Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & Helicopter Tour
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
Escape to another Hawaiian island for a day on this all-inclusive island-hopping tour. Indulge on your vacation and leave the planning to us! Interisland roundtrip airfare from Oahu to Hilo, roundtrip transportation from the Hilo Airport (ITO), a sightseeing land tour with lunch and adventurous 45 minute helicopter tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters are all included.
This once-in-a-lifetime, comprehensive Volcano Adventure transports you to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to experience the world famous, recently erupted, active volcanoes - Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Your expert driver-guide will share the legends and cultural significance of famous sites and point out scenic wonders along the way. The afternoon helicopter tour follows the sightseeing experience, offering a birds-eye view of recent volcanic activity (weather permitting), cascading waterfalls and towering mountains and deep, verdant valleys.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Passengers must provide full name as shown on ID, date of birth, and gender at the time of booking per TSA requirements
Once reservation is made, tour is non-refundable and non-changeable
Interisland flight times and routes are subject to change
Special needs requests must be called in to the local supplier at least 1 week prior to tour date
Weight Restrictions: Due to FAA regulations, all passengers and bags must be weighed at check-in for the helicopter tour. Each passenger weighing over 240 pounds will be contacted and assessed a 'comfort seat' charge for an additional seat, payable directly to the tour operator. This is for the safety and comfort of all passengers. It is important to provide accurate body weight at checkout.
The interisland airfare may fluctuate based on flight availability. Additional fees may be required to be paid by the customer in these cases.
Passengers with asthma and other respiratory problems should please consider other tour offerings to avoid potential health problems resulting from exposure to fumes
Lava sightings not guaranteed
IMPORTANT: The name you enter at the time of booking must exactly match what appears on your valid government-issued I.D. photo I.D. that you will use during travel. This is a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and FAA requirement and there is no flexibility with this policy. A valid government-issued ID (passport for non-US citizens) is required on the day of travel. If a passenger is denied boarding, there will be no refund.
If the helicopter tour is cancelled by the provider, you'll receive a refund for the helicopter portion (at a rate determined by the tour provider) and be welcomed on an extended sightseeing tour. If you choose to abort the sightseeing portion of the tour and would like to return to Honolulu earlier than your return flight is scheduled, you will be responsible for all flight change fees with the airlines. A refund for the sightseeing portion of the tour is not guaranteed. Before aborting the tour, you are required to contact the tour provider.
What To Expect
Mandatory 45 minute safety briefing. Kilauea fly-over is not guaranteed; dependent on existing weather conditions.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Home to Hawaii's active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Kilauea's latest eruption in June 2023 spewed fountains of lava up to 50 feet high.
Options
Tour w/ Lunch & Helicopter
Sightseeing Tour Lunch 45 Minute Helicopter Tour
What‘s Included
Interisland R/T airfare (overage charges may apply)
Tour narration by a professional driver/guide
Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle
45 minute helicopter tour (Blue Hawaiian Helicopters)
Gratuities
Helicopter comfort seat surcharge (for those over 240 lbs.)
Airline flight overage charges
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
63 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing day trip to Hilo
Marilyn Z,May 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We were looking forward to going on the helicopter ride over the volcano on this excursion, but it got canceled due to the bad weather. Other than that disappointment (weather is not controllable), we had an amazing tour guide, Dexter. Dexter was very knowledgeable about the big island, and took us to very interesting sites. Great experience! I would very much recommend this tour, especially with Dexter!
Very long and wet day.
Michael B,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Guide was informative but repetitive. He did his best given the weather. Viator did not communicate correct flight information. Kona low and recent eruption caused multiple closures.
Great day! Highly recommend
Dogmoma3,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful tour and tour guide
Best bus tour driver! He was great!
janicewN1533MJ,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kimoke’o He was great. Knowledgeable. Nice.
Kimoke’o-excellent!!
rungal60,Dec 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our driver was entertaining and knowledgeable. We enjoyed the trip. Driver Kimoke’o was our driver. He was nice. Very prompt. Kept us on time.
Great experience all...
Bobby O,Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience all around. Would have bought the video but for 150.00 it was too much. I think they would get more takers at a 80.00 mark, but what do I know. It didn’t help That and I was not visible in the video based on where I was sitting. That should have been part of the coat package. I would have paid slightly more up front. Not 300$ more as they wanted to charge. Second seat on the back right behind the pilot is not visible to the camera. Blue Hawaiian helps are great. Pilot was amazing, entertaining and former military pilot 20 years so we were in good hands. The views that the helo takes you over is a great precursor to the drive later. Everett was knowledgable through out the drive as he is a local that lives on the Island! Waterfall and Crater was a highlight…. Would likely do those again and rent a car to see things on my own next time now that I know the area. Overall quality service, lunch and water included. No issues with giving the team 5 stars.
Exciting, informative, and absolutely beautiful
amylP5248GX,Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had such an amazing experience on this tour. We chose to include the helicopter tour as well. All stops at different locations went super smooth and we learned so much from our guide Dexter. He really was so kind and took extra time to take some photos of us at cool spots. We learned a lot about Hawaii and its history. Very glad we spent our day on this beautiful tour!
Amazing day trip to the Big Island!
MGeo76,Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the most amazing experience on this day trip! Flights were prearranged from Oahu, without a hitch. Dexter was extraordinary in his knowledge and passion for the Big Island and Hilo. Just an amazing day, if you get Dexter as your guide you will not be disappointed.
A day to remember!
annettegL7956KX,Sep 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great day out! Eric, Juliana & especially Dave (Chewy) the pilot at Blue Hawaiian Helicopters were amazing. And then Dexter at Polynesian Adventure Tours - what a lovely gentleman and full of so much local knowledge & obvious love for his home, not to mention amazing eruption pics!
Great way to see volcano!
Shari S,Aug 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a comprehensive way to get to see Kilauea and other interesting Hilo sites. Tourguide Dexter was excellent.
Related Experiences
Operated by Polynesian Adventure Tours