Reviewed by: graham perth wa
4 of us flew from oahu for this helicopter flight. You need to check what is happening with the volcano first as we were expecting to see some sort of action. The flow had obviously been active for sometime recently but what we saw was not what we were lead to believe was happening. Flight was good but dont take any notice of the pictures in advertising as they are deceptive. I k now this is a nature based activity and the company has no control over the volcano,but to over promise and under deliver is allways a recipe for disaster. The pilot Tim was excellent but the ground crew organinzation was lacking.Had us stand around in the sun for 30 minutes while they organised 5 flights at the same time.So dont expect to leave on the timeyou have booked,doesnt work that way.We hired a car and went to Volcano national park,fantastic and highly recommend that instead of this trip at only a fraction of the cost.The couple we shared with whilst disappointed could not speak more highly of the Maui trip they had with this company, so maybe consider that option
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Packages: | Circle of Fire [Eco-Star] |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2015/02/23 |
Activity Date: | 2015/02/18 |
Reviewed by: Barbara
We really enjoyed our recent flight with Tim as our pilot. The sights were spectacular. Everything was organized like clockwork. The equipment is clearly very safety and comfort focused. Tim was entertaining ad a very competent pilot.
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Packages: | Circle of Fire [A-Star] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2015/02/23 |
Activity Date: | 2015/02/17 |
Reviewed by: Jeanne A
My husband wasn't too excited about coming to Hawaii but his one request was to fly in a helicopter to see the volcanos. His choice was the open door option. Neither having been in a helicopter before I at least had some trepidations. It was a blast! Our pilot, Rhys, a Kiwi, was very knowledgeable and a good pilot. Thank you!
And yes, you can feel the heat from the lava. Good times!
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Packages: | Popular! Shared Doors-Off Flight [40 mins] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2015/02/15 |
Activity Date: | 2015/01/30 |
Reviewed by: Bill C
I loved that I could upgrade and guarantee a window spot for this tour. I got some great photos. I would recommend this as an exciting way to view the volcanos!
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Packages: | Experience Hawaii Tour Package |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2015/02/10 |
Activity Date: | 2015/01/18 |
Reviewed by: さちえ
値段が高いので迷いましたが、火山活動が活発ではなければ、時間をかけて歩いて見に行っても溶岩を噴火する火山を見られないと聞いてヘリコプターを選択しました。
実際火口を上から見て、ボコボコ湧き出る溶岩が見られました。
海では、鯨の親子も見えました。
ワイピオ渓谷の渓谷の谷間をヘリで縫うように飛んでくれて、とても神秘的で素晴らしかったです。ヘリコプターならではの体験ができ、とてもよかったです。
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Packages: | Test Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2015/02/02 |
Reviewed by: Deb Stuckey
This helicopter trip was fabulous! Our pilot, Reese, was very informative, friendly and helpful. Gave us a great view of lava fields, the active Kilauea volcano and waterfalls. He was very attentive to BOTH sides of the helicopter, making sure everyone got a great experience. Well worth the money.
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Packages: | Popular! Shared Doors-Off Flight [40 mins] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2015/01/26 |
Activity Date: | 2015/01/21 |
Reviewed by: Clarice Jane Fisher
Top notch tour led by insightful and delightful Lee Michael Walczuk. Tour was well paced and every venue provided greater understanding of the natural events / wonders, past and present, that make the Big Island such a diverse, beautiful, and inviting destination.
