Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour

The Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour gives you a fast, dramatic look at places that are hard or impossible to reach by road. In about two hours, you may see Kohala valleys, Hamakua waterfalls, volcanic craters, lava flows, and both coasts from the air.

I like the excellent communication system, with Bose noise-canceling headsets and two-way microphones, and I like the way the route brings together such different parts of Hawaii Island. Pilots including James, Greg, Shane, Kai, and Toshi have earned strong praise for their friendly commentary and calm handling of the aircraft.

The main drawback is the price: $790.90 per person, before optional photo and video packages. If you have already driven much of the island, some views may repeat what you saw from the ground, though the valleys and volcanoes look very different from above.

Key points to know before you fly

• Two hours in the air: A compact way to see much of the island without spending a full day on the road.
• Volcano views: The route can include Kilauea, Mauna Loa, recent lava areas, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
• Best seats matter: Seating is assigned by weight and aircraft balance, and the front or left side may offer better views in some sections.
• Small aircraft: The helicopter carries up to six passengers, with the pilot seated in front.
• Strong pilot commentary: Your pilot is also a State of Hawaii Certified Tour Guide and speaks with you through two-way microphones.
• Weather can change the plan: Wind and rain may alter the route, delay departure, or lead to cancellation.

Why an aerial tour makes sense on the Big Island

Hawaii Island is far too large to understand in one ordinary sightseeing drive. You can spend hours on the road between the west coast, Kohala, Hilo, and the volcanoes, then still miss the valleys, cliffs, and waterfalls hidden beyond the highways.

A helicopter solves that problem in a hurry. You get a broad look at the island’s changing terrain in roughly two hours, with little time lost to driving. I especially like this for a first visit, since it helps you see how the dry Kona and Kohala sides contrast with the wet Hamakua and Hilo areas.

This is not a landing tour by default. You remain in the aircraft and look down through wide viewing windows. That makes the flight efficient, but it also means you do not step out beside a waterfall or walk across volcanic ground. One review described a special flight that included a waterfall landing, but you should not treat that as part of the standard tour.

The experience begins at Blue Hawaiian Helicopters in Waikoloa Village, at 68-690 Waikoloa Road. You check in one hour before departure for a weight check, safety briefing, and seating. That early arrival is not busywork. Aircraft balance matters, and late arrivals may be refused without a refund.

From Kohala ranches to the northern valleys

The flight typically begins with Kohala, the older northern part of the island. Near the coast, the area is known for ranching, open pasture, and broad ridges. Farther inland, the ground folds into steep valleys cut by rain and time.

From the road, you see only pieces of this country. From the helicopter, you can look into the long green cuts in the mountains and see how quickly the dry western side gives way to wetter terrain. The contrast is one of the most useful parts of the trip because it explains the Big Island better than a string of roadside stops.

The route also passes near the west coast town associated with King Kamehameha, who spent his final years there. The exact view depends on the flight path, weather, and aircraft position, but the town adds a human thread to a flight otherwise dominated by rock, forest, and ocean.

Kohala is also where the trip may feel most remote. There are no grand visitor facilities below you, just ranch country, cliffs, and valleys. If you want to see parts of Hawaii Island that roads do not reach, this section alone helps justify the flight.

Mauna Loa, Kilauea, and the volcanic heart

Volcano viewing is the tour’s biggest draw, but the two major volcanoes offer different sights.

Mauna Loa is one of the five volcanoes that formed Hawaii Island and is one of the largest volcanoes on Earth. Its huge slopes can appear deceptively smooth from the ground. From above, you get a better sense of its size and the long paths followed by old lava flows. The route may include areas connected with the most recent flows, including activity from December 2022.

Kilauea is different. It is a shield volcano along the southeastern shore, known for long-running eruptions and the famous volcanic areas within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. When activity is present, you may see smoke, glowing rock, or fresh volcanic scars. When there is no visible lava, the crater and hardened flows still show how active this part of the island has been.

The timing can make a huge difference. Recent flights have passed over Kilauea soon after an eruption, when smoke was still rising. That is a remarkable sight, but volcanic activity is never guaranteed. You should book this for the overall aerial view, not as a promise of red-hot lava.

The route also brings you over a historic eastern rift-zone eruption area associated with activity from 1983 through 2018. That eruption lasted for decades, reshaping roads, forests, and coastal ground. Seeing its broad flow fields from above gives you a clearer sense of scale than a single viewing point on land.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park from sea level to 13,000 feet

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park covers more than 335,000 acres, rising from sea level to elevations above 13,000 feet. The park crosses six of Earth’s climate zones, which helps explain the sharp changes in vegetation and weather across the island.

From a helicopter, you do not tour the park in the usual sense. You do not stop at overlooks or walk through the forest. Instead, you see the park as a large volcanic system, with craters, ridges, old flows, and changing plant cover spread across a vast area.

I find this perspective especially useful if you also plan to visit the park by car. The ground visit lets you walk and look closely. The flight shows how the pieces fit together. If your schedule allows only one or the other, the helicopter gives you more range, but it cannot replace the feeling of standing beside a crater or walking on cooled lava.

Keep your expectations flexible. Clouds and wind can hide higher sections, while volcanic conditions can change the view. Your pilot may adjust the route for safety and visibility.

Hamakua, Hilo, and Akaka Falls

After the volcanic country, the route turns toward the wetter northeastern side of the island. Hilo is known for fertile rainforests, heavy rain, and waterfalls. This side often looks like a different island from the dry western coast.

