helicopter tours hawaii volcano

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VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK & WATERFALLS SAFARI

Temporary sale $299.

• Aprox. 55 Minute Tour
• National Park Points of Interest.
• Private Tour:  $1,700  (Better Value Per Seat)
• Lava activity may vary from pictures shown. Check with USGS for current activity at [ https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo ]

GROUP DISCOUNTS

Have a group of 12 or more? We offer discount rates for groups so feel free to contact us or click book to receive these special rates !

CHARTERED FLIGHTS

Looking to rent the entire helicopter? We offer charter flights enabling you to have the entire helicopter to yourself. Contact us or click book to get more information.

Big Island HELICOPTER TOURS

Take a flight to the World’s most active volcano. The Big Island has been erupting almost continuously since 1983, pouring red-hot molten earth into the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean.

All Hawaiian volcanoes are produced by a plume of lava known as the Hawaiian magmatic hot spot. This plume of lava rises up from deep within Earth’s mantle and burns through the seafloor crust to form volcanic mountains that eventually rise above the surface of the sea to form Hawaiian Islands.

The Hawaiian Islands are actually just the summits of these massive volcanoes that grew up from the ocean floor as much as 18,000 feet below the water’s surface.

The Big Island is the youngest Hawaiian Island, less than a half a million years old, and its two major volcanoes are Mauna Loa (which includes Kilauea Volcano) and Mauna Kea. These massive volcanoes are a sight to behold from the vantage point of a helicopter (when clouds do not interfere). Mauna Kea rises to 13,796 feet above sea level. Mauna Kea is considered the tallest mountain on Earth if measured from base to summit, towering up more than 6 miles from the ocean bottom.

The volcanic activity of the Hawaiian hot spot continues today on the Big Island at Kiluaea Volcano, and the East Rift Zone. Safari Helicopters tours survey the diverse array of volcanic formations throughout the whole area where this activity has recently occurred and also where it is happening right now!

The aptly named Chain of Craters Road descends 3,700 feet from the summit of Kilauea Volcano to the sea, and has repeatedly been blocked by lava flows with more than 9 miles of the road covered since 1986. The Pu’u O’O Vent flows off and on into the ocean (fluctuating between Chain of Crater Rd and Kalapan Black Sands Beach) and at times sends up plumes of volcanic gas and smoke. From a helicopter this is a most impressive sight to behold.

There are four main districts in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; However we mainly tour the East Rift Zone, Which is sub-categorized into 3 different zones:  The Upper East Rift Zone, the Middle East Rift Zone, and the Lower East Rift Zone.  Typically we tour along the coastline to the Lower East Rift Zone where the most recent eruption event happened in Leilani Estates, to show the devastation and new black-sand beach.  Next, we head upslope to the Middle East Rift Zone to explore the Pu’u O’o Vent.  Finally, weather permitting, we move to the Upper East Rift Zone along several craters including Napau and Mauna Ulu to Halemaumau Crater at the summit of the world famous Kilauea Volcano.

Expect to be absolutely amazed at the incredible sights you will see from a Hawaii volcano helicopter tour. There are so many unique land formations and visible volcano history before your eyes that it is difficult to encapsulate it all in words.

What are you waiting for? Let's go fly!

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Hawaii Volcano Expeditions

Experience the adventure of a lifetime, aloha and welcome.

Hawaii volcano expeditions are something that not everyone gets to experience. Volcanoes speckle the islands, and while your initial instinct is likely to veer away from exploring them, you’d be doing yourself a great disservice by not viewing these natural wonders! They’re a part of Hawaiian culture and history, so if you’re looking to get the most out of your Hawaiian excursion and truly see all there is to see, then a Hawaii volcano tour should be part of your travel itinerary.

What we offer

Tours by air, tours by foot, tours by bus, top hawaii volcano tours.

Volcano Adventure Tour (from Hilo)

Difficulty rating, tour duration.

Elite Volcano Hike (From Kona)

Oahu to Hilo: Volcano Adventure Tour

Easy to Moderate

Circle of Fire Helicopter Tour – Hilo

The View from Above

If you’re aiming to get the best view of a volcano, you’re going to want an overhead view. Through a variety of available packages, your chances to see some of these natural beauties from above increases tenfold. A selection of helicopter tours, offered with an open-door view to give an unprecedented view of the surrounding region, are readily available for adventurers that aren’t weary of heights. 

Tourists will explore the most active volcanoes around the globe, including Kilauea volcano located on the main island of Hawaii. Along with an aerial view of the beauty of these monumental natural structures, you’ll soar over lush forests, crystal clear waters, and black sanded beaches during your Hawaii volcano expedition. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Read our answers to our customers’ common questions. 

