** This post has been sponsored by Paradise Helicopters of Hawaii. All opinions and images are my own.
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.
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.
I was in awe of the patches of forest I would see among the black rock.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Connect with Paradise Helicopters:
Paradise Helicopter Tours Hawaii
Related post:
Exploring Hilo, Hawaii
Marette Flora is the founder of Floradise blog and personalized gift shop. Marette is a passionate storyteller and creator. She attended the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication.
She is passionate about creating helpful and meaningful things.
oh my gosh this is something i’ve always wanted to do and what an experience you had! i love all these pictures!
It’s really cool! Hope you get to do it someday!
This is so on my bucket list! I commend you for letting them take off one of the doors because I’m cared of that too and although I would have probably done the same I would just feel better having all the doors on there! LOL thanks for the photos, this really made me want to go!!
haha my husband really wanted the door off and he loved it! I didn’t even know it was an option to have only some doors off, so that’s nice! Hope you make it someday!
This is SO cool! We skipped out on a helicopter tour in Maui because I knew I wanted to do it over the craters and lava one day and now this makes me want to go sooo bad! So awesome that you had the option to have the doors removed!
It’s so cool, especially if and when the lava flows into the ocean again. That’s when I would want to do it again. Doors-off is awesome if you’re not afraid of heights! Hope you get to do it soon!
Ooh this looks incredible! I was so sad I couldn’t make it out to see lava flows when I visited Big Island in 2015 – I think all the lava flows were on private property at the time or something – but at least the crater was bubbling and the lava levels were high so I could see it that way. I’d love to go back and see the lava flows though!
Yes, it’s so hard to time your trip to when the lava flow is best for viewing. I would like to go back when it’s flowing into the ocean again! Thanks for your comment!
Oh my gosh doors off sounds TERRIFYING!!! I’ve always been too chicken to go in a helicopter because I’m so afraid of heights (and flying lol!) but this looks like it was totally worth it!
Haha that’s exactly why I kept my door on, but he loved not having a door! It’s a cool experience for sure!
wow, your trip was amazing! seeing the red lava does feel like it would be completely surreal.
i want to put an experience like yours on my bucket list. and DOORS OFF?! so cool!
It’s definitely unforgettable and Paradise was so great!
The helicopter tours in Hawaii are amazing! I did one several years ago and there are just so many amazing and beautiful places to see there! The view from above is just breathtaking!
What a DREAM! I haven’t been to Hawaii yet although there is a conference there that I am continuously eyeing. I’m not a fan of small planes but I do feel like a helicopter would be such a thrill. Beautiful photos.