Reviews

Took a 50 minute flight with Blue Hawaiian helicopters to see the volcanoes and the sight by Hilo. A great experience. Being a retired Marine Corps helicopter pilot, I did not like being in the back but our pilot, Colleen, was fabulous. She provided us with many opportunites for photos and tried to engage all passengers in conversation. She skillfully guided out aircraft between the clouds and ensured a memorable trip for all.

I was with a group of 17, divided into groups of 4 or 5. We met at Honolulu International Airport. We were taken on a 45-minute helicopter trip of the lava fields. It was a cloudy, misty day, which detracted from the enjoyment. The fields were interesting, if not beautiful. Lava hot spots were visible, but not floes. We saw where a town was destroyed, and where rebuilding was happening. Our pilot, Scott, showed us, and described, how the shoreline is continually expanding, due to the lava floes. After the lava fields, we were shown several water falls. Back at the airport, we were welcomed into a small gift shop, and were given cold lemon water. Professional videos of the lava fields (not our trip) were available for purchase. This was an enjoyable and informative tour, but a bit overpriced for my taste - about $240/person.

We took the EcoStar Spectacular tour out of Waikoloa Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tours. Each member of the crew were friendly and knowledgeable. Shane was our pilot and he was excellent! He was informative and told us a lot about the history of the island. We were on the 7am flight on a clear and bright day, not a cloud in the sky! When we flew over the volcano, the lava erupted as if on cue! We spent a lot of time around the volcano as Shane flew back and forth so that both sides of the plane could get a good view. It was absolutely spectacular and we got many pictures and videos to show our friends. After our refuel in Hilo, which also was unusually clear, we went up the northern coast of the island. We spotted so many whales it was incredible! The last leg of our tour went through the valley which was equally spectacular. Shane flew expertly over the mountains and in the valley to show us several waterfalls. We were awe-struck! We decided after the helicopter tour, that no other excursion or tour could top this!

The price of these flights is abit high, but figured making one trip to the big island should go for it. I have to admit, I was impressed. The company is very well spoken of around the Island for good reason. They are very professional all around. The pilot Sean made the flight special. Very well versed in the history and interacted well with all passengers. Always felt safe and the sceenery was breath taking. Would highly suggest Blue Hawaiian to anyone wanting to see the volcano and the other points of the big Island.

We booked a helicopter tour for my wife's birthday to see the Big Island. The staff was very helpful and they provided shuttle service to and from the Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel. We have a handicapped daughter and the staff was exceptionally accommodating for her needs. They had no issues with getting her in and out of the helicopter and made sure that she was comfortable with every phase of the trip. We booked the two hour tour so that we could see both waterfalls and volcanos. The pilot (Tom) was very informative at every step along the tour and provided us with some spectacular views. I would highly recommend BH for a tour of the islands.

Totally awesome experience. Fantasic pilot and narrative and all ground staff so friendly and helpful.

We took the Big Island Spectacular tour and had a great trip. Our pilot Scott gave us a great overview of the island and we had a chance to see the vastness and beauty of the island. You get to see many sights, valleys and waterfalls that you could not see otherwise. Everyone at Blue Hawaiian was friendly, helpful and orofessional. Be sure to do it early in your trip so that you get a good overview and in case there is weather. As far as seeing lava, we saw some but it was a little cloudy around the caulderia the day we went. That said we did see some lava but know lava, it's nature so every day is different. That said the waterfalls and the Waipio Valley was worth the trip even if you don't get to see much lava. This is an expensive trip but well worh the money.

We and our teenage sons were blown away by our Big Island Spectacular tour! Our pilot, John, was a wonderful tour guide-very knowledgeable about the island and a great sense of humor, too!! Highly recommend this company!!!

We did the "Big Island Spectacular" trip yesterday and it was amazing. I wanted to do this mainly to see the active volcano but it was the waterfalls and valleys that made the trip. The volcano isn't very active right now but we did see red in the crater and a small amount of lava in the rift zone. It was incredible to see the devastation that the lava has caused. Our pilot was very knowledgeable and friendly. We were in a group of 3 and had 1 window & 2 middle seats which were fine. The middle seats were good because you could see both sides. I saw more on this 2 hour flight than I did in 2 weeks on land. It is definitely worth the money!

My husband and friend were recently in Waikoloa for another friend's wedding and we debated whether or not to spend the money for the Big Island Spectacular. All three of us agree that it was some of the best money we spent while on this holiday. First of all, the operation is very well managed and operated - we felt very safe and comfortable - check in was handled efficiently. Our pilot, John, was very personable and shared a lot of interesting information as we travelled over the island. The views of the lava flows were spectacular and if you have any interest in natural history this is a once in a life time sight not to be missed. I thought that the lava would be the highlight of the tour and then we went into the valleys of waterfalls and I was awestruck - waterfalls cascading from all sides seen from a rare aerial perspective. If you choose one attraction on the Big Island, make it this trip! Advance reservations are a must.

Absolutely amazing experience! I can't imagine there's any better way to see the island. Pilot John made it fun and interesting. Mahalo

We took a 2 hour round island tour. The tour was breathtaking and felt both safe and exciting. The diversity around the island is unreal and the pilot made sure to go around on lots of different angles to get the best view and photos each time the scenery changed. Bathe cabin music was a nice touch.

This afforded us views of volcanic activity throughout the area. While it was a splurge, I'm glad we did it as it made for one of the most memorable parts of our trip and a great introduction to the volcanoes in the area before entering Volcanoes National Park. It's a very professional and well run operation.

This was my second trip with them. Fly the Eco and not the Astro copter. It will cost you more but you will see a lot more from the sky and you will find it easier to take pictures. Try to get Tim as your pilot if he is working that day. I find every aspect of their operation to be professional. The first time I went we saw active lava flows including into the ocean and lots of steam. The lava is not as active now but is slow moving so you will not see much from the air except the lava slowly burning a forest. They end the trip by flying over some water falls which I did not find that interesting. The total trip is 50 minutes. They do offer you a video of your trip which I declined to buy each time. Look for discounts on their website and ask at your hotel if they know of any. Even discounted it is expensive, without discounts it is every expensive. But it is worth it to do it at least once.

A helicopter view over the volcano is a must do activity when visiting the big island. As well as going to the volcano on the ground, the air view was fantastic. While we didn't fly over the main crater of Kilauea, it was still exciting to be able to look down the lava tubes and photograph red hot lava that you cannot access on foot. Our pilot was very informative and friendly and interactive for the whole flight. She ensured that all sides of the helicopter and therefore each passenger had a fair time viewing and photographing each site. In addition to the crater we were able to see where the vegetation is continually burning as the burn line of sparks and some flames, proceeds through the forests. Unfortunately for us there were no lava flows for our visit but we were taken to see the devastation and face of the lava of previous recent flows. We were a party of 5 and each of us would do the flight again when returning to the island. The top quality earphones were excellent at blocking out noise and making a comfortable flight for the whole hour. This was our second experience with Blue Hawaiian which we selected for the volcano flight, after having had a great flight over Kauai.