The 6 Helicopter Tours on the Big Island That Repay the Day

1.Volcano Adventure: Hilo Sightseeing w/ Optional Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 412 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $202Our pick

Spend about 10.5 hours touring Hilo and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park by air-conditioned vehicle. Walk through Thurston Lava Tube, see Kilauea’s crater and steam vents, visit Akaka and Rainbow Falls, and enjoy lunch. An optional helicopter flight adds views of craters, waterfalls, coastlines, and remote volcanic country.

“We’re from Indiana and this tour was amazing our tour guide Dexter, made it a great experience. I tried adding photos but kept saying errors”

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2.Private Kona Coast Helicopter Tour: All Window Seats

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $240Top rated

Fly above the Kona Coast in a private helicopter limited to three passengers. Your 30-minute route may head south toward Captain Cook or north toward Kua Bay, Kiholo Bay, Hapuna Beach, and Kawaihae. Pilots such as Ethan, Lance, Tyler, and Alex provide island commentary, and some flights operate doors off.

“Alex was our pilot. At first, I was rather nervous because he looks so young, but Alex was an experience pilot. The entire tour, from check in by Jackie, who was so patient with us during the safety briefing, to chauffeuring us to the air strip, to boarding the helicopter, and flying along the Kona coast, the entire tour was seamlessly smooth! Thanks Alex!”

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3.Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 116 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $790

See Hawaii Island from the air with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters in Waikoloa. Your pilot-guide points out Kohala valleys, Akaka Falls, Hilo, Kilauea, Mauna Loa, and the Hamakua Coast through wide windows. Flights carry up to six passengers, use two-way headsets, and may include volcanic activity, whales, or waterfalls depending on conditions.

“Our experience was more than we could hope for. Our pilot Ken gave us an alternative that was far better than what I originally arranged. We were able to land at a waterfall. The team was more than professional and outstanding.”

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4.Discover Hilo Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 110 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) · from $482

Fly from Hilo Airport in a six-seat Airbus Eco-Star over Hilo Bay, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea, Mauna Loa, waterfalls, craters, lava flows, and the Hamakua Coast. Your State of Hawaii certified pilot, such as Ryan, David, Chuey, or Wesley, provides commentary through Bose headsets. Morning and afternoon flights are available.

“Excellent helicopter ride tour. Well worth the costs. The above view was spectacular and breathtaking. The captain was great in showing the sights we have seen before. Friendly staff. Everything was exactly as advertised and much more. Highly recommended.”

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5.Hilo: Discover Hilo Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 35 reviews · 50 min · from $439

Fly from Hilo Heliport in a small ECO-Star helicopter and look for Kilauea’s volcanic terrain, black-sand beaches, Hamakua Coast, waterfalls, and rainforest. Noise-canceling headphones let you hear the pilot’s live English commentary. The flight carries up to six people and returns to Hilo after 50 minutes.

“The guide was great, the view was amazing and the ride was spectacular”

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6.Kailua-Kona: Hualalai Volcano Doors On/Off Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 12 reviews · 1 hour · from $640

Fly for one hour from Kailua-Kona with a live English-speaking pilot over Kailua Bay, coffee farms, Kealakekua Bay, Hualalai, and the Kona coast. Choose doors on or off, but an open-door seat is not guaranteed. Morning flights may offer better inland visibility when clouds build later.

“Ik heb de helikoptervlucht 13 september 2025 gedaan. Ik was alleen en zat naast de piloot. Het was perfect! Super leuk om te doen. De ontvangst was super! Vriendelijk en attent. Ik maakte de vlucht alleen. Mijn man en 2 vrienden waren er wel bij. 2 man mochten zelfs mee met het golfkarretje tot bij de helikopter. Konden volop foto’s maken. Wat een luxe! De piloot nam alle tijd om me alles te laten zien. Ze vertelde veel over waar we overheen vlogen. Ik kreeg volop de gelegenheid om foto’s te maken. Ze was super vriendelijk. Ze vroeg op het einde wat willen jullie vandaag nog gaan doen? En toen…”

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