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Hilo Helicopter Tour 50 min

TourTruth score 5.0 out of 10

Average

128 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score

  • Big Island of Hawaii
  • 50 min
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Take a 50-minute Hilo helicopter tour over volcanic landscapes, historic lava flows, black-sand beaches, rainforest, and waterfalls.

About this tour

See Hawaiʻi’s volcanic landscapes from a fresh perspective on a Hilo helicopter tour. From the air, the island’s changing terrain reveals a striking mix of historic lava flows, dark shorelines, lush rainforest, and waterfalls.

Your 50-minute flight explores the area around Kīlauea, where volcanic activity and scenery can change over time. A State of Hawaii-certified pilot guide shares insights into the region’s history and culture as you take in the views. The Airbus Eco-Star helicopter features forward-facing seats and broad sightlines; Bose noise-canceling headsets and two-way microphones help you hear and communicate during the flight. An optional in-flight video and photo package is available to purchase afterward.

Arrive 45 minutes before departure for check-in and the safety briefing. Weather and volcanic activity affect what you may see, but the aerial perspective offers a memorable way to experience the landscapes around Hilo. Book your Hilo helicopter tour and discover the island from above.

Highlights

  • Admire volcanic landscapes and historic lava flows from above
  • Look for black-sand beaches, rainforest, and waterfalls
  • Hear about Hawaiʻi’s history and culture from a certified pilot guide
  • Enjoy forward-facing seats and wide views aboard an Airbus Eco-Star helicopter

What's included

Included

  • Hilo helicopter tour
  • State of Hawaii-certified pilot guide
  • Two-way communication microphones
  • Bose aviation-grade electronic noise-canceling headsets
  • All fees and taxes

Not included

  • USB in-flight video and photo packages, available for purchase after the flight
  • Transportation to and from the heliport
  • Heliport parking: $10 USD
  • Gratuities

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

What reviewers mention

Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.

Important information

  • Check in 45 minutes before departure for a weight check, safety briefing, and boarding; late arrivals are not accepted and are nonrefundable
  • Tour time is confirmed after booking; allow ample travel time to the heliport
  • Guests weighing over 240 pounds (108 kg) need an adjacent empty seat for aircraft balance; the additional seat costs half the regular tour price and must be arranged after booking
  • Infants 23 months and younger travel free as lap children
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  • No scuba diving within 24 hours of departure
  • Bags, large cameras, and extending selfie sticks are not allowed in the helicopter
  • Sights vary with weather and volcanic activity; poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or full refund
  • Wheelchair accessible, with a lift available to assist boarding

Frequently asked questions

How long is the helicopter tour?

The flight lasts 50 minutes.

What can I see during the flight?

Possible sights include volcanic landscapes, historic lava flows, black-sand beaches, rainforest, and waterfalls. Views vary with weather and volcanic activity.

How early should I arrive?

Check in 45 minutes before departure for the weight check, safety briefing, and boarding. Late arrivals are not accepted and are nonrefundable.

Can infants join the tour?

Children 23 months and younger travel free while seated on an adult’s lap.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather cancels the tour, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

How this score is calculated

This tour scores 4.39 on Viator and 5.00 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.

How the score works and rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 5.0.

Provider rating distribution in Big Island of Hawaii

How many tours in Big Island of Hawaii have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

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