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Packages: | 6-Hour Private Van (8 to 14 passengers) |
Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
Posted on: | 2015/01/10 |
Activity Date: | 2014/12/21 |
Reviewed by: 三色ぱん
年末の12月24日、家内と二人で参加してきました。
集合場所が分かり難く、遅れてしまったため、電話をすると国立公園内のビジターセンターに集合で構わないとのこと。
行ってみると、他の参加者(家族連れ2組と夫婦1組、いずれも日本人ではありませんでした)が集まっていて、合計13人+ガイド2人でのツアーでした。
ツアーは全て英語でしたが、ガイドの説明は丁寧で分かりやすく、また火山に対する知識も非常に豊富で、参加していたキッズからの質問攻めにも難なく応えていました。
ダウンヒルツアーでは、多少の雨天ではレインジャケットの貸し出しがあるため催行されます。今回も前半は雨がぱらついていました(自分たちはゴアテックスのジャケットを持っていたので借りませんでしたが)。ただ、ジャケットのみなので、気になる方は防水のパンツを持参するとよいかもしれません。
それなりの速度で火山公園内を疾走し、非常に爽快な気分でした。坂登りは特になく、体力的な心配は不要かと思います。また自転車は3×7段変速のマウンテンバイクで、乗り心地も非常にいいです(海外の自転車って、サドルが固くてお尻が痛くなるものもありますが、今回は大丈夫でした)。
途中からはバンに乗り、チェーン・オブ・クレーターズ・ロードの終点まで移動し、そこで昼食でした。壮大な自然を満喫しながらのサンドイッチは格別でした。
コナ地区に宿泊していると、現地まで2時間以上かかりますのでそこは難点ですが、ハワイ島といえば火山です。火山公園の見学だけではなく、実際に体験できるという意味で、大変おすすめのツアーです。
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Packages: | 【現在催行停止】1日<現地集合>プラン |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2015/01/04 |
Activity Date: | 2014/12/24 |
Reviewed by: セサミ
家族5人で利用させて頂きましたとても感動しました。価格以上の経験感動を味会えます。是非お勧め致します。
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Packages: | ワイピオ渓谷とキラウエア火山遊覧(コナ、ワイコロア地区プラン) |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2015/01/04 |
Activity Date: | 2014/12/29 |
Reviewed by: Kal J
This was our first ever helicopter ride, so obviously we had goosebumps....our pilot, Nate, was a pro & the entire 50 mins tour was v nice. He went as close to the volcanoes/steam geysers as legally allowed. At the end, since we had spare time, he even took us over the ocean to do whale spotting....and spotted 2 whales too! We even purchased a $30 DVD of all our views & cockpit videos...
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Packages: | Circle of Fire [A-Star] |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2015/01/03 |
Activity Date: | 2014/12/27 |
Reviewed by: shrikant jalukar
There was no lava erupting nor flowing. We had Door closed Ride. What Open Door Tour will experience ? Prior to our arrival at Hilo, I was told , " YES " you can see Lava , etc. Your office should give real truthful information. Some tourists come from too far away, like we came to Hawaii from Michigan, ( Main Land ) ... ... 1 ! !.
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Packages: | Doors-On Flight [45 mins] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/12/28 |
Activity Date: | 2014/12/04 |
Reviewed by: Sandra
This was not my first doors off helicopter experience in the Hawaiian islands but definitely the worst. First, you should know that even though you pay full money for doors off you may get stuck in a cramped little seat between another passenger and the pilot in the front. You have no choice where you sit as you are assigned your seat. Good luck trying to get any pictures from that spot. The pilot takes you out the same way as he returns....over flat nothing. There is a tiny spec of lava (maybe) but it sure no spouting red flowing lava as advertised. You do not fly over the ocean at all so you dont see any ocean lava flow. There is definitely NO NO heat. There are fly zone restrictions so you cant get near the pahoa town they talk about to respect the privacy of the residents. You see a couple waterfalls from so far away... It is riduculous. Save your money... Go to Kauai..... Those doors off tours are true.... Everyone gets a doors off spot. Everyone can see. You fly right into the waterfall areas. You see things you will never forget. This was a wasted day of our vacation not to mention the huge cost..... To see nothing. At least they could have flown back another way over the coastline or something. I would not recommend this to anyone. Very disappointed and wasted money.
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Packages: | Popular! Shared Doors-Off Flight [40 mins] |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2014/12/23 |
Activity Date: | 2014/12/16 |
Reviewed by: Byron L.
Amazing tour, this is the must do tour in the Big Island. Just the right amount of time and plenty of scenery to enjoy, the wife was thrilled.
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Packages: | Big Island Spectacular [Eco-Star] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/12/08 |
Activity Date: | 2014/11/10 |
Reviewed by: James
We were out in Honolulu on our first trip to Hawaii. My girlfriend and I purchased the Small Group Circle Island, Waipio Valley & Volcanoes National Park out of quite a few similar guided tours around the Big island. It was a fun experience that helped us learn quite a lot about the Big Island, geographic facts, ancient legends, etc. This drive is about 10 hours or so and is on and off the beaten path. Different from Honolulu and Oahu, this mostly rural island has its own culture, farmers’ markets, tropical rain forests, and black, green, and white sand beaches. Our tour guide was awesome (and I totally forgot his name) and a great story teller. He was punctual in picking us up from the Kona airport. Although the weather didn't really cooperate that particular day, it was rain and cold, our tour guide made it fun with providing us all kinds of great information as well as a really smooth ride. It was obvious he loves what he does and where he lives. The sights and landscapes were incredible - black, green and white sand beaches, lava fields, waterfalls, etc. Our approximately 250 miles tour (long but fascinating) touched at first the Parker Ranch in Waimea the bay-side town of Hilo and an orchid nursery. We stopped at the Waipio Valley Lookout, a must see location. The lookout offers sweeping views of the valley, which is breathtakingly beautiful even though the weather was very cloudy and it probably took away from the experience. We stopped at the Mauna Loa a macadamia farm and packaging place for lunch and snacks. We stopped at the Rainbow Falls very close to Hilo. It is a shorter visit with great photo ops. An absolutely fabulous view and yes, we did see a rainbow. At the Volcano National Park we saw smoke but no lava flows from the viewing area but walked through a lava tube. The black sand beach is one that is different to anything else we saw so far. We counted 12 turtles resting on the beach. My girlfriend and I highly recommend this guided tour.
