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A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

Our Stay at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort in Hawaii

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Big Island, Hawaii

We’re typically low-key travelers who prefer affordable places to stay that are easy to get to and conveniently located near the activities we enjoy. However, the booking of our Hawaii trip was a bit last minute because we had to cancel our Puerto Rico plans. That meant that almost all the Big Island hotels in the Kailua-Kona area were near capacity and we had to book whatever was left. We decided to venture a bit farther north to the Waikoloa area because we had skipped that part of the island on our honeymoon trip in 2014. We had heard there were some beautiful beaches nearby that we wanted to check out. With the help of Ebates and Priceline I was able to find a deal on a stay at the Hilton Waikola Village Resort, so we went for it despite the slightly higher price tag than we are used to paying. (Use my referral link to get started on Ebates; you’ll get $10.) Today I want to share the pros and cons of staying at the Hilton Waikola Village Resort.

Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort in Hawaii

Waikoloa Village was like a small village. (Actually someone we met in town called it their Disney World.) We had to take a tram to our hotel room tower and walking to the lobby from the room could take up to 20 minutes (if you’re preggo like me). Overall, though, we enjoyed our stay at the resort. This was where we waited in the basement during the false ballistic missile alert in Hawaii, too.

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Hawaii

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Big Island, Hawaii

 

Pros

  • Activities are plentiful.
  • Nice views from the rooms.
  • The lagoon was convenient and perfect for V to swim in. There are plenty of lounge chairs to use and you can rent kayaks, paddleboards and other equipment. You can also snorkel and see fish and turtles!
  • Just about everything you need is available.
  • Close to Hapuna Beach.
  • Spacious, comfortable rooms.
  • The walkway to lobby was also a museum with incredible artwork.
  • You can take a tram or boat to your tower.
  • The resort is gorgeous.
  • Nice shops.

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Big Island, Hawaii

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Big Island, Hawaii

 

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Big Island, Hawaii

Cons

  • Not convenient to leave the resort.
  • Parking was $20-something per day for self-parking. Also, parking is far from your room.
  • Dining prices were higher as to be expected.
  • Resort fee was $20-something per day.
  • Construction near our tower was an eyesore.
  • Waikoloa is a bit of a drive (30 minutes or so) from Kailua-Kona and seems a bit isolated.  We didn’t like having to drive so far for more food and activity options.

What kind of accommodations do you prefer when you travel?

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Unforgettable Beach Day: False Ballistic Missile Alert

 

An Unforgettable Hawaii Beach Day | False Ballistic Missile Threat

When you wake up one morning, grab breakfast and begin to get ready for a beach day, you don’t expect to hear what sounds like an Amber Alert ringing on your phone. I looked at my screen and read aloud the words I was seeing:

Extreme alert

BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.”

This is not a drill. How could this be? I immediately suspected a hack. It had to be! I looked over at my husband, though, and his face said he didn’t think so at all.

We grabbed the remote and flipped through the channels, looking for any sort of news. We picked up the hotel room phone and called the front desk only to hear a busy message. I scrolled through Twitter looking for any sign of whether this was a real alert, but I only found tweets asking the same.

What were we supposed to do? Were we in danger?

After notifying a few family members, just in case, we decided to head downstairs to see what others were doing. From our balcony we had seen both people running toward the lobby and others lounging on their chairs, soaking up the sun.

On the elevator, a man told us he was headed to his room because “what else can you do?”

No one seemed to know whether to actually be concerned. Most figured a ballistic missile would be directed at Oahu vs. the Big Island, which is maybe true but doesn’t make the situation any less scary.

A small crowd had started to gather around the concierge desk, one of many throughout the sprawling resort, which had many towers. A maintenance/resort worker called out that anyone who wanted to follow him to the basement was free to do so. He unlocked a door and many of us followed him down the stairs to a service tunnel, where we spent the next, I don’t know, 25 minutes?

A woman came over to us and handed V a snack. Some people laughed nervously while others stared at their phones. You could see the stress in my husband’s eyes.

It wasn’t until then that we were notified by a manager that we were never in any real danger, and that he apologized for what we experienced.

It wasn’t until 38 minutes after the initial alert at 8:07 a.m. local time that a correction was sent out.

