Big Island Helicopter Tour: Kilauea Volcano & Waterfalls

See five volcanoes and dozens of waterfalls without leaving your seat.

A two-hour helicopter tour of the Big Island that covers Kilauea Volcano, Mauna Loa, the Hamakua Coast, Akaka Falls and the Kohala Mountains in a single flight. The Airbus EC 130 gives you individual business-class seats, expansive glass windows, and two-way communication with a State of Hawaii Certified pilot guide. Check-in is one hour before departure to allow for safety briefing and boarding.

Step-by-step itinerary

Big Island helicopter sightseeing tour

• Fly over Kohala valleys and ranches
• Pass Kailua-Kona historic town
• View Mauna Loa volcano and lava flows
• See active Kilauea Volcano eruption
• Fly over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Pass eastern rift zone eruption site
• View lush rainforests and waterfalls
• See Akaka Falls waterfall
• Fly along Hamakua Coast
• Pass Waimea Falls and cowboy country

The Experience

The tour departs from the heliport after a one-hour check-in that covers weight distribution, safety briefing and seating. You'll fly in the Airbus EC 130, a helicopter designed specifically for sightseeing with 23% more interior room than standard models, individual seats with direct headset communication to the pilot, and windows engineered for unobstructed views. The aircraft incorporates cutting-edge avionics and safety systems, and Bose aviation-grade noise-cancelling headsets keep the cabin quiet enough to hear the pilot's narration clearly.

The route takes you over the Kohala Mountains first, where you'll see dozens of cascading waterfalls pouring through deep tropical valleys. From there the flight moves to the Hamakua Coast, a region that receives nearly 84 inches of rainfall yearly and supports lush rainforests and dramatic cliffs. Akaka Falls, which drops 442 feet into the valley below, comes into view as you cross this northeastern section of the island. The pilot narrates each landmark and can answer questions through the two-way headset system.

The centerpiece is Kilauea Volcano, an active shield volcano on the southeastern shore that has erupted continuously since 1983 and draws over two million visitors yearly. You'll see recent lava flows, including eruptions from December 2022, and the volcanic badlands that define the landscape. Mauna Loa, one of the five volcanoes that form the Big Island and one of the largest on earth, is also visible. The tour finishes over Kailua-Kona on the west coast and the ranching country of Waimea before returning to the heliport. Wind and weather can shift the exact sequence or timing, so the pilot adjusts the route for safety and the best views on the day you fly.

What’s included

• The two-hour flight in the Airbus EC 130.
• Bose aviation-grade noise-cancelling headsets.
• two-way communication with your pilot guide.
• a State of Hawaii Certified tour guide.
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Blue Hawaiian Helicopters - Waikoloa

Is this one for you?Book this tour for a morning or afternoon when you want to see the entire Big Island's geography in one flight — the helicopter covers volcanoes, waterfalls and coastline in two hours, so you don't need a full day or a rental car to see all of it.

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Top questions

What exactly will I see on the Big Island helicopter tour?

The tour covers Kilauea Volcano with recent lava flows, Mauna Loa, the Hamakua Coast rainforests, Akaka Falls (a 442-foot drop), dozens of waterfalls in the Kohala Mountains, and the west coast town of Kailua-Kona. The pilot points out each landmark and explains what you're seeing through the two-way headsets.

How long is the helicopter tour and what time do I need to arrive?

The flight itself is two hours. You'll need to arrive one hour before your departure time for check-in, which includes a weight check for aircraft balance, a safety briefing, and time to be escorted and seated on the helicopter. Late arrivals may not be accepted.

What's included in the Big Island helicopter tour price?

The tour includes the two-hour flight, use of Bose noise-cancelling headsets, two-way communication with the pilot, and a State of Hawaii Certified pilot guide. All fees and taxes are included. Video and photo packages are available for purchase after the flight.

Can I bring a camera or phone on the helicopter?

You can bring a phone or small camera, but large cameras and extending selfie sticks are not permitted. Hats and bags also stay behind. Wear dark-colored clothing so it doesn't reflect in your photos. The heliport sells optional video and photo packages if you want professional shots of the flight.

Is the helicopter tour accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes. The heliport and helicopter are wheelchair accessible, and a wheelchair lift is available at the base to assist with boarding. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and infants can sit on an adult's lap.

What should I know before booking the Big Island helicopter tour?

Check-in is mandatory one hour before departure, and late arrivals may not be accepted. Do not scuba dive within 24 hours of your flight. Tours and times may vary due to wind and weather conditions. Guests weighing over 240 pounds require an adjacent empty seat for aircraft balance; that second seat is half price. Gratuity is not included.