Fly away from Hilo Airport and into a world of volcanoes, rainbows, and waterfalls. With this family-run helicopter company—the longest-running on the island—you’ll meet your captain, get debriefed on safety protocol, and hop into your helicopter for a wild aerial adventure. With your captain doubling as guide, you’ll explore the volcanoes of the national park, lava flows, orchid farms, lush forests, and so much more.

Easy meetup at Hilo Airport
Take a helicopter ride with the Big Island's longest-running helicopter company
See lava flows, volcanoes, wild forests, and more
Learn about the island's history and peoples from your knowledgable pilot

What's Included

All Fees and Taxes

Snacks

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

2220 Kekuanaoa St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
we are located at the small commuter terminal along side the main terminal. The building has a green roof. We do not offer shuttle service to or from our location. All Guest are required to check in 30 min prior to departure time.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Pass By)

Additional Info

Total weight per passenger: 249 lbs
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions

Most travelers can participate
Additional seat required for passengers over 250 lbs or combined weight of two people at 420 lbs
Show time is 30 min prior to departure time
Accurate weights are important. if accurate weights are not given you may be forced to purchase another seat or step down from the tour. There will be no refund given for issues of inaccurate weights resulting in a safety issue.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

mariah_s

We loved the view of the volcano and splatter cones from the air. The ride was very smooth and Chewy our guide was knowledgeable. He was also patient with my kids who asked the same 2 questions about every crater they saw. They have talked more about Chewy than anything else. "Chewy said it was this deep" or "remember Chewy told us this". It was a great experience.

Reviews

4.5

410 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 410 reviews

Wonderful experience

Evelyn_S, Apr 2024

It was a clear day. The view was spectacular..The pilot was very informative. The ride was smooth. I would recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Mahalo Evelyn! A clear day is truly a magical thing in Hilo. So glad to know you enjoyed the experience. We appreciate your review, rating and recommendation!

Sam, the pilot was so...

Amber_L, Apr 2024

Sam, the pilot was so amazing and we had so much fun it was so cool to see everything from the helicopter

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Aloha Amber! Mahalo nui for joining Sam here in Hilo for the Volcanoes National Park Safari. We are so glad to know you enjoyed the experience.

Best way to see the national park

Christian_K, Apr 2024

The tour was great. It’s the fourth time we are doing a helicopter ride somewhere and therefore start to compare the different experiences we had. The operator was very professional, the pilot/guide clearly very experienced and the communication with us (bad weather, potential to stop the tour after a few minutes) was done really well. Fortunately did the weather get better and we did the flight. Great way to view the volcano national park.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Mahalo nui loa for choosing Safari Helicopters for the Volcano National Park Safari. We appreciate you sharing your experience and are so very glad to know you enjoyed the tour!

Unfortunate trip

Janina_M, Apr 2024

It was very cloudy and raining all the way. Pilot couldn’t fly above a volcano. I know it’s not their fault the weather was bad but they should just cancel it. It was too much money I spent on this trip.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Aloha Janina! I see from our Manifest that this was a passenger choice flight. Prior to sending you out for flight we let you know that the Summit was not open and we most likely would not be able to get there. You were given the choice to go or cancel. The rest of Volcano Park was open I see from our digital flight following that the tour made it all the way to Pu'u O'o, the new black sand beaches, Leilani etc. Just not the caldera as disclosed prior to your flight.

It was pretty cramped in...

Anthony_B, Mar 2024

It was pretty cramped in the helicopter, also the pilot should talk more about the volcano, makes it more interesting instead of just soft music that puts you to sleep all in all it was cool but still too pricey for the experience

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Aloha Anthony! Mahalo for choosing Safari for the Volcano National Park Safari. We appreciate your review and the opportunity to mention that we do our flight planning based on the weights given on the reservation order form. When these weights are not accurate it results in uncomfortable seating conditions.

Must do Safari

Michael_P, Mar 2024

Breathtaking views of the volcano and magma vents. Once in a lifetime experience. I will do it again next time I visit the Big Island.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Awesome! Your Safari Hilo Crew is so glad to know you enjoyed the Volcanoes National Park Safari. Mahalo for choosing Safari and we look forward to seeing you when you return.

Ended in a low

LinsyThomas, Mar 2024

Pilot Micah was disengaged, he was filling in for someone so had very little insight and lot of “I don’t know” and I am not sure when people asked questions. total flight time was less than 45 min not 55 mins as tour mentioned. Also when taking pics at end the ladies on ground crew were rude and impatient. You offered to take pictures! Go with Blue Hawaiin next time as my friends did and had an amazing experience!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha, We have looked into your claim of shortened flight. We have GPS tracking software on the aircraft and found that your tour lasted 53 min not 45. When it comes to the disengagement of the pilot and alleged rude behavior of the ground staff, please reach out to our customer service at Customerservice@safarihelicopters.com please include a detailed account of the behavior you experienced and your desired outcome and someone will investigate and get back to you. Thank you for taking the time to share you experience and we wish you the best.

Awesome experience

JAMES_T, Mar 2024

The ground crew was super friendly and helpful. The pilot was great and knowledgeable. The whole experience was amazing.

