How long is a typical north shore helicopter flight?
The video does not specify exact duration, but shows departure, cruising to Kohala, viewing valleys and waterfalls, spotting Mauna Kea, passing over Waimea, and returning, suggesting a flight of at least 45 minutes to an hour or more.
At a glance
Length
10 min
Channel
grantinov
Video from
Jun 2023
Rating
⭐⭐ Great video · 2/2
Best for
First-time Big Island visitors curious about scenic helicopter tours and waterfall views
What this video answers
How long is a typical north shore helicopter flight?
Can I ask questions during the flight?
What if I'm nervous about flying?
Is there snow on the Big Island in summer?
What should I wear on a helicopter tour?
Reads the guide aloud in your browser — free, no account.
What to Expect on This Big Island Helicopter Tour
This video documents a scenic helicopter flight around the north shore of Hawaii's Big Island, departing from a local operator and cruising toward Kohala, the island's oldest volcano. Pilot Matt leads passengers on a narrative journey, pointing out geological landmarks, weather patterns, and local towns while maintaining a relaxed, conversational atmosphere. The flight gives you unobstructed aerial views of volcanic terrain, ridgelines, valleys, waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, and the small ranching town of Waimea below.
This experience suits travelers seeking a helicopter tour review that balances scenic rewards with personal storytelling—not a silent, purely technical flight. If you're visiting the Big Island and want to see landscape features that are difficult or impossible to access by road (especially the valleys and waterfalls on the north side), and you enjoy learning local geography and history during the journey, this tour is worth booking soon, as spots fill quickly during peak season.
Key Moments
Highlights of the North Shore Flight Route
Kohala volcano and the oldest volcanic landscape on the Big Island, inactive for approximately 120,000 years
Views of Mauna Kea's snow-covered summit visible at two to three o'clock, showing seasonal snow in the middle of ski season
Valleys and waterfalls on the far north side of the island, described as "an incredible part of the island" by the pilot
Waimea, a Hawaiian mountain town and ranching community centered around Parker Ranch, visible from above with a weekly farmers market
Wide-angle perspectives of the Big Island's varied terrain, from volcanic ridgelines to green slopes and coastal waters
What You Should Know Before Booking Your Flight
Safety briefing required: All passengers watch a safety video before boarding, covering seatbelt procedures and emergency protocols
Seatbelt operation: Belts are kept low and snug throughout the flight and release easily by turning a dial either direction
Microphone communication: Headsets with microphones allow two-way conversation with the pilot, who encourages questions during the flight
Seasonal conditions: Snow visibility at Mauna Kea occurs during winter months, though the video was filmed in March
Passenger accessibility: The tour accommodates visitors on their first or second trip to the Big Island, with the pilot adjusting commentary based on passenger experience
Booking urgency: Helicopter tours at this operator fill up quickly; reserve early, especially for peak travel seasons
Common Questions About Big Island Helicopter Tours
How long is a typical north shore helicopter flight?
The video does not specify exact duration, but shows departure, cruising to Kohala, viewing valleys and waterfalls, spotting Mauna Kea, passing over Waimea, and returning, suggesting a flight of at least 45 minutes to an hour or more.
Can I ask questions during the flight?
Yes. The pilot explicitly invites passengers to ask questions throughout the flight and communicates via headset microphones, creating an interactive experience rather than a silent narration.
What if I'm nervous about flying?
The pilot maintains a calm, conversational tone and the pre-flight safety video covers all procedures. Passengers sit in secure, low-slung seatbelts that are easy to operate, and the relaxed atmosphere (one passenger mentions "don't worry, be happy") suggests the operator prioritizes passenger comfort.
Is there snow on the Big Island in summer?
Mauna Kea, the island's tallest volcano, has snow during winter and ski season. The video was filmed in March and shows a "pretty good amount of snow" at the summit, though by summer that snow would likely be gone.
What should I wear on a helicopter tour?