There is no missile threat or danger to the State of Hawaii. Repeat. False Alarm.”

By then we were in our room again. It’s weird, though, I didn’t feel any sort of anxiety until I knew it wasn’t real. But from then on, I was on edge. All day long. It was then that I thought, What if it were real? How can people live under this ever-present threat?

As you can imagine, I was reminded yet again how lucky I am for so many things.

We did end up going to the beach and you can watch the video below. While it looks like a magical, gorgeous day — and it was — just know that behind every social media post is a story. It’s not all rainbows!

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Family-Friendly Snorkeling at Kahaluu Beach Park

When we decided to visit the Big Island again, I wondered if the beaches would be suitable for a toddler. Many of the beaches we had visited during our Hawaii honeymoon in 2014 were rocky and the waves were sometimes rough. We were pleasantly surprised by how family-friendly Kahaluu Beach Park, a popular snorkeling beach in Hawaii, turned out to be.

The park doesn’t have a huge chunk of sand, but it has food trucks, picnic tables, a snack shop and restrooms. We spent our last full day on the Big Island at this beach. I relaxed and snacked on nachos (about $6) while G and V swam with the fish and turtles. Tip: Bring water shoes! (You can also rent snorkel gear and get reef-safe sunscreen, though on the day we visited rentals were halted due to the water conditions.) V had a wonderful time in the water and then making sand castles with me. Tip: We purchased a sand castle toy set for about $9 at an ABC Store in Kailua-Kona and we brought it back home with us. A life jacket was also super helpful for us. You can save money by bringing your own beverages and snacks vs. buying from a food truck.

One part of the beach is for surfing and the other is for snorkeling, so be aware of where you are swimming. (Lifeguards were on duty when we were there.)

The Kahaluu Beach Park parking lot filled up quickly, but we found that if you drove around someone was always leaving.

Have you visited Kahaluu Beach Park or the Big Island? What was your favorite snorkeling spot?

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Big Island Fun: Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii
EXPLORING HILO, HAWAII
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Big Island Fun: Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii, seems be a popular attraction on the Big Island. It’s easily accessible and free, so visitors of all ages can see its beauty. Even if you’ve been there before, Rainbow Falls is worth revisiting because you just might catch a glimpse of a rainbow in front of the waterfall, depending on the weather.

We first went to Rainbow Falls during our honeymoon on the Big Island in 2014. We had stopped by for a refreshing beverage at the Rainbow Falls Cafe across the street, but sadly it was closed during our most recent trip. This time we explored the same areas as before with V. She loved running around in front of the banyan tree, which is just as beautiful as I remember. We plan to hang a print of our photos in our home to remind us our time in Hawaii.

Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

Whether you have 15 minutes or hours, you have plenty of time for Rainbow Falls. You can simply admire the waterfall, or if you can walk up the steps to the Banyan tree area. Some people climb on the rocks to the top of the waterfall from here, but I am not certain this is a good idea. It seems kind of dangerous to me!

Sometimes you’ll see tour buses drop off tourists, but these visitors are often only there for a short time. We have had good luck finding parking when we arrive in the morning.

In case you’re wondering, Hilo is about an hour and a half from the Kona side of the island. You can easily fit this park in on the same day as a visit to Akaka Falls. We spent time here after our recent helicopter tour.

Have you been to Rainbow Falls or the Big Island?

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Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii

 

 

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Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park in Hawaii

Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, Hawaii

I really wanted to visit Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park in Hawaii during our honeymoon to the Big Island in 2014, but sadly we weren’t able to make it happen. The national park was on my list for our second visit to the island for its historical importance. I like to mix historical and entertainment activities when visiting a place to really learn about a place and its culture.

The park isn’t far from Kailua-Kona, but we squeezed a visit in after driving back from Hilo on the other side of the island. Admission is only $5 per car or $3 per person if you walk in.

We embarked on a short, self-guided tour of the park and skipped snorkeling, though you could definitely take advantage of the adjacent beach if that’s more your style.

