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Blue Hawaiian Helicopters – Review of Tours

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters – Review of Tours

When people dream of Hawaii they imagine rugged cliffs towering over the Pacific Ocean, endless expanses of spectacular white beaches, vivid coral reefs, lush rainforests atop volcanic mountainsides, and cascading waterfalls.

Live Your Aloha

Sure, you can walk on the white sand and snorkel above the coral gardens. But how do you scale the vertical slope of a volcanic crater thousands of feet above sea level or experience panoramic views of remote mountain valleys? Some of Hawaii’s pristine (and prehistoric) landmarks simply aren’t accessible by road or foot to the average traveler. That’s what makes them so unique and special.

This is why helicopter tours are a must-do activity for adventurers traveling to Hawaii on vacation. They give you a first-class seat to experience Hawaii like people can only dream of witnessing. Like a prehistoric bird, you will fly across majestic landscapes and photograph incredible topographical features that cannot be seen anywhere else on the planet.

Experience Hawaii Like Never Before

In order to partake in such a unique experience, you need a world-class helicopter tour company. Someone that’s been in the business long before it was considered cool to fly into volcanic craters and up the sides of cascading waterfalls.

You need a helicopter tour company that knows the Hawaiian Islands like a neighborhood map. One that is guided by the Hawaiian spirit, with a remarkable legacy that embodies the ancient splendor of Hawaii itself.

Because with this prestige and commitment comes some of the most outstanding aircraft and helicopter pilots in the world. These consummate professionals understand their craft and have intimate knowledge of the surrounding landscape, providing your first helicopter ride with a personalized experience (and smooth ride) which you’ll never forget!

‘Jurassic Park’ (1993)

Do you remember the iconic scene from the film ‘Jurassic Park’ when the scientists first arrive on the island and are transported by helicopter to the base of Jurassic Falls? Remember how wondrous and exciting that felt on the big screen? Now image that in real life.

Enter Blue Hawaiian Helicopters (a Hawaii certified tour operator).

Comparison Table

Let’s take a quick look at a comparison table of each exclusive Blue Hawaiian helicopter tour of the Big Island, Maui, and Oahu:

IMAGE

TOUR

DETAILS

EXPERIENCE KILAUEA!

girl snorkeling with sharks

Circle of Fire Plus Waterfalls

  • Length: 50 minutes
  • Departure Point: Hilo
  • Aircraft: Airbus EC130 “Eco-Star” or Airbus AS350 “A-Star”
  • Options: Free transportation; Free cancellation (72 hours notice)
  • Price: Starting at $295

EXPLORE EPIC MAUI

sunset cruise

Complete Island Maui

  • Length: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Departure Point: Kahului
  • Aircraft: Airbus EC130 “Eco-Star” or Airbus AS350 “A-Star”
    Options: Free transportation; Free cancellation (72 hours notice)
  • Price: Starting at $449

180° VIEWS OF THE HEART OF HAWAII

sunset cruise

Blue Skies of Oahu

  • Length: 45 – 50 minutes
  • Departure Point: Honolulu
  • Aircraft: Airbus EC130 “Eco-Star” or Airbus AS350 “A-Star”
  • Options: Free transportation; Free cancellation (72 hours notice)
  • Price: Starting at $274

TOUR 

DETAILS

EXPERIENCE KILAUEA!

fun parasailing on Oahu and Waikiki

Circle of Fire Plus Waterfalls

  • Length: 50 minutes
  • Departure Point: Hilo
  • Aircraft: Airbus EC130 “Eco-Star” or Airbus AS350 “A-Star”
  • Options: Free transportation; Free cancellation (72 hours notice)
  • Price: Starting at $295

EXPLORE EPIC MAUI

fun parasailing on Oahu and Waikiki

Complete Island Maui

  • Length: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Departure Point: Kahului
  • Aircraft: Airbus EC130 “Eco-Star” or Airbus AS350 “A-Star”
    Options: Free transportation; Free cancellation (72 hours notice)
  • Price: Starting at $449

180° VIEWS OF THE HEART OF HAWAII

a couple parasailing in hawaii

Blue Skies of Oahu

  • Length: 45 – 50 minutes
  • Departure Point: Honolulu
  • Aircraft: Airbus EC130 “Eco-Star” or Airbus AS350 “A-Star”
  • Options: Free transportation; Free cancellation (72 hours notice)
  • Price: Starting at $274

The helicopter that takes you on your aerial adventure has a big impact on the quality of your overall experience, so it is very important to understand your aircraft before you book any helicopter tour.

Blue Hawaiian’s helicopter fleet is comprised of the best touring helicopters in the industry. It features state-of-the-art Airbus “Eco-Star” helicopters—the premier touring chopper of the 21st century. Moreover, all Blue Hawaiian helicopters incorporate the latest in cutting-edge technologies, materials, avionic systems, safety features and offer unsurpassed passenger comfort with sweeping views.

 

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters have an experience of more than three decades that helps them leverage their abilities to provide unmatched services.

