Oahu to Hilo: Helicopter & Volcano Adventure Tour

Difficulty Rating

Easy to Moderate

Minimum Age

None

4.9
4.9/5

Overview

Hop over to the Big Island for a day full of adventure. Enjoy all the best attractions: volcanoes, waterfalls, and so much more. Then top off the day with a helicopter volcano tour that will surely be the highpoint of your trip!

Highlights

Round trip airfare from Honolulu to Hilo included
Guided tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls and more
Fully narrated 55-minute guided helicopter tour over of Volcanoes National Park, including Kilauea’s active crater and the remains of Mauna Loa’s most recent eruption

Activity Time

6:00 AM

Tour Duration

12 Hours

What's Included

Seven hour guided land tour of the Big Island
Admission to Volcanoes National Park and Akaka Falls State Park
Picnic lunch provided by Millie’s Deli
Points of interest: Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls, Halema’uma’u Crater, steam vents, Nahuku Lava Tube, Chain of Craters Road, Kealakomo Overlook
55-minute guided helicopter tour
Commentary in English
Use of Bose noise canceling headphones
Use of two-way microphone (to communicate with your pilot)
Upgrade to a front seat available for an extra fee

Description

Explore the Big Island by land and air with the Oahu to Volcano: Land & Helicopter tour package. This tour does (almost) all the planning for you, including booking your island-hopping flights. Once you arrive at the Hilo airport you’ll be whisked away and taken to all the Big Island hotspots - waterfalls, Volcanoes National Park, steam vents, a lava tube, and so much more. Then, once you’ve seen the best of the Big Island from the ground, it is time to see that stunning volcanic landscape from the air!  

Getting there: You’ll be booked on an early morning flight from Honolulu to Hilo, usually the first flight of the day. Ground transportation to and from the Honolulu airport is not included, but all transportation once on the Big Island is included. 

Land Tour: You will be picked up by your driver/guide shortly after your arrival at the Hilo Airport for a full day of sightseeing. The order of tour stops can vary, but typically the morning starts with waterfalls, including a stop at Rainbow Falls and a visit to Akaka Falls State Park where you will take a short walk through the rainforest to view the towering 442-foot Akaka Falls. Next, you will be taken to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where you will enjoy a picnic lunch and get to explore the park for the afternoon. 

Volcanoes N.P. is home to both Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. You’ll visit the Halema’uma’u Crater, which is located in the main caldera at its summit, some nearby steam vents, and even hike through Nahuku/Thurston Lava Tube. Your guide will also take you for a scenic drive along the Chain of Craters Road and stop at the Kealakomo Overlook for a panoramic coastal view.  As your land tour draws to a close, your driver will return to Hilo and take you back to the airport – but the best part of your trip is yet to come!    

Helicopter Tour: Once you’ve explored Hawaii Volcanoes National Park from the ground it’s time to check it out from above. The helicopter tour is a fully narrated, 55-minute flight from Hilo to the park – featuring spectacular views of both Kilauea and Mauna Loa.

You will be flown over Halema’uma’u Crater at Kilauea’s summit and the nearby Iki Crater. Weather permitting, you’ll also be flown over the base of Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano. You’ll get to view this massive volcano from above and be shown the remnants of its latest eruption in 2022. You’ll also enjoy a bird’s eye view of Hilo and the rugged terrain, lush rainforests, waterfalls, and black sand beaches that the Puna district is known for.

You’ll be flying in an Airbus EcoStar or A-Star helicopter, which are both state-of-the-art helicopters specifically designed for scenic tours. Not only are these helicopters known for being safe and comfortable, but they also provide the smoothest ride and great views for everyone onboard. The use of aviation grade noise canceling headphones and two-way microphones is also included – to ensure that communication with your pilot is crystal clear.

Getting home: You’ll arrive back at the airport with plenty of time to grab a bite to eat before your early evening return flight to Oahu. Guests typically arrive in Honolulu between 7 and 8 pm, though this is always subject to change. Transportation from the airport to your accommodations is not included. 

