Hilo, Hawaii Must See Highlights
Volcanoes National Park
Legend claims that Madam Pele, Hawaii's Goddess of Fire, resides in this 70-million-year-old geological phenomenon. The 11-mile driver around Crater Rim offers spectacular views of the moonlike landscape, including the active Kilauea Volcano. You'll also see the Halema'uma'u Fire Pit, the Thurston Lava Tube, the Hawaii Volcano Observatory, and Jaggar Museum.
Kilauea Volcano
If you're looking for a once in a lifetime adventure, the Big Island of Hawaii offers you "the hottest show on Earth." Kilauea, the world's most active volcano, is currently celebrating over 20 years of continuous eruption by lighting up the nighttime sky with glowing lava. You can see Kilauea up close and personal and you may have the thrill of watching her hot lava flow into the ocean and create huge steam plumes.
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens
Located on Onomea Bay, this world-renowned tropical garden is a nature preserve that is acclaimed by visitors as "the most beautiful in Hawaii." A narrated tour of this vast preserve takes visitors through the Japanese-style Lili'uokalani Gardens, then along Hilo Bay and the lush Hamakua Coast. Over 2,500 species of tropical plant life have been assembled from around the world.
Lava Viewing
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see hot flowing lava. Kilauea has been quietly erupting for over 20 years, with lava moving slowly back and forth along a 10-mile stretch of coast before it enters the sea. Depending on conditions, a trip here can include dramatic views and walking on the newest land on earth - just-cooled lava.
Some content and photos used with permission from Norwegian Cruise Line.