Everyone who visits Hawaii Volcanoes National Park wants to see lava.  You go there hoping to see lava fountaining into the air like on a National Geographic magazine.

Sorry to tell you, most visitors do not see lava.

Here’s why: Lava is dangerous. As soon as lava is fountaining or flowing in a certain area, Hawaii Civil Defense determines if it is safe to allow people near it.  Usually it is not safe and the area is closed off.

How to see lava on a volcano tour

The best way to be sure you will see lava is to take a helicopter volcano tour. You will see it from hundreds of feet away, but it is still magnificent.

The chances of seeing lava from a helicopter are very high, but not guaranteed. Volcanoes are extremely unpredictable. Volcanic activity changes every day. The lava flow moves and the surface cools.

Do not make the mistake of going on a volcano tour to see lava. There are so many other reasons to go on a volcano tour. Our volcanoes have an amazing history, cultural significance, biological uniqueness, geological wonder, and a beauty like no other place in the world.

People who go just to see lava and don’t see it are disappointed.  People who go to appreciate everything else about the volcano enjoy themselves. If you do see lava on a volcano tour, it is a bonus and you are a lucky one.

You want a quick answer? Sorry, the answer is constantly changing.

As we mention all over this site, the volcano is active. That means that it is moving and hard to pin down. You might see photos from a friend who saw lava flowing into the ocean a month ago, but now it is nowhere to be seen.

This is why a  volcano tour  is the best way to view the volcanoes. Tours will take you to see the sights in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Then the guide will use his contacts to find where you have the best chance of seeing lava.

Sometimes it is best viewed from inside the National Park. Sometimes it is by the shore in Kalapana. Sometimes it can only be seen from helicopters. Some days you can’t see lava anywhere you look.

The key to an enjoyable visit to the Big Island volcanoes is to go for the volcanoes and consider any sighting of lava as a bonus. If you’re whole purpose is to see lava, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment.

If you insist that lava is your focus, then a  helicopter tour  has the best chance of seeing lava. The pilots search for lava and communicate where the sighting is the best.  When you get close, you can actually feel the heat from inside the helicopter.

Five different Volcanoes are on the Big Island of Hawaii:

• Kilauea volcano

Mauna Kea Volcano Summit. 13,796 ft. Photo https://flic.kr/p/4h5JWS

Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in Hawaii. It is also the tallest sea mountain in the world. From it’s base at the bottom of the ocean floor it is 33,000 feet taller than Mount Everest.  Mauna Kea hasn’t erupted for thousands of years, but is still considered dormant and could erupt again.

Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on earth in terms of volume.

Kilauea is the volcano that most visit us to see.  It is the most active volcano in the world. It began erupting in 1983 and continues to erupt today.

Vog is volcanic fog. It is similar to smog in that it is dirty with particles that are not in typical fog.

Vog is formed when gases from the erupting volcano get into the air, mix with sunlight, oxygen and moisture.

Like smog, vog is not healthy for humans, plants or animals. Many people living near Kilaeau, experience headaches and respitory issues from vog.

Visitors on our tours will see and breath vog, but we rarely have visitors who complain of health issues as a result. Generally, complaints come more often from prolonged exposure by those living near the volcano.

Nevertheless, we encourage all visitors to pay attention to their bodies and take the following precautions:

• Drink lots of fluids
• Don’t overexert
• Don’t smoke

Does vog smell like sulfer? A little bit.

More Information about the Latest Big Island Volcanic Activity:

• Update September 17, 2023: The Kilauea summit eruption that began on September 10, 2023, has ended.  There is currently no lava activity.
• Seismicity and volcanic gas emission rates remain elevated
• Flights to and from Kona International Airport (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO) are not affected and are operating as scheduled.
• All visitor accommodations and activities on the Big Island are operating normally.
• For more information please visit: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kilaueaupdate.htm

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Want the best of both worlds? This unique helicopter tour unites the best of East and West Maui to create an action-packed aerial view of the whole island. From the lush valleys of the West Maui Mountains to the rugged shoreline of Northeast Maui, you’ll have a panoramic view of it all....

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Our tours are designed to maximize the value of your air time and to share the cost of an air tour with your fellow guests. You may also choose to charter a helicopter for yourself or your group and we will help you custom design your own itinerary.

Big Island Helicopter Tours

Unforgetabble helicopter rides over the big island.

Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey over the dramatic wonders of Hawaii’s Big Island with our exhilarating helicopter tours. From cascading lava flows to lush valleys, our tours will take you on a sky-high rollercoaster ride through nature’s own amusement park, where every twist and turn reveals a new chapter of volcanic excitement! Book online now!

