Reviews

Our tour was in the larger Eco-Star helo with 4 others on board. The pre-flight orientation was thorough and well organized. Tom was our pilot. Even though it was a particularly windy day he managed to keep the ride relatively smooth. He had a good mix of wit and information. He shared the significance of the landscape and history of the area. The quality of service with the synchronized music in headphones and ability to ask questions was a nice feature. If I had one critique, it would be for a volume control on the headsets. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

No question this was the best tour we went on (out of 6 tours total) from Honolulu. The ride provided exquisite views of roughly half the island (the same part that you would see from the ground on the circle island tour) but the views are wonderous. If you are only going to budget for one event, make this the one. Pilot Julie pointed out items of interest and flew the copter in a safe and controlled manner. She made every effort to provide everyone on board with good camera angles for shots and involved us by asking questions to us by name.

We flew tours on Blue Hawaiian on both Kauai and on the Big Island. On Kauai it was very obvious as to the differences between Blue Hawaiian and their competition. When we arrived at the heliport next to Lihue International airport we passed by several helicopter tour operations. They all had tents or a small shelter for the passengers to wait under after parking. Blue Hawaiian has a good-size air conditioned building complete with a small theatre area for viewing the safety video, clean bathrooms and a gift shop. Blue Hawaiian had 4 or 5 helicopters on pads to use for the tours. They were very professional and very experienced at what they do. The helicopters were, like their facility, spotlessly clean. One can only think that they must maintain their helicopters well, just as everything else that they do. The pilots in both locations were first-rate. Take-off and landings were smooth, which in the Waikaloa area on the Big Island is impressive due to the normally high, gusty winds. The flights were smooth, the pilots gave a good running explanation of what were were about to see, some history of the island, the geology that resulted in what we were seeing and checked that everyone was comfortable. The sights were truly awesome. The view from the helicopter was something not possible in any other way. Skimming over the mountains, ridges falling away under us, flying up the valleys and seeing lava boiling at the active volcano on the Big Island was spectacular. We bought the HD video that they took during both our flights. They are a great memento of our trip! Due to bad weather in the Kiluea area, they scrubbed our Big Island Adventure flight 3 times. (If you can't see the main attraction well, it's not worth trying.) They gave us the option to reschedule our trip or opt to take the shorter tours of the valleys (or take a full refund). Fortunately we originally had scheduled our trip for the beginning of our stay, so we had the flexibility to reschedule it. In the end it was worth the wait. However, I was impressed that the company would offer such flexibility when it obviously affects their bottom-line. It was further testimonial to how professional this company is. Even though it's somewhat pricey, I'd highly recommend touring with Blue Hawaiian.

Barrett was our pilot and was amazing! Talking to the kids and answering all the questions they had. You have to book it on your own straight thru Blue Hawaiian instead of thru the cruise ship.

I highly recommend booking a helicopter ride with Blue Hawaiian. Brandon did an excellent job narrating our experience! The area my wife and I saw was simply beautiful!

brilliant helicopter trip, great pilot Tom, lived up to expectation, fantastic seat, unhurried, safe

After relentlessly researching for the perfect helicopter tour of the Big Island in Hawaii, I decided on the super-expensive "Blue Hawaii Big Island Spectacular" thinking the extra money would ensure that unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here's the BIG CATCH no one tells you -- though every seat costs the same exact price, NOT every seat delivers the same experience. You can pay for a first class ticket and end up sitting in what the helicopter-tour-equivalent of coach. Despite paying a hefty premium for their new Ecostar helicopter with "expansive glass for enhanced viewability" if you get stuck in the back middle seat (like I did) it is absolutely NOT WORTH THE MONEY. FACT: Unless you are in the front two seats or (at very least) the back row passenger side seat, you will be GREATLY disappointed when you discover you get MUCH LESS of an experience then your fellow passengers. The two back middle seats are two back middle seats and I don't care what kind of helicopter you're in -- you're still going to get the same crappy view of the control panel and mostly stare at everyone's back as they're busy snapping pictures. They claim to do it by weight, so you have no idea where they'll put you, but they should charge less for the crappy seats. Totally not fair to pay the same for "rear mezzanine" while others are in front row, center orchestra. Plus, they tell you to wear dark clothes to minimize glare and the woman in the front row was wearing a distracting bright HOT PINK shirt and her companion a light gray t-shirt and no one said a word. (I don't think there's a color that could more flagrantly disregard a totally ignored, completely unenforced rule.) Honestly, it costs almost $600 for a two hour tour and you DON'T get the same experience as everyone else. Despite all the glowing reviews, trust me, if you're stuck in the back, it ain't worth it...and it's only MORE infuriating when you realize you're paying the same price as everyone else. Good seat, great experience. Bad seat (and there are two) and you feel like a chump.

