Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 131 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour worth booking?
Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour is a 2-hour experience in Big Island of Hawaii, United States, from $883 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 131 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 66 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (131)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $883 per person
Discover both the Big Island's beauty and its volcanic fury. Experience all the awesome spectacle of Madame Pele's lava and volcanic badlands, then explore lush rainforests and the Hamakua Coast. Finally, the deep and i
What you get
About this experience
Discover both the Big Island's beauty and its volcanic fury. Experience all the awesome spectacle of Madame Pele's lava and volcanic badlands, then explore lush rainforests and the Hamakua Coast. Finally, the deep and immense tropical valleys of the Kohala Mountains, with dozens of cascading waterfalls, provide the perfect finish to the ultimate Big Island adventure. Fly in the touring helicopter specifically designed for air tours – the incredible Airbus EC 130. This state-of-the-art marvel gives you 23% more interior room, individual business class style seats, two-way communication with your pilot, and expansive glass for outstanding sweeping views. All Blue Hawaiian aircraft incorporate the latest in cutting-edge technologies, materials, systems, safety features, and avionics, and offer incomparable passenger comfort.
What's included
Included
- Big Island Helicopter Tour
- Use of microphones with 2-way communication with pilot
- Pilot Guide who are also State of Hawaii Certified Tour Guides
- All Fees and Taxes
- Use of Bose Aviation-grade, electronic noise-cancelling headsets
Not included
- USB in-flight video and photo packages available after flight for purchase.
- Transportation to and from heliport
- Gratuities
- Private Tour
What you'll see and do
Waikoloa
View the Kohala area known for ranching and breathtaking valleys
Pass by without stopping
Kailua-Kona
The west coast town on Hawaii island where King Kamehameha spend his final years.
Pass by without stopping
Mauna Loa
One of 5-volcanoes the form the Island of Hawaii and one of the largest on earth. View some of the latest flows most recently erupting in December 2022.
Pass by without stopping
Kilauea Volcano
An active sheld volcano located along the southeastern shore of Hawaii Island. This active volcano has been continuously erupting since 1983 & sees over 2-million yearly visitors.
Pass by without stopping
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Encompassing over 335,000 acres, the park climbs from sea level to more than 13,000 feet with 6-of earth's climate zones along the way.
Pass by without stopping
Pu'u 'O'o Vent
Located along the eastern rift zone of Kilauea volcano, this eruption lasted from 1983 - 2018 making it the longest-lived rift-zone eruption of the last 2-centuries.
Pass by without stopping
Hilo
A vibrant northeastern town of Hawaii Island with breathtaking natural beauty of fertile rainforests and dramatic waterfalls.
Pass by without stopping
Akaka Falls State Park
Among the lush rainforest valley, view Akaka Falls which plummets 442-feet into the valley below. These falls are perhaps the islands most famous.
Pass by without stopping
Hamakua Coast
With nearly 84-inches of rainfall each year, this region boasts lush tropical rainforests, green valleys and thundering waterfalls.
Pass by without stopping
Waimea
Known as cowboy country, this historic area is full of rolling pastures and ranches
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Big Island of Hawaii
Check-in is 1-hour prior to tour time for weight check-in, safety briefing and to be seated on the aircraft to ensure an on-time departure. Late arrivals may not be accepted and non-refundable. Please allow ample travel time to your check-in location in case of traffic delays.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Check-in is 1-hour prior to tour time for weight check-in, safety briefing and to be seated on the aircraft to ensure an on-time departure. Late arrivals may not be accepted and non-refundable. Please allow ample travel time to your check-in location in case of traffic delays.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Blue Hawaiian Helicopters - Waikoloa
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Heliport and helicopter are wheelchair accessible. A wheelchair lift is available at base to assist boarding.
- Children 23 months and younger are complimentary and considered a lap child.
- Check-in is 1-hour prior to tour time. This allows for guest weight check-in, a safety briefing, and to be escorted and seated on the aircraft to ensure an on-time departure. Late arrivals may not be accepted and non-refundable. Please allow ample travel time to your check-in location in case of traffic delays.
