Kona: Circle Island Experience

Difficulty Rating

Easy

Minimum Age

None

4.8
4.8/5

Overview

Experience the spectacular two-hour helicopter flight over the Big Island with breathtaking views of tropical rainforests, waterfalls and volcanic activity.

Highlights

See all five volcanoes
2 hour helicopter flight, circle the entire island!
2,000-foot deep valleys
White, black and green sand beaches
Rugged coastlines with crashing waves
Stunning waterfalls
View the dramatic aftermath of the 2018 Lava flow at Klauea crater
Lush Rainforests
See 11 of the planets 13 climate zones

Activity Time

10:30 AM, 2:00 PM

Tour Duration

2 Hours

What's Included

2 Hour guided Helicopter tour circling the entire island
Live commentary on board
Volcanic slopes full of Kona Coffee
South Point - The Southern Most Point in the US
Kilauea Volcano and Pu'u 'O'o Vent
Devastation caused by recent eruptions
The newest Black Sand Beaches on Earth
Hundreds of Waterfalls
Breathtaking Valleys of Kohala

Upgrades

Window Seats ($50 per person)
Front Co-Pilot Seat ($125)

Description

Due to extremely high demand, this tour is not available for online booking.  Please call 808-900-6070 or use contact form to check availability.

Departing from Kona, experience the best of the Big Island en route to Kilauea volcano. Fly over the majestic mountains Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Continue toward East Hawaii for the incomparable rainforest & Kohala Valleys. Rounding out your trip, enjoying birds-eye iconic island views, including Hapuna Beach, Kua Bay, the famous Captain Cook & Kealakekua Bay.

Hawaii Island really is a 'Big Island' and Paradise's Circle Island Experience is the only helicopter tour in Hawaii that ventures south to encompass the entire island, and we do it in just over two hours!

Starting from Kona International Airport at the island's western-most tip, your pilot takes you past the Kona coffee district and slopes of Mauna Loa to the southernmost town in the United States. You'll be amazed when viewing one of only four green sand beaches in the world! Next, your pilot will take you to view what was the world's most active volcano, and continue towards the crater that was previously Pu'u Oo Vent.

Then, turn to the east, the island's lush windward side and Hilo town. Notice how water now flows where lava once did, gushing out of sheer cliffs through lava tubes, creating hundreds of waterfalls, and nourishing the rich vegetation. The grandeur of the Kohala valleys and waterfalls of the north are sure to catch your breath, as are the white sand beaches on your return to Kona.

Videos

Know Before You Book

Activity Level - Easy: Suitable for adults, children and seniors.
Please arrive at the Kona Airport 45 min prior to your tour departure time.
Self-Pay parking at Kona Airport.

Getting There

Paradise Helicopters is conveniently located at Kona Airport

Lava flowing is an act of nature, therefore we do not guarantee sighting of lava. Surface lava flows may be present but may not be visible due to environmental conditions or time constraints.

Tours:

A full refund is available if a cancellation is made 2 or more business days in advance of the scheduled flight. Any cancellation made less than 48 hours in advance will receive no refund.

Private Charters:

Customers who book a private charter are able to cancel up to 72 hours prior to their flight without penalty. Penalties for cancellations inside the 72 hour period will consist of any expenses or costs already incurred on behalf of the guest. Credit card fees are non-refundable.

This cancellation policy is subject to change.

This Privacy Policy describes our policies on the collection, use, and disclosure of information about you in connection with your use of our services, including those offered through our websites, emails, and mobile applications (collectively, the “Service”). The terms “we”, “us”, and Hawaiivolcanoexpeditions.com refer to Mauka Tours LLC., a Hawai‘i company with its headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaii. When you use the Service, you consent to our collection, use, and disclosure of information about you as described in this Privacy Policy.

Price:

$799.00

To book, please call:

(808)900-6070

Or use the contact form to check availability.

Tour FAQs

Lava sightings are not guaranteed. Eruptions are unpredictable and volcanic conditions are always changing. Weather conditions such as fog or rain may also obscure lava sightings even when present. Please check the USGS’s Volcano Updates site for the most current information.

**NOTE: For the ultimate in social distancing, we recommend booking all seats on the aircraft so that the only guests on the helicopter are the individuals in your party. **

In our Bell 407, the seating is executive style (like a limousine). There is one passenger in the front with the pilot and five in the back. Two seats face the other 3 seats allowing you to see and talk to the person(s) you are flying with.

Seating is assigned based on weight and balance following guidelines which have been approved by the FAA. If you purchase a seating upgrade it is not a guarantee; however, if you purchase a co-pilot and/or window seat upgrades, we will do our best to seat you in your purchased location. If we cannot accommodate a seat upgrade due to weight and balance requirements for your flight (or for any other reason), we will refund your upgrade purchase at check-in. However, because of the outstanding helicopters we fly, viewing is great from all of the seats.

We recommend removing earrings as they can interfere with the seal of your headset causing discomfort and decreased functionality of the earpieces. The tightly fitting headsets may also bend or damage certain styles of earrings. Please wear dark-colored clothing. Lighter clothing will cause a reflection in any windows and show up in your photos as well as the photos of other guests.

Weight and balance of helicopters is an important part  of our safety program. An Extra Seat fee is assessed for any guests weighing 270 lbs and over at the time of check-in.

  • Each guest weighing 270 lbs. or more must purchase an extra seat for weight and balance purposes. The extra seat is discounted from the original price (before fuel surcharge). All guests who purchase an extra seat are guaranteed a window seat.

Weights for all guests are requested at the time of booking, and their accuracy is essential to ensure the comfort and safety of all guests. To ensure safety, we weigh all guests at check-in, and if we are unable to fly a guest due to an inaccurate weight provided at the time of booking, no refund will be made.

By maintaining proper weight and balance in the aircraft, we hope to provide our guests with a safe, smooth and comfortable air adventure with Paradise Helicopters.

The Extra Seat charge only applies to individual seat tours. Does not apply to charters, private tours, or tour buyouts.

Tours:

A full refund is available if a cancellation is made 2 or more business days in advance of the scheduled flight. Any cancellation made less than 48 hours in advance will receive no refund.

Private Charters:

Customers who book a private charter are able to cancel up to 72 hours prior to their flight without penalty. Penalties for cancellations inside the 72 hour period will consist of any expenses or costs already incurred on behalf of the guest. Credit card fees are non-refundable.

This cancellation policy is subject to change.

Yes. Children under the age of two (2) fly free when seated in the lap of a paying adult – proof of age required for lap children under two (2). Children 24 months and over require an individual full-fare seat.