For a Big Island tour to remember, sign up to go high in the sky with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. On their Waikoloa flights, you get to explore the Kilauea Volcano, Kohala Coast, and beyond. Rainforests, waterfalls, and many other wonderful sights will come into view as your travel all over the northern half of the island. Want to dream up your very own tour? Sign up for a private charter instead.
Before you can get up into the air, you’ll need to decide which tour to go on, and then reserve your spot. Since they’re pretty busy nearly year-round, it’s best to grab your tickets as soon as you know you’ll be on the island. To do that, just go to their website and fill out the form to let them know when you’d like to go and how many people will be in your party. On the Big Island Spectacular tour, you’ll also need to decide if you want to add on the waterfall landing upgrade.
Once that’s done, show up at the Waikoloa Heliport about 45 minutes prior to your selected flight time. Be sure to wear dark clothing, closed-toe shoes, and sunglasses. Also, apply SPF 50+ sunblock about 15 minutes before your tour. You’ll want to bring a camera as well, so you can capture photos and videos throughout the flight. The crew will also keep their cameras rolling, giving you a chance to buy a video of your flight after you return back to the base.
During the check-in process, you’ll learn about what to expect, weigh in to figure out seating, and then go out to the helipad for boarding. The crew will help you get into your seats and strapped in for the ride ahead. Then, you’ll lift off and head out on the selected tour route. All along the way, your pilot will keep you well informed about the sights ahead while sharing fun facts about the island’s geography, history, and culture.
Their top tours include:
Big Island Spectacular
The Big Island Spectacular takes you on a nearly two-hour tour of the northeastern half of the island. You’ll ride in pure comfort in their Airbus Eco-Star helicopter, while your pilot expertly navigates to all the top sights. Tropical rainforests, sea cliffs, beaches, and so much more will keep you delighted during your trip. Add on the landing upgrade and you’ll get to touch down at Laupahoehoe Nui to see a 1,200-foot-tall waterfall right up close.
Kohala Coast Adventure
For a whirlwind tour of the North Shore, go on the Kohala Coast Adventure. On this one-hour trip, you’ll fly over the Waipio Valley and Kohala Mountains before soaring above the coastline in style. The rainforest, beaches, and waterfalls will undoubtedly leave you enamored, while the ancient Hawaiian settlements treat you to a memorable history lesson.
Private Charters
If you want to decide just what you want to see on your tour, sign up for their Private Charters. You’ll get to take up to five people to see all the best views across the Big Island. You can even personalize the trip with a special landing for a picnic, zipline rides, or even your big proposal.
You must give them at least 24 hours’ notice if you want to change or cancel your reservations. Otherwise, you will not qualify for a full refund. To make the changes, give the team a call during their normal business hours. They will either change your booking date and time – or fully cancel your reservations and issue a refund, depending on your needs.
The crew reserves the right to cancel your reservations during adverse weather conditions. If that happens, they’ll try to work with you to reschedule your booking. If you cannot find a good time to come back, then they will just give you a refund instead.
Insider Tips:
-Want front-row seats? You’ll need to give them a call instead of booking online.
-If you’re prone to motion sickness, take an over-the-counter remedy about 15 minutes before checking in.
-For VIP transport to your upcoming special event, just give them a call to reserve your helicopter ride.