Kona Coast Hualalai Volcano-60Min Helicopter Tour-Door Off or On
Description
Marvel at the Kona coastline’s splendor and the beauty of the Hualalai volcano on our awe-inspiring 60 minute helicopter tour. Begin over ancient Hawaiian Kaloko Fish Ponds and Kailua Bay’s sparkling waters, surrounded by Ali’i Drive. Soaring over the Kona Coast unveils the white sands of Magic Sands Beach and vibrant Kona Coffee farms. Flying south, go back in time over Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve and the Captain Cook Monument. A circle over the sacred Hawaiian Place of Refuge offers reflection on Hawai’i’s past. Climbing from the coast, explore the wonders of Ka’upulehu Crater and the majestic Hualalai Volcano. See how the volcanic formations contrast starkly with the ecosystem in the Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve, home to native flora and fauna. Finally, enjoy the golden sands of Anaehoomalu Bay and blue waters of Kiholo Bay, including Makalawena Beach’s secluded beauty. This aerial journey offers a remarkable perspective of the breathtaking Kona Coast and Pele’s volcanic wonders.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Passengers on this tour are treated to a long list of Kailua-Kona's beautiful views, including famous sites like: Kona Coast Kaloko Fish Ponds Kailua Bay Alii Drive Magic Sands beach Kona Coffee farms Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve Captain Cook Monument Place of Refuge KaUpulehu Crater Hualalai volcano Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve A Bay (Anaehoomalu Bay) Kiholo Bay Makalawena Beach
Take flight over the ancient Hawaiian Kaloko Fish Ponds located within the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. These ponds are significant for their historical and cultural importance, showcasing traditional aquaculture practices.
Then, glide along the beautiful Kailua Bay. Known for its calm, clear waters perfect for snorkeling, it’s a hub of activity with shops, restaurants, and historical sites nearby.
Cruise above the lively Ali'i Drive, a scenic coastal road lined with beaches, shops, and cultural landmarks.
Traveling along the coast, enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the silky white sands of Magic Sands Beach. The beach is known as a popular spot for sunbathing and swimming.
Then, soar over the abundant Kona Coffee farms, where you'll see rows of coffee plants stretching across the landscape.
Emerging from the dense farmland, the underwater wonders of Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve come into sight. The bay is renowned for its vibrant coral reefs adorning the coast and diverse marine life.
Nestled within the marine preserve, glimpse at the historic Captain Cook Monument. The landmark commemorating the famous explorer's final resting place.
Take a poignant turn around the sacred grounds known as the Place of Refuge, a site of rich cultural and historical significance to naive Hawaiians.
Then, fly to the unique geological formations of the KaUpulehu Crater, offering breathtaking views of the island's volcanic landscape.
Climb over the majestic Hualalai Volcano, one of the five shield volcanoes that form the Big Island. It's peak standing at 8,278 feet above sea level.
Exiting the volcanic terrain, explore the lush expanse of the Pu'u Wa'awa'a Forest Reserve. The forest is home to the Big Island's diverse group of flora and fauna.
Once again meeting the coast, enjoy the scenic views of A Bay. Known for its golden sand beach and calm waters, Anaehoomalu Bay is a must-see.
Next, marvel at the tranquil turquoise waters of Kiholo Bay, a beautiful spot for swimming and viewing wildlife.
Conclude your tour with a glimpse of the secluded beauty of Makalawena Beach, known for its pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Service animals allowed
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Safety of flight is our primary concern. The operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or appear to be intoxicated. Intoxicated passengers will not fly and they will be charged in full.
- For doors off tours, jackets and/or sweatshirts, closed toe shoes, and hair ties are required. Long pants are recommended.
- For each guest weighing 250 pounds or more, a weight and balance fee is required to safely balance the aircraft. For guests weighing between 250-275 lbs, a fee in the amount of 50% of the seat price will be assessed after booking. For guests weighing 275 lbs or higher, an additional seat purchase will be assessed after booking.
- All passengers 24 months and older must purchase a full fare seat.
- When booking the doors off experience, your seat may or may not be directly adjacent to an open door.
Reviews(19)
I flew with the doors off with Michael as my pilot, he was fantastic. Wilson was an amazing pre flight guide as well. Will definitely fly with them again if the chance ever comes up. HIGHLY recommend doing this on the first day of your trip, as it allows for planning and additions on the trip.
Definitely a must do! Recommend doing early in your trip because we got great recommendations from our pilot of things to do on the island! JoJo was an amazing pilot and getting to see volcanoes from the air is once in a lifetime! Do the doors off, you won't regret it!
Our helicopter tour was a lot of fun and BEAUTIFUL Wilson at the office and our pilot were very accommodating
An excellent tour - well organized, nice staff, and beautiful vistas of the north and west coasts of the Big Island. This was a true highlight for our first visit to the Big Island. We did the doors on experience instead of doors off - glad we chose doors on for comfort and temperature. We would highly recommend Rainbow Helicopters. A great experience with stunning scenery and good explanations along the way from the pilot. Definitely worth it.