Blue Hawaiian Helicopter tours has been a leading helicopter tour company in Hawaii since 1985. It’s the only Hawaii certified tour guides that offers a chartered helicopter tour across the four major islands: Hawai’i, Maui, O’ahu, and Kaua’i. Blue Hawaiian has won the 6-Star Diamond Award for hospitality services (and dozens more awards & recognitions).

The best thing about Blue Hawaiian is their fleet of world-class touring helicopters. It includes one of the largest fleets of Airbus EC130 T2 (now known as the Airbus H130) and Robinson civilian models. These helicopters have the most advanced avionics, safety features and business-class style seats. You will experience a level of comfort and compassion that will only elevate your helicopter tour experience to new heights.

In addition to that, each of Blue Hawaiian helicopters are painted in a deep shade of blue (remember ‘Jurassic Park’)?

Moreover, there’s no more amazing pilot than a Blue Hawaiian pilot. These women and men are loved and respected by their customers. They provide detailed tour narration about the diverse geography of Kauai island which helps the passengers gain a deeper insight into the island’s history.

Airbus EC130 T2 (HC130) “Eco-Star”

The long duration flights turn out to be a fine experience for every travel enthusiast (and the awesome experience is always over too soon).

Blue Hawaiian believes in keeping quality above anything. This is evidently visible by the zealous services they provide. They give special attention to understanding the expectations of their valued customers and work on making the flight experience of the customers phenomenal.

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters hardly cancel their scheduled flights and keep the clients updated about weather developments. Keep in mind that Hawaiian weather is characterized by unexpected showers of rain and pilots do have the right to cancel flights at any time due to poor weather.

Now let’s go over the 3 major islands for which we’ve listed an exclusive Blue Hawaiian helicopter tour:

Hawaii (‘The Big Island’, ‘The Orchid Isle’)

The Big Island of Hawai’i is the biggest landmass in Polynesia and the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago (covering around 4,000 square miles). In fact, it’s almost twice as large as all the Hawaiian islands put together!

The Climate Zones of Hawaii

Hawaii is paradise on Earth. There is nothing else on the planet that even comes close. It’s among the most climactically diverse places on the planet (with 10 of the world’s 14 climate zones). This diversity allows the entire island to be marked by unique landscapes like tropical rainforests, waterfalls, snow-capped mountain peaks, and Mount Kilauea – the planet’s most active volcanic mass. What an unbelievable place!

There is no better way to take in the abundance of life and biodiversity the Big Island has to offer than by helicopter flight. This is why a Blue Hawaiian Big Island tour is filled with absolutely breathtaking opportunities to capture amazing views of the incredibly diverse landscape.

The Orchid Isle

The Big Island of Hawaii is filled with incredible sightseeing landmarks like rugged cliffs, lava formations, ancient valleys, and national parks. Going on a private, chartered aerial tour is the best way to capture the authenticity and majestic beauty of Hawaii (you want nearly panoramic views for some of these locations).

Maui (‘The Valley Isle’)

Maui has been called “the world’s best island”. Does that say enough? Well, find out why by exploring Maui’s amazing hidden gems from the sky!

The Valley Isle

Maui has and always be a legendary island of magisterial beauty. A lot of people think of Maui as the most exotic island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Indeed, the island of Maui is known for it’s incredibly lush and diverse landscapes (including some of the most beautiful beaches in the world).

Maui is the perfect place to take a guided helicopter tour to witness stunning panoramic views and amazing topographical features before you head back before sunset to grab a Mai Tai at a relaxing Maui luau. There are vast expanses of untouched coastline and ancient valleys deep in the tropical rainforest (with waterfalls only accessible by air).

Oahu (‘The Gathering Place’)

Oahu is where Hawaii’s culture heritage is preserved and where people of different cultures meet to experience the rich Polynesian history of Hawai’i.

You cant help but become intoxicated by the Aloha spirit that permeates the “Heart of Hawaii”. The island is the cultural and economic hub of Hawaii (with its capital city of Honolulu), attracting millions of annual visitors.

The Gathering Place (Honolulu, Oahu)

There are many landmark sites to visit in Oahu from the Pearl Harbor National Memorial to views of Oahu skyline, downtown Honolulu, Ko’olau mountain, Magic Island, and the legendary Waikiki Beach. Scuba diving in Oahu is big thing too, especially considering how many Navy shipwrecks are located in the area.

Other natural wonders include Diamond Head, Mount Olomana, and the Nuuanu Valley. All make for a perfect opportunity to catch a glimpse from the sky!

Now let’s learn more about each of the selected Blue Hawaiian chartered helicopter tours:

Circle of Fire

Mount Kilauea

This amazing aerial tour is all about experiencing the breathtaking majesty of Mount Kilauea (the most active of the five shield volcanoes). This massive and unpredictable volcano has been erupting for a very long time! It has shaped the Big Island in the most unique and incredible way.

Blue Hawaiian’s Circle of Fire helicopter tour will take you on a volcano seeking adventure where you will not only witness Kilauea and Madame Pele, but the astounding landscapes surrounding each – from black sand beaches, lush rainforests, to newly formed land masses from active lava flows. You can hike your way up the volcano and then get picked up by Blue Hawaiian to see the lava from the air. Experience the raw power of nature looking down from above!

