Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure Tour + Helicopter

Explore the Big Island by land and air with this amazing Oahu to Hilo Volcano Tour!

The Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure Tour does the planning for you, including booking your round-trip, inter-island flights. Once you arrive at the Hilo airport, you’ll be whisked away and taken to all the Big Island hotspots: waterfalls, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, downtown Hilo, and so much more.

And once you’ve seen the best of the Big Island from the ground on the Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure tour, it is time to see that stunning volcanic landscape from the air!  

Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure Tour + Helicopter Itinerary

Flight to Hilo: The Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure Tour begins with an early morning flight from Honolulu to Hilo, usually on the first flight of the day. 

Your flights will be direct and will take just under an hour each way. Both flights are included in the Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure Tour, and will be booked for you.

Land Tour: You will be picked up by your driver/guide shortly after you arrive at the Hilo Airport for a full day of sightseeing. This is a narrated, small-group tour in a modern, air-conditioned, and comfortable vehicle (van or mini-bus). 

The order of tour stops on the Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure tour can vary, but typically, the morning starts with a visit to Akaka Falls State Park.

Akaka Falls: You will take a short walk through the rainforest to view the towering 442-foot Akaka Falls. 

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Next, you will travel to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you will get to explore the park for the afternoon. The park is home to both Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. While we cannot guarantee that lava will be visible during your visit, your time in the park will be full of interesting stops. 

• You’ll visit Halema’uma’u Crater, located within the main caldera at Kilauea's summit.
• You'll stop to view the exhibits at the Visitor Center. 
• There will also be a stop to view the steam vents up close.
• You'll walk on a lava field and get to see what cooled lava looks and feels like up close. 
• You'll walk through the Nahuku Lava Tube. The walk through the lava tube is short and easy, and the inside of the lava tube is lit as well.
• You will get to enjoy a scenic picnic lunch somewhere in the park.
• You'll be able to explore the public areas of the historic Volcano House Hotel and do a little souvenir shopping if time permits. 
• Your tour guide will also take you for a drive along the scenic Chain of Craters Road and stop at a few scenic overlooks.

Historic Hilo: As your Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure land tour draws to a close, your driver will return to Hilo, taking a scenic drive past some local landmarks on the way to the Hilo heliport, which is adjacent to the Hilo airport. However, the best part of your Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure tour is yet to come!    

Prepare for your day in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park!

Helicopter Tour: Once you’ve explored Hawaii Volcanoes National Park from the ground, it’s time to check out the view from above. The helicopter tour is a fully narrated, 50-minute flight from Hilo to the park – featuring spectacular views of both Kilauea and Mauna Loa.

On this portion of the Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure, 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. Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure guests will 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.

On the helicopter portion of the Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure, 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 on board. 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.

Helicopter Safety: Passengers will need to provide their weight when booking their Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure tour. They will also be discreetly weighed when checking in for the helicopter tour to ensure proper weight and balance of the aircraft. All passengers will be required to attend a pre-flight safety briefing. Doors are left on the helicopter and kept closed throughout the flight for safety. 

Evening flight to Oahu: After your Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure helicopter tour ends, it is only a 3-minute walk back to the main airport terminal for your return flight. You’ll arrive with plenty of time to pass through airport security, shop for Big Island souvenirs, and grab a snack or early dinner in the airport cafe before your early evening flight back to Oahu.

Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure guests typically return to Honolulu between 7 and 8 pm, though this is always subject to change. Transportation from the Honolulu airport to your Oahu hotel is not included. We recommend using taxis or rideshares, as these are usually the fastest and most convenient options.

Book your Oahu to Hilo Volcano Adventure Tour + Helicopter today!