Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & Helicopter Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
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
4.2/5
Based on 63 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & Helicopter Tour worth booking?
Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & Helicopter Tour is a 12-hour experience in Oahu, United States, from $1054 per person. It scores 50 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 63 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 50 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (63)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $1054 per person
Escape to another Hawaiian island for a day on this all-inclusive island-hopping tour. Indulge on your vacation and leave the planning to us! Interisland roundtrip airfare from Oahu to Hilo, roundtrip transportation from
What you get
About this experience
Escape to another Hawaiian island for a day on this all-inclusive island-hopping tour. Indulge on your vacation and leave the planning to us! Interisland roundtrip airfare from Oahu to Hilo, roundtrip transportation from the Hilo Airport (ITO), a sightseeing land tour with lunch and adventurous 45 minute helicopter tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters are all included. This once-in-a-lifetime, comprehensive Volcano Adventure transports you to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to experience the world famous, recently erupted, active volcanoes - Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Your expert driver-guide will share the legends and cultural significance of famous sites and point out scenic wonders along the way. The afternoon helicopter tour follows the sightseeing experience, offering a birds-eye view of recent volcanic activity (weather permitting), cascading waterfalls and towering mountains and deep, verdant valleys.
What's included
Included
- Interisland R/T airfare (overage charges may apply)
- Tour narration by a professional driver/guide
- Lunch
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- 45 minute helicopter tour (Blue Hawaiian Helicopters)
Not included
- Gratuities
- Helicopter comfort seat surcharge (for those over 240 lbs.)
- Airline flight overage charges
What you'll see and do
Mandatory 45 minute safety briefing. Kilauea fly-over is not guaranteed; dependent on existing weather conditions.
100 minutes here · Admission included
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Home to Hawaii's active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Kilauea's latest eruption in June 2023 spewed fountains of lava up to 50 feet high.
120 minutes here
Chain of Craters Road
Chain of Craters Road is a 19-mile (31 km) long winding paved road through the East Rift and coastal area of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawaii. Some areas are inaccessible.
Pass by without stopping
Kilauea Volcano
Active shield volcano housed in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Last erupted in June 2023 when vents spewed lava from within Halema'uma'u, a pit crater in the volcano's summit caldera.
20 minutes here · Admission included
See and feel the power of the volcano through the steam vents, where ground water seeps into volcanic rock.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Nahuku - Lava Tube
Tropical forest area featuring a long, subterranean cave formed by ancient flowing lava.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Akaka Falls State Park
Beautiful waterfall, easily viewable from a lookout point and surrounded by a verdant jungle.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Banyan Drive
Drive through quaint Hilo Town along magnificent Banyan tree-lined streets along Hilo's coastline known as the "Hilo Walk of Fame".
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Oahu
Upon arrival at Hilo International Airport (ITO), our driver will pick you up between 8:30-8:45 AM at the BUS GROUP/TAXI Area at the end of the baggage claim building. (Located near the restrooms on the West End).
Meeting point
Oahu
Please meet at the airport at 5:00 AM for your interisland flight on Hawaiian Airlines and promptly check at the Hawaiian Airlines Ticket Counter or Self-Service Kiosk. Make sure to check in for all flights (round trip) and then proceed to the designated gate for departure.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Upon arrival at Hilo International Airport (ITO), our driver will pick you up between 8:30-8:45 AM at the BUS GROUP/TAXI Area at the end of the baggage claim building. (Located near the restrooms on the West End).
Ends at
Please meet at the airport at 5:00 AM for your interisland flight on Hawaiian Airlines and promptly check at the Hawaiian Airlines Ticket Counter or Self-Service Kiosk. Make sure to check in for all flights (round trip) and then proceed to the designated gate for departure.
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 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Polynesian Adventure Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Passengers must provide full name as shown on ID, date of birth, and gender at the time of booking per TSA requirements
- Once reservation is made, tour is non-refundable and non-changeable
- Interisland flight times and routes are subject to change
- Special needs requests must be called in to the local supplier at least 1 week prior to tour date
- Weight Restrictions: Due to FAA regulations, all passengers and bags must be weighed at check-in for the helicopter tour. Each passenger weighing over 240 pounds will be contacted and assessed a 'comfort seat' charge for an additional seat, payable directly to the tour operator. This is for the safety and comfort of all passengers. It is important to provide accurate body weight at checkout.
- The interisland airfare may fluctuate based on flight availability. Additional fees may be required to be paid by the customer in these cases.
- Passengers with asthma and other respiratory problems should please consider other tour offerings to avoid potential health problems resulting from exposure to fumes
- Lava sightings not guaranteed
- IMPORTANT: The name you enter at the time of booking must exactly match what appears on your valid government-issued I.D. photo I.D. that you will use during travel. This is a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and FAA requirement and there is no flexibility with this policy. A valid government-issued ID (passport for non-US citizens) is required on the day of travel. If a passenger is denied boarding, there will be no refund.
- If the helicopter tour is cancelled by the provider, you'll receive a refund for the helicopter portion (at a rate determined by the tour provider) and be welcomed on an extended sightseeing tour. If you choose to abort the sightseeing portion of the tour and would like to return to Honolulu earlier than your return flight is scheduled, you will be responsible for all flight change fees with the airlines. A refund for the sightseeing portion of the tour is not guaranteed. Before aborting the tour, you are required to contact the tour provider.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 63 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
63 verified traveler reviews for Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & Helicopter Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing day trip to Hilo
We were looking forward to going on the helicopter ride over the volcano on this excursion, but it got canceled due to the bad weather. Other than that disappointment (weather is not controllable), we had an amazing tour guide, Dexter. Dexter was very knowledgeable about the big island, and took us to very interesting sites. Great experience! I would very much recommend this tour, especially with Dexter!
via Tripadvisor
Very long and wet day.
Guide was informative but repetitive. He did his best given the weather. Viator did not communicate correct flight information. Kona low and recent eruption caused multiple closures.
Response from the operator: Aloha Michael, Mahalo for your feedback. We’re glad your guide remained informative despite the conditions. We’re sorry for the communication issues and how the day was impacted, and your comments have been shared with our team. Mahalo.
via Viator
Great day! Highly recommend
Wonderful tour and tour guide
via Tripadvisor
Best bus tour driver! He was great!
Kimoke’o He was great. Knowledgeable. Nice.
via Tripadvisor
Kimoke’o-excellent!!
Our driver was entertaining and knowledgeable. We enjoyed the trip. Driver Kimoke’o was our driver. He was nice. Very prompt. Kept us on time.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 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
- 22
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 50
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & Helicopter Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oahu.
How much does Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & Helicopter Tour cost?
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Prices start at $1054 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Oahu usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & Helicopter Tour take?
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Plan for about 12 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 Oahu is not rushed.
Is Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & Helicopter Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 50 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 63 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Oahu, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & 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 Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & Helicopter Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & Helicopter Tour?
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Around 22 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 Oahu 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 Oahu and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & 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 Oahu 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 Oahu?
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On Outty we rank every Oahu experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Oahu: Full or Half Day Grand Circle Island Tour, Oahu Small-Group Circle Island Tour with Turtle Snorkeling, Pearl Harbor Remembered Tour. 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 Oahu?
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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 Oahu?
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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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