riverdees05
TUG Member
Is it better to do the Helicopter in the morning or afternoon on Hawaii (Big Island)? We are want to see lava and as I understand with the new lava flow that is about the only way to see it.
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Helicopter Big Island Question
- Thread starter riverdees05
- Start date
Big Island Helicopter rides
In general, flying weather is better in the morning. The two factors are clouds and wind.
You are more likely to have clouds building up in the afternoon over the Volcano.
Also, the wind picks up in the afternoon.
If you fly from Hilo Airport, you are closer to the Volcano and may not be as affected by the winds, but if you flu from Waikoloa, the winds can become a major factor.
In general, flying weather is better in the morning. The two factors are clouds and wind.
You are more likely to have clouds building up in the afternoon over the Volcano.
Also, the wind picks up in the afternoon.
If you fly from Hilo Airport, you are closer to the Volcano and may not be as affected by the winds, but if you flu from Waikoloa, the winds can become a major factor.
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T_R_Oglodyte
TUG Lifetime Member
Lava viewing and weather conditions are highly variable. After a some time of steady flow from Pu'u O'o and buildup of a lava pool in the crater at the top, a few months ago new cracks opened between Pu'u O'o and the summit. All of the magma that was in Pu'u O'o and in Halema'uma'u at the summit drained out in a matter of hours. That area erupted for some time, then it shut down and lava flow shifted back to the base of Pu'u O'o and Halema'uma'u began refilling with magma. Things can change daily.
As to weather for a heli tour, while mornings are often better that is not always the case. Two weeks ago the clouds were less heavy in the afternoon. We hiked to Pu'u Huluhulu to do nighttime viewing, but just before sunset the clouds came in and completely obscured Pu'u O'o.
As to weather for a heli tour, while mornings are often better that is not always the case. Two weeks ago the clouds were less heavy in the afternoon. We hiked to Pu'u Huluhulu to do nighttime viewing, but just before sunset the clouds came in and completely obscured Pu'u O'o.
chewie
TUG Member
We were there in Kona in July and also wanted to take a helicopter to see the lava. We got to see the lava pool in the POo OO (or PooPoo OH OH thingie) (sp) mini-caldera. I just couldn't get over the price to fly in a helicopter.
We were down in Kailua-Kona by the Bubba Gump shrimp restaurant and one of those little hole-in-the-wall tour sellers was offering flights for a Circle the Island in airplane for around $150. Thought it was too good to be true, and it really wasn't. Instead of the $150 for the Circle the Island, we settled on a 1 hour flight to see the lava in that Puu Ooo(sp) vent. It only cost us $98 per person, and Dale (the pilot) was awesome! You will have to drive over to Hilo and fly out of the Hilo airport, but we thought it was well worth it. Actually, it was one of the highlights of our 2 week trip. Most of those little tour seller places are simply fronts for timeshare sales, so immediately ask if they are pushing a timeshare tour. If they are, just say no thanks and move on. There are a couple in that little area there that have no 'timeshare motive' and can simply just get you good deals on tours.
Save yourself some serious money and take the airplane. Here is the URL for Iolani Air - http://www.iolaniair.com/
They will sell you the $98 per person for the 1 hour flight to see the lava flow and Napoopoo vent.
We were down in Kailua-Kona by the Bubba Gump shrimp restaurant and one of those little hole-in-the-wall tour sellers was offering flights for a Circle the Island in airplane for around $150. Thought it was too good to be true, and it really wasn't. Instead of the $150 for the Circle the Island, we settled on a 1 hour flight to see the lava in that Puu Ooo(sp) vent. It only cost us $98 per person, and Dale (the pilot) was awesome! You will have to drive over to Hilo and fly out of the Hilo airport, but we thought it was well worth it. Actually, it was one of the highlights of our 2 week trip. Most of those little tour seller places are simply fronts for timeshare sales, so immediately ask if they are pushing a timeshare tour. If they are, just say no thanks and move on. There are a couple in that little area there that have no 'timeshare motive' and can simply just get you good deals on tours.
Save yourself some serious money and take the airplane. Here is the URL for Iolani Air - http://www.iolaniair.com/
They will sell you the $98 per person for the 1 hour flight to see the lava flow and Napoopoo vent.
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Weather in Hawaii is always changeable. On Kauai we always recommend the morning flights because the clouds roll in. But on Hawaii we had a flight cancelled due to rain in the morning. Luckily for us they flew in the afternoon and in the time period in between lava had broken out above ground so we had a great shot.
One thing to remember is the volcano is in a rain forest area. As such it is subject to rain, and sometimes it can be heavy. I recommend booking any flights you would like to take over the volcano early in the trip in case a flight is cancelled due to weather.
One thing to remember is the volcano is in a rain forest area. As such it is subject to rain, and sometimes it can be heavy. I recommend booking any flights you would like to take over the volcano early in the trip in case a flight is cancelled due to weather.
tompalm
TUG Member
Concur with the plane trip if you want to save money. However, if you want the helicopter flight, here is a good web site to look at a video of the big island and all the islands. They have a DVD for sale $25 plus $6 for shipping and probably worth getting if you plan to take a flight.
https://www.bluehawaiian.com/bigisland/tours/
https://www.bluehawaiian.com/bigisland/tours/
T_R_Oglodyte
TUG Lifetime Member
If all you want to see is the lava, an airplane is probably fine. A helicopter trip is better if you are into photography as a hobby.
Also if you want to see the waterfalls on the Kohala Coast a helicopter is the only way to do it. An airplane can only do a flyby of the three or four waterfalls on the sea cliffs, whereas with a helicoper you can see about thirty of forty waterfalls inside the Waipo'o and Waipi'o Valleys, as wells as get inside the "keyhole" where there are about 10 waterfalls coming down around you on three sides; very similar to Wai'ale'ale on Kaua'i.