickly gets pitch dark.Visited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 28 February 2024
- OnAir778795Mission Viejo, California18 contributionsCool CavesWe enjoyed these more than the lava tube at VNP. This is just a turn off on the side of the road. There are steep steps to get to them. There is one to the left & 1 to the right. Both are dark, so bring a flash light. It's also very rugged and slippery - so I'd recommend closed toe sneakers or hiking boots. It's probably a 20 - 30 minute stop, unless you want to traverse deep into the left hand cave.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 May 2024
- poetticaLa Center, Washington83 contributionsGreat free caveTwo great caves to check out. My mom who is 77 struggled with the rocky terrain and the stairs down are really steep but you can go into the caves just a short way or push further in. Definitely bring a flashlight or headlamp and wear good shoes. Really cool caves and no charge. We visited on the same day as Rainbow Falls as they are close together.Visited September 2024Travelled with familyWritten 24 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
427 reviews
Excellent
248
Very good
134
Average
38
Poor
6
Terrible
1
Laura
Minato, Japan33 contributions
Jan 2020
As the sign at the entrance indicates: "no lights, no walkways, sharp and loose rocks". You should definitely take that seriously, bring flashlights and wear very sturdy shoes.
You have a choice between two paths : the one on the right is supposed to be an easy short loop. We picked the one on the left. That one leads through extremely uneven terrain. It's pitch black in there and at some points clearance is very low. Water drips from the ceiling so it can be a little slippery.
But it's absolutely fascinating to think that lava flew through that very cave at one point. I recommend this to fit people with an adventurous spirit who're looking for something a little on the wilder side.
You have a choice between two paths : the one on the right is supposed to be an easy short loop. We picked the one on the left. That one leads through extremely uneven terrain. It's pitch black in there and at some points clearance is very low. Water drips from the ceiling so it can be a little slippery.
But it's absolutely fascinating to think that lava flew through that very cave at one point. I recommend this to fit people with an adventurous spirit who're looking for something a little on the wilder side.
Written 18 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JenRed2014
Buffalo, NY1,181 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
This was a really unique and totally free experience to be able to see the caves that lava flows leave behind!
After crossing the road from the parking area and taking a steep walk down some stairs, we were able to choose a cave to the right or left. We went to the left, carefully navigating some moderately slippery rocks to enter the mouth of the cave. Once you get inside it’s not as slippery, but it’s also not immediately apparent that it housed LAVA, but looks more like a regular cave. Toward the back there’s an area where the roof lowers and you can duck and pretty easily climb under (I’m no athlete!).... this is where it gets really dark but it opens into the really amazing lava tube!! I don’t know how far it goes in, but I walked for about 5-10 minutes through a tunnel that varied in height from a regular room to ~30 feet I’d guess. This is where you see the smooth lava on the floor and walls, and when you shine the light the exposed sediments seem to glow white in places! It’s very cool!
Be sure that you have a flashlight (I used my phone’s flashlight and really should’ve had both of my hands free) and wear thick shoes not flip flops -I witnessed people feeling places with sharp craggy floor right through their shoes.
After crossing the road from the parking area and taking a steep walk down some stairs, we were able to choose a cave to the right or left. We went to the left, carefully navigating some moderately slippery rocks to enter the mouth of the cave. Once you get inside it’s not as slippery, but it’s also not immediately apparent that it housed LAVA, but looks more like a regular cave. Toward the back there’s an area where the roof lowers and you can duck and pretty easily climb under (I’m no athlete!).... this is where it gets really dark but it opens into the really amazing lava tube!! I don’t know how far it goes in, but I walked for about 5-10 minutes through a tunnel that varied in height from a regular room to ~30 feet I’d guess. This is where you see the smooth lava on the floor and walls, and when you shine the light the exposed sediments seem to glow white in places! It’s very cool!
Be sure that you have a flashlight (I used my phone’s flashlight and really should’ve had both of my hands free) and wear thick shoes not flip flops -I witnessed people feeling places with sharp craggy floor right through their shoes.
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
scubadave1960
Discovery Bay, CA41 contributions
Dec 2019
Very accessible and easy to negotiate caverns that stretch off in two directions from the sinkhole stair decent. Slick and cool inside, the caves allow for a good wolk before slimming to belly-crawl height. NOTE: a Lot of tourist mingle/cluster in the first opening, go past them and you will have the back of the cave to yourself. Lots of Fun!
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann C
Nashville, TN3,329 contributions
Feb 2020
Start by going down steep metal stairs. You can go to your right or to your left (or both).
I do not recommend using the light on your phone, best to have a headlamp...you should have both hands free. Wear sturdy shoes. If you arrive prepared this is a nice little peek inside of a lava cave.
No fee to enter.
Clean restroom at entrance.
Picnic area available.
I do not recommend using the light on your phone, best to have a headlamp...you should have both hands free. Wear sturdy shoes. If you arrive prepared this is a nice little peek inside of a lava cave.
No fee to enter.
Clean restroom at entrance.
Picnic area available.
