Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & Helicopter Tour

Oahu , United States

Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & Helicopter Tour

Active

(58 reviews)

12h

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Instant confirmation

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

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.

Available options

Tour w/ Lunch & Helicopter

Sightseeing Tour<br/>Lunch<br/>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)

Detailed itinerary

Mandatory 45 minute safety briefing. Kilauea fly-over is not guaranteed; dependent on existing weather conditions.

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.

Stop 3 Pass by

Chain of Craters Road is a 19-mile (31 km) long winding paved road through the East Rift and coastal area of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawaii. Some areas are inaccessible.

Stop 4

Active shield volcano housed in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Last erupted in June 2023 when vents spewed lava from within Halema'uma'u, a pit crater in the volcano's summit caldera.

See and feel the power of the volcano through the steam vents, where ground water seeps into volcanic rock.

Stop 6

Tropical forest area featuring a long, subterranean cave formed by ancient flowing lava.

Stop 7

Beautiful waterfall, easily viewable from a lookout point and surrounded by a verdant jungle.

Stop 8 Pass by

Drive through quaint Hilo Town along magnificent Banyan tree-lined streets along Hilo's coastline known as the "Hilo Walk of Fame".

What's not included

Gratuities

Helicopter comfort seat surcharge (for those over 240 lbs.)

Airline flight overage charges

Available languages

Guide guide

Reviews breakdown

Viator 3.6

13 reviews

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

Tripadvisor 4.3

45 reviews

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

Important information

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.

Meeting point

Upon arrival at Hilo International Airport (ITO), our driver will pick you up between 8:30-8:45 AM at the BUS GROUP/TAXI Area at the end of the baggage claim building. (Located near the restrooms on the West End).

Important notes

Thank you for booking your one-day tour with Polynesian Adventure. In order to process your reservation, we need the following mandatory information.

Full name indicated on your state/driver license or foreign passport including your middle name or initial (if any) and your date of birth and gender for TSA regulations.

For the helicopter tour, please additionally provide the heights and weights of each passenger.

Adult passengers 18 and over must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel. A list of acceptable identification as required by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) can be reviewed at (https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Inter-island airfare costs tend to fluctuate daily and as a result may be subject to an overage charge per ticket. The overage charge will be collected at least 72 hours prior to the tour date.

After you book and receive a confirmation from Viator, please give us a call at 1-800-322-6011 from 7:30-5 weekdays and 7:30-4 weekends (Hawaii Standard Time) or email sales@polyad.com.

Once we speak to you, we'll send confirmed all the required travel information and then book your inter-island flight. You'll then receive a confirmation to the email you have provided upon booking that provides your flight information. You'll meet at the departure airport at the designated meeting time and check-in at the counter or the Self-Service Kiosk on your own. If you don't receive the confirmation email, please contact us.

About Oahu

Oahu, known as 'The Gathering Place,' is the third-largest of the Hawaiian Islands and home to the state capital, Honolulu. It offers a unique blend of urban attractions, historical sites, and stunning natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a diverse Hawaiian experience.

Top Attractions

Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world, known for its golden sand, clear waters, and vibrant atmosphere. It's perfect for swimming, surfing, and people-watching.

Beach Half day to full day Free

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Pearl Harbor is a historic site that commemorates the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. Visitors can tour the USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri, and the Pacific Aviation Museum.

Historical Half day to full day Free to $2.00 for the USS Arizona Memorial program

Diamond Head State Monument

Diamond Head is an iconic volcanic crater offering stunning views of Honolulu and the Pacific Ocean. The hike to the summit is moderate and rewards visitors with breathtaking panoramic views.

Nature 2-3 hours $5 per vehicle, $1 per pedestrian

Must-Try Local Dishes

Poke

A Hawaiian raw fish salad typically made with ahi tuna or salmon, soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions.

Lunch/Dinner Can be made with cooked fish or tofu for a vegetarian/vegan option.

Loco Moco

A hearty dish consisting of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and brown gravy.

Dinner Can be made with a vegetarian patty or tofu.

Shave Ice

Finely shaved ice topped with flavored syrups and often served with a scoop of ice cream or sweetened condensed milk.

Dessert Vegetarian and vegan-friendly.

Popular Activities

Hiking Surfing ATV tours Zip-lining Beach lounging Spas Sunset cruises Luaus

Best Time to Visit

December to March

This is the peak tourist season due to the winter whale-watching season and the Christmas holidays. The weather is pleasant, with occasional rain showers.

20-30°C 68-86°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: English
Widely spoken: Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino
English: Widely spoken

Currency

US Dollar (USD)

Time Zone

GMT-10:00 (Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time)

Electricity

120VV, 60HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Oahu is generally a safe destination for travelers, with low crime rates in tourist areas. However, visitors should always be aware of their surroundings and take basic safety precautions.

Important Precautions:

• Be cautious of strangers offering unsolicited help or services
• Avoid leaving valuables unattended on the beach
• Be aware of strong currents and rip tides when swimming

Getting there

By air

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport • 5 km from Honolulu

By bus

Honolulu, Waikiki

Getting around

Public transport

The Bus system is affordable and covers most of Oahu, including major attractions and neighborhoods. Fares are $3 per ride, and day passes are available.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber, Lyft

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Waikiki Honolulu North Shore

Day trips

Kualoa Ranch

30 miles from Honolulu • Full day

Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000-acre nature reserve and working cattle ranch offering a variety of outdoor activities, including ATV tours, horseback riding, and movie site tours.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

10 miles from Honolulu • Half day

Hanauma Bay is a marine life conservation district offering excellent snorkeling opportunities in a protected, pristine environment. The bay is home to a diverse range of marine life, including tropical fish, sea turtles, and dolphins.

Kualoa Ranch

30 miles from Honolulu • Full day

Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000-acre nature reserve and working cattle ranch offering a variety of outdoor activities, including ATV tours, horseback riding, and movie site tours.

Festivals

Honolulu Festival • March Merrie Monarch Festival • April

Pro tips

Visit popular attractions like Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor early in the morning to avoid crowds and heat
Rent a car for at least a few days to explore the island's diverse landscapes and attractions
Try local dishes like poke, loco moco, and shave ice for an authentic Hawaiian culinary experience
Pack light, breathable clothing and reef-safe sunscreen to protect your skin and the environment
Learn a few basic Hawaiian phrases to show respect for the local culture and enhance your travel experience