Big Island Helicopters
Apr 5th, 2000 | 04:19 PM
#2
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Aloha Tasha, There are 2 major helicopter companies on BI Blue Hawaiian aaand Maunaa Kea( I Think). They both do the same tours. 1 trip is about 1 hour the other 2 hours with a refueling stop in Hilo. Expensive. It is the only way to see the active volcano.
You might consider driving to HIlo and doing the trip from there for 1 hour. You can also see Hilo and the east side of the BI. I believe both give you a copy of video from the actual flight.
It's a great way to see the island.
Bart
You might consider driving to HIlo and doing the trip from there for 1 hour. You can also see Hilo and the east side of the BI. I believe both give you a copy of video from the actual flight.
It's a great way to see the island.
Bart
Apr 6th, 2000 | 08:27 AM
#3
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I've taken the helicopter tours and they are very expensive. It cost $250 for a two-hour trip. You fly from one part of the island to the other...land at another heliport and get out for about 15 minutes...then fly around the other side of the isle and back to your original point. They tell you that you'll get videos, but they didn't have any and never sent them to us after our trip. I think there are better things to do w/$250 than this.
Apr 6th, 2000 | 09:50 AM
#4
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Hi, Tasha,
My wife and a friend took a chopper tour of Kilauea during a medium-sized lava outflow (on the surface in places, visible outflow into the sea) and got a tape and a great view - they said it was worth it, although not if you're in the center seat in the back of the chopper.
On another trip said wife and I took a fixed-wing flight (better view, cheaper, less cramped) over the volcano when it was less active - most of the action in lava tubes with a few skylights, but still a spectacular outflow into the ocean, but the actual crater was socked in so we didn't see as much as would have been possible. The charter service actually discounted the price a little, since without us there would have been no trip at all.
As for the cost, hey, how many times do you get to see an active volcano with lava and all for the price of a fancy dinner?
We flew out of Hilo which is much cheaper than Kona. I think Hilo is a very interesting change from the Kona/Kohala side, in terms of culture, landscape, climate, foliage...
You might want to be sure the weather and volcano activity are worth the money, but I'd say go for it.
My wife and a friend took a chopper tour of Kilauea during a medium-sized lava outflow (on the surface in places, visible outflow into the sea) and got a tape and a great view - they said it was worth it, although not if you're in the center seat in the back of the chopper.
On another trip said wife and I took a fixed-wing flight (better view, cheaper, less cramped) over the volcano when it was less active - most of the action in lava tubes with a few skylights, but still a spectacular outflow into the ocean, but the actual crater was socked in so we didn't see as much as would have been possible. The charter service actually discounted the price a little, since without us there would have been no trip at all.
As for the cost, hey, how many times do you get to see an active volcano with lava and all for the price of a fancy dinner?
We flew out of Hilo which is much cheaper than Kona. I think Hilo is a very interesting change from the Kona/Kohala side, in terms of culture, landscape, climate, foliage...
You might want to be sure the weather and volcano activity are worth the money, but I'd say go for it.
Apr 6th, 2000 | 09:53 AM
#5
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Posts: n/a
Hi, Tasha,
My wife and a friend took a chopper tour of Kilauea during a medium-sized lava outflow (on the surface in places, visible outflow into the sea) and got a tape and a great view - they said it was worth it, although not if you're in the center seat in the back of the chopper.
On another trip said wife and I took a fixed-wing flight (better view, cheaper, less cramped) over the volcano when it was less active - most of the action in lava tubes with a few skylights, but still a spectacular outflow into the ocean, but the actual crater was socked in so we didn't see as much as would have been possible. The charter service actually discounted the price a little, since without us there would have been no trip at all.
As for the cost, hey, how many times do you get to see an active volcano with lava and all for the price of a fancy dinner?
We flew out of Hilo which is much cheaper than Kona. I think Hilo is a very interesting change from the Kona/Kohala side, in terms of culture, landscape, climate, foliage...
You might want to be sure the weather and volcano activity are worth the money, but I'd say go for it.
My wife and a friend took a chopper tour of Kilauea during a medium-sized lava outflow (on the surface in places, visible outflow into the sea) and got a tape and a great view - they said it was worth it, although not if you're in the center seat in the back of the chopper.
On another trip said wife and I took a fixed-wing flight (better view, cheaper, less cramped) over the volcano when it was less active - most of the action in lava tubes with a few skylights, but still a spectacular outflow into the ocean, but the actual crater was socked in so we didn't see as much as would have been possible. The charter service actually discounted the price a little, since without us there would have been no trip at all.
As for the cost, hey, how many times do you get to see an active volcano with lava and all for the price of a fancy dinner?
We flew out of Hilo which is much cheaper than Kona. I think Hilo is a very interesting change from the Kona/Kohala side, in terms of culture, landscape, climate, foliage...
You might want to be sure the weather and volcano activity are worth the money, but I'd say go for it.
Apr 6th, 2000 | 02:16 PM
#7
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We recently took a tour out of Hilo with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. We really enjoyed out trip. Yes, it is expensive, but how many times will you get to fly over an active volcano in your lifetime? We didn't see much lava, but it was steaming and looked really neat. We're glad we did it. Have a great time in Hawaii!
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Apr 7th, 2000 | 04:04 PM
#8
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Should we visit the National Volcano Park on the big island? Can it be a day trip with a helicopter trip or is it worth staying on the island for a few days? It's our first trip & We will be there for 11 days( 5 days Maui, 4 days Kauai, 2 days Oahu)?
Apr 7th, 2000 | 06:35 PM
#9
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The Big Island is huge and deserves several days exploration if you can spare them.
Regarding the helicopter ride: my family rode Blue Hawaiian from Hilo over to the Kilauea area, out to the ocean entry and back to Hilo waterfall area. I can't imagine taking the copter from the Waikoloa area to the volcano, it would take quite some time to get there. Two of our family of five had pretty upset stomachs on our return to Hilo, but everybody loved the closeup look at the PuO'O' (sp?) Vent and the roads covered with lava where the Royal Gardens subdivision is/used to be. Very expensive, but we knew we'd probably not be doing it again. Highly recommend it, but if anyone has motion sickness to deal with, beware, and prepare for it. The ride from Hilo to the volcano and back about a 45-50 minute trip; the video is a great keepsake, but cost $20. (When you are spending $600, $20 is a small price to pay for the keepsake, we thought). Enjoy. But really plan on at least a couple days in the Hilo/Volcano area if you can.
Regarding the helicopter ride: my family rode Blue Hawaiian from Hilo over to the Kilauea area, out to the ocean entry and back to Hilo waterfall area. I can't imagine taking the copter from the Waikoloa area to the volcano, it would take quite some time to get there. Two of our family of five had pretty upset stomachs on our return to Hilo, but everybody loved the closeup look at the PuO'O' (sp?) Vent and the roads covered with lava where the Royal Gardens subdivision is/used to be. Very expensive, but we knew we'd probably not be doing it again. Highly recommend it, but if anyone has motion sickness to deal with, beware, and prepare for it. The ride from Hilo to the volcano and back about a 45-50 minute trip; the video is a great keepsake, but cost $20. (When you are spending $600, $20 is a small price to pay for the keepsake, we thought). Enjoy. But really plan on at least a couple days in the Hilo/Volcano area if you can.
