A must-do for adrenaline junkies, this aerial adventure takes you over the island’s volcanic landscape, so you can peer into craters and spot lava. Plus enjoy views of waterfalls and other natural features of the Big Island while aboard.

Big Island helicopter flight from Hilo
Soar above Hawaii's volcanic landscape
Admire the island's forests and tropical waterfalls from above
Choose between three departure times
Upgrade seating is available (additional fee)

What's Included

Two-way headset communication with your pilot
Live commentary on board

Food
Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Hilo International Airport
2450 Kekuanaoa St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Terminal 2

Start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

Opening hours

9/15/2020 - 8/30/2023
Monday - Friday : 08:00 AM - 02:00 PM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 6 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Due to safety concerns, customers are not allowed to bring any personal items on the flight
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Wheelchair accessible - if assistance is required, passenger must provide their own caregiver
All pilots and aircraft are FAA-certified
Seating is assigned based on weight and balance following guidelines which have been approved by the FAA. We cannot guarantee seats as the weight of guests must be balanced within the aircraft.
A seat upgrade is not a guarantee; however, if you purchase a co-pilot and/or window seat upgrades, we will do our best to seat you in your purchased location. If we cannot accomodate a seat upgrade due to weight and balance requirements for your flight (or for any other reason), we will refund your upgrade purchase at check-in.

All guests weighing 270 lbs or more when weighed at check-in, will be required to purchase an additional empty seat less 15% before fuel surcharge to safely balance the aircraft. They will be guaranteed a window seat.
This option is for Doors-On. For doors off, please book our Doors-Off tour.
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

about cancellations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Q:What is the policy on sanitization during Doors-On Helicopter Lava and Rainforests Adventure from Hilo?

A:The policies on sanitization are:

Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized

Q:What is the social distancing policy during Doors-On Helicopter Lava and Rainforests Adventure from Hilo?

A:The policy on social distancing is:

Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Q:What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Doors-On Helicopter Lava and Rainforests Adventure from Hilo?

A:The policy on staff health & safety is:

Guides required to regularly wash hands

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

182 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 182 reviews

a wasted day of vacation, not recommended!

jordi_j, Jun 2022

we had booked a helicopter flight with open door. once on arrival found out the flight was closed door. we should have moved the flight to another day and then we had to pay an extra 100 dollars. it was a wasted day of our vacation. I ended up hanging up on the phone with viator for another 40 minutes but no solution was found and finally the phone hung up.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Aloha jordi_j, Mahalo for taking the time to provide your feedback on your recent experience with Paradise Helicopters. We appreciate all comments as we continually strive to provide the highest levels of customer service and improve our experience. We will take a look at our listings to see how we can be more clear on add-ons such as doors-off and doors-on. If you have further questions or concerns, please email socialmedia@paradisecopters.com. Mahalo, Paradise Ohana

Phenomenal !!

Joseph_T, Apr 2022

Our pilot was awesome, very informative, and friendly. Made sure that everyone both sides of the helicopter got to see everything.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Misses the volcano

theresa_w, Apr 2022

Pilot was ok not very friendly and only answered questions curtly. Also unable to see the volcano which was a disappointment

1 traveler found this review helpful

Amazing views of the volcano!

Meghan_R, Apr 2022

Amazing views of the island, especially over the volcano! We did see some waterfalls but they were second seat to the volcanos as you do not get very close due to noise regulations from the neighborhoods surrounding. Blink and you’ll almost miss them! The pilot was super informative, knowledgeable, and friendly.

Adventure in the Air

Richard_M, Mar 2022

Nice way to see the island. Personable pilot who gave a great tour mixed with history and stories of the island as he answered questions. Great views, but be prepared that 2 seats face backwards. Photos taken with an iPhone.

Response from Host, Mar 2022

Aloha Richard, Mahalo nui loa for taking the time to review your experience with us! We absolutely love hearing about our guests experience and are always happy to hear how much you enjoyed your time with us. We hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Hawaii! Mahalo, Tiffany

Allen was an amazing...

Kevin_D, Mar 2022

Allen was an amazing pilot and tour guide, very calming sense of humor and had wonderful stories to share of the island, would definitely do it again and glad to see the whole island on my first full day in Hawaii!

Hot lava!

Holly_B, Feb 2022

We loved our helicopter tour of the Big Island, the active volcano and waterfalls. We had great views of the island and volcano and were able to see some active, hot flowing lava. Thrilling! The pilot was very good and the flight was very smooth.

Great time/ experience

Susan_S, Feb 2022

It was a great team from start to end. Very professional and courteous. The pilot was very attentive to us and all the passengers

Experience

Amita_G, Feb 2022

It’s pity amazing and gentle ride to the volcano and through rain forest. Staff were wonderful. Good crew

No window seat in middle

Jayesh_P, Feb 2022

This helicopter has middle seat. They put my wife in middle seat She is short in height she can’t see anything because she’s was seated between to big and taller. It’s unfair to her compared to other fives rider. They didn’t disclose seating arrangements or map or criteria to any of their portal or web site. Lowest weight and low height person on middle seat. They care for money only. Very disappointed.

Very disappointed

Katie_H, Jan 2022

Pre-paid. Were sitting and waiting to find they cancelled our flight. Weather was great. They stated a mechanical issue( helicopter in air returning with previous guests. Didn't offer latter time, just a reschedule (we leaving next day. Only on island 3 days just for helicopter tour) or refund. Very disappointing.

This was an amazing trip!...

MahmoudAlchamaa, Jan 2022

This was an amazing trip! I proposed to my girlfriend in the helicopter 🚁 the pilot stopped in air for us by a water fall and jt was the most amazing thing in my life. We are very thankful and really recommend it

Great Customer Experience

Steve_E, Dec 2021

The flight was cancelled due to weather; however, the team from Paradise were very nice and helpful. They followed up with a telephone call and text after we left to see about rescheduling or cancelling. When we said we needed to cancel, they contacted Viator directly to request the cancellation and refund our money. Paradise seems to be very focused on customer service and I would easily try them again on a next trip.

Bummer!!!

Paul_M, Dec 2021

Sold as private tour but it’s not. Loaded then unloaded for maintenance. Trip canceled one hour after waiting. No one has contacted me for refund or reschedule. Odd right? All staff were nice and professional.

Bucket list experience

Maryann_W, Nov 2021

So much fun!!!! And spectacular views. I never thought I would see the inside of a volcano in my life. So cool

Amazing

Ryan_O, Oct 2021

Keith is an excellent pilot. And make the experience interactive and educational. This is a spectacular opportunity that you can’t pass up!

Amazing sites that can only be seen by Paradise Helicopter Lava and Rainforests Adventure from Hilo.

Michael_W, Sep 2021

Flying up into the ravines and capturing photos of the beautiful waterfalls and landing at the base of one. Exceptional!!

2 travelers found this review helpful

What a view

Joseph_E, Sep 2021

Great views of the island, volcanos and waterfalls that we would've never seen from the ground! Awesome once in a lifetime experience.

Stunning

Cindy_R, Sep 2021

I took my son for his 10th birthday to look over the volcanoes. No activity as far as lava goes, but it was absolutely stunning to look at all the different volcanoes and waterfalls! Pilot was very informative and funny! Thank you for a great adventure!

Book early to avoid being cancelled

Nanette_M, Sep 2021

Great trip. Was difficult to book. Through website since we were confirmed then canceled. Had to book a second time with a different company. That trip was confirmed then put on hold pending other people needed to book in order to have enough seats filled on the flight.

...

Questions?

Product code: 5120_H0004

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Doors-On Helicopter Lava and Rainforests Adventure from Hilo

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