Beneath the world's most awe-inspiring beauty beats a heart of fire.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawaii is the place to get up and close to one of the world's hottest spots. You don't see geologic change in your lifetime much less in the course of a week except here in Hawaii.
At Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, things can change in a day's time. The ever-changing landscape of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is what makes it unique and special.
But make your safety a priority in this resource-constrained environment. Get a travel insurance plan to ensure you and your loved ones are safe from any uncertainty.
Trip Cancellation Insurance for Travelers in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - FAQs
To get the best deals on travel, most people prepay for things like hotel reservations, airfare, and tickets for attractions. But what happens to your money if you need to cancel the trip? Most of those deals are non-refundable. Trip cancellation insurance can provide reimbursement of your non-refundable and prepaid trip payments if a trip is canceled due to unforeseen covered circumstances.
Why should I get trip cancellation insurance for my Hawaii Volcanoes National Park travel?
Though there is no active eruption at Mauna Loa and Kilauea, that can change at any time.
Trip cancellation insurance can actually cover you in the event that you need to cancel the trip prior to departing for any one of the reasons that might be listed in the covered reasons included in the trip cancellation insurance. Be sure to look through the insurance to understand the reasons that are approved if the trip needs to be canceled.
What should I look for in my Hawaii Volcanoes National Park trip cancellation insurance?
There are a number of benefits that would be helpful to have in your trip cancellation insurance, including trip cancellation coverage for a covered reason, trip interruption coverage for a covered reason, and coverage if your baggage is lost or stolen.
After thoroughly reading the policies, buy travel insurance that can cover your trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park best, depending on your situation.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park's Most Popular Places for Travel
Hawaii's Big Island is a land of epic contrasts from its tropical waters and green rainforest, to the rugged coastlines and black sand beaches, but it's probably best known for its explosive history.
Nature, geology, and native Hawaiian culture are the three reasons to visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
- Volcanoes - The main attractions of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are Mauna Loa, which covers half the island, and Kilauea. These giants and their eruptions are one of the reasons that Hawaii's the only state in the U.S. that has an increasing land area and increasing land value. Kilauea may be the world's most accessible volcano, but it's also the most dangerous in the U.S. Literally translated, it means 'spewing'. The National Park Service has recently installed new informative wayfinding signage at the summit of Kilauea. Mauna Loa meanwhile has lava fields much like the moon. Astronauts trained here in the 1960s for the Apollo missions. Read up on the travel advisory before you travel.
- Thurston Lava Tube - The Thurston Lava Tube is also named Nahuku in Hawaiian which means stalactites or protuberances. The Thurston Lava Tube is a hundred meters long (over 328 feet) cave formed by lava 500 years ago. You get to walk through it, and there are lights in there for your safety.
- Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs - Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs are a series of 23,000 rock carvings scratched into hardened lava. There are all sorts of petroglyphs here, with human shapes, swirls, lines, and circles. It's not known exactly when the petroglyphs were carved, but the lava is estimated to be around 500-800 years old. It gives you a great insight into the culture of the native Hawaiians and their worship of the volcanoes.
Overall, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is an incredible spot. There aren't many places on Earth where you can directly watch, first-hand, the processes that have formed the earth over millions of years. But this is one of them, and if you've got even a passing interest in geology, volcanoes, or nature, visiting it should absolutely be near the top of your bucket list.
Key Guidelines for Travelers in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Here are a few simple but advised safety precautions you can take to safeguard yourself at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
- Plan ahead - Due to the elevation, the weather at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is unpredictable. You should be prepared to face ever-changing weather. The weather can very easily go from rainy and chilly to hot and dry. Learn about the latest conditions before you leave home or your hotel room.
- Be prepared - Wear sturdy, close-toed shoes, carry plenty of water, wear a hat and sunscreen, along with long pants, to help protect from sharp lava rocks. Carrying a flashlight with extra batteries is a good idea to stay safe after dark. Once in a while, even experienced hikers need to be rescued. Do not make similar mistakes.
- Read and obey all posted signs - Hazards at Kilauea Volcano include toxic volcanic gas, which contains high concentrations of sulfur dioxide, and thin shards of volcanic glass. Large chunks of unstable, newly formed land, called deltas, erode and crash into the ocean. Check with park rangers about the latest conditions.
- Stay out of closed areas - The National Park Service and the County of Hawaii provide access to safe viewing areas with beautiful views. Dangerous areas are closed to keep you alive. The closest hospital is in Hilo, an hour drive from the park. If you heed these simple precaution measures, you will be safe at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Before You Travel to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Do This
Before you head out for this national park, make sure you know the weather during your trip and the appropriate clothing to bring.
Always heed the instructions of park rangers and obey signs on roads and trails. Never enter closed areas.
Adequate travel insurance coverage helps put the uncertainty behind you and achieve peace of mind so that if an unfortunate event happens, you and your family are medically and financially protected.