Aerial Tours in Big Island

• Places to Explore
• Sights
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Entertainment
• Shopping
• Activities
• Travel Tips
• Features

Aerial Tours

There's nothing quite like the aerial view of a waterfall that drops a couple of thousand feet into multiple pools, or seeing lava flow to the ocean, where clouds of steam billow into the air. You can get this bird's-eye view from a helicopter or a small fixed-wing aircraft. Although there have been a few cases of pilots violating flight paths and altitudes over resident communities in recent years, most operators are reputable and fly with strict adherence to FAA safety rules. How to get the best experience for your money? Before you hire a company, be a savvy traveler and ask the right questions. What kind of aircraft do they fly? Do they have two-way headsets so you can talk with the pilot? What is their safety record?

Island Hoppers. Despite the name, this isn't a helicopter line. They fly fixed-wing three- to six-passenger Cessna aircraft from both the Hilo and Kona airports. Every seat is a window seat with panoramic views. There are three air tours, from a 50-minute Volcano Waterfall tour at $64 per person to a two-hour Full Circle Island Tour for $287.[. 808/329-0018 or 800/538-7590. www.hawaiiislandhoppers.com

Mokulele Airlines. In addition to regular inter-island scheduled flights, this commuter line offers a 1 1/2-hour Circle Island Tour in a nine-passenger twin-engine aircraft. The air tour departs Kona Airport and goes over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Hilo-Hamakua Coast, and the Kohala Coast. Rates are $299 per person; ask about senior discounts.[. 808/326-7070 or 866/260-7070. www.mokulele.com

Paradise Helicopters. Paradise flies six-passenger Bell 470 and four-passenger MD-500 helicopters. Everyone has a window seat in these highly maneuverable helicopters. The friendly and knowledgeable pilots communicate with passengers over two-way headsets. Paradise operates from Kona and Hilo, which is better for volcano-viewing. The 50-minute Volcano & Waterfall Adventure (from Hilo) is $185 per person; the top-of-the-line tour is a three-hour Volcanoes & Valley Adventure (from Kona) for $530 per person, including lunch. For an additional thrill and an even better view, you can choose a Doors-Off Experience from Hilo; you can literally feel the heat radiating from the lava.[. Hilo Airport, Kona Airport. 808/356-1800, 808/329-6601, or 888/349-7888. www.paradisecopters.com

Sunshine Helicopters. Ride the "Black Beauties" or the luxurious WhisperSTAR EC-130 helicopters on these exciting air tours that take in the ocean cliffs and valleys of the Kohala-Hamakua Coast, or, from Hilo, the formations of the Kilauea Volcano. Narrated tours range from 45 minutes ($185) to two hours ($390); the longer tour covers both regions. Afterwards, you can buy a DVD of your flight experience.[. Helipad at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel and Hilo Airport. 808/882-1223 Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel; 808/969-7501 Hilo; 800/469-3000. www.sunshinehelicopters.com