Big Island Volcano Helicopter Tour from Oahu

Volcanic activity at Kilauea is dynamic and changes week to week, so the specific flows visible during your tour depend on current conditions at the time of your visit. Your guides will brief you before the helicopter flight on exactly what’s active and where you’ll be flying — on most departures there is visible lava activity, but no tour operator can guarantee it since that’s nature’s call, not theirs.

Yes — round-trip interisland airfare from Honolulu to the Big Island is included in the $995 per person price. This is one of the main reasons this combo tour is worth the price point compared to booking a Big Island helicopter flight on its own after paying separately for flights.

The helicopter flight itself is typically around 45 minutes to an hour over the volcanic landscape, though the full tour day is 14 hours when you include interisland flights, ground transportation, and the guided national park portion. The ground tour component at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park adds substantial time and context that makes the aerial views hit differently once you’ve walked the terrain.

Helicopter flights in volcanic areas are weather-dependent, and the operator will make a go/no-go call on the morning of your tour based on conditions over the park. In the event of a cancellation due to weather or volcanic conditions, you should confirm the rebooking and refund policy directly with the operator at the time of booking — ask this question before you pay so you understand your options.

The helicopter portion can be bumpy — thermals rising off active lava zones create noticeable turbulence that surprises people who’ve never flown over volcanic terrain before. If you’re sensitive to motion sickness, take a non-drowsy remedy like Dramamine or Bonine about an hour before the helicopter leg of the tour, not just the interisland flight.

Wear closed-toe shoes — sneakers or light hiking shoes, not slippers — because you’ll be walking on uneven lava rock at the national park. Dress in layers since the summit elevation at Kilauea runs significantly cooler than Honolulu, and bring sunscreen, a light rain jacket, snacks, and a filled water bottle since you’ll be moving through multiple environments across a very long day.