Bud & Shane Turpin after tackling a couple large Mahi Mahi's.

Lava Ocean Adventures is product of over two decades of having fun on the water boating & fishing here in the Southeast waters with family, friends & you.

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Dan with guests holding a nice fat Onofish. This very well could be you and your friends in the picture.

The History leading to Lava Ocean Adventures

Back in 1983 my father Bud "Lavaman" Turpin brought my family to live here on the Big Island to a place called Eden Rock. Well Eden Rock is located just below the volcano only a couple miles from the vent. As a child I can remember watching with my father the Molton Lava shooting 1000's of feet into the nights sky. A couple years after moving here Bud and his cousin Sky bought a Zodiac which was great for diving and fishible under the right conditions. After many rought days in the Zodiac Bud partnered up with a friend Henry to upgrade to a 17 ft Ali Kai boat the Ku'uipo. In all her glory she had 1 28 hp 2 stroke Johnson and a 30 hp Johnson which was great for the time. During this time many commercial fishermen fished out of Po'hoiki Bay common were large Ahi which paid a fair price. During these years my father and I fished together to the flow and from time to time the lava would be touching the sea. After many years of viewing this special occurance I told my father that one day I would like to be able to share this experience others. In 1997 a family friend bought a 22ft Waipoli Cat boat name the "Meow." After a couple years he no longer was using the boat Bud decided to purchase the "Meow." Wow what a difference the cat style boat made out here in the challenging eastside waters. So now we had the boat all we needed was a captain and some clients. I decided to move over to Maui to begin working aboard a boat, I found myself on the Maka Kai a 50+ ft vessel that was one of the first Molokini Tours. With this cam the chance to work with a group of seasoned captains and crew members. While working on Maui I completed my 100 Ton Licensing requirements & began thinking about the Lava/Fishing Charter again. During this time lava flowed red to the sea sometimes up to a couple years straight. After 10 years of faithful service we repowered, outfitted and renamed the "Meow" to the boat commonly known today as the "LavaKat." Shortly after in December 2006 Dan & I running the "Rivers of Fire Tour" which quickly became a favorite. Not even the long drive over from Kona leaving at 2:30am stopped our lava hunters. Still today the "LavaKat" is a proven worthy charter vessel, however she's only rated for 6 passengers. In June 2007 we took a giant step to begin offering a vessel which combines safety, speed, stability & comfort.. The new 34ft "LAVAKAI" is 100% Aluminum, rated for 24 passengers, has covered seating, onboard fresh water and most importantly has a full marine head something we always wished the "LavaKat" had. The rest for now is history in the making, I look forward to taking your and your family on a fun filled ocean tour. Isn't time for you to get out and discover the rest of Puna.

A Hui Hou,

Captain Shane Turpin