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Packages: | 2-for-1 Review Rebate Special |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/11/26 |
Activity Date: | 2014/11/19 |
Reviewed by: YUMI at KAILUA KONA
ヘリコプターからみるハワイ島は最高でした。溶岩も見れて大満足です。
溶岩近くでは臭いや温度まで感じるくらい近づいてくれてとてもワクワクしました。
そんなに期待してなかった、ワイピオ渓谷やその隣の渓谷がすばらしくて、圧巻の景色でした。
滝もすごく奇麗でした。ヘリのパイロットがすごく溶岩や滝の近くまで接近してくれて、いままで
見た事もない景色が沢山みれました。本当におすすめです。また体験したいです。
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Packages: | ワイピオ渓谷とキラウエア火山遊覧(コナ、ワイコロア地区プラン) |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2014/11/15 |
Activity Date: | 2014/11/04 |
Reviewed by: Marsha
Highly recommend to do! Enjoyed the day with our fantastic guide and the knowledge he shared with us was exceptional. I thak you for recommending this tour!
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Packages: | 6-Hour Private Van (8 to 14 passengers) |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/11/04 |
Activity Date: | 2014/10/28 |
Reviewed by: Chloe
This was wonderful! Would definitely recommend to all visiting the Big Island, best way to see the whole island.
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Packages: | Experience Hawaii Tour Package |
Attended as: | Friends |
Posted on: | 2014/10/30 |
Activity Date: | 2014/10/22 |
Reviewed by: Vicki2West
Our tour guide Denis, (spelling?) was fabulous - I wanted to take him home with us. He is very knowledgeable and entertaining. This tour was more than we expected and would do it over and over again! Especially because of our guide! He is so patient and kind....the BEST!
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Packages: | Standard Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/10/23 |
Activity Date: | 2014/10/20 |
Reviewed by: Yim
I had Paul as my tour guide and had an amazing experience. Got to see a lot of cool places and Paul was very knowledgeable and very friendly. Will definitely book another tour when I come back to visit the big Island.
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Packages: | Grand Circle Island & Volcanoes National Park |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2014/10/22 |
Activity Date: | 2014/10/21 |
Reviewed by: FLO
No word to describe. Excellent service. Excellent pilot. Very good itinairy.
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Packages: | Big Island Spectacular [A-Star] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/10/17 |
Activity Date: | 2014/10/09 |
Reviewed by: Ray Family
Blue Hawaiian is the best. Flew with them on Oahu too and experience was just as good in Hilo. Having to pay to park at airport sucks. Other than that, it was perfect. Flight is super safe, never felt nervous about it. Jeremy was our pilot and was very friendly and kept us informed everything we saw and questions we had. We took several turns to ensure everyone could see the lava and got in close. It will rain in Hilo often but that's the norm, be prepared for possible rainy or cloudy conditions but they will fly around any rains. They are used to it.
Basically, well worth it, fly the Eco Star is most comfortable, don't let fear of flying be the reason you don't do this. None of the volcano ground tours will get you anywhere close to the action, this is the only way to see the volcano.
Aloha and thank you for your kind feedback, we certainly appreciate the comments. Your description is truly accurate and we are glad that you enjoyed your time with us. We invite you to participate with us again in the future and hopefully, it will be more active down on the coast!!
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Packages: | Circle of Fire [A-Star] |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2014/10/11 |
Activity Date: | 2014/10/08 |
Reviewed by: Guest
The pilot was amazing and told a lot about the area. The overview over the volcano was incredible, I had just hoped to see a bit more lava.
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Packages: | Popular! Shared Doors-Off Flight [40 mins] |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2014/09/24 |
Activity Date: | 2014/09/23 |
Reviewed by: Gerry
Kilauea does what it wants, but the only way to really get an idea of what that is is to see it by helicopter. I've done that on two occasions a couple of years apart. This tour was by far superior to the previous one. While we covered essentially the same territory, our pilot on this trip was pleasant, knowledgeable, and very professional. At the end of the tour, we had a much better understanding of the nature of the mountain; and the waterfalls, too, were majestic.
