TravelDiva

Hi All,

I'm planning our "big ticket" activities for our upcoming trip to BI in Feb. and I'm trying to decide between doing a helicopter tour of the volcano and waterfalls or Lava Roy's sunset boat tour of the lava entering the ocean.

We've did the helicopter tour in Maui but of course this would be a whole 'nother ballgame with an active volcano on the BI. I'm torn because the chopper tour provides the added bonus of seeing waterfalls, but the pictures from the lava boat tour (http://volcanooceanadventures.com/lava.aspx) look SO spectacular.

Has anyone done the boat trip (or both) that can advise me? We're also going to be doing the manta dive, so to do both the copter and boat tour would break the bank on this trip.

thanks!!

sylvia3

IMO, the waterfall part of the volcano/waterfall combo is very minor, just a flyover of some shallow falls near Hilo. I'd go for the boat. But, just one person's opinion.

DebitNM

We flew with Blue Hawaiian and did their longest tour. We were able to get right over many bubbling calderas. We also flew over some magnificent waterfalls.
Our pilot was excellent and we flew into many areas that are not easily accessible [or not accessible at all] that you would never see from boat.

We went down Chain of Craters at night to watch the lava flow into the ocean. We walked far out across the lava, but you could not get all that close to it. The vog is made of up of very toxic fumes.

There was lots of vog surrounding the area where the lava entered the ocean and you couldn't see lava until it got dark. I wonder if being on a boat would let you get all that close?

Our trip was 10/06 and of course, lava is always changing.

We really were very happy with the 2 hour Big Island tour by Blue Hawaiian.

Deb

TravelDiva

Thanks for your responses. Looks like I need a tie breaker!

Has anyone actually done the lava boat tour?

biker

we did the circle island tour by airplane. the volcano area and north kohala were cool, but the vog reduced visibility greatly around most of the south and west so we probably would not do it again. having taken helicopter rides on kauai and maui it was a real let down, big island just isn't as lush in comparison. i would think that the boat tour would be awesome, provided you get closer than the viewing area on land. if no closer i would just to the land side viewing. at sunset/dark it is spectacular for sure.

Marginal

I've read the boat tour can be very difficult, with lots of chop and swells. Many report quite severe seasickness.

lavaocean

When lava touches the ocean the boat gives you the ultimate view. You See, Hear, & feel the heat during a 2.5 hour adventure which lava is the headliner but the coastline is quite a sight decorated with black sand beaches, lava caves & ages of Big Island lava history. Lava Ocean Adventures has regular lava video updates available at www.lavaocean.com

Marginal

lavaocean- Your blatantly commercial posting has violated the terms of agreement with Fodors. You have been reported to the editors.

We value independent observations here. As you have chosen to tout your business, I have to assume your don't like to comply with other kinds of regulations- maybe safety, maybe insurance, maybe Better Business standards.

I would not be willing to trust my family's safety and security to you.

starrs

I also took the Blue Hawaiian helicopter tour and loved the experience. I'm wondering what happens on the boat tour when there's no lava hitting the ocean. Far more to see from the helicopter.

lavaocean

Just stating the facts, there are other operators out here but our family has been touring & fishing these water since the 80's. As for regulations were the eastsides only USCG inspected & documented multi passenger vessel, and yes we have state issue permits also. Hope you had a great time while you were here

NeoPatrick

lavaocean's brain must have gotten burned by the lava. He just doesn't get the whole idea of "rules", does he?