We're going to the Big Island in February...and we definitely want to do a helicopter tour. the companies I've found so far are Blue Hawaiian, Sunshine and Paradise tours. We are leaning toward the Paradise tour, since it is a "doors off" tour, but would like to get some feedback on any comppnay you've had experiences with both good and bad...

Sorry for the typo on the topic...

We did Blue Hawaiian and had a wonderful pilor and the entire experience was simply put -- amazing! We did the 2 hour whole island tour and we went right over the calderas at VNP and watched the lava flow into the ocean. And we flew into [and I mean into] the valleys up on the eastern side to see waterfalls the likes of which you only see in movies..live and up close in front of you.

The sell a DVD of your flight which while not hollywood quality, it does capture the sights that YOU actually say and what you heard during your flight. as it has sound. We were lucky, because we are both fairly small, light people, DH and I got to sit up front next to pilot and wonderful line of eye sight. I didn't have a digital camera with me, but I was actually able to get pictures right thru the windows with it! Used 800 with no flash disposable camer no less!

I have pictures posted on here somewhere. I can top them for you if you'd like.

Have a great time! East at Harrington's in Hilo for dinner after VNP - great food.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Thanks, Debi, I appreciate your input. I would love to see the pictures, if you would be good enough to top them for me!

Heymo!
Here's a link to photos: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...4&tid=34891295


and here is thread that has all my trip reports from HI:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34899956

Hope this helps...
Debi

Debi- Thanks for the link! The pictures look great!