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian D
Denver, CO2,388 contributions
Apr 2023
A very cool cave for you to explore. There is no admission fee, it is completely free to visit and explore at your own pace or comfort level. Across the street from the cave is a small parking lot for free parking. Once you get across the street (carefully) there is a steep staircase that goes down into the entrance of the cave, where you can choose to go left or right. I believe the entire path inside the cave goes around to each side. It is pitch dark once you get a little bit along in the cave. You'll need a flashlight, and your cell phone flashlight doesn't really work to guide you through the cave. you'll need a real, handheld flashlight. There were people leaving the cave and they were nice enough to pass along their flashlight to those of us arriving empty handed. This is a great idea, as who wants to pack a flashlight for the flight home from Hawaii? No one really, and a good flashlight for the cave wouldn't cost more than $10. Next time I go to the cave, I'm returning the favor by bringing a flashlight with me and passing on to the next explorers. Once you have secured a flashlight, you can head into the cave as fast as you feel comfortable. It is a real cave. so, there are a lot of rocks, dripping water and more of what you would expect to find in a cave. You may not want to navigate too far if you aren't comfortable walking on the slippery rocks. If you have a fear of tight spaces or dark tight spaces, just take a quick look and head back up the stairs to bright open spaces and relax. Photos are tough to get inside a cave, unless you are a professional photographer. If you are going for the photos, good luck! If you like exploring caves, you'll enjoy this scenic sanctuary!
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jongable
Oakland Charter Township, MI763 contributions
Jan 2020
This park is $0 and it provides a great way to see a lava tube. I have done few-based lava tube tours before and definitely enjoyed this more. You cannot go deep into either tube, but really there is no need to. Just enjoy the scenery for 20 minutes and then head to some other Holo sites.
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lynette_cypress
Boise, ID485 contributions
Mar 2022
The caves are amazing! You can see where there were different temperatures and flows through the lava tubes, neat formations, big chunks of lava you have to crawl over where it collapsed from the ceiling.
Some strong recommendations:
have a headlamp so you can keep your hands free for balance and crawling;
have good shoes/hiking boots with tread and support;
look all around as you make your way.
Some sections have low clearance (my husband broke his sunglasses - perched on top of his head - when we ran into a low rock. Probably kept him from a gash though!).
Water is dripping and roots are coming through, hanging down from the ceiling above you. It's thrilling to turn off the lights and sit in silence/darkness...for a second or two. ; )
Some strong recommendations:
have a headlamp so you can keep your hands free for balance and crawling;
have good shoes/hiking boots with tread and support;
look all around as you make your way.
Some sections have low clearance (my husband broke his sunglasses - perched on top of his head - when we ran into a low rock. Probably kept him from a gash though!).
Water is dripping and roots are coming through, hanging down from the ceiling above you. It's thrilling to turn off the lights and sit in silence/darkness...for a second or two. ; )
Written 7 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grant-808
Honolulu, HI472 contributions
June 2021
A quick 7 minute drive from Rainbow Falls, you could do both in a couple hours. Bring a light (headlamp is best to have 2 free hands, but phone light or flashlight will do) and rainjacket (slow drips throughout the tunnel). Doable for children and anyone who has stable footing. Usually not crowded since it is not as well known or developed as Thurston.
There is a small unmarked area for parking along the roadside, across the street from the caves. A quick one minute ascent down the stairs leads to a choice between left and right. I hear the right is larger and more spectacular, thus went that way. You can go as far as you like, it eventually surfaces in 15-20 minutes, but most turn around after the huge cavernous area 10 minutes into the hike. It is slippery and jagged at portions, with some areas require you to crawl, but overall quite easy. Bumping your head is a given.
Walking through the lava tube with primal natural beauty is a highly recommended experience, particularly once you reach the auditorium-like cave.
There is a small unmarked area for parking along the roadside, across the street from the caves. A quick one minute ascent down the stairs leads to a choice between left and right. I hear the right is larger and more spectacular, thus went that way. You can go as far as you like, it eventually surfaces in 15-20 minutes, but most turn around after the huge cavernous area 10 minutes into the hike. It is slippery and jagged at portions, with some areas require you to crawl, but overall quite easy. Bumping your head is a given.
Walking through the lava tube with primal natural beauty is a highly recommended experience, particularly once you reach the auditorium-like cave.
Written 10 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marc_Majka
San Carlos, CA360 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
This is not your National Park lava tube. If you have only ever visited Nāhuku / Thurston lava tube in Volcano National Park, then you owe yourself a visit to Kaumana. Be prepared for lots of jumbled rock, and walk very carefully, because falling in here would be very painful. On the other hand, you’ll be seeing a much more authentic lava tube, that hasn’t been cleaned up for thousands of tourists to wander through. Steep stairs descend to the collapsed center of two short tube segments. Both are reasonably easy to navigate (carefully). Good shoes are a very good idea. Bring a decent flashlight - your phone’s flashlight really won’t cut it.
Written 12 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gene W
8 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We bought some $10 flashlights from Walmart in Hilo and they made all the difference. My kids (5 and 7 years old) loved hiking through both sides of the caves. On both sides, if you get past the first little squeeze, the caves open up and the walking gets easier. I'm 6 foot 4 and only had to duck in a few spots.
Written 9 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
we will be coming in on a cruise ship. Is there a bus that runs from the port area
Written 3 November 2017
I do not think there are any busses that run there specifically. You might be able to find a city bus that passes close by or like others have said uber/lyft.
Written 3 December 2017
How long would you say we should allow for exploring? Wondering if we can fit in another activity.
Written 29 June 2017
Hey, I agree with everyone, depending on your interest, 15min. to 2 hrs. It can be damp, chilly and absolutely dark. Check your batteries and bring a flashlight.
Written 29 June 2017
Hi just wondering if the Sulfur smell in strong there as my friend has asthma. Thanks
Written 31 January 2016
No Sulfur smell. Very humid.
My husband has asthma and he did great in the tubes. He did admit that the further back he went, he really could feel the "thick" air, but he had no adverse effects.
Written 1 February 2016
Is there an entrance or parking fee?
Written 25 January 2015
Good news. Plenty of free parking and no entrance fee. Bathrooms, picnic tables, and very safe environment, especially for the kids. If you are traveling from Kona on Saddle Road, it is right off that road, just outside Hilo.
Written 26 January 2015
Showing results 1-4 of 4
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing