Kona helicopter/ tour recommendations?

[Small Town Princess]

Looking for recommendations for an all day helicopter/tour company from Kona. We have one day to see all of the hghlights of the Big Island. Can you share your experiences and how much you paid per person? We are 2 adults and 2 teens.

 

[kdonnel]

We used Blue Hawaiian Helicopter but from the Hilo side. We flew over Kilauea and saw some of the country side on the way there and back. I can't remember exactly what we paid per person but it was around $800 for our family of four. We were placed in the helicopter by weight and shared it with another family. My wife and daughter were chosen to ride in the front and had a much better view then myself and my son, not that our view was that bad from the back. Taking a look at their web page I believe we were in the A-star helicopter and it appears they don't leave from Kona.

 

[wanderlust7]

We did Blue Hawaiian out of Hilo as well.

When I read "all day", I thought does that type of helicopter tour exist? Maybe you've found it already, but Paradise does them - Kona to Hilo by helicopter, touring, then helicopter back. Interesting option for $500+/person.

https://paradisecopters.com/kona-helicopter-tours-hawaii/

 

[Small Town Princess]

Yes Paradise is the only one I have found so far. The Land and Sky is $699 pp. There is a coupon on the website for $100 off in the month of February but that is the ony discount I have found. Not sure we can swing it.

 

[wanderlust7]

Yes Paradise is the only one I have found so far. The Land and Sky is $699 pp. There is a coupon on the website for $100 off in the month of February but that is the ony discount I have found. Not sure we can swing it.

That is a lot. Do you have the option of flying into Hilo? Since you only have a day, just do the helicopter tour from there, then explore Volcano National Park.

Sometimes less is more.

 

[Small Town Princess]

We are actually staying at the HiltonWaikoloa Village in Kona (on points) for a couple days before Aulani. I should have planned a little better.

 

[wanderlust7]

We are actually staying at the HiltonWaikoloa Village in Kona (on points) for a couple days before Aulani. I should have planned a little better.

Oh, I thought maybe you had to fly out the same day. Waikoloa actually put you closer to Hilo along Saddle Road (google maps says 1 hour 15 min). The helicopter tours from Hilo to see the volcano are usually about 50 min, add in check-in time, the safety briefing, maybe 2 hours? Still time to visit VNP and drive back to Waikoloa, it'll just be a longer day.

We'll be staying at the Hilton Waikoloa too in April - at Kings' Land. Really looking forward to it.