Big Island Helicopter Tour: Volcanoes, Waterfalls & Coastline

One flight, five volcanoes, and the whole island in a single loop

You fly from Kona over five volcanoes, including active Kilauea, then north to Kohala's 2,500-foot waterfalls and the Hamakua Coast's lush valleys. The route swings south along white-sand beaches and coral reefs before returning. All taxes, fuel, parking, and airport fees are included. You arrive thirty minutes early and fly with doors on.

Step-by-step itinerary

Helicopter tour of Big Island

• Fly along saddle road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa
• Fly toward Kilauea Iki volcano
• Head north past Hilo town and Hamakua Coast
• Descend upon Kohala Valleys with waterfalls
• Cross summit of Kohala volcano
• Fly over coastline with beaches and coral reefs
• View ancient lava flows and historic temples
• See luxury resorts on leeward shores

The experience

The rotor blades spin up on the tarmac at Kona International Airport, and you're already climbing toward the saddle between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa: the tallest mountain in the world and the largest by mass, both visible at once. That's the opening move of this Big Island helicopter tour. You're in one of four window seats, which means no one's blocking the view, and the flight path doesn't cut corners. Thirty minutes after takeoff, you're looking down at Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on earth, and the landscape shifts from black rock to green valleys in the time it takes to bank left.

The route heads north along the windward side, where Hilo sits below (the wettest town on earth, your pilot will tell you), and the Hamakua Coast rolls past in a blur of waterfalls and dense forest. Then comes the moment most people book this tour for: the Kohala Valleys. Waipiʻo, Waimanu, and Pololu drop away beneath you, and the waterfalls are so tall they look painted on. Two thousand five hundred feet of water falling into valleys that only a helicopter can really show you. The island's oldest volcano sits at the summit, and crossing over it means you've seen all five volcanoes that built this place in one flight.

The tour wraps along the leeward coast: white sand beaches, coral reefs still intact, ancient heiau temples scattered on the black lava, and the resort strip where the island's other side lives. It's a full-circle view of the Big Island that would take days to drive, and it takes about two hours in the air. Check in is thirty minutes before departure, and the doors stay on the whole flight. The minimum is three passengers, maximum four, so the helicopter never feels crowded, and weight limits are firm: 275 pounds per person, 750 total for the aircraft.

What’s included

• Your flight includes all taxes, fees, handling charges, fuel surcharge, and airport departure tax.
• Parking is free.
• The private helicopter with three to four window seats is yours for the full two-hour route over Kilauea, Kohala's waterfalls, the Hamakua Coast, and the leeward coastline.

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day at 08:00, 10:30 and 13:30, from US$ 671.48 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 10:30 and 13:30

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (7 to 11 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transport

Operated by Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours - Big Island of Hawaii

Is this one for you?Right for travelers with limited time on the Big Island who want to see all five volcanoes, waterfalls, and coastline in one morning or afternoon without driving. Plan for a two-hour flight with thirty-minute check-in beforehand. That's what fits the whole island into a single trip.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (7 to 11 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the helicopter tour?

Approximately two hours in the air, covering the full island loop from Kona.

What's included in the price?

All taxes, fees, fuel surcharge, airport departure tax, free parking, and the private flight itself.

How many people fit in the helicopter?

Minimum three passengers, maximum four. Each person gets a window seat.

What's the weight limit?

275 pounds per person, with a total aircraft limit of 750 pounds.

Do the doors come off?

No. The tour flies with doors on throughout.

What time do I need to arrive?

Check in is thirty minutes before departure. Late arrivals are treated as no-shows and charged in full.

Is there a cancellation policy?

Yes, a strict twenty-four-hour cancellation policy is enforced.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options accommodate wheelchairs.

Where does the tour depart from?

Kona International Airport on the Big Island of Hawaii.