The Big Island of Hawaii is a truly unique and magical destination. It is the largest of the Hawaiian islands and is home to various stunning landscapes and natural wonders. One of the most popular activities on the Big Island is taking a helicopter tour to see the island’s active volcano. When we did our helicopter ride, Puʻu ʻŌʻō was still erupting. Nowadays, Kilauea is the active volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, and the Hawaii helicopter rides you can join.

Helicopter tours offer an incredible way to experience the beauty and power of active volcanoes like Kilauea and Puʻu ʻŌʻō. These tours typically take off from the island’s airports – either Kona or Hilo – and fly over the stunning coastline and lush forests before reaching the volcano itself. From the air, you can see the glowing red lava as it flows down the volcanoes’ slopes and into the ocean.

Open-Door Helicopter Tour Hawaii Big Island

One of the most exciting aspects of a helicopter tour is the option to take an open-door flight. This means that the helicopter door is removed, allowing you to have an unrestricted view of the volcano and the surrounding landscape. It is a truly exhilarating experience and one that is not to be missed. And that’s exactly what we did during our Big Island travel.

During the flight, our pilot provided informative commentary about the history and geology of the area, as well as the current status of the volcanoes. We also had the opportunity to take some amazing photos, so be sure to bring your camera.

Open-door helicopter ride

Big Island’s Active Volcanoes

Puʻu ʻŌʻō (often spelled Puu Oo) was one of the active volcanoes on the Big Island when we traveled on the island and had been continuously erupting from 1983 to 2018. This decades-long eruption makes Puu Ooo the longest erupting volcano and covered several sections of the island with buildings, a coastal highway, and ancient Hawaiian sites.

Kilauea is an active volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and has been erupting almost continuously since 1983. Kilauea is located within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, which is a popular destination for tourists who want to see the volcano up close. Its ongoing eruptions and stunning caldera offer a unique and unforgettable experience.

Flying over an active volcano

The volcano’s eruptions are a powerful and awe-inspiring sight. Lava flows from the volcano’s summit and down its slopes, often reaching the Pacific Ocean and creating stunning displays of steam and ash. In addition to the lava flows, Kilauea is also known for its large caldera or crater.

Hot lava flow

Big Island Landscape

In addition to the volcano, helicopter tours also provide an opportunity to see other parts of the Big Island from a unique perspective. We flew over the island’s beautiful beaches, the incredible Hilo waterfalls, and the verdant Puna rainforests, as well as the island’s famous coffee plantations and macadamia nut farms.

Flying close over the active volcano

Overall, a helicopter tour to see the volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii is a truly unforgettable experience. It offers the opportunity to see one of the world’s most active volcanoes up close, as well as the chance to take in the incredible beauty of the island from above.

Have you been to Big Island? Did you take a helicopter tour? What was your experience? Share your comments with us!

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