The Hawaiian Islands are filled with unique underwater features, including lava tubes. Snorkeling through a lava tube is an unforgettable experience that allows you to explore Hawaii’s volcanic history.
Lava tubes are formed when liquid lava cools and hardens. They are a popular spot for snorkelers as they offer a different perspective of the ocean’s ecosystem.
1. Huehue Lava Tube
A long, narrow cave with a series of skylights that allow for viewing, this ancient lava tube was once used by Hawaiians as shelter. It is on the grounds of a historic park that includes an ancient fishpond and petroglyphs, but can be visited without a tour. The park is easy to find, just take the road behind the Mauna Lani resort. You can see the lava tube from the outside, but you can also climb in and explore some of the interior. Just be sure to wear a helmet, as you might bang your head on the ceiling or fall over some loose rocks.
Lava tubes offer a unique opportunity to step back in time and view the landscape as it changes over time. They are usually filled with a panoply of strange, colorful formations that range from spiky shark’s teeth to bubbly, gooey driblet spires, says KonaSnorkelingTours.com.
The most renowned and accessible lava caves are on the Big Island of Hawaii, but there are others around the world. Some lava tubes are only accessible by climbing down a ladder, while others have an open, walkable entryway. Lava tubes have a particular fascination for archaeologists as they provide an opportunity to study artifacts that would otherwise be inaccessible in other settings.
A recent study of a lava tube in Saudi Arabia called Umm Jirsan, the first to be excavated in that country, found evidence of repeated human occupation dating as far back as 7,000 years. Specifically, researchers uncovered stone tool fragments, rock art of domesticated animals, and skeletal remains, reports Science Direct.
It seems that these early pastoralists used lava tubes as pastures for their flocks, using the dark, cool underground spaces to safeguard livestock at night from local predators such as wolves and hyena, and perhaps even lion and leopard, across Arabia. The sheltered environment of the lava tube also allowed for longer-term storage of food, which was important because water would likely be scarce on the arid islands.
You can visit four lava caves on the Big Island by driving yourself or taking a tour: Thurston (Nahuku), Kaumana, Kula Kai Caverns and Kazumura. All are free to enter.
2. Kula Kai Caverns
The Big Island’s lava tubes offer a one-of-a-kind experience that’s hard to find anywhere else in the world. With unique formations and opportunities for exploration, a visit to this underground wonder is a truly remarkable and adventurous activity. Fortunately, it’s also easy for the average visitor to enjoy a subterranean adventure on the island!
Located along the southern edge of Mauna Loa, Kula Kai Caverns is an immense network of lava cave tunnels that’s open to the public for guided tours. The lighted trail tour is an easy and scenic walk through the cave with a guide, while the archeological and crawl tours are a bit more strenuous but offer a unique and memorable caving experience for those who can handle it.
Lava tubes are formed when thick amounts of molten rock flow out from beneath the Earth’s surface and travel across the land for a short period of time before cooling down into solid rock. When the lava reaches an area where the ground is soft and spongy, it seeps into the soil and creates an underground passageway that’s sometimes several feet tall and wide. The lava flows are then able to cool and solidify within the tube, leaving behind unique geological features like rock formations and lava balls.
While many people are familiar with the white sandy beaches and lush forested hills depicted on postcards and promotional materials, few know that Hawaii is home to a unique network of lava caves crisscrossing its landscape. These lava caves are similar to traditional caves in that they offer visitors the opportunity to walk through them much like a large underground maze.
Although there are a few lava tubes that can be explored on your own, the most popular is the Kula Kai Caverns system located along the south side of the Big Island. This underground labyrinth is part of the larger Kipuka Kanohina cave system, which stretches underneath a significant portion of the southern Big Island. Guests who book a tour through the Kula Kai caves will be escorted by guides through the lighted portion of the caverns, hearing presentations about how these unique formations were formed and learning about their historical importance for native Hawaiians.
3. Kanohina Lava Tube
There’s a reason why lava tubes are so important to Hawaiian culture. They were vital sources of water that could be collected and stored in ipu (gourds). They also served as shelter from the weather and war. Some of the larger tubes were used as burial caves, and they’re still considered kapu, or sacred sites, today.
Lava tubes have a lot to teach us about the ancient world. For example, one recent study of a lava tube in Saudi Arabia called Umm Jirsan found evidence of millennia of human occupation. The team of archaeologists examined rock art and skeletal remains that suggest people lived in the cave over the course of 7,000 years.
What’s more, isotopic analysis revealed that the livestock herders that resided in the lava tubes had a diet dominated by wild grasses and shrubs. These findings provide insight into how herders adapted to the harsh desert environment and how humans interacted with the natural landscape.
While the secluded and enduring space of a lava tube provides an opportunity to delve into a region’s past, they can also provide clues to our own spiritual and existential landscapes. For instance, the presence of animal figures in the rock art of a lava tube can indicate that these animals were totemic symbols or part of mythological narratives.
Visiting Hawaii’s lava tubes isn’t just a thrilling adventure, it’s a chance to experience part of the planet that few people get to see. Dave Nissen, founder of Wanderlust Tours, a spelunking guide service on the Big Island, notes that you don’t need much in terms of equipment to visit a lava tube. “All you need is a helmet, headlamp and clothes that can withstand the temperature and moisture,” he says. It’s important to sterilize everything that’s been in another cave, though, as a precaution against white-nose syndrome, an airborne fungal disease that has killed millions of bats and is threatening to devastate the North American cavern industry.
There are many different lava tube tours available, with each offering its own unique experiences and insights into Hawaii’s volcanic history. Some are more suited for beginners, like Nahuku, while others are more advanced and require more experience and training.
4. Second Cathedral
Located just south of the Magic Sands beach, this site is another one of the best snorkeling spots near Kona. This site features lava rock walls and caves with plenty of marine life to see. It also has a number of lava archways, a long lava cavern that scuba divers love to swim through and a ‘frozen’ lava lake! It’s also a good spot for triggerfish, rockmover wrasses and whitemouth morays.
Known locally as Nahuku, this is a huge lava tube that can be visited on your own (there’s no park fee to enter). It’s part of the Aila’au Lava Flow and has some interesting underwater topography including canyon-like passages due to thermal erosion. It’s also one of the longest lava tubes on the planet!
You’ll need to make a steep climb down stairs to get in and then choose whether to go down the left or right tube. The left starts off as a large hall and appears to be a dead end at first but it opens up later. The right is easier to enter, but is a bit tighter at the start. The bottom contours drop off gently from the beach, over lava formations that include lava roses and shark tooth stalactites before becoming more steep around 80 to 100 ft / 24 to 30 m.
This is an easy lava tube to explore, even for snorkelers who don’t have much experience. It’s a great spot for snorkelers who are looking to spend more time exploring a longer cave. It’s also very close to downtown Kona so you can easily stop by a nearby restaurant apres snorkel.
Skip the crowded tourist boats and join us on this small group (14 maximum) Big Island kayak and snorkel tour of Hawaiian sea caves, lava tubes and other coastline topography! Keep an eye out for dolphins and whales in season. Then strap on your mask and snorkel to venture around pristine reefs teaming with tropical endemic fish! It’s a once in a lifetime adventure that you won’t find anywhere else. We can’t wait to share this beautiful island with you!
