Big Island's Circle of Fire Helicopter Tour in Hilo, HI

Where does the Big Island's Circle of Fire Helicopter Tour depart?

The Circle of Fire Big Island Helicopter Tour departs from the Blue Hawaiian Big Island location at the Hilo International Airport, 2200 Kekuanaoa St, Hilo, HI 96720.

What time should I check-in for the tour?

You will need to check in 45 minutes prior to your tour.

How long is this Big Island helicopter tour?

The Circle of Fire Big Island volcano helicopter tour is approximately 50 minutes.

What should we wear?

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters' aircraft are temperature controlled, so dress comfortably. Wear solid dark-colored clothing to minimize your clothing reflection in your photos. Hats are not allowed around the helicopters as they can fly up into the rotors and damage the aircraft.

Can I bring my camera?

Yes. Even if you plan to buy the inflight video, you will not want to miss an opportunity to save these memories.

Is anti-motion sickness medication recommended?

Taking a precautionary anti-motion sickness medication is a good idea if you are particularly prone to motion sickness. However, Blue Hawaiian's flights are very smooth, and turns are slow and gentle. Most people do not experience motion sickness and do not need an anti-motion sickness medication.

How much experience do the pilots have?

All Blue Hawaiian Helicopters pilots are highly experienced. Each is required to obtain certification as a State of Hawaii Tour Guide. Blue Hawaiian is the only helicopter tour company in Hawaii with its state-of-the-art Flight Simulator. It is the only one that puts its pilots through annual factory and FAA recurrent training.

Will we be the only ones in the helicopter? How is seating arranged?

You will be sharing the flight with other guests. Couples and families are seated side-by-side as much as possible. They cannot guarantee particular seating as the FAA-approved “weight and balance” program often dictates it. However, visibility from every seat is excellent in both their A-Star and Eco-Star helicopters since there are no cabin partitions that would block part of the view, as in other types of helicopters.

Does this tour have any weight restrictions?

An adjacent, empty seat purchase is required for each guest weighing more than 240 pounds. The charge for an adjacent empty seat is 50% off the regular tour price. This open seat ensures comfort for you and all of the guests on your flight.

Do they make a video of our actual tour?

Every flight is captured on a high-quality DVD. Each helicopter has four cameras; three external and one in the cabin. The video recording begins during the boarding process. You'll likely first see yourself on the video as you approach the aircraft for boarding. To orchestrate the most interesting video, the pilot chooses between the forward, side, or internal camera as the flight progresses. The cabin camera, for example, usually shows you right after lift-off. The recording is continuous until landing and includes digital quality music chosen to complement the changing scenery and the pilot's narration. The video is available for purchase right after you return from your flight.