By taking this self-guided walk you get a sense of what life was like for early Hawaiians. According to the park’s website, “The Royal Grounds adjacent to the pu’uhonua were a favored residence of Hawaiian chiefs. Hale-o-Keawe acted as the royal mausoleum and held the remains of 23 chiefs. The mana (spiritual power) of the remains bestowed sanctity upon this sacred area. This temple was constructed in honor of Keawe’ikekahiali’i o kamoku, the great-grandfather of Kamehameha I.”

 

Note from the website: “A snorkeling area locally known as ‘two step’ lies adjacent to the park, and is managed by the Hawaii Department of Natural Resources. ” Also, “snorkellers are asked NOT to enter the water at Keone’ele Cove in the park. This is an important cultural site and the park strives to maintain the cultural landscape. Please respect this site that is important and significant to the Hawaiian people.”

There’s also a 2-mile backcountry trail that requires more time, but we didn’t have it in us that warm day. You can learn about Hawaiian history at this park even if you only have a few hours to spare during your trip. I highly recommend it.

Have you been to Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park?

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Toddler-Friendly Visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Eats: Restaurants on the Big Island
Lava and Rainforests Adventure With Paradise Helicopters

 

Toddler-Friendly Visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

 

There’s plenty for families to do at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. You can still take in the sites and explore with a toddler. We recently spent a day visiting the park for our second time. (Our first trip to the island of Hawaii was in 2014 on our honeymoon.) You could spend days here, or you can squeeze in quite a bit of adventure in just part of one day.

What we did at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a toddler:

  • Thurston Lava Tube. Though the walk is somewhat dark, it was easy for V to walk through it. It isn’t long at all. (You can find other lava tubes to visit, but they might not be suitable for toddlers.) Hold your toddler’s hand in any wet areas. Rain boots wouldn’t be a bad idea.
  • Admire the craters/views from the viewpoints. Bring snacks and water!
  • Drive to sea arch and grab ice pops from the stand next to the ranger station. Along the drive you can stop and see the craters and lava rocks. At the end of the drive you park and walk toward the sea arch. It isn’t a long walk. You have to keep an eye on your children here because the barrier wall does not extend all the way. Then grab some popsicles for $6 each (It’s worth it on a hot day.) for the drive back. There are restrooms here as well.
  • Lunch at Volcano House. We admired a view of the volcano from our table. Our toddler loved looking out the window at the smoke.

Have you been to the Big Island or Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?

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Hawaii Eats: Restaurants on the Big Island

Probably my favorite thing to do on vacation is try local restaurants. I’m excited to share the delicious food we had at Hawaii restaurants! We try to mix it up between more casual dining and restaurants that a bit pricier. In Hawaii, we found that most places were more expensive than the mainland, which is to be expected. Here are most of my meals (with some of G’s also pictured), plus where the restaurants are on the Big Island of Hawaii. Note: Most of these are pescatarian rather than vegetarian because when in a place with good seafood, I tend to go for it. In my daily life I am mostly veggie, though.

Island Lava Java, Kailua-Kona

We stopped at Island Lava Java for breakfast and were not disappointed. I devoured every bite of this Waipio Stack Breakfast ($14), plus some of V’s chocolate pancakes. It contained two eggs, which I ordered over hard, wheat toast, fresh avocado, tomato, arugula and chipotle aioli. (It typically comes with bacon, but I don’t eat that.) Served with fresh fruit I paired it with a vanilla frappe. SO good.

Island Lava Java, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Island Lava Java, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Basik Cafe, Kailua-Kona

Basik Cafe was mostly an acai bowl restaurant. I enjoyed the Islander ($11, small), which was acai, hemp milk, granola, banana, strawberries, goji berries, coco shavings and honey. Yum!

 

Basik Cafe, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Basik Cafe, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Kona Coffee & Tea Company, Kailua-Kona

We visited Kona Coffee  & Tea Co. twice to pick up a quick breakfast before doing other activities. The first time we all got bagels ($2.59) and yogurt and granola. The second time I ordered a spinach tart ($6.49), which was OK. I really liked the vanilla cold brew though!

Kona Coffee & Tea Company, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Kona Coffee & Tea Company, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Volcano House, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

We were starving when we arrived at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, so we decided to try one of the restaurants. Volcano House was the closest option. I ordered the fish and chips ($14) while G had Asian barbecue prawns ($16). They weren’t the best fish and chips I’ve had but they did the trick. This place is more about the view! You can see the crater from your table.

