Difficulty Rating
Easy
Minimum Age
None
Minimum Age
None
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Overview
Experience a spectacular two-hour flight around the Big Island with breathtaking views of tropical rainforests, waterfalls, volcanoes, and miles of stunning coastline!
Highlights
2-hour narrated tour around the Big Island
See active eruptions (if present) and the remnants of past volcanic eruptions
Volcanic black sand beaches, rugged coastlines, & crashing waves
Cascading waterfalls, 2,000-foot-deep valleys, grazing animals, & coffee farms
Lush Tropical Rainforests, highland mountains, & sparse deserts
See areas so remote they cannot be accessed by road
Start Time
8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 2:00 PM
Tour Duration
2 Hours
What's Included
2-hour tour around the northern half of the island
On-board commentary from your pilot in English
Use of two-way headsets so you can communicate with your pilot
Doors-on flight in comfortable, state-of-the-art EcoStar helicopters
Pre-flight safety briefing (mandatory)
Flight recording available for purchase after the tour
Upgrades
First Class (front seats) $250
Comfort Seat (mandatory if over 240lbs.) $359.50
Japanese Narration $50
Description
A Big Island helicopter tour is the best way to see all the beauty the island has to offer in one thrilling experience!
Hawaii Island really is a 'Big Island' and the Big Island Spectacular is the only Big Island helicopter tour that circles the majority of the island's main attractions in just two hours!
While most helicopter tours focus on one corner of the island or another, this Big Island helicopter tour encompasses eight different climate zones, five volcanoes, and a rich variety of landscapes and natural formations.
What to expect on your Big Island helicopter tour
Departing from the Waikoloa Heliport, this Big Island helicopter tour travels east along the Kohala and Hamakua coastlines and the Kohala mountains.
Along the way, you'll fly over lava scars from past eruptions, verdant tropical rainforests, dramatic cliffs, black sand beaches, and more waterfalls than you can count. Some highlights also include:
- Waipio Valley, a stunning six-mile deep valley that is off-limits to visitors
- Waimanu Valley, often referred to as Hawaii's last true wilderness
- Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain in Hawaii, renowned for the astronomical research that takes place on its summit
Hawaii Island is home to eleven different climate zones, and you will get to witness most of them on your Big Island helicopter tour. From deserts to rainforests to tundra, you'll see it all within minutes.
As your Big Island helicopter tour travels along the island's lush windward side, 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 is sure to catch your breath, as are the white sand beaches of Kona, as your Big Island helicopter tour starts its return to Waikoloa Village.
Big Island Helicopter Safety
You’ll be flying in an Airbus ECOSTAR or A-Star helicopter, a modern, state-of-the-art aircraft specifically designed for the tourism industry. When passenger comfort and safety are the priorities, the end result is a smooth ride, cozy seats, and doors and windows that are designed so that everyone aboard your Big Island helicopter tour gets a good view.
On this Big Island Helicopter tour, doors are always left on for safety. All passengers are required to check in 45 minutes before their flights and watch a safety briefing. Seating is assigned by the pilot to ensure proper weight and balance of the aircraft, unless you have upgraded to a front passenger seat.
Why opt for a Big Island Helicopter Tour?
Even if your time on the Big Island is limited, you can still experience all the breathtaking sights and unique landmarks it has to offer. The two-hour Big Island helicopter tour makes it all possible.
Helicopter tours can make your visit even more magical as you fly over all the island’s hidden gems and the remote areas that you have yet to explore. And on this Big Island helicopter tour, you'll see several areas that you can't access on your own, like Waipiao and Waimanu Valleys and the summit of Mauna Kea.
You’ll enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Big Island and see its world-famous landmarks in a way that only a select few ever get to experience.
Book your Big Island helicopter tour today! (808)900-6070
Videos
Know Before You Book
Activity Level: Easy, this tour is suitable for adults, children and seniors.
Please arrive at the Waikoloa Heliport 45 min prior to your tour departure time for a pre-flight safety briefing.
Bags are not allowed on the helicopter, you will only be permitted to bring your phone or camera along.
Wear black or dark colors to reduce window glare and ensure you get the best quality photos and video possible.
Getting There
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters is conveniently located at the Waikoloa Heliport, 68-690 Waikoloa Rd., Waikoloa Village, HI 96738. Parking is free.
Tour FAQs
Will I see lava from my helicopter?
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.
What is the seating like in the helicopter?
The Airbus EcoStar helicopter can seat six passengers in addition to the pilot. There are two seats located up front next to the pilot, and a row of four seats behind the pilot. EcoStars are specifically designed for the tourism industry, with the cockpit almost entirely consisting of windows for better viewing from all seats.
Seating is assigned based on weight and balance, following federal guidelines designated by the FAA. If you purchase a seating upgrade, it is not a guarantee; however, if you purchase a front seat upgrade, we will do our best to seat you in your purchased location.
Combined front row seat weight must be under 470 lbs, and individual passenger weights must be 240 lbs. Should actual weights during check-in exceed any of these limits, guests will be accommodated in other seats, and a refund will be made for the premium upgrade fee.
Front row passengers must occupy their own seats and must be able to refrain from interfering with the pilot and instrumentation. At least one of the front seat occupants must be 15 years of age or older and capable of performing emergency aircraft egress procedures. Lap children cannot be accommodated in the front row. In the event of an emergency, front row passengers must be able to receive instructions in English and be physically capable of operating exit doors.
Chair lifts are only able to access the rear row of seats; therefore, guests requiring a chair lift to board the helicopter cannot be accommodated in the front row.
What should we wear for our helicopter flight?
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.
What are your weight restrictions and what is the Extra Seat Policy?
The weight and balance of helicopters are an important part of flight safety. A Comfort Seat fee is assessed for any guests weighing 240 lbs and over at the time of check-in.
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Each guest weighing 240 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).
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 discreetly 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.
The Comfort Seat charge only applies to individual seat tours; it does not apply to charters, private tours, or tour buyouts.
What is your cancellation policy?
Tours:
A 24-hour notice is required for any changes or cancellations by calling (808) 900-6070 between 7 am and 7 pm daily. No shows and changes within 24 hours will be charged the full amount.
Private Charters:
Customers who book a private charter can cancel up to 72 hours before their flight without penalty. Penalties for cancellations within 72 hours 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.
Are young children allowed on the tour?
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. Lap children cannot sit in the front row.
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 at least 24 hours before 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 within 72 hours 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.