Helicopter ride

Jeremy_K, Mar 2024

Wonderful experience. Crew was helpful and friendly. The pilot was awesome, he was informative and professional.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha Jeremy! Your Safari Hilo Crew is so glad to know that you enjoyed the experience of the Volcano National Park Safari. Mahalo nui loa from us all

Beautiful flight

Dana_W, Mar 2024

Enjoyed a wonderful flight over volcanoes and waterfalls learning more about the islands from our knowledgeable pilot.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Mahalo Dana! Your Safari Hilo Crew appreciates your review and 5 star rating of the Volcanoes National Park Safari!

Great trip

William_W, Mar 2024

Great program with some history, humor, and accuracy. We enjoyed the trip. It was difficult to set up for the trip.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha William, Mahalo nui for choosing Safari Helicopters for the Volcanoes National Park Safari from Hilo. It's great to know you enjoyed the tour.

Bad Time / experience

Sandeep_G, Mar 2024

The ride was cancelled at end moment . Made us wait and get ready n letting us know the ride is cancelled . Was not happy at all

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Aloha Sandeep! We deeply apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience caused by the necessary cancellation. Safety is our first priority and things happen beyond control.

It was a great experience...

MARIADELPILAR_F, Mar 2024

It was a great experience and the treat was amazing. We all felt very secure and the staff members were very professional.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Mahalo nui for your review and 5-star rating! We are so glad to know that you enjoyed the Volcanoes National Park Safari.

Rainbow Ride

Nina_D, Mar 2024

What interesting views of the cinder cones and craters! We even saw a brilliant rainbow! I was nervous about the flight but it was so interesting I forgot and enjoyed. Chewy our pilot knew his stuff.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Hooray! I am so glad to know you enjoyed the experience. Mahalo for joining us here in Hilo for the Volcanoes National Park Safari

Well worth it

Harold_J, Mar 2024

A great experience by the whole crew. The friendly ground crew prepped us and Chewy gave us a informative and entertaining ride!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Mahalo for letting us know that you enjoyed the experience. Your Safari Hilo Crew is so appreciative of your review and rating

Excellent choice

JohnBarret_M, Feb 2024

David/Chewy took us on an outstanding tour of volcanoes, waterfalls, and coastline. Highly recommend

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Mahalo John for your review and 5 star rating! It is great to know that you enjoyed the Volcanoes National Park Safari with Chewy

Fantastic Experience

Katharine_Z, Feb 2024

Our pilot Sam was so knowledgeable and provided very interesting commentary during the flight. She was also super friendly! The flight was amazing, we saw so much and she even took us off shore to look for whales. So pleased we chose this experience for the Big Island. 100% recommend.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Mahalo nui for your review and 5 star rating! Your Safari Crew and Sam are grateful for your review and 5 star rating!

Hilo and the volcanoes from a Birds Eye view!

Kelly_C, Feb 2024

The entire staff was friendly and helpful (my wife is physically challenged). The pilot was very knowledgeable and pleasant and shared a wealth of information about the area. Seeing the area from above especially the volcanoes was extraordinary! Something I will never forget!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Mahalo for allowing us to share our bird's eye view of the Volcanoes National Park with you. Your Hilo Crew is happy to hear that you enjoyed the experience.

BEWARE! Do your research!!!

Leah_P, Feb 2024

BEWARE! Do your research before you book this excursion! We used a travel agent to book our trip to Hawaii. We were inter-island hopping during our stay. The travel agency booked our inter-island flights for us. Our flights flew in to the Kona airport. We had no idea that there are 3 different airports on the Big Island. This excursion is at the Hilo Airport which is one hour and 35 minutes from the Kona Airport. With us having no clue that the excursion was an hour and a half away, we could not make it to Hilo in time for our helicopter ride. We asked if there was a later time in the day to reschedule to and was told there were no other times available and that even if there were we had booked a 10:15 helicopter time slot and in order to even reschedule we would have to forfeit our original amount paid and book a whole new excursion and pay for another flight. They were not willing to work with us or refund any amount of the dollars we paid. We are here on vacation from Kentucky and were very much looking forward to seeing the Volcano National Park from above. I will never recommend this company to anyone coming to Hawaii. We have used Viator for many different excursions through out the years and have never had a bad experience until now! Such a let down for our day in the Big Island of Hawaii!!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Aloha Leah.The Safari Hilo Crew was sorry to hear that you would not be joining us today. We did our best to sell your seats to others but there was not enough warning that you would not be coming. Confirmations were sent with our address on the date of booking. Reconfirmations were sent the night before with the same. Viator's web site also shows our location as being in Hilo. We agree with your recommendation, PLEASE do your research and map out locations and travel time prior to booking.

Volcano helicopter tour

Diane_M, Feb 2024

David 'Chewy' was the pilot with the mostest! He shared his knowledge, made sure we all were able to see the crater and returned us safely back on the ground. A beautiful double rainbow that was a full circle, followed us on about half the trip!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Aloha Diane! Your Safari Crew is so glad to know that you enjoyed the Volcanoes National park Safari with Chewy. Mahalo for your review and rating

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Likely to Sell Out