Features:

  • Volcanoes
  • Lush valleys
  • Tropical rainforests

Complete Island Maui

Hana Bay (Maui)

You already know that Maui is one of the greatest and most magical islands in the world. So what better way to explore it by traversing the entire island from East to West! That’s what Blue Hawaiian Helicopters Tours’ Complete Island Maui adventure is all about (a complete aerial view of the island of Maui from coast to coast).

You can expect to fly across the whole island from the West Maui mountains to the Northeast shoreline, enjoying an amazing panoramic view the whole time. Some of the famous landmarks you will see include Hana Town (and the Hana rainforest), Ohe’o Gulch, and the Haleakala crater. You will clearly understand why Maui is known as ‘The Valley Isle’. You’ll experience phenomenal views of Maui in a way that no other helicopter tour company can provide.

Waianapanapa (Maui)

Features:

  • Volcanoes
  • Lush valleys
  • Cascading waterfalls
  • Coastline
  • Tropical rainforests

Blue Skies of O’ahu

Oahu is another island where remarkable natural (and man-made) landmarks exist all over the island. The Blue Skies of Oahu helicopter tour gives you an amazingly complete opportunity to catch some of the most breathtaking scenery on Oahu during a single afternoon.

Diamond Head

The island of Oahu (‘The Gathering Place’), like the other major islands of Hawaii, is filled with phenomenal natural landscapes and topographical features which cannot always be experienced by foot. The Blue Skies of Oahu specializes in targeting those unique and remote destinations and giving you the opportunity to see them from an unbelievable birds eye view.

You can expect to witness Oahu’s lush rainforests, river valleys, as well as remarkable historical heritage sites. You will fly over iconic landmarks like Waikiki Beach, the extinct Diamond Head volcano (a popular hiking spot for Presidents), and the stunning Hanauama Bay. Last but not least, you can pay homage to the fallen warriors at Pearl Harbor National Memorial.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial (USS Arizona)

Features:

  • Historic memorials
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Tropical rainforests

Prepare For Liftoff

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters is the leading helicopter service provider in the whole of Hawaii Islands. They have the most well-trained staff that exuberate a warmth that captivates the attention of customers.

The pilots are highly trained and provide the best in class service during flight tours and adhere to the Aloha Spirit – the spirit of friendliness. Every chartered flight is piloted by consummate Hawaii Certified Tour Guides who provide fantastic tour narration of the surrounding area.

Quality and unfaltering dedication has been the main priority of Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tours since its inception over 30 years ago. They have been honored with dozens of industry awards and recognitions for hospitality and service. In fact, Blue Hawaiian is the only tour company in Hawaii (out of all other helicopter tour company) to receive the Federal Aviation Administration’s “Certificate of Excellence Diamond Award” each year since 1997.

Now there are a few things to consider before you book your personal tour with Blue Hawaiian.

Keep in mind that it can get very bright outside under certain weather conditions. On bright and sunny days at high elevation, it is recommended to dress in dark colors in order to prevent light reflection from interfering with your panoramic views. Don’t forget to wear polarized sunglasses.

Always provide accurate body weight when booking tours. There will be a pre-flight passenger weighing check in. There are also specific rules regarding passenger additional seat weight restrictions explained in the detailed listings above.

An empty adjacent seat is required for each guest weighing more than 260 lbs.. The additional charge for the empty adjacent seat is 50% off. This rule ensures comfort seat for you and all of our guests, and provides aircraft safety balance.

Any child under 24 months of age is welcome as a lap child at no charge. Children 24 months and over require an individual full-fare seat.

Always trust your tour guide. The entire staff at Blue Hawaiian is there to guide you and provide the most unforgettable experience of your life.

Pilots always have the right to cancel flights due to inclement weather no matter how safe most travelers think the flight will be. Other important considerations will be explained during the short safety briefing and safety video before departure time.

Blue Hawaiian’s Kauai Experience

Always be aware of your original departure point, takeoff time of actual flight, and that public transportation may be required for some tours.

Last but not least, Blue Hawaiian offers a wide variety of tours which aren’t listed in this guide. We only included 3 of their most exclusive tours ofthe Big Island, Maui, and Oahu. But they also offer some of the best Kauai Helicopter Tours to choose from (where you can witness the incredible Na Pali coast and the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’). Each has its own picturesque destinations waiting to be witnessed by the passengers.

Author

  • Elizabeth L

    Aloha! I’m Elizabeth L. At LiveYourAloha, I am responsible for writing about sightseeing tours and Hawaiian culture. For the last 12 years, I’ve been working as a tour guide in Hawaii. It’s been a great way to see the world and learn about new cultures. I love nature and the outdoors, and have even climbed two of the world’s highest peaks! Making connections and showing my visitors the incredible beauty of these beautiful islands is a passion of mine. When I’m not out giving tours, you’ll likely find me on an invigorating hike or enjoying local cuisine on the beach.