Videos

Know Before You Book

Tours run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:00 am until 7:40 pm (HNL takeoff to landing)
Payment is required when making your reservation. A confirmation email will be sent to you and will include a voucher, itinerary, and detailed instructions.
Passengers weighing over 240 lbs. are subject to an additional $185 fee for the helicopter tour.
Lava flows or steam vents may not be visible on the day of your tour due to environmental conditions.
Routes or stops may need to be modified due to weather, traffic, and National or State Park advisories.

Getting There

Your tour begins when you arrive at Honolulu International Airport to embark on your flight Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii

This tour is not recommended for women who are pregnant or may be pregnant.

Standard TSA rules apply on the commercial flight included in this tour. That means that you must provide us with your name exactly as it appears on your valid, government-issued ID. You must have your ID for airport security check-in. International guests must bring a valid passport for airport security check-in.

Tour highlights are subject to change without notice and may vary at tour driver discretion in order to take into account National Park Service advisories, weather advisories, traffic advisories, road closures and detours, and venue hours of operation.

120 hours notice of cancellation prior to airport meeting time is required for a full refund; no-shows will incur a full charge. NAME or DATE changes after booking has been confirmed with the airline will be assessed a change fee of up to $250 for flight change, plus fare difference per segment or name change.

Helicopter tours are subject to cancellations due to weather. You will be notified as soon as possible of any changes or cancellations; however, a pilot can make a weather call up to 15 minutes prior to the flight. Cancellations made by the tour operator that cannot be rescheduled will be fully refunded.

We will not sell, share, or in any way release your personal information to any unrelated third parties. Please check out our full Privacy Policy.

Price:

$804.00

Tour FAQs

Transportation: Roundtrip, direct, interisland flights from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) to Hilo International Airport (ITO). (Transportation to and from HNL is not included.)  

Land Tour:

  • Seven hour guided land tour of the Big Island
  • Admission to Volcanoes National Park and Akaka Falls State Park
  • Picnic lunch provided by Millie’s Deli
  • Points of interest: Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls, Halema’uma’u Crater, steam vents, Nahuku Lava Tube, Chain of Craters Road, Kealakomo Overlook

Helicopter Tour:

  • 55-minute guided helicopter tour
  • Commentary in English
  • Use of Bose noise canceling headphones
  • Use of two-way microphone (to communicate with your pilot)
  • Upgrade to a front seat available for an extra fee

Land Tour:  The tour begins at Hilo International Airport and travels from Hilo to Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls State Park, then Hawaii Volcanoes National Park before returning to the Hilo airport in the late afternoon for the helicopter tour.   

Helicopter Tour:  The flight begins and ends at Hilo International Airport and travels in a wide circle around the Puna region, which is known for its volcanic activity, rainforests, and rugged terrain. The typical flight path includes a flyover of Volcanoes National Park (including Kilauea’s active crater and Mauna Loa’s recent lava flows), as well as traveling along the easternmost coast of Hawaii. Please keep in mind that your pilot may need to adjust the intended flight plan if conditions necessitate.

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.

One or both tours may be canceled due to inclement weather. If a tour cannot be rescheduled, you will be given a full refund for that tour.

120 hours notice of cancellation prior to airport meeting time is required for a full refund; no-shows will incur a full charge. NAME or DATE changes after booking has been confirmed with the airline will be assessed a change fee of up to $250 for flight change, plus fare difference per segment or name change.

Helicopter tours are subject to cancellations due to weather. You will be notified as soon as possible of any changes or cancellations; however, a pilot can make a weather call up to 15 minutes prior to the flight. Cancellations made by the tour operator that cannot be rescheduled will be fully refunded.

Dress comfortably and for the elements. Walking shoes, rain jacket, and removable layers are highly recommended. Passing showers are common, it can be windy at the summit of Kilauea, and it can get chilly on the helicopter once it reaches altitude. Dark clothing can reduce glare and make for better quality photos during the helicopter tour.

A valid government-issued photo ID and your camera or smartphone, plus sun and rain protection for the outdoor tours.

Yes. Children under 2 can be seated on their parents lap for no charge. However, please keep in mind that many commercial vehicles aren’t compatible with child safety seats and many of the tour stops aren’t stroller friendly. Children under 2 cannot be seated in the front row of the helicopter and all children aged 2-14 yrs. sitting in the front row must be seated with an adult.