The Hawaiian archipelago was created millions of years ago when underwater volcanoes emerged from the ocean’s surface. With approximately 20 volcanoes ranging in age from 400,000 years to 5.1 million years, the Hawaiian archipelago is the youngest section of the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain of volcanoes and seamounts extending across the Pacific Ocean. From the beautiful black sand beaches of the Big Island to the Big Island’s active Kilauea, Hawaii’s volcanoes make the islands incredibly unique, but it’s the volcanic craters and formations we can’t get enough of. Here are a few of the best volcanic craters in Hawaii that you can visit for yourself:

1. Kilauea Iki Crater
K?lauea Iki Crater, Hawaii 96778, USA
Heath Cajandig/Flickr
Within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is Kilauea, the fiery home of one of Hawaii’s most revered gods: Pele. Kilauea is both Hawaii’s youngest shield volcano on land, as well as the most active. One of the best craters is the unparalleled Kilauea Iki, which you can walk through on an epic, unforgettable four-mile hike. It doesn’t get much more incredible than meandering through lush rainforest to the floor of this lava lake formed in 1959.
2. Diamond Head Crater
Diamond Head Crater, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA
Eric Tessmer/Flickr
Dubbed Diamond Head by sailors who were entranced by the volcano’s glittering peak, the mountain’s summit is littered with calcite crystals - but the name stuck. This volcanic tuff cone is perhaps the most well-known landmark on Oahu. The view of Diamond Head via airplane is iconic, the hike to the summit is mentioned in every guidebook, and you can even see the crater from the famous beaches of Waikiki. The crater is more than 3,500 feet in diameter and has been dormant for more than 150,000 years.
3. Hualalai Craters
Hual?lai, Hawaii 96725, USA
Hawaii Forest & Trail/Website
The westernmost, third-youngest and the third-most active of Hawaii Island’s five volcanoes, Hualalai measures in at approximately 8,271 feet above sea level. Despite experiencing low levels of activity since its last eruption in 1801 — and being unusually inactive for the last two thousand years — Hualalai is still considered active and is expected to erupt again sometime within the next century. The volcano is home to countless craters, many of which can be witnessed on a tour with Hawaii Forest and Trail.

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4. Haleakala Crater
Haleakala Crater, Hawaii 96790, USA
--Raven/Flickr
Just 27 square miles short of equaling the entire size of Oahu, Mount Haleakala is a gentle giant - a dormant volcano that has inspired those who make the journey to its summit for centuries. Translating to "House of the Sun," Haleakala rises more than 10,000 feet above sea level, comprises 75 percent of Maui Island, and is home to desert-like conditions, rainforests, and everything in between. The Haleakala Crater is nearly seven miles across, two miles wide, and approximately 2,600 feet deep — large enough to fit the entire island of Manhattan inside. Experience it for yourself with a visit to Haleakala National Park for lots of hiking.
5. Mauna Loa Summit Craters
Mauna Loa Summit Cairn, Hawaii 96785, USA
Donald W. Peterson, USGS/Wikipedia
One of the five volcanoes that makes up the Island of Hawaii, Mauna Loa has historically been considered the largest volcano on earth, measuring in at a volume of more than 18,000 cubic miles, and dwarfed only by Tamu Massif. This active volcano last erupted in 1984, and its summit is home to three overlapping pit craters arranged northeast-southwest. Together, these three craters make up the 3.9 by 1.6-mile summit caldera Moku’aweoweo.
6. Koko Crater
Koko Crater, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA
Thank You (22.5 Millions+)/Flickr
Found on Oahu’s southeastern shore is the 200-acre Koko Head Crater, an ancient tuff cone that last erupted was 30,000 to 35,000 years ago. On the outside of this tuft cone is the popular Koko Head Stairs, while on the inside, you will find horse stables and the Koko Crater Botanical Garden, which houses an extensive collection of cacti and succulents.
7. Halemaumau Crater
Halemaumau Crater, Hawaii 96778, USA
Sean Munson/Flickr
Located within the much larger summit caldera of Kilauea in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the circular crater was 770 by 900 meters prior to the collapses that nearly doubled the size of the crater after May 3, 2018. Until recently, the crater contained an active lava lake, but is now accessible via a 1.8-mile round trip hike to stop 10, after which the trail is closed due to the active eruptive vent in Halema‘uma‘u Crater.

Have you experienced the wonder of any of these volcanic craters in Hawaii for yourself? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below, then join our Hawaii Nature Lovers Facebook group to share photographs of your favorite volcanic formations across the islands.

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More to Explore

Craters in Hawaii

Tori Jane | June 20, 2022

What is the largest Hawaii crater and how old is it?  

The largest Hawaii crater is the crater known as the Kilauea Caldera, a still-active beast of a volcanic system that once exploded with one of the most incredible eruptions the world has ever seen. It is 2.93 miles long, 1.95 miles wide, and has a circumference of 7.85 miles. Its surface area is 4.14 square miles. It is thought to be anywhere from 210,000 to 280,000 years old, and it’s had numerous major eruptions throughout its lifetime, the most recent of which was in 1982. Of course, it is still active, though it is currently at a quieter point of its lifecycle. Surely, it’ll become explosive again someday. We don’t know when, but it will – and hopefully, there will be plenty of warning.  

How many volcanoes in Hawaii are there?  

Impressively, there are at least 15 volcanoes that make up Hawaii as we know and love it today. Hawaii is made up of 137 islands (including eight major ones), and many of those islands are known to have volcanoes. The Big Island consists of Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Hualalai, and Kohala. Kaua’i is made of one volcano known as Waialeale. There are nine more, and the list goes on – and each of them is worth visiting for sure! If you’re one of those folks who have always wanted to see a volcano, we get it – and trust us when we say Hawaii is perfect!  

What are some amazing natural wonders in Hawaii?  

Hawaii is home to so much more than just volcanoes (though the volcanoes are one of the most fascinating and dramatic natural wonders in Hawaii). Visit the beautiful Waimea Canyon, on Kauai, and explore this incredible 16-kilometer-wide and one-kilometer-deep gorge for an entire day, taking time to appreciate its unique beauty. The Koolau Range is another must-see natural wonder in Hawaii; it’s the second of two stunning mountain ranges in our beautiful little state. Our beaches are to die for, and there’s a reason Hawaii is considered the epitome of paradise: it’s made of never-ending stunningly beautiful places and we’re excited that it’s all ours!  

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