- Tours/Times may vary according to wind and weather conditions
- No scuba diving within 24 hrs of departure
- For each guest weighing over 240 pounds (108 kg), an adjacent empty seat is required to safely balance the aircraft. The second seat charge is half off of the regular tour price. Please arrange your additional seat after booking.
- You should wear dark colored clothing so not to reflect in photos.
- Hats, Bags, large cameras, extending selfie sticks are not permitted on the helicopter.
- We recommend bringing a credit card for optional video/photo packages and souvenirs at heliport.
- Gratuity is not included and is left to individual discretion.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 131 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
7 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
131 verified traveler reviews for Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fantastic Ride!
This was an awsome flight. Our pilot, Shane, was fun and extremely knowledgeable about the island. We covered the nearly the entire island and Shane kept up a running commentary. I THOUGHT the Filich was going to be Kilauea, which we orbited over for quite a while. It was just starting to show a little lava, which was exciting, as we knew an eruption was imminent. But what really blew me away was our visit to the Kohala coast. Flying through the canyons with waterfalls up to 2000 feet(!) high was amazing. If you’ve ever watched the scene in Jurassic Park where they first arrive on the island, you’ll hsve some idea what it was like. Well worth doing.
via Viator
No regrets!
Absolutely stunning! Our tour guide Jeff was AMAZING!! It was breathtakingly beautiful! I cannot think of a better way to celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary!
via Viator
Best thing We Did on the Trip
This was the best thing we did on the trip. And we saw the 50th eruption of Kīlauea, hiked the Kīlauea Iki crater, ran the Kona half marathon, went to the Farimont Orchid luau, and did the manta ray night dive. So saying it’s the best is saying a lot. We got pilot Greg. I’m sure all of the pilots are wonderful but Greg was made to give these tours. He found his calling. Greg programmed his own playlist for the flight. We took off to James Bond and returned to these are the days. He waited just a beat before dipping into a canyon so it coincided with a swell of the music. He answered every question, asked each guest about their lives and found a way to connect with everyone. “My uncle played football there” and to someone from the Midwest “welcome to topography” with a good natured smile. He really personalized the experience. We sprang for the first class seats which just means you pay more to sit upfront. There are two seats plus the pilot in the front row and four in the back. I can’t speak to the view in the back so it might be just as amazing, but with windows from the floor level on up, I felt the extra money for the front row was worth it. We could look down below us with ease, and of course out the front, sides, and up. He was safe, friendly, and gave tips on how to enjoy the rest of the island (take his advice on going to the butcher shop in Waimea for lunch). 10/10 no notes. It could not have been a better experience. Shout out to the staff who checked us in, went over safety regulations, and took pictures of us near the helicopter. I hope the company takes care of their workers because they all took care of us.
via Tripadvisor
Beautiful views of Hawaiian waterfalls.
Excellent guide (James) had a lot of facts to impart about Hawaiian and geological history. I felt safe flying with him at the controls. He made a wonderful soundtrack of music to listen to during the flight. Very enjoyable!
via Tripadvisor
Simply superb!
We absolutely loved the experience and it was the highlight of our trip to the Big Island. Our guide was very able and knowledgeable, the sights spectacular and the day was perfect. I can recommend this to everyone.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 46
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 66
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Big Island of Hawaii.
How much does Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour cost?
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Prices start at $883 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Big Island of Hawaii usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Big Island of Hawaii is not rushed.
Is Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 131 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Big Island of Hawaii, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour?
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Around 46 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Big Island of Hawaii can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Big Island of Hawaii and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Big Island of Hawaii within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Big Island of Hawaii?
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The Big Island is volcano country: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tours, Mauna Kea summit stargazing, night manta ray snorkels off Kona, Waipio Valley lookouts and coffee farm visits. Summit tours have real altitude rules, so we weight safety detail. On Outty we rank every Big Island of Hawaii experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel - FREE re-ride if no Sightings, Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History, Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Big Island of Hawaii?
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April to October, though the island runs year round. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Big Island of Hawaii?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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