Above It AllBig Island
It would be a mistake to rely on words to describe a “flight seeing” tour of Hawai‘i Island. It’s like a mythical ride on a magic carpet. It’s like a scene from a James Bond thriller, with a chopper skirting a live volcano and lava oozing down the mountain slopes. It’s one of those fabulous things that can’t be analyzed, digitized or translated into anything more complicated than “Wow!”
The aerial view of the Hamakua Coast from Hilo to Waipi‘o Valley is truly magical. Expect to see roaring waterfalls, vertical forests and tiny villages during a Hamakua flight. And when youreach Waipi‘o Valley, expect to see the island’s version of Eden.
Kilauea Volcano is by far the most popular destination – the sight of a lava flow is spectacular. One company, Big Island Air, conducts night flights over the volcano. Paradise Helicopters also offers doors-off flights over Kilauea.
Whether you buy a ticket on a helicopter or a fixed-wing airplane, the view from above will give you a new appreciation for the island’s natural wonders.
• Blue Hawaiian Helicopters (808) 961-5600
• Safari Helicopters (808) 969-1259
• Paradise Helicopters (808) 969-7392
• Big Island Air (808) 329-4868