Aloha and thank you for your kind feedback. We appreciate your comments and want to offer more than just a visually stunning tour, we want to be able to compliment that with the knowledge of the area you are exploring. Our pilots are very knowledgeable about the areas they cover and are state certified tour guides. We do wish you a great day and hope that we might be able to see you in the future on one of our other tours.
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Packages: | Circle of Fire [Eco-Star] |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2014/09/12 |
Activity Date: | 2014/09/09 |
Reviewed by: Melissa
This was the best activity I had. I stayed with friends and did everything with local families but I just had to take this tour! My pilot Scott was great. He made sure everyone got great photo oppertunities. He was very infomative and funny.
Aloha and thank you for your feedback. We appreciate hearing back from you and are very happy that you liked your tour with Scott, we will be sure to mention that to him:=) We do invite you to come and experience Blue Hawaiian Helicopters in the future and have a great day!!
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Packages: | Circle of Fire [A-Star] |
Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
Posted on: | 2014/08/12 |
Activity Date: | 2014/07/31 |
Reviewed by: Pilot01
This is exactly as described, a 40 minute helicopter tour of the volcanoes on the eastern side of the island of Hawaii and the area around Hilo. The staff are very friendly and the entire operation is well run and safety oriented. Our pilot Joyce was informative and did a great job of piloting so that everyone on both sides of the helicopter got good views of everything. Considering that there are no active lava flows at the current time. This is the only way to see molten lava. While it is through "sky lights" looking down into lava tubes, it is still quite exciting to see the bright pink/orange glow of lava.
The helicopter company offers the option to fly with the doors off the helicopter. I would recommend this for optimum viewing and picture taking. However, be aware that it is pretty chilly with the doors off and make sure to wear a warm jacket.
As a final note, when booking a helicopter tour, be aware that there are two airports on the island (Hilo and Kona). Make certain that you are booking a tour from the airport that is on your side of the island. I made a mistake and booked a tour out of the wrong airport. It was completely my fault and I did not realize my mistake until the day before the tour. The folks at Veltra and at the helicopter company went out of their way to get us booked on this tour at the last minute. They also worked hard to find someone else to take our seats on the tour that I had originally booked. They were only able to fill one of the two seats that I had booked, but at least they were kind enough to refund that portion of the fee.
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Packages: | Doors-On Flight [45 mins] |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2014/07/28 |
Activity Date: | 2014/07/25 |
Reviewed by: Scott & Tammy
We selected the Doors OFF Helicopter Tour and it was the BEST decision we ever made!!! The Views were Breathtaking and when we arrived at the Lava Flow, the Lava Flow/Lake was Spectacular and the HEAT was Awesome!!! The Doors Off was the Best!!! Then we travelled to the Waterfalls North of Hilo and the Views were equally Breathtaking!!! Our Pilot and Co-Pilot were Awesome and Funny!!! They Made the experience even better!!! This tour was TOTALLY WORTH IT!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
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Packages: | Popular! Shared Doors-Off Flight [40 mins] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/07/27 |
Activity Date: | 2014/07/10 |
Reviewed by: Michelle Tinkham
Craig was great. We had a wonderful time and saw some amazing lava flow and waterfalls.
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Packages: | Big Island Spectacular [Eco-Star] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/07/27 |
Activity Date: | 2014/07/23 |
Reviewed by: Pilipo and Megan
Absolutely worth every cent. The front desk was friendly and accommodating. The ride was smooth and informative. The views were otherwise inaccessible. Take the trip. See what makes this island a living thing. Blessings!
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Packages: | Popular! Shared Doors-Off Flight [40 mins] |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/07/20 |
Activity Date: | 2014/07/17 |
Reviewed by: John A. Calleja
Peter and the crew at the Hilo Airport provided not only a safe but exciting flight.
Rating: | |
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Packages: | Popular! Shared Doors-Off Flight [40 mins] |
Attended as: | Families |
Posted on: | 2014/06/26 |
Activity Date: | 2014/06/17 |
Reviewed by: Sindhu
The tour is very informative and enjoyable. The guide is very patient and expalined in detail.
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Packages: | Standard Package |
Attended as: | Couples |
Posted on: | 2014/06/03 |
Activity Date: | 2014/05/26 |
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Aloha folks. Mahalo for your continuous joy of our unique life here on the Island of Hawai'i. We shared a beautiful time together. Madame Pele and Mother Nature give us such delights that we will continue and hope to visit with you again. E Komo Mai!.......................