Akaka Falls is the star here. The waterfall drops 442 feet into a forested valley, making it one of Hawaii Island’s most famous falls. From the air, you can see the full vertical drop and the surrounding gorge in one view. On foot, a visitor gets a closer look at the falls but cannot see the whole valley in the same way.

The Hamakua valleys are another major highlight. Their steep walls, narrow folds, and falling water make them difficult to appreciate from the highway. A helicopter can move along the coast and then angle inland, giving you several views in a short time.

Your seat can affect this section. Seating is assigned for aircraft balance, and a review of the flight noted that front and left-side passengers had better views of the Hamakua valleys than those seated in the rear right. You cannot always choose your position, but it is worth asking the staff what seating options are available. Do not count on changing seats once the flight begins.

The soundtrack, the pilot, and the small-aircraft setting

Blue Hawaiian uses Bose aviation-grade noise-canceling headsets. These make the ride more comfortable and allow you to hear the pilot over the helicopter. Two-way microphones let you speak with the pilot, which is more useful than a recorded narration when you want to ask about a valley, crater, or coastline.

The pilot also serves as a State of Hawaii Certified Tour Guide. Names praised in the supplied feedback include James, Greg, Shane, Kai, Toshi, Ryan, Matt, Dale, and Ken. Your pilot will depend on the date, but the important point is that commentary is part of the experience rather than an afterthought.

Several flights have been especially well received because the pilot kept the talk clear, friendly, and well timed. James and Shane were singled out for their mix of warmth and island knowledge, while Greg was praised for being personable and informative. One pilot used music to match different portions of the route, including a volcano song near Kilauea and a movie theme during a jungle gorge passage.

That musical touch will not appeal to everyone, but it adds personality. If you prefer a quiet flight, ask what to expect. The headsets make it possible to hear the guide even when music is playing.

The helicopter carries up to six passengers, and seating is assigned according to weight and size. For anyone over 240 pounds, an adjacent empty seat is required, with the second seat charged at half price after booking. Children 23 months and younger may ride free as lap children.

Price, photos, and what you actually receive

At $790.90 per person, this is a major holiday expense. The value depends on how you plan to use it.

If you are staying on the west side and do not plan to drive to Hilo, Kohala, and the volcanoes, the flight gives you access to a huge portion of the island in one morning or afternoon. It also shows valleys and cliff walls that are not practical to reach by road. For a special anniversary, milestone trip, or first look at the island, that reach can make the cost reasonable.

If you have already driven the Hamakua Coast, visited the volcanoes, and explored the northern ranch country, the tour may feel less essential. The aerial view changes the experience, but it does not create entirely new destinations. One fair criticism is that you do not stop at scenic places on the standard flight.

Photo and video packages are not included. They can be purchased after the flight, and the company recommends bringing a credit card if you might want them. Some flights have had camera problems, so I would not book this mainly to obtain a permanent video. Wear dark clothing to reduce reflections in the windows, and leave hats, bags, large cameras, and extending selfie sticks behind.

Weather, comfort, and practical preparation

Weather controls this tour more than most sightseeing activities. Wind and rain can change the route, and poor conditions can cause a cancellation. If the company cancels for weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. A late cancellation or late change is not refundable, so do not schedule the flight too close to a plane departure or another fixed appointment.

No scuba diving is allowed within 24 hours of departure. That rule matters if you are combining this flight with water activities during a short stay.

Public transportation is nearby, but transportation to and from the heliport is not included. Plan your own ride and allow extra time for traffic. Check-in is one hour before the flight, and the activity ends back at the same Waikoloa meeting point.

The helicopter is designed for comfort, but it remains a small aircraft. If you are sensitive to motion or noise, the headsets help, though they do not make the flight silent. Most people can participate, but weight limits and aircraft balance affect seating.

Who should book the Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour?

I would choose this tour if you want to see the whole shape of Hawaii Island without giving up a full day to driving. It is especially suited to first-time visitors, photographers who can work through glass, couples marking a special occasion, and families with older children who can appreciate the scale of the island.

It is also a strong choice if volcano activity is a top interest, as long as you understand that visible lava depends on nature and timing. The chance to see Kilauea soon after an eruption can be unforgettable, but no operator can promise that sight.

I would think twice if your budget is tight, if you dislike assigned seating, or if you want to land and explore. You may get more hands-on time from a land tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Hamakua Coast, though you will cover far less ground.

Book this flight when the aerial perspective itself is what you want. The real value is not simply checking off Akaka Falls or Kilauea. It is seeing the connection between ranches, rainforests, volcanoes, cliffs, and coastlines in one sweeping trip. If that sounds worth the price, this is one of the most efficient ways to understand the Big Island.

FAQ

How long is the Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour?

The flight lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, 68-690 Waikoloa Road, Waikoloa Village, Hawaii 96738.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the Waikoloa meeting point.

How early should I arrive?

You should check in one hour before the scheduled departure. This allows time for the weight check, safety briefing, and aircraft seating.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes Bose aviation-grade noise-canceling headsets, two-way communication with the pilot, a pilot who is also a State of Hawaii Certified Tour Guide, and all fees and taxes.

Are photos and videos included?

No. USB in-flight photo and video packages are available for purchase after the flight.

Can children join the helicopter tour?

Children 23 months and younger are complimentary and considered lap children. Most other travelers can participate, subject to the aircraft’s seating and weight requirements.

What happens if weather cancels the flight?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.