Top 9 Big Island Helicopter Tours

1.Private Kona Coast Helicopter Tour: All Window Seats

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $240Our pick

This 30-minute private flight gives your group of up to three people all-window views over the Kona Coast. Fly south toward Captain Cook, or north toward Kua Bay, Kiholo Bay, Hapuna Beach, and Kawaihae. Pilots including Ethan, Lance, Tyler, Alex, and Meg provide safety guidance and island commentary. Doors-off flights may be available.

“The flight was amazing. Our pilot Alex handled the helicopter like a pro. My first experience in a helicopter. I would highly recommend this experience.”

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2.Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 116 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $790

Fly from Waikoloa with a State of Hawaii certified guide-pilot over Kohala, Hāmākua, Akaka Falls, Kīlauea, Mauna Loa, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The six-passenger helicopter uses noise-canceling headsets and two-way microphones, so you can follow the commentary. Weather can change the route.

“We arrive & we were told that it is canceled due to rain. Ask us to reschedule but we were leaving the next day”

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3.Big Island: Discover Hilo Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 110 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) · from $482

From Hilo Airport, Blue Hawaiian’s Airbus Eco-Star carries up to six passengers over Hilo, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea, Mauna Loa, waterfalls, lava flows, and the Hamakua Coast. Pilot-guides such as Ryan, Chuey, David, and Wesley provide live commentary through noise-canceling headsets. Weather can change the route.

“It was an amazing tour! My tour guide was the best giving me so much knowledge of the Big Island. He went beyond my expectations! I lived every bit of it!”

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4.Kohala Waterfalls & Valleys Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $460

Fly over the Kohala area from Blue Hawaiian’s Waikoloa heliport, with up to 45 minutes in the air, pilot narration, and Bose noise-canceling headsets. You’ll pass ranch country, enormous sea cliffs, lush valleys, and waterfalls. Pilots such as Matt, Greg, Hans, Ky, and Toshi have been praised for calm flying and engaging commentary, though assignments vary.

“Great 1st experience in a helicopter. The pilot was gentle with the controls and we felt very safe. Wonderful scenery and good commentary by the pilot.”

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5.Exclusive Landing with Spectacular Big Island Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 2 hours 20 minutes (approx.) · from $1,134

See Hawaii Island from a six-seat helicopter with a certified pilot-guide, flying over Kohala, Mauna Kea, Kilauea, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hilo, and Akaka Falls. The highlight is a 20 to 25-minute landing at Laupāhoehoe Nui beside a 1,200-foot waterfall. Expect about 2 hours 20 minutes in the air and on the ground.

“Charged $2,000 and then and additional $400 for being 4 pounds over the weight limit. All other companies do a combined weight of 400 pounds for 2 people. Oh, and then we boarded the heli, our pilot told us the flight time would be cut in half. But the office could not give any details of any refund. Especially since I booked through Viator. We did heli flights on every island in Hawaii, but this was the worst communication and organization. Only plus was landing at the waterfall.”

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6.Kohala Waterfalls with Exclusive Landing Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $804

Join Blue Hawaiian Helicopters in Waikoloa for a 70-minute flight over Kohala ranch country, coastal beaches, and huge valleys. Your Hawaii-certified pilot provides live commentary, two-way headsets, and a 20 to 25-minute landing at Laupāhoehoe Nui beside a 1,200-foot waterfall. The aircraft carries no more than six passengers.

“Unforgettable moment flying above big island in Kohala coast! Amazing tour specially with first class seat 😍”

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7.Kona Coast Hualalai Volcano-60Min Helicopter Tour-Door Off or On

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $640

Fly above the Kona Coast and Hualalai Volcano with Rainbow Helicopters on a 60-minute tour from Kailua-Kona. Choose doors on or off, look for whales and calves in season, and hear island history from pilots such as Jojo, Jeff, Donovan, Turner, and Wilson. The route covers coffee farms, bays, beaches, crater country, and historic Hawaiian sites.

“The staff was super friendly, shout out to Wilson, thank you for your kindness to my 78 yr old Aunt. Whom by the way loved the tour with the doors off! Everything was amazing!”

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8.Kohala Coast Volcano Waterfalls-90 Min Heli Tour-Doors Off or On

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $895

From Kailua-Kona, Rainbow Helicopters takes you over volcanoes, waterfalls, valleys, beaches, and the Kohala Coast for 90 minutes. Choose doors-on or doors-off seating. Pilot Josh has been praised for his enthusiasm, while staff such as Wilson help with check-in and the safety briefing. Expect strong wind, changing cloud cover, and a high price.

“No door, no floor, still got (great) service. Really fun, beautiful views, very knowledgeable. Saw whales, saw waterfalls, cliffy things and more water. 10 out of 10 experience. Would recommend if you like wind.”

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9.Kona Coastal Sights Unseen – 45Min Helicopter Tour – Doors Off/On

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $590

Fly with Rainbow Helicopters for about 45 minutes over Kona’s coast, coffee farms, bays, beaches, and volcanic country. You’ll pass Captain Cook Monument, Hualalai Volcano, and Kiholo Bay. Choose doors-on or doors-off seating, prepare for cool air, and note that Chris has been praised for a smooth flight and engaging local facts.

“Had a great flight today with Chris! He had lots of really interesting and cool facts about the area we were flying in, and was a really smooth flight.”

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