A Helicopter tour by Paradise Helicopters. Back to all tours.
Tour Summary: A Helicopter tour to see lava, rainforest and waterfalls. Discover what Kīlauea Volcano has left behind in the wake of its recent historic eruptive episode.
Large photoIf the lava is flowing a helicopter tour is a safe and simple way to see it from a front-row seat
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Several still fuming cones along the 2018 eruption area and a small kipuka (island) with houses that got spared from the eruption.
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Pohoiki barely survived the 2018 LERZ eruption and now hosts a pristine new black sand beach
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a dry lava channel with the Muana Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes in the background. These views are only possible from the skies.
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The Hamakua coast is filled with waterfalls, most of those are very inaccessible and best viewable from the skies
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Helicopter tours give you a unique view of the aftermath of the 2018 LERZ eruption. This channel filled with a raging river of lava mid 2018
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If you choose to stop and swim at the Kulaniapia falls you will be provided with kayaks and SUP boards
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Many waterfalls on the slopes of Mauna Kea are impossible to reach by road. Hopping in a helicopter (or a small plane) is the only way to see them.
Tour Highlights:
- Called the “hottest helicopter ride on Earth!” by the Travel Channel
- Current activity at Kilauea Volcano
- Tropical rainforests of Puna
- Waterfalls of Hilo
- Doors-off or Doors-on experience
Important: Warm clothing suggested as flight is cool and windy, all cameras including cell phones must have straps.
Tour Information:
| Price: | Adult |
|---|---|
| (excluding booking fee) | $335 |
Tour Provider: Paradise Helicopters
Activity: Helicopter
Coupons! Occasional discount coupons are available for this tour, see if this is the case for your dates.
Tour start time: Variable, check-in is 30 minutes prior to tour
Duration: 40 minutes
Departure from: Hilo
Pick-up available? No
Cancellations: Paradise Helicopters requires 24 hours notice prior to flight time to change or cancel your reservation. Reservations cancelled outside of 24 hours are fully refundable. Tours cancelled with less than 24 hours notice may receive a partial refund based on how far in advance from the flight the cancellation occurs. If you need to change or cancel your reservation please contact Paradise Helicopters directly -- they will be happy to accommodate you.
Read more: about helicopter on the Love Big Island website in our helicopter guide.
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:
- Social distancing: All flights are currently limited to private tours, which means that only one party (defined as those dwelling in the same household) can fly along in a helicopter at the time. Guests and staff are also asked to maintain a six-foot distance from one another and to refrain from shaking hands and engaging in unnecessary physical contact with those outside your party while on our premises.
- Modified Cabin Space: There are several changes made to the cabin space to minimize risk.
- The co-pilot set will not be available anymore as it has to remain empty.
- The MD 500 aircraft will be operating with doors off for optimal air flow.
- The Bell helicopters have separate air conditioning systems for separation of airflow between the cockpit and main passenger cabin.
- Modified Check-in procedure: The check-in time has been shortened to 30 minutes prior to your flight, and payments can be made via credit card only.
- Face Masks: guests aged five (5) years and older are required to wear face masks before, during, and after the tour.
- Cleaning and Sanitization: Hand sanitizer is provided to all staff and guests. Employees are required to wash their hands regularly. Sanitization via spray, wipe or fogger is used in all aircraft prior to boarding. Seat belts and headsets are sanitized between flights. For doors-on flights, two-way communication via aviation headsets will be possible and disposable sanitation mic covers will be optional. For doors-off flights, mic will be secured away from face and only be available for guest use in the case of an emergency.
- COVID-19 screening: all pilots receive routine screening for COVID-19.
Read more about the health and safety on the Paradise Helicopters website.
The most noticeable effect of these measures for you, the client, is that you must book a whole helicopter for a tour, regardless of the amount of people in your party. The capacity on the helicopters is between 2 guests for the MD 500, and 6 guests for the Twin Engine Bell 430 helicopter.
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.
(It is not possible to book this tour directly through our website. Clicking on the button above takes you to the Paradise Helicopters website where you can make the booking.)
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 7 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. 40 minutes / $335 per guest)
- Volcano by Air & Land (approx. 8.5 hours / currently unavailable)
- Lava adventure and waterfall swim (approx. 3 hours / currently unavailable)
Helicopter layout and max. seating
Paradise Helicopters uses the MD 500 helicopter for all tours departing from Hilo. These helicopters will only be flown with the back 2 doors off the aircraft, and the front doors on where the pilot sits. The open air cabin prevents guests from sharing air space with the pilot, and guests are only permitted to occupy the back 2 seats.
Due to the currently adjusted seating arrangements because of the COVID-19 pandemic all tours by Paradise Helicopters are limited to private excursions only (one group per helicopter) with a max. of 5 guests per group for the MD 500. You can see the layout for the MD 500 helicopter below:
The cabin layout of the MD 500 helicopter used for tours from Hilo. All tours are ‘doors-off’ at no extra charge, and limited to max. two guests.
Lava & Rainforest Adventure ($335)
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: $335 per guest
Duration: between 35 and 45 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.
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 Ka’u which is home to historic farms, ranches, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the famous black sand beach of Punalu’u. 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.
Go to the Paradise Helicopters website to learn more about the Volcano by Air and Land tour.
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
Go to the Paradise Helicopters website to learn more about the Lava adventure & Waterfall swim tour.
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.
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!