The Kula Kai Caverns are located on the southwest slope of Mauna Loa near the island’s southern tip, and about 40 miles south of Kailua-Kona. As it’s on the way to the volcano park it may prove an interesting stopover, though you should get an early start. The caverns are more properly called lava tubes, formed as lava from the nearby volcano made its way up to the surface, leaving behind the empty shell of its passage. The Kula Kai caverns consist of a network of miles of interconnecting tunnels ranging from the wide open to the downright crawl space, all filled with impressive formations volcanic formations. The visitor can get a first hand experience of this unique island geology through their guides’ narratives, with an examination of old lava flows, lava shelves, and even the intriguing “lavacicles”, drips of running lava along the ceiling that solidified before they could drop. Some caves are not for the claustrophobic. Not to worry, the site offers the visitor a series of alternative experiences, from your pleasant guided stroll through well lighted caverns to a more hairy jaunt through the “Goat Cave”, at times narrow with tricky footing and minimal light. If you’re lucky you may even come across the remnants of goat skeletons that give the cave its name. Of course, experienced guides will be leading you. Kula Kai Caverns offer four basic caving tours, the Walking Tour, the Spelunking Tour, and the Maelstrom Cave Tour, and the Goat Cave Tour, each of which vary in length and level of difficulty as well as in the maximum number of allowed participants. All tours, however, are by reservation only, so you should phone or send an email in advance. Admission/fees: Walking Tour Adults(12+):$12.00 Child: $6.00 Spelunking Tour $45.00 Per Person Maelstrom Cave $65.00 Per Person Goat Cave Tour $45.00 Per Person $75.00 for 2-3 Persons