Volcano House, Hawaii

Volcano House, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Volcano House, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

 

Boat Landing Cantina, Waikoloa

While staying at the Hilton Waikola Village, we dined at Boat Landing Cantina, which was just underneath our tower. We also ordered some to-go on another night when we were too tired to actually dine there. I wasn’t disappointed with the nachos ($14) or the fish tacos ($19). The prices are high for what you get, but the resort is so large that it’s super inconvenient to leave to grab food, especially when you’re an exhausted pregnant person.

Boat Landing Cantina, Waikoloa, Hawaii

 

Boat Landing Cantina, Waikoloa, Hawaii

Cafe Pesto, Hilo

After working up an appetite on a helicopter tour, we explored downtown Hilo looking for a lunch option. We stumbled across Cafe Pesto. I loved every bite of the crab cakes ($16), which came with salad. V enjoyed her pasta with veggies and G had a pizza luau pizza ($14).

Cafe Pesto, Hilo, Hawaii

Cafe Pesto, Hilo, Hawaii

Cafe Pesto, Hilo, Hawaii

Kope Lani, Kailua-Kona

We couldn’t go without ice cream for dessert, especially on a warm Hawaii afternoon. I loved the Kona coffee flavored cone I had at Kope Lani!

Kope Lani ice cream, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Big Island Burritos, Waikoloa

On our last night we wanted something casual again, so we opted for takeout from Big Island Burritos. Shown below is a burrito bowl for G ($12) and more tacos for me ($12).

Big Island Burritos, Waikoloa

Big Island Burritos, Waikoloa

 

Waikoloa Coffee, Waikoloa

Breakfast came from Waikoloa Coffee a couple times because it was conveniently located under our hotel tower. It was pricey for what it was ($40 for two coffees, a juice and breakfast sandwiches), but it was tasty coffee.

Waikoloa Coffee, Hawaii

 

Do you see anything you’d like to try on this list? What are some of your favorite recent restaurant meals? Let me know in the comments!

Whale Watching Plus Snorkeling With Dolphins and Manta Rays in Hawaii

Whale Watching Plus Snorkeling With Dolphins and Manta Rays in HawaiiSomehow we tend to luck out when booking tours on vacation. We have at several times arrived to discover we are the only people with reservations, meaning we essential get a private outing! This is what happened with our whale watching tour through Kona Ocean Adventures. I was expecting a small group of six, including us, but we were pleasantly surprised!

In addition to seeing lava, I really wanted to spot some whales during our Hawaii trip. They migrate to the Hawaiian islands from November to about April, so we’ve never seen them during our trips; all of my visits to Hawaii have been in September.

I had no idea what to expect from our whale watching tour. I was told that if we happen to not see any whales we could go back out with them another day, so that made me nervous that the tour wouldn’t be worth the $130 per person price tag.

But we got so much more than we were expecting, though I wasn’t able to capture much of it on my camera. (More on that later.)

The first part of the tour involved heading away from shore for a while. I will say I was not expecting how bumpy it would be, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to ride on a boat while pregnant. You can always ask them to go a bit slower, though.

We quickly spotted a whale and her calf.

Whale Watching Plus Snorkeling With Dolphins and Manta Rays in Hawaii

 

Then we heard a call over the radio that there was a manta ray feeding frenzy nearby. Our captain asked if we were interested in seeing it and we quickly said yes. When we arrived, she asked if G wanted to swim with them, too. He quickly grabbed his snorkeling gear and jumped in the water. The captain gives tips on how to swim with them. The mantas are used to people, from what we were told. I, too, quickly got into the water to peek underneath the surface and see them swim from afar. It’s an incredible sight!

Whale Watching Plus Snorkeling With Dolphins and Manta Rays in Hawaii

After a while, we moved on. We next heard a radio call about spinner dolphins and instantly said yes to seeing them, too. Only one other boat had discovered the dolphins, so it was not crowded with people at all. It was amazing! I have never in my life seen so many dolphins at once, and they were quite active!

I had to take the opportunity to swim with them as well. As soon as you pop your head underwater you can hear them. You might even hear whales nearby as well. We spent quite a bit of time snorkeling here, though I only lasted a few minutes. In my current pregnant state I don’t have the energy to swim for as long as before, though using a noodle helps.