If you want a great overview of Oahu and can't take the time to drive this is the answer. We saw waterfalls on lush mountainsides and valleys. It was like watching a James Bond movie without the villain. Go early in the day for the best weather. We also bought the DVD of our flight.

Don't let the price of this tour let you pass this experience up!! Although the normal rate is $500pp, you can find coupons at almost every pamphlet stand along the streets for 1/2 off. If that is still too steep for you & your willing to spend a couple of hours listening to one of the MANY random sale pitches to buy a times share or vacation plan, you can get this tour down to $250 for a couple. Before take off you will sit for a short safety presentation & then your good to go. Seating is based on height. So dont be disappointed if you dont get a window seat. The seating is structured so the taller of the group are in the middle. However, the windows are fully visible & made so that everyone can enjoy this experience. The pilots are very informative & will show you so many sights that you'd never be able to access by land. You are able to see just how beautiful the island really is. You will also be able to purchase a video of YOUR tour. So be sure to remember that everything you say IS on tape!! Haha At the time they were $25 but it is a memory that you can take home with you :) Remember those little pamphlet stands I mentioned? There is also a coupon in the back for a souvenir Tee for $5. Sit back & enjoy the view!

Started with prompt pickup by shuttle at our hotel. Dropped at office for weigh-in, payment, and safety briefing. Our tour was flown/narrated by Julie. Quite informative as we flew over the island. She even made a few extra passes over the North Shore to get a better look at a whale she had spotted. Flew over Pearl Harbor as we approached the airport. Passengers in seats 6-7 didn't get the great view we did, but we (seats 4-5) were able to snap a few photos for them with their camera for them. We did purchase the DVD and it is good quality. Shuttle dropped us back at the hotel.

We're honeymooning in Hawaii & one thing we always wanted to do was a helicopter on the big island. We looked into several helicopters & Blue Hawaiian stood out! It did not disappoint, we arrived for checkin and had a full safety brief, we met our helicopter pilot Shane who was a fantastic tour guide whilst in the air, very informative indeed. We had front row seats which was amazing! We got a really amazing experience flying over the volcanoes seeing the lava and smoke whilst seeing spectacular waterfalls that drop 2000 ft down into the rainforest, we got to see the valley were their filmed Jurassic park which was breathtaking & so beautiful! You may look at the price & think it's tippy but believe you me the places you see & go to you can't get their on foot and when you see them it takes your breath away! A fantastic company & experience all around!

A definite highlight of a trip to Oahu, windy day so feeling a bit nervous, however pilot (Adam) was excellent. Gives a great sense of perspective to the island and well worth the price. As others have commented, you can get the DVD etc

It was everything we expected and more, except we did wish to not land! If there had been another going out right away we probably would have been on it. Carey (Stewart) my husband now wants to fly one. :) Thanks Blue Hawaiian Helicopters! Nadine & Carey Regina, SK Canada

Only something like 10% of Kauai is accessible by road. Much of the island is still privately owned, and a multi-day hike was out of the question with kids in tow, so the Blue Hawaiian flight was, in one word, SPECTACULAR. We were able to see the Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali coast, dozens of waterfalls and several rainbows, all from the comfort and safety of the helicopter piloted by a very knowledgeable and skilled Barrett. We considered a boat rode on the Na Pali coast at first, but spoke to several visitors that got extremely seasick doing so, so wouldn't change our experience for anything. Worth the expense without question.

This tour must be the best company to book with because there was zero room for improvement! Everything was perfect. Especially our pilot. His voice was so smooth and kind, you could tell he really enjoyed his job and was trying his best to make it smooth and enjoyable for us. Barrett was very kind to our kids and allowed everyone to speak into the mic. Thanks a bunch!