Oahu to Big Island volcano helicopter tour with Hilo ground tour

1/10

Duration4h

GroupUp to 14

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Volcanic peaks from the air, then the waterfalls and gardens of Hilo on the ground

This day trip from Oahu combines a 45-minute helicopter flight over Big Island volcanoes with a 4-hour ground tour of Hilo's main attractions. The itinerary includes Rainbow Falls, Richardson Ocean Park's black-sand beach, Liliʻuokalani Gardens (the largest Japanese-style garden outside Tokyo), and a King Kamehameha statue. Round-trip airfare and bottled water are included; the full day runs approximately 5:00am to 6:00pm. Weather can cancel the helicopter portion only, with a $350 refund in that case—the ground tour continues as scheduled. A minimum of two people per booking is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Big Island Helicopter and Hilo Tour

Fly over volcanic landscapes by helicopter
Visit King Kamehameha the Great statue
See Rainbow Falls
Explore Richardson Ocean Park black sand beach
Walk through Liliʻuokalani Gardens

The Experience

The day starts before dawn from Oahu with a round-trip flight to the Big Island. The helicopter portion lasts 45 to 50 minutes and flies directly over volcanic terrain—the centerpiece of the experience and what sets this apart from a ground-only tour. After landing, a guide leads the ground portion through Hilo's highlights over the next 4 to 5 hours.

The ground tour hits four main stops. Rainbow Falls appears first, known for the rainbows that form in its mist. Richardson Ocean Park follows—Hilo's only black-sand beach, where the volcanic origin of the island becomes visible underfoot. Liliʻuokalani Gardens, the largest Japanese-style garden outside Tokyo, offers a different kind of landscape entirely. The route also passes one of three King Kamehameha the Great statues. Bottled water is provided throughout the day.

The helicopter may be cancelled on the day of the tour due to weather or safety concerns; if that happens, you receive a $350 refund for the helicopter portion only, and the ground tour proceeds as scheduled. The full day—flight, ground stops and all—wraps by 6:00pm, giving time to return to Oahu before evening.

What’s included

Round-trip airfare from Oahu to the Big Island.
45-minute helicopter tour over volcanic terrain.
4-hour ground tour of Hilo with visits to Rainbow Falls, Richardson Ocean Park, Liliʻuokalani Gardens and a King Kamehameha statue.
bottled water throughout the day.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Dynamic Tour Maui

Is this one for you?This tour departs from Oahu with flights included, so it works whether you have a rental car or not—the logistics of getting to the Big Island and back are already arranged. The helicopter flight is the draw if you want to see the volcanic landscape from above; if weather cancels it, the ground tour still runs, so you'll see Hilo's main attractions either way.