The video does not address clothing specifically, but a helicopter flight at altitude will be cooler than ground level; layered clothing and a light jacket are typically recommended for aerial tours.
This video delivers real value if you're deciding whether a Big Island helicopter tour is worth the investment. The pilot's narration is genuine and informative—he names specific landmarks (Kohala, Mauna Kea, Waimea, Parker Ranch), explains geological history, and responds naturally to passenger comments, which gives you a true sense of what the experience feels like rather than a highlight reel.
What impressed me most was the conversational tone and the variety of terrain covered in one flight: volcanic peaks, snow views, hidden valleys, and a working ranch town. The passengers are relaxed and engaged, and the pilot's willingness to answer questions makes this feel like a personal tour, not a commodity ride. I'd wholeheartedly recommend this if you want to see the north shore's waterfalls and remote valleys from the air.
Years on the front lines of helicopter tour coordination — not as a travel blogger, but as the person responsible for making every guest experience go right. Managed 2,000+ cruise guests weekly as Shore Excursions staff aboard the Pride of America in Hawaii
Personally coordinated with helicopter tour operators to confirm age, weight, and safety requirements.
In 2020, the wife and I took a helicopter ride around the north shore on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Video transcript for “Big Island Helicopter Tour Part 1” Accessibility
A full written transcript of this video, provided for accessibility. Select any timestamp to jump the video to that moment.
beautiful afternoon you guys my name's Matt I'll be taking care of y'all [Music] you guys all got a chance to see the safety video in there show you one video yeah pretty straightforward right you guys saw the video as well you guys see the video holder signs that you keep your seat
belts low and snug throughout the fight throw Lucy conception up Central up now you need to get out of your seatbelt just tremend dial it'll turn either way super easy I'll be right back on with y'all once we're up in there now it's gonna walk over
don't worry be happy [Music] don't worry be happy don't worry be happy don't worry be happy ain't got no place to lay your head somebody came into
foreign
any place [Music]
[Music] foreign [Music]
[Music] [Music] [Music] take you away
[Music] and we are off ladies and gentlemen on our way
I've got microphones back on for y'all you guys can feel free you can ask me questions super easy going I guess [Music] I will start out by uh cruising our way right up toward Kohala there's a volcano out ahead of us on the
far north end of the island the oldest volcano here on the big island so five total volcanoes around that North End is the oldest part of the island the ball hasn't erupted in a real long time 120 000 years or so [Music] yeah just on the other side of the Kahala Ridgeline that's where we'll be
able to cruise down into The Valleys waterfalls this is an incredible part of the island [Music] almost like an island all of itself over there [Music]
great views up to the top of Mauna Kea our tallest volcano I've got our two to three o'clock pretty good amount of snow up there [Applause] sorry Brian I'll have you bring that mic right up to your mouth that's all here nothing over here is abrupted in a long time yeah
incredible huh yeah kind of right in the middle of our ski season oh look so you got to do it the old-fashioned way o'clock [Music]
[Applause] [Music] beautiful spots the water is incredible [Music]
[Music] it's our first trip out to the Big Island not very good second time pretty good [Music]
I'm not incredibly good at reading lips first time we went up the Monica oh nice good deal no was it in the winter time that you came out no Mark March okay yeah we were there last night last night you guys were there all right come out to Hawaii just to see how cold you can be we came from Toronto oh yeah definitely
you're like oh this is nothing definitely that's great [Music] yeah at least point out the snow people were like oh great snow but I love snow to come to Hawaii [Music] yeah right
yeah I'll go up there every now and again just to remind myself why I live in Hawaii like okay I'm good I'll go back to where it's warm back to the beach [Music] yeah a little town of Waimea here off on our right hand side I've got our two o'clock there heading up through the
hill [Music] had a little ranching community Parker Ranch headquarters is that's the big cattle ranch here on the island [Music] that's kind of a Hawaiian Mountain Town kind of vibe over there right now great Farmers Market every Wednesday and
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