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Hawaii Volcano Helicopter Tour - Paradise Helicopters Big Island

Overall Rating
Overall Rating 3.61 / 5.00
Category Rating
Enjoyment 3.7
Uniqueness 3.6
Value 3.5
Staff Quality 3.9
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Customer Reviews

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We had a great time!!

Reviewer: Ms. Anonymous  Posted on 11 Dec 2009
Overall Rating:
We had a great time on the Big Island tour today. The flight was
awesome. The pilot, Koji, did a terrific job. He made sure folks on
both sides of the helicopter saw the sights-Pu'u O'o, lava flowing
into the ocean, waterfalls, etc. It was our first time in a helicopter
and it was a great experience.

The reservationists were patient and informative. The folks at the
terminal were helpful, supportive and very upbeat-they truly seemed
excited for us.

We will be sure to spread the good word about your outfit.

Thank you for making the experience positive, simple and memorable for
us.
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Lava Hunting!

Reviewer: Mr. Anonymous  Posted on 29 Sep 2009
Overall Rating:
We did the "Fire & Falls" tour and loved it (although we both got a bit airsick, but that's not the company's fault, that's just because we're prone to it - the other couple with us was fine). I had picked Paradise because it was the cheapest air tour of the volcano (in terms of cost per minute), but I can't imagine why I would pay more for another company because this ride was everything we wanted.

We did the "doors off" tour and it was a 4-person helicopter (not incl. the pilot), so everyone had a fantastic view. I would highly recommend the doors-off experience. My husband is a bit afraid of heights, and even he agreed that doors-off was worth it (but a bit frightening for him). Our pilot was Jesse and he was a lot of fun.

What I loved is that if a passenger spotted lava, our pilot would circle back (as if we were "lava hunting") and make sure that everyone got a view.

The waterfalls portion was brief, and at the end. The main attraction of this tour is the volcano/ lava. You will definitely see smoke and cooled lava fields; you might get to see active lava too, which was so cool. How many people can say they've seen lava?
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Great!

Reviewer: Mr. Anonymous  Posted on 29 Sep 2009
Overall Rating:
Our group of 4 booked a "doors off" helicopter ride through Paradise Helicopters. None of our group had ever been in a helicopter before and this exceeded all of our expectations. The front desk staff was courteous and upbeat. The guy doing the safety briefing was thorough and knowledgeable while infusing some humor into the "speech". Our pilot was Joyce and we could not have asked for a better experience. Because there were 4 of us, we took every seat on the helicopter. We were concerned at first about the view from the front-middle seat, but she could still see everything, though you do miss the experience of sitting right by the window.

Joyce did a great job of going over the different areas multiple times so each side of the helicopter could see what was below. Joyce spoke clearly and slowly and we never had a problem hearing what she was saying and she would repeat the "attractions" for both sides of the helicopter.

If you have the option of choosing your pilot, you want Joyce. She helped to make the trip what it was.
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Gotta Do the Doors Off!!!

Reviewer: Ms. Robin & Julie O'Neill  Posted on 17 Sep 2009
Overall Rating:
Doors Off is the ONLY way to go!!! Mahalo so much for the awesome tour experience over the Kilauea Lava Flow. Dylan was a great pilot and was very knowledgeable about the Hawaiian terrain we were flying over. He definitely provided a great commentary and guide to the beautiful sights below us. We have taken helicopter tours before over such things as Niagara Falls, but we will not want to be flying with doors on ever again. We highly recommend the doors off experience, it is second to none
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Flying high!

Reviewer: Mr. Anonymous  Posted on 11 Sep 2009
Overall Rating:
An amazing activity definately recommended to be done on Big Island. You get a narrated tour and see the flowing lava fields and the lava hitting the sea. A once in a life time experience. You see sights that you wouldn't see from ground level. Worth every penny. Very friendly staff.
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Awesome!

