Big Island Helicopter Tour: Explore Volcanic Landscapes and Lush Rainforests
4.9
40 Ratings
Waikoloa Village
Embark on a thrilling Big Island helicopter tour and witness the beauty of volcanic landscapes, lush rainforests, and cascading waterfalls. Experience the awe-inspiring power of Madame Pele's lava and explore the stunning Kohala Mountains. Book now!
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Waikoloa - View the Kohala area known for ranching and breathtaking valleys
  • Kailua-Kona - The west coast town on Hawaii island where King Kamehameha spend his final years.
  • Mauna Loa - One of 5-volcanoes the form the Island of Hawaii and one of the largest on earth. View some of the latest flows most recently erupting in December 2022.
  • Kilauea Volcano - An active sheld volcano located along the southeastern shore of Hawaii Island. This active volcano has been continuously erupting since 1983 & sees over 2-million yearly visitors.
  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Encompassing over 335,000 acres, the park climbs from sea level to more than 13,000 feet with 6-of earth’s climate zones along the way.
  • Pu’u ‘O’o Vent - Located along the eastern rift zone of Kilauea volcano, this eruption lasted from 1983 - 2018 making it the longest-lived rift-zone eruption of the last 2-centuries.
  • Hilo - A vibrant northeastern town of Hawaii Island with breathtaking natural beauty of fertile rainforests and dramatic waterfalls.
  • Akaka Falls State Park - Among the lush rainforest valley, view Akaka Falls which plummets 442-feet into the valley below. These falls are perhaps the islands most famous.
  • Hamakua Coast - With nearly 84-inches of rainfall each year, this region boasts lush tropical rainforests, green valleys and thundering waterfalls.
  • Waimea - Known as cowboy country, this historic area is full of rolling pastures and ranches
What's Included
  • Use of microphones with 2-way communication with pilot
  • Pilot Guide who are also State of Hawaii Certified Tour Guides
  • All fees and/or taxes
  • Use of Bose Aviation-grade, electronic noise-cancelling headsets
What's Not Included
  • USB in-flight video and photo packages available after flight for purchase.
  • Transportation to and from heliport
Additional Information

Experience the stunning allure and the fiery wrath of the Big Island. Witness the impressive display of Madame Pele’s lava and volcanic wilderness, followed by the exploration of verdant rainforests and the Hamakua Coast.

Lastly, the vast and profound tropical valleys of the Kohala Mountains, filled with numerous waterfalls, serve as the ideal conclusion to the ultimate Big Island journey.

Travel in the touring helicopter, specially designed for aerial tours – the remarkable Airbus EC 130. This advanced wonder provides you with 23% extra interior space, personal business class-style seating, two-way communication with your pilot, and large windows for exceptional panoramic views. All Blue Hawaiian aircrafts are equipped with the newest and most advanced technologies, materials, systems, safety features, and avionics, promising unmatched passenger comfort.