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The Island of Hawaii is the youngest island in the Hawaiian chain and is also by far the biggest, providing a vast canvas of environments to discover a variety of unrivaled natural wonders. This is the home of Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Mauna Kea, the tallest sea mountain in the world at more than 33,000 feet, Mauna Loa, the most massive mountain in the world, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the largest park in the state. All but two of the world’s climate zones generate everything from lush rain forests to volcanic deserts and snow-capped mountaintops to beautiful black sand beaches.

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Company News

End of an era: helicopter owners' fond farewell , calvin and stacey dorn retire after 25 years as owners of paradise helicopters.

KAILUA-KONA, HI / MAY 3, 2024 / After 25 years of dedicated service and leadership, K&S Helicopters, Inc. dba Paradise Helicopters announces the retirement of its owners, Calvin “Cal” and Stacey Dorn. The transition marks the end of an era and the celebration of Paradise Helicopters' legacy as a committed, community-centric small business in Hawaii.  

Since its establishment in 1999, Paradise Helicopters has been an integral part of the aviation community in the Hawaiian Islands, renowned for its unmatched service to both its loyal customers and the broader community. With a commitment to giving back and nurturing its Paradise Helicopters ohana, the company has consistently demonstrated its dedication. Notably, Paradise Helicopters has been swift to respond to significant state events, such as providing aid during the 2018 lava eruption and providing firefighting support during the 2023 Lahaina fires plus countless others. Founded by Cal and Stacey Dorn with just one helicopter based in Hilo, Hawaii, the company has since blossomed into a multi-aircraft service offering a diverse array of tours, exclusive private charters, and commercial services spanning multiple islands. 

Cal and Stacey would like to express a heartfelt mahalo to their partners, customers and Paradise Helicopters ohana for 25 wonderful years of successful business in Hawaii as they look forward to spending more time with their four children, grandchild and friends as they enter into their retirement. 

Tour, charter and utility operations conducted by Paradise Helicopters will be suspended as of May 4, 2024. 

For inquiries, please email:

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Curated  Luxury  Excursions  Built  for  You 

Hawaii Island

Venture over remote areas few get to see, or enjoy a remote landing on the Big Island.

Leave the crowds behind and gain a new perspective on Oʻahu's incomparable beauty.

Lana'i

Explore Lānaʻi and neighboring islands to learn about their formation and marvel at their unique geography.

Testimonials 

“Great from start to finish. The helpful ground crew explained how to stay safe. Even provided ginger mints to prevent motion sickness. Our pilot Josh was amazingly smart and great at explaining details as we flew. Definitely would recommend!” - Michelle D.

“An amazing experience from the reception, the takeoff, our trip, and the send-off. Amazing people, amazing experience!!!” - Jeff & Michelle

“Great 2 hour tour with Kalei as pilot in command. Excellent narratives, beautiful views, comfortable aircraft and an overall good time was had by all. Don't miss an opportunity to fly Paradise when in Kona.” - Tom W.

The Paradise Difference

Fly  With  Paradise  &  Discover  the  Difference 

The aloha spirit.

Aloha is the coordination of heart and mind to emote good feelings. Experience the philosophy that makes Hawaiʻi unlike anywhere else on the planet.

Unrivaled Access

Our sustaining relationships and respect for the traditions of Hawaiʻi have earned us access to private and remote locations no other tour company can provide.

Leaders in Aviation Safety

Paradise Helicopters was the first company in the world to earn accreditation by the Helicopter Association International Accreditation Program of Safety (HAI-APS) for Air Tour Operations.

Malama Aina

Mālama Aina is a Hawaiian term that means “to care for and nurture the land” and it is woven into the ethos of everything we do at Paradise Helicopters

Feel  the  Wind  in  Your  Hair 

Doors Off tours at Paradise are the ultimate way to appreciate Hawaiian aloha.

The Paradise Blog

Hawaii  lava  update .

The latest happenings at Kīlauea, Mauna Loa, and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Discover More

Our custom adventures offer unique experiences, landing zones exclusive to paradise, and on-the-ground activities designed to immerse you in the best of hawai'i., we are the largest locally owned helicopter touring company in hawaiʻi. our owner, cal dorn, flies commercial services missions and the occasional private charters., our company has received the highest safety rating attainable from international standard for business aircraft operations (is-bao™) - the industry standard on air travel safety., our volunteer work flying rescue missions for animal rights groups and ranchers during the kīlauea eruption is something that stands out in our industry..

We still come across people who remember our name due to footage they saw shot during that era showing the owner of our company, Cal, flying over lava and working with a ground crew of veterinarians and paniolo, or Hawaiian cowboys, to rescue stranded animals.