Reviewer: Ms. Tracey K.  Posted on 4 Jul 2009
Overall Rating:
Paradise Helicopters is an excellent company and I would highly recommend the Fire and Falls tour out of Hilo. For three of the four of us, this was our first time in a helicopter and it was amazing. Our pilot Dylan was fantastic and gave us a personal guided tour which was great because the whole ride was very interactive. Definitely the best way to see the Volcano and Water Falls!
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Doors off

Reviewer: Mr. Glenn  Posted on 2 Jun 2009
Overall Rating:
The "doors off" was everything I had expected.....spectacular!!! Combine this with Jacks Volcano House Landing and you have a fantastic adventure. Jack Thompson met us and was a very cordial tour guide of the devastation that has occured arround his house. The pilot was an obvious experienced professional. The flight was smooth and not "white knuckle" at all. My wife was even pleasantly surprised, and she hates to fly!!!
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Open Door Experience with waterfall

Reviewer: Ms. Anonymous  Posted on 15 May 2009
Overall Rating:
We took the open door with landing at Jack's lava house. It was a very neat experience getting to walk on the lava rock. Be prepared for being wind-blown on the open doors, and take a jacket as it can be chilly in the air. Overall a very nice experience, but don't expect big "red lava flows" as that is not realistic. You can't exactly "feel the heat" and the waterfalls are not close up views they are more from a distance and thrown in at the end, But still pretty spectacular scenery!
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Worth the Money

Reviewer: Ms. BuckysGirl  Posted on 15 Mar 2009
Overall Rating:
I wavered back and forth with doing a helicopter ride since it is so expensive. My boyfriend and I went on the Falls and Fire tour, which was interesting. I am glad we did it, since much of the volcano viewing area was closed due to the fumes, but I wish we could have gone at night to see the lava flows better. It was a bit inconvenient for us due to the weather (we had to reschedule), luckily we could be a bit flexible. I would recommend a helicopter ride in Hawaii to anyone, since it is a unique experience and the views are phenomenal.
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Reviewer: Mr. Gina  Posted on 27 Jan 2009
Overall Rating:
Awesome experience, best pictures I could ever have from the off doors helicopter. The view was spectacular and the staff was awesome. Thank you!!! Cant wait to be back :)
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Feel the Heat

Reviewer: Mr. Anonymous  Posted on 15 Nov 2008
Overall Rating:
This is the most amazing ride of the life time. If you have a chance, do this tour. You won't regret it. It's worth every penny.
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Door off ride

Reviewer: Mr. Anonymous  Posted on 2 Aug 2008
Overall Rating:
There is no word to describe this experience. It's like skydiving. You have to do it to know.
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Paradise Helicopter Ride

Reviewer: Ms. Anonymous  Posted on 25 Jun 2008
Overall Rating:
This was the most amazing experience I have ever had. Our pilot, Steve, shared his vast knowledge of the big island with us. Absolutely amazing!! I would do this again in a heartbeat!
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Fantastic Experience

Reviewer: Mr. Rene  Posted on 19 Jun 2008
Overall Rating:
We had a FANTASTIC experience on the Paradise Helicopter tour!
We would do it again, the next time we travel to Hawai'i.
I've included some of my favorite pictures from the tour.
Had a GREAT time!
Aloha,
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Wonderful

Reviewer: Ms. Mary  Posted on 15 Jun 2008
Overall Rating:
Great time ! We are still talking about it.
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Once in a Lifetime!

Reviewer: Ms. Leslie  Posted on 8 May 2008
Overall Rating:
I had the amazing experience of seeing the volcano and lava field from a helicopter with the doors off! This is a once in a lifetime experience! The vantage point is unsurpassed and one really gets the feel for the enormity and power of volcanos. The volcano was very active during my flight and I could view red lava droping into the ocean, "sky lights" and brand new back sand beaches being created. During the flight you also see many of the beautiful waterfalls and varied micro-climates that make up the Big Island. My photos came out great and I was using a small, digital camera. A MUST DO!!
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HOT Ride

Reviewer: Ms. Anonymous  Posted on 28 Mar 2008
Overall Rating:
This was THE HIGHLIGHT of our honeymoon trip to Big Island. MAJESTIC is the only word we could describe the active volcano. We could feel the breath of our planet. Will do it again in a heartbeat. Thanks!
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Great Time

Reviewer: Mr. Anonymous  Posted on 16 Jan 2008
Overall Rating:
We enjoyed the trip and would recommend it to others.
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Reviewer: Ms. Miss Hardey  Posted on 1 Nov 2007
Overall Rating:
Would definitely do this again! Pilot was fabulous and sights were beautiful. Wonderful way to spend time in Hilo.
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Reviewer: Ms. MELANIE BURTON  Posted on 21 Sep 2007
Overall Rating:
It was awesome, exciting and unforgetable.
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# of Reviews: 22 1/2Page   Previous  | Next