Helicopter tours from Hilo

Hilo is located on the lush Hamakua coast, close to the volcanically active part of the Big Island. This makes Hilo airport the best place on the Big Island for lava and waterfalls helicopter tours. Kona airport also hosts some of these tours (see our list of 6 Kona helicopter tours) but because Kona is much farther away you spend longer in the air to get to the lava and volcanoes, which makes these tours more expensive.

Helicopter Tours departing from Hilo:

The following tours organized by Paradise helicopters depart from the Hilo airport:

• Lava and rainforest adventure (approx. 55 to 60 minutes / $399 per guest)
• Volcano by Air & Land (approx. 8.5 hours / currently unavailable)
• Lava adventure and waterfall swim (approx. 3 hours / currently unavailable)

Lava & Rainforest Adventure ($399)

Discover what Kīlauea Volcano has left in the wake of its recent historic eruptive episode. Witness otherworldly landscapes like the incredible 8-mile river of frozen lava from Fissure 8 to the Pacific Ocean, the newest black sand beaches on earth and enormous craters created by these recent events!  On the way to and from the lava you also get to see the beauty of lush Puna rainforests and waterfalls.

Cost: $399 per guest

Duration: between 55 and 60 minutes, all flight time.

Sights:

• Current activity at Kilauea Volcano
• Tropical rainforests of Puna
• Waterfalls of North Hilo

Go to the Paradise Helicopters website to learn more about the Lava and Rainforest adventure and the Doors-Off version.

The lava lake in the Halemaʻumaʻu crater is also visible during the daytime. Image from October 2021, image credit for Paradise Helicopters and extreme exposure

Volcano by Air & Land (currently unavailable)

This is one of Paradise Helicopter’s most popular tours and combines the thrill of a doors off flight with unobstructed views of any lava activity, with an in depth ground tour of the area surrounding the Kilauea Volcano.

The first part of this tour is identical to the “Lava and Rainforest adventure” described above. The second part starts after you land again in Hilo, where you meet an interpretive guide from Hawaii Forest & Trail. This guide takes you through the remote and rugged landscape of Kaʻu which is home to historic farms, ranches, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the famous black sand beach of Punaluʻu. Discover how the powerful forces of nature have shaped the people and landscape of this dynamic region, Hawaii’s largest land district.

This tour reveals what it’s like to live on two active volcanoes and is a blend of nature and culture led by an expert guide. A picnic lunch is served during your adventure before you return to the Hilo Airport.

Cost: $3634 per aircraft / up to 2 passengers.

Duration: 8.5 hours, with 35 minutes flight time.

Sights:

• Current activity at Kilauea Volcano
• Tropical rainforests of Puna
• Waterfalls of Hilo
• Discover the all the “must see” spots within the Park including the dramatically changed Halema’uma’u Crater
• Discover breathtaking views of Kilauea and the Kau coast and catch a bird’s eye view of the Halema’uma’u Crater from a private view point on Mauna Loa
• Sample & shop for award-winning farm fresh coffee at Kau Coffee Mill, along with other Hawaii Island grown treats like macadamia nuts, honey, & chocolate
• Walk across a crystal-fine black sand beach as you search for basking sea turtles at Punalu’u.
• Immerse yourself in stories of Hawaiian legends and mythology with a focus on Pele, Hawaiian goddess of fire lightning, wind, and volcanoes
• Explore a historic 165 year old working ranch known for its sprawling view planes, native forest, and wildlife such as cattle, goats, sheep & horses.

Lava Adventure & Waterfall Swim (currently unavailable)

Like the other tours this one starts with a helicopter tour of lower Puna where you see otherworldly landscapes like the incredible 8-mile river of frozen lava from Fissure 8 to the Pacific Ocean, the newest black sand beaches on earth and enormous craters created by these recent events.

At the end of your air adventure over the volcano and lush surroundings, you will touchdown in a private tropical fruit farm and disembark to join the Paradise Helicopters exclusive partner (and one of our favorites), Hawaii Forest & Trail, on a guided ground exploration with exclusive access to three of Hilo’s most beautiful waterfalls! A special treat awaits you at the third stop where you will enjoy a locally made lunch and swim or kayak under a 120 foot private waterfall.  Take a lot of photos and video, because no one will believe what you did if you don’t!

Cost: $2100 per aircraft / up to two passengers.

Duration: 3 hours and 10 minutes, including between 30 and 40 minutes flight time.

Sights:

• Current activity at Kilauea Volcano
• Tropical rainforests of Puna
• Waterfalls of Hilo
• Exclusive access to a 1,000 acre tropical fruit farm to see cacao, lychee, macadamia nuts, coffee, & other exotic crops
• Sample seasonal fruit and fresh macadamia nuts at a private gazebo overlooking world-famous Rainbow Falls
• Enjoy a locally made lunch while taking in stunning views
• Swim, Kayak, or Paddle under a 120 foot private waterfall
• 2.5 hour ground tour including three waterfalls

Paradise Helicopters is a locally owned and operated company founded in Hawai‘i in 1997. They Hawaii’s number 1 company regarding safety, quality, and customer service, which means they don’t offer the cheapest helicopter tours but in our opinion certainly the best!

Paradise helicopters engages with the community, local Hawaiian businesses, non-profit organizations, and charities, to build and maintain relationships all over the islands. These relationships allow them to “access the inaccessible” in a uniquely Hawaiian way, which no other company can replicate.

They are also a certified member of the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawai’i and use a carbon offset program which is a way to leave a  positive ecological footprint from the tours.

The health and safety of their guests, staff, and community is a top priority for Paradise Helicopters, and they have implemented the following enhanced guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Document clearance required (to make sure everyone is either vaccinated or has completed their quarantine)
• Social distancing
• Private and social-distancing flights available upon request
• Modified Check-in procedure
• Face Masks
• Monitoring symptoms
• Cleaning and Sanitization

Read more about the health and safety on the Paradise Helicopters website.

In addition to the above, Paradise Helicopters have been the only helicopter tour company that was awarded a Gold Star by the County. These gold star awards are given to companies that passed all necessary safety requirements by the State of Hawaiʻi and implemented additional requirements by the county, the Department of Health, and the Hawaiʻi Fire Department, so they can provide the safest possible conditions during this current phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are affiliate partners with Paradise Helicopters meaning that we receive a percentage for each successful booking made through our website. This happens without any additional charge to you! (read more on the use of those links on our website here).

By booking tours through our website you support LoveBigIsland.com and help us to provide you and future visitors with free and high quality information about the Big Island. Thanks, you guys are amazing!