Whale Watching Plus Snorkeling With Dolphins and Manta Rays in Hawaii Whale Watching Plus Snorkeling With Dolphins and Manta Rays in Hawaii

After our dolphin snorkel we went back to whale watching. We traveled pretty far north of the coast and even made it to where we could see Maui! This is where we spotted a breaching whale from afar. I was unable to capture photos because it happens to quickly and unexpectedly.

We also saw a shark fin!

As you can see, our whale watching was much more than just whales. It went from a two-hour tour to one that lasted more than three hours! However, had we not also been able to snorkel I would not have thought this was worth the money. But the unexpected adventures made this adventure worth it! It’s one of our favorite memories of the trip!

Have you been on a whale watching tour?

Note: If you’re pregnant you should check with your doctor about what is safe for you to do. Every pregnancy and person is different.

Watch a video of our whale watching and snorkeling tour:

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau | Kid- and Vegetarian-Friendly Option in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

 

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

When choosing a family-friendly activity to do on the Big Island, a luau was an easy option. Why? It can keep a toddler entertained! We selected the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau at the Royal Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

A bonus is that you don’t need to pay for a separate ticket for children who are 5 and younger! (Tickets for adults were $72 each for us.)

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

To be honest, I don’t really think I need to go to another luau in Hawaii every time I visit, but it’s good for first-timers and kids. We didn’t upgrade our seats to the front tables, but I found that it wasn’t necessary. We could see just fine. My only complaint: We were the last table to grab our food. Normally that wouldn’t be a problem but I’m pregnant, so I am constantly hungry! Actually, I would probably still be hungry even if not pregnant, who am I kidding?

Tip: Arrive early to check into the luau. People were in line by 4:15, even though the confirmation tells you to arrive by 4:45. General seating is first come, first served.

Another bonus is that a luau experience can cater to meat and veggie eaters alike.

What to eat as a pescatarian/vegetarian at Voyagers of the Pacific Luau:

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

You might not think a luau is the place to go if you’re a vegan or vegetarian, but it’s possible to eat well at one. This is what I ate as a pescatarian/mostly vegetarian at the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau:

  • Garden salad
  • Potato mac salad
  • Hawaiian sweet roll
  • Three-bean salad
  • Island fish (for pescatarians)
  • Hawaii sweet potato
  • Pineapple chunks
  • Coconut cake
  • Pineapple upside-down cake

Note: The website says they can prepare a gluten-free or vegan option if notified 24 hours in advance.

After the show, which lasts until 8 p.m., you can purchase your souvenir arrival photo for $20 if you want, but we skipped that. You can also take photos with the dancers. V really wanted to see two of them, and we were happy to do so.

Voyagers of the Pacific Luau, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Have you been to a luau in Hawaii? What did you think?

Watch our video of the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau:

 

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Royal Lahaina Luau, Maui
Exploring Hilo, Hawaii

 

Lava and Rainforests Adventure with Paradise Helicopters

** This post has been sponsored by Paradise Helicopters of Hawaii. All opinions and images are my own.

Big Island Hawaii Lava and Rainforests Adventure with Paradise Helicopters

I’ve crossed off something that’s been on my bucket list for a long time during our Big Island vacation: seeing lava! During our honeymoon in 2014 Graham and I had hoped to see the lava but we weren’t able to; at the time it wasn’t flowing toward the ocean and we could only see the crater and billowing smoke at an overlook in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Thanks to Paradise Helicopters, which sponsored my ticket for the Lava and Rainforests Adventure tour, I was finally able to make that dream a reality!

Our Lava and Rainforests Helicopter Tour on Big Island of Hawaii:

I have been looking forward to our 45-minute doors-on helicopter tour with Paradise Helicopters from Hilo Airport for months! At the time of booking, we had planned to stay in Hilo for a night or two, but we eventually decided to only stay on the Kona side of the island. That meant that we awoke bright and early one morning for our one and a half hour drive to Hilo. The directions were simple: Park in Hilo Airport’s main terminal public parking and the check-in desk is directly across the street under the Paradise Helicopters sign. Hilo Airport is small, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding Lobby 2. They first weigh each member of the party (wearing anything you’re bringing on the tour, like your camera) and then you hear the safety restrictions. You are free to use the restroom or hang out in the lounge while you wait for the safety briefing, during which you learn how to wear use your headset, plus hear other important information about where to walk on the runway, as well as many volcano puns. haha (FYI: You may not bring extendable camera sticks!) The briefing includes a seat assignment; our flight was scheduled to have four passengers.