Arrival is easy using the map they send. Checkin is quick and straightforward. The flight was amazing! Beautiful views and the Pilot/ tour guide is super knowledgeable. We had Jojo and he was smooth on the controls, answered all our questions and showed us some beautiful sites. You get down in the valleys to see the waterfalls which was awesome. We booked the 8AM time slot and it was a little chilly with doors off. We had pants and long sleeved shirts and jackets. So be sure to dress accordingly.
Aloha, We really appreciate you taking the time to leave such a detailed review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed your flight along the Kona Coast and got to experience the waterfalls and valleys up close. Hawaii Island has some truly breathtaking sights, and we’re so glad we could share them with you! It’s wonderful to hear that your experience from check-in to check-out was smooth and enjoyable. Our team takes great pride in making every flight informative, memorable, and full of incredible views. We appreciate your note about the doors-off flight — it can get chilly, so we recommend wearing long sleeves, pants, and a jacket to stay comfortable. We hope to have the chance to fly with you again and share even more of Hawaii’s stunning landscapes and hidden gems from the skies! Mahalo, The Rainbow Helicopters Team 🚁🌈
Intense, breathtaking, matchless, as it reveals some parts of the island you would have never seen otherwise. And the whole Rainbow team was super professional and kind, with special thanks to Jojo, who is a wonderful pilot, passionate about the Island, its history and its land.
Aloha Servane, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We’re thrilled you found your flight over the Kona Coast breathtaking and unforgettable — the perspective you get from the air is truly unmatched. Jojo and the entire Rainbow team take great pride in sharing the island’s beauty, history, and unique landscapes with every guest, and we’re so glad this was reflected in your experience! We truly appreciate your kind words and can’t wait to fly with you again soon! Mahalo, The Rainbow Helicopters Team 🚁🌈
Breathtaking views up above ocean and Big Island. Best helicopter ride so far with pilot up front best view! We were 3,000 ft most of the time but went up to mountain in the clouds at 10,000 ft. It was a little chilly then.
Aloha, We’re so glad you took the time to share your experience! Seeing the beauty of the Big Island from the air is truly breathtaking, encompassing the stunning mountains, volcano, and ocean all in one. We’re thrilled to hear it was the best helicopter ride you’ve taken — our team loves creating flights that are smooth, memorable, and full of incredible sights for every guest. We appreciate your note about it getting chilly. For our doors-off guests, we recommend long pants and a jacket to ensure comfort, as it can get cooler than expected at higher altitudes. We’d love to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure soon and show you even more of Hawaii’s stunning landscapes! Mahalo, The Rainbow Helicopters Team 🚁🌈
Jeff was a great pilot and very knowledgeable. Felt safe the entire time! It was beautiful from the air!
Aloha Pattie, Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re thrilled to hear that Jeff made your flight enjoyable and that you felt safe while taking in the stunning views from above. Experiencing the beauty of the Kona Coast and Hualālai Volcano from the air is truly special, and we’re so glad you loved it. We’d be delighted to welcome you back for another amazing flight whenever you return to the islands! Mahalo, The Rainbow Helicopters Team
Things couldn't have been easier. The place was easy to find, the staff was super friendly, the pilot was very knowledgeable and also super friendly, and the helicopter ride itself was amazing. Couldn't be happier with how things went.
Aloha Anthony, Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that everything from finding our location to the flight itself was seamless. It’s fantastic that your pilot’s expertise and our staff's friendliness made your volcano flight so memorable. Creating safe, smooth, and engaging tours is what we aim for, and we’re so glad you enjoyed every moment. We’d love to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure over the islands! Mahalo, The Rainbow Helicopters Team
The helicopter ride (doors off) was fun enough. This tour was more of a coast tour. You don’t actually get to see the volcano ( well not the big ones) so that was disappointing. I’ll take the blame for that though for not reading it more carefully. It said volcano tour but not Mauna Loa. Or Mauna Kea The issue we had was their disorganization. Our tour originally was for 8 a.m. The evening before they called to move it to 9. That’s fine. The next morning they called while we were on our way to reschedule again to an 11 departure. We showed up at 10:30 per their instructions and didn’t actually leave until about noon. They make you wear these goofy goggles. If we’d have known all of this, we would’ve definitely canceled. We took a helicopter in Kauai and it was so much better.
Aloha Linda, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! We’re really glad to hear you enjoyed the doors-off experience and the tour itself — it’s such an incredible way to take in everything Hawaiʻi Island has to offer. Regarding your feedback, we completely understand how valuable our guests’ time is, and we only make day-of adjustments when it’s absolutely necessary for weather or safety. Our team works hard to ensure every departure meets those standards before guests take off, and we do our best to prevent any unnecessary delays or waiting. We truly appreciate your patience while we prepared the aircraft for a safe and smooth experience. We also appreciate your comments about the tour route. Our Hualālai experience highlights the Kona shoreline and the unique volcanic features of Hualālai, and your feedback is a helpful reminder of where we can continue to clarify those distinctions for guests who may be unfamiliar with the island’s geography. We would truly appreciate the opportunity to speak with you further about your experience — please feel free to reach us at 808-492-8706 at your convenience. Thank you again for flying with us and for sharing both what you enjoyed and what we can improve. We look forward to connecting with you soon! Mahalo, The Rainbow Helicopters Team
