Experience the Big Island by Helicopter with Blue Hawaiian
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters offers aerial tours of Hawaii's Big Island, a journey that takes you from lush tropical waterfalls and rain forests to dramatic volcanic landscapes—sights you simply cannot access by ground. The video showcases what makes this operator stand out: instead of flying only along the coastline like many competitors, Blue Hawaiian covers the full island experience in a single tour, including the wide-open lava lands, the volcanic activity around Mauna Kea and Kilauea Iki, and the verdant valleys below. Lyman Medeiros, a Big Island native, endorses the tour as the best way to truly appreciate the island's scale and beauty.
This experience is ideal for first-time Big Island visitors, adventure seekers, and travelers who want to see landscapes that are impossible to witness from hiking trails or coastal drives. If you're looking for a memorable, all-encompassing view of the island's most dramatic features in under two hours, and you don't mind heights, this is worth booking well in advance—demand is high and departure slots fill quickly.
Key Moments
What You'll See on a Blue Hawaiian Big Island Flight
- Spectacular waterfalls and lush tropical rain forests in their full aerial perspective
- Rugged, wide-open lava lands and volcanic formations across Mauna Kea
- Active skylights and lava flows from Kilauea Iki, with pilots routinely seeking out the most current volcanic activity
- The Pu'u Oo vent viewed from sea level, revealing the volcano's scale and power
- Panoramic coastal views and the dramatic contrast between ocean, vegetation, and barren volcanic terrain
Essential Details Before You Book Your Big Island Helicopter Tour
- Aircraft: Flights operate in the Ecostar helicopter, the only aircraft designed specifically for air touring. It features 60 square feet of panoramic glass for unobstructed views and is quieter and more fuel-efficient than standard helicopters.
- Comfort features: Individual forward-facing seats, first-class spacing, air conditioning, Bose aviation-grade noise-cancelling headsets with two-way communication to your pilot, and a four-camera HD in-flight system.
- Departure locations: You can depart from either the exclusive Waikoloa heliport on the west side or the Hilo International Airport facility on the east side—choose based on which side of the island you're staying on.
- Pilots: Many are military-trained veterans, all are Hawaii state-certified tour pilots with extensive knowledge of volcanic and landscape changes.
- Volcanic activity timing: Because volcanic conditions change hourly, pilots actively search for the most active skylights and flows during your flight—you're not on a fixed route, but rather chasing live geology.
- Company credentials: Blue Hawaiian is the only aerial tour operator in the world to receive the Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences and has set the standard for 30+ years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tours
How much of the island will I actually see in one tour?
Unlike competitors that focus only on coastlines, the video makes clear that Blue Hawaiian covers the complete Big Island landscape in a single flight—waterfalls, rain forests, volcanic highlands, active lava features, and ocean views all in one journey. You're getting the full spectrum of the island's geography.
Is the helicopter safe for nervous fliers?
The Ecostar is described in the video as the world's most technologically advanced aircraft designed for air touring, and all pilots are state-certified professionals, many with military training. The helicopter itself is also ultra-quiet and smooth, which can ease anxiety compared to louder, bumpier aircraft. That said, it's still flying, and fear of heights is a legitimate consideration.
What if volcanic activity isn't visible on the day I fly?
The video doesn't address this directly, but it does mention that pilots actively search for the most active skylights and flows because volcanic conditions change hourly. You're getting a tour guided by real-time conditions, not a guaranteed sighting—so weather and volcanic dormancy could affect what you see.
Which departure location should I choose?
The video mentions two options: Waikoloa heliport on the west side and Hilo International Airport on the east side. Your choice should depend on where you're staying and which route is more convenient for you. Both are official Blue Hawaiian facilities.
What's included in the tour?
The video confirms that you get a seat in the Ecostar with panoramic glass windows, a Bose noise-cancelling headset, two-way pilot communication, air conditioning, and an HD camera system. It's focused entirely on the aerial sightseeing experience and narrative provided by your pilot.