After our safety briefing we had some sad news: Our tour was canceled because of bad weather that was hampering visibility in the area where we would be flying to see the lava. Tip: Try to plan your Paradise Helicopters tour in the beginning of your trip so that you can reschedule for another time or day if needed because of the weather, which is ever-changing and unpredictable.

Don’t worry, though, we were able to rebook for Sunday morning! Plus, when we arrived back at check-in we found out we would be the only passengers on our flight. At the last minute we decided to make it a partial doors-off tour to appease the birthday guy in our group. 😉 I requested to keep my door on because I am terrified of heights! The ground crew was so nice and helpful, and V didn’t seem afraid at all as they buckled her into her seat.

 

 

 

Paradise Helicopters in Hilo, Hawaii
Be sure to walk along the painted lines as you head toward the helicopter. Follow the instructions from the ground crew.
Doors-Off Helicopter Tour of Hawaii Lava and Rainforests
A doors-off Paradise Helicopters tour was also leaving from Hilo Airport at the same time.

Our pilot Pete flew us south toward and over the various lava flows that have occurred over the years before we made it to the active crater.

It’s amazing to see how the trees are left lying on the black hardened lava rock.

You can also see a portion of a road that is still visible after it was cut off from the rest of the island during a lava flow.

Old Hawaii Road Cut Off By Lava

 

I was in awe of the patches of forest I would see among the black rock.

Hawaii Lava Rock and Rainforest

Lava is currently erupting from Kīlauea at its summit and from the Puʻu ʻŌʻō vent on the East Rift Zone. The lava activity is constantly changing, so if seeing the lava flow into the ocean is your goal, be aware that it isn’t always happening. The Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park website constantly provides updates. As you can see in the video and photos I took, lava flow is scattered across the plains.

Seeing the red snaking lava flow was surreal.

Lava Helicopter Tour with Paradise Helicopters

I was impressed our pilot could see the lava so easily in the brightness.

It’s a bit tricky to snap photos of the lava from a moving helicopter, but the pilot will circle around so you can get your shot.

Lava and Rainforests Adventure with Paradise Helicopters in Hawaii, Big Island

After circling the crater while listening to “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash, we heading back north over the forests and toward the ocean. Our pilot wanted to fly over water since we had those handy floatation devices attached to us anyway. The remaining part of the helicopter tour was a flyover above Hilo and some of its waterfalls, including Rainbow Falls. We also passed over Hilo Bay and some of its surrounding hotels before heading back to Hilo Airport.

Lava and Rainforests Adventure with Paradise Helicopters, Big Island, Hawaii

Hilo Waterfalls from Paradise Helicopters Tour

FYI: You can tip the pilot and staff in envelopes at the check-in desk. Also, parking is not validated, so be prepared for that.

Tips for Paradise Helicopters tour with toddler and while pregnant:

  • Check with your doctor to make sure you are OK to fly. If you’re feeling nauseous you might not enjoy the flight and it may not be a good idea.
  • Be aware that the vibration of the helicopter could affect your lower back pain, if you have any. Again, check with your doctor.
  • Our toddler wanted to sit with me halfway through the flight and was sad she couldn’t. We should have asked which parent she wanted to sit with to avoid any crying.
  • It gets super windy, especially if you take the doors-off flight. Bring a jacket and wear pants and closed toe shoes!
  • A ground crew member will buckle the child into his/her seat, or you may do so if you’re more comfortable.
  • It’s best if your child can grasp how to use the microphone/headset system. V started crying because we couldn’t hear her until she figured out how to push to talk to us. Then she was happy!

 

 

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Is seeing the lava in Hawaii on your bucket list as well? Have you ever done a helicopter tour? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!

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Related post:

Exploring Hilo, Hawaii
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