A ride in a helicopter was on the bucket list for me and thanks to the awesome folks at Norwegian Cruise Line and Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tours, I can mark it off my list! We took a short flight from Hilo over the most recent rift zone areas to see the results of the most recent Kilauea eruption, and I must say ... the results are humbling, yet thrilling to see both the power and beauty of nature from a completely different perspective.
While Volcano National Park is open again (in some parts), seeing it from air will give you a different vantage point. Only from above will you be able to see the massive scale of the devastation as well as how this river of molten rock FLOWED. When you look at the photo below for instance, it's not like a forest fire where you have uninterrupted acres of charred landscape. Instead, here you still have isolated pockets where the lava flowed around parts.
Everything here was extremely first-class. From the "weigh-in," where everyone has to stand on a scale so they can balance the aircraft (don't worry - nobody knows your number except the crew, and even I passed), to the narration, this was far better than I expected.
Even the helicopters themselves were relatively spacious, the seats were comfortable and most importantly the windows were big and clean so you can get some great shots!
Tips For Booking A Scenic Helicopter Ride In Hawaii
I've been fortunate to have taken a few helicopter rides since then, and while I was initially concerned about my size and weight, this has not proven to be an issue with the larger professional helicopter tour providers (though weights need to be balanced, they are generally able to accommodate folks like myself).
A scenic helicopter ride is a significant vacation expense, so it pays to look beyond price and compare what each flight actually includes. These tips will help you choose the right tour while avoiding surprises on the day of your flight.
Choose The Experience Before Comparing Prices
Not all tours are going to be the same - and that's true whether you're doing a helicopter tour to look at Hawaiian volcanoes or a tour of the Grand Canyon by air. Start by deciding what you most want to see, whether that means volcanoes, waterfalls, sea cliffs, tropical valleys, or several parts of the island in one flight. Compare the actual route and estimated time in the air since two similarly priced tours may offer very different experiences.
Book Early In Your Vacation
Weather can change quickly around Hawaii’s mountains and coastlines, occasionally forcing an operator to delay or cancel a flight. Scheduling your helicopter ride early in the trip gives you another day or two to reschedule instead of missing the experience entirely.
Provide Accurate Passenger Weights
Helicopter operators use passenger weights to balance the aircraft safely, which is why everyone is weighed during check-in. Enter an accurate weight when booking and review the operator’s policies since larger passengers may require an additional comfort seat or have restrictions on certain aircraft. If you are a big guy like me - don't be shy, call in advance and be honest when you check on their policies. It's a whole lot less embarasing to ask on the phone or by email than to show up and find out they can't accomodate you.
This is true for people with disabilities or mobility issues as well, and it's one reason why we always encourage people to book tours through your travel advisor since they can do the legwork for you.
Do Not Assume You Will Get A Window Seat
Seats are assigned partly according to the weight and balance requirements of the aircraft, so groups may not sit exactly where they expected. If having an unobstructed view is especially important, ask whether the operator offers guaranteed window seating or a front-seat upgrade.
Compare Doors-On And Doors-Off Flights
Doors-off tours can offer clearer photography and a more intense flying experience, while doors-on helicopters provide greater protection from wind, noise and changing weather. First-time passengers may feel more comfortable in a spacious doors-on aircraft with large windows like the one we flew with Blue Hawaiian.
Check The Cancellation And Rebooking Policies
Confirm what happens if the operator cancels because of weather, as well as how much notice you must provide if your own plans change. You should also check the required arrival time, transportation arrangements and whether the quoted tour duration includes check-in and the safety briefing.
Consider Booking Directly Or Through Your Cruise Line
Cruise passengers can often book through the ship or directly with the helicopter operator. A cruise-line excursion may provide easier transportation and additional protection if the ship’s schedule changes, while booking directly may offer more departure times, routes or seating options.
Your travel advisor can also provide a great set of options when it comes to helicopter tours as well.
While they encourage you to wear dark clothes, I'd take things a step further if you plan to take photos. Consider wearing a shirt with no markings on it and long sleeves if possible. Additionally, if I could do it again, I'd also wear gloves since in some shots you can see my very white hands reflecting in the window. Ooops!
If you're sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line on Pride of America, it is super easy to book tours with Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tours.
More Photos from our Helicopter Tour of Hawaii