  • Heliport and helicopter are wheelchair accessible. A wheelchair lift is available at base to assist boarding.
  • Children 23 months and younger are complimentary and considered a lap child.
  • Check-in is 1-hour prior to tour time. This allows for guest weight check-in, a safety briefing, and to be escorted and seated on the aircraft to ensure an on-time departure. Late arrivals may not be accepted and non-refundable. Please allow ample travel time to your check-in location in case of traffic delays.
  • Tours/Times may vary according to wind and weather conditions
  • No scuba diving within 24 hrs of departure
  • For each guest weighing over 240 pounds (108 kg), an adjacent empty seat is required to safely balance the aircraft. The second seat charge is half off of the regular tour price. Please arrange your additional seat after booking.
  • You should wear dark colored clothing so not to reflect in photos.
  • Hats, Bags, large cameras, extending selfie sticks are not permitted on the helicopter.
  • You should bring a credit card for optional video/photo packages and souvenirs at heliport.
  • Gratuity is not included and is left to individual discretion.
Location
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
Waikoloa Road
Check-in is 1-hour prior to tour time for weight check-in, safety briefing and to be seated on the aircraft to ensure an on-time departure. Late arrivals may not be accepted and non-refundable. Please allow ample travel time to your check-in location in case of traffic delays.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(40 Ratings)
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Brendanks2757xo
Mar 29, 2024
Blue Hawaiian helicopter big island spectacular - Amazing way to see the island without driving a lot and we had a great pilot with lots of insight named Matt. Recommend to anyone traveling in the Kona area
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Helen_t
Mar 28, 2024
The tour was very well... - The tour was very well organized. The instructions were clear, the waiting area comfortable. The tour started on time. Our guide Shane was fantastic; very knowledgeable and helpful. We saw various beautiful landscapes, many of which are unaccessible from land. I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
W4002vtcarolb
Mar 24, 2024
Beyond Amazing - We went on the Big island Spectacular out of Waikoloa 3-22-24. The staff from start to finish were beyond exceptional and professional. Our pilot Shane was the most informative, knowledgeable, personable, and caring person. He filled our hearts with the history and love of Hawai’i and showed us not only the beauty of the Island, but gave us that eternal history. Thank you Blue Hawaiian for making our 3rd trip to the Big Island so ver memorable. Doug & Carol
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Garryw820
Mar 5, 2024
Awesome helicopter Experience - We had booked the full circle Island Tour but the weather wasn't on our side. with speaking to GREG our pilot we decided to go with his recommendation due to the weather keeping everyone's safety as his first priority. Although we were disappointed we couldn't do our original tour what Greg showed us was spectacular, amazing countryside waterfalls like you wouldn't believe and whale watching from a helicopter that was an amazing sight to see. we have purchased the USB and can't wait to look at it to remind us of our spectacular flight with Blue Hawaiin Helicopters. We were given a refund of the unused portion of our tour & was amazed that my credit card had been refunded by the time we returned to our accommodation. We highly recommend Blue Hawaiin Helicopters for their friendly greeting and personal service and look forward to flying with them again when we return again from Australia. Thanks Everyone Garry, Val & Cheryl
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travelsnob99
Feb 27, 2024
The Big Island Tour is Spectacular and worth the extra cost - We fly on Blue Hawaiian out of Waikola on the Big Island Spectacular tour. The tour was amazing yet pricey; however we felt it was worth the cost. Any tour is going to be an investment and if you are going to do it might as well go "all in". The tour is divided in 2 parts. The 1st part flies you around the volcanoes. Note - on most days wind, clouds, smoke may prevent you from seeing all the volcanoes. The day of our tour it was too smoky to fly over Kilauea which is OK as safety 1st! After flying over the volcanoes, which is amazing, you will be taken back to home base for refueling. Pro Tip - during refueling you get off the helicopter so good time for a bathroom break or to get a snack. The 2nd part of the Big Island Spectacular takes you to the East and North side of the Big Island. You will see green valleys, waterfalls and the coast. The highlight of the trip is when they land you in a (very) small grassy area at the base of a waterfall. Words cannot describe how amazing this is to experience. You get 20 minutes or so to walk around take pictures, etc. Bonus on our trip - there were LOTS of humpback whales. Our pilot fly us over the water and tipped the helicopter left and right so everyone could see the whales. We saw Mama whales and their babies playing in the water; must have seen at least a dozen whales. It was incredible! Pro Tips - Blue Hawaiian asks you to show up 1 hour before departure and respect the time it tales to get you ready to fly. Do not inconvenience your fellow passengers by being late. Flights are weight balanced; they weigh you when you get there (don't worry no one sees the weigh in); respect the fact in order to be safe, based on weight, you are placed in certain seats in the helicopter. Do not argue with the staff on where they want you to sit as safety 1st!! The staff does their best to keep groups together. 3 seats in front with the pilot front left and 2 passengers. 4 seats in the back, 2 outside, 2 inside. The "inside seats" have great views so don't worry. The Blue Hawaiian staff & pilots at Waikoloa are fantastic! Janie (sp) was super accommodating and helpful. Our pilot was Kai and he was cool as could be making our flight smooth and safe. As mentioned, Blue Hawaiian's #1 priority s safety; they won't fly if they think it's not safe (which is great). Worth mentioning 1 more time; flying on a helicopter is a big investment. If you can afford it, step up for the Big Island Spectacular, it's worth the cost.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joseph_y
Feb 27, 2024
Fantastic! - This was the most amazing experience! We felt so safe and our pilot Hans was so kind and such a great host! By far our favorite thing we did on the island. The views were absolutely breathtaking! Highly highly recommend!!!!!
Review provided by Viator
332heatheri
Feb 15, 2024
Fantastic - It was an absolutely amazing experience. I don’t like scary rides and I couldn’t believe how smooth a ride it was. James was an outstanding pilot and tour guide. It was so beautiful just like a show on National Geographic. Jane’s was so informative and took care that we all saw everything he pointed out. Thanks
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Steve_m
Feb 15, 2024
Spectacular! - Awesome views! Awesome pilot, Shane. We would do it again. We recommend to anyone thinking about it.
Review provided by Viator
Danny_a
Feb 3, 2024
Both parts of the trip,... - Both parts of the trip, the viewing of the volcano area and the coastline experience were incredible!
Review provided by Viator
Joseph_z
Jan 31, 2024
We had Hans as a pilot he... - We had Hans as a pilot he was smart kind funny and safe. Would recommend to anyone! So beautiful! Thanks for the history.
Review provided by Viator
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