Impression
I went to see lava flowing in Hawaii over the course of a few days.
Seeing lava flow from the world's most active volcano was an amazing experience, I got so close I could feel the heat and my lens fogged up many times. The best way to see the lava glow is to see it in the dark. Lava Ocean Tours (now out of business) offers a trip at 4:30am to see lava from a boat up close. The boat can be very bumpy, there is no shore to catch the crashing waves. Luckily, the waves were relatively calm when I went. Sit along the edge and in the front for the best view.
Kīlauea was impressive although it is hard to get close to it, you are able to see it from a few touristy spots. It would probably be better to see it at night with a clear sky and no moon but you can still see the lava in the middle of the day.
The Lava Viewing Area is a few miles from a parking lot so you can rent and ride a bike on the dirt road to get closer. Make sure to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen. Once you get to the end of the bike path, you can walk around the perimeter, which is roped off, for miles. There is the potential in this area to see lava flow right by your feet but there is no guarantee of it. You can see updates on the status of Kīlauea: here.
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