Although not as known as Maui’s Scenic Coastline to Hana, the 45-mile Hamakua Coast from Hilo to Honoka’a is a journey with high sea cliffs, lush tropical rainforest, and waterfalls. This is a land where time appears to stand still and nature’s grandeur comes full stage.

Your tour will explore the high cliffs that drop to the foaming surf of the Pacific far below, the mountainside blanketed in green rushing mountain streams and waterfalls. This section of the Big Island’s windward coast was formed by the flanks of two volcanoes Mauna Kea and Kohala, rising in the distance beyond. Tiny hamlets, once sugar plantation towns, are scattered along the coast adding perspective to the intense display of raw nature that frames the coast today.

Features:

• See the Hamakua Coastline, Sea Cliffs, Waterfalls and Rainforests!

• We fly the ASTAR B2 with special Pilot-In-Command seat location which prevents passengers from interfering with critical flight controls.

Schedule:

• Availability: Daily

• Tour Times: Morning or Afternoon

• Duration: 65 Minutes (approx)

Recommendations:

• The only carry-on items a passenger can take on the helicopter will be cameras, cell phones & sunglasses. (Note: cell phones must be put on airplane mode.) Passengers should leave all other personal items in their car or one of our lockers that we provide.

• You’re in a helicopter with large windows on both sides & front windows and glare may occur on the windows. This is regardless of which company you choose. We ask our Guests to wear dark solid clothing to help minimize the chances of glare. 

• We recommend a wide-angle lens for your camera. We also recommend the camera be set on manual and not auto focus. Auto focus will guarantee capturing reflection. This will give you the best shots from an aerial viewpoint.

Restrictions/Requirements:

• PROHIBITED ITEMS: BAGS (this includes camera bags & purses), iPad or Tablets, Selfie sticks or handles, Binoculars and Hats.

• For safety, the FAA requires that a calculation of weight distribution be made before any and every flight. We need your participation for accuracy. Getting your accurate weight is for your safety. Giving us accurate weights when you place your reservation helps to prevent a rescheduled tour. Rescheduled tours can occur if actual weights are much higher than the weights given. This affects all other Guests scheduled at your tour time.

• Passengers over 250lbs will be charged an additional comfort seat. For bookings of two persons traveling together, that do not exceed 250lbs but combined weight exceeds 420lbs will also be charged an additional comfort seat.

• We do not publish times because we are an FAA Part 135 Unscheduled Air Carrier. You can choose a time for the morning or afternoon. Your tour time is arranged within a few days. We need to see how you can fit into our current reservations. The things we look at are: commutes from where you are staying, total weights of all potential passengers, and a trial weight & balance calculation.

• For Safari, flying with the doors off is a safety concern. We don’t like the possibility of cell phones or other debris escaping the cabin thereby damaging the tail rotor blades which can create a very serious safety concern. Flying with doors off can be very noisy and uncomfortable. Plus, when it rains (which it does daily) the passengers are guaranteed to be wet and cold. See “weather conditions” for more information. We also fly with Boise Noise Cancellation Headsets for additional noise comfort.

• There is no charge for a Lap Child. However, we don’t recommend flying with a Lap Child unless you are willing to accept the seating. A Lap Child will sit on a parents or guardians lap for around an hour. They will be wearing an Infant Life vest. The Seat belt will only go around the parent/guardian. Your Lap Child will not be buckled. This is a part of the definition of a Lap Child & how they should sit per the FAA. You need to be comfortable with this. A Lap Child is a child that is under 24 months and less than 25 lbs. We try to always have at least one parent with children. Children 7 & under cannot sit in the front seats.

• Hawaii’s weather is typical for any tropical island. We have rainy windward and dry leeward sides. A typical windward side gets about 80 to 100 inches of rain per year whereas the leeward gets about 20 inches or less. The center of the island of Kauai is considered one of the wettest spots on earth. There will be rain clouds sounding this mountain for about a 5-mile radius and the center is located about 10 miles from any shoreline. Rain enhances the islands with additional waterfalls and rainbows. Remember, no rain, no rainbows! All our flights are subject to changing weather conditions and flights may vary accordingly.

• No scuba diving 24 hours prior to the flight.

Location: Commuter Terminal, Hilo Airport

Address: 2220 Kekuanaoa St, Hilo, HI 96720

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/7X5dUnf8ZTTRGYqR7

Parking: 

You will park right at your check-in area. This is a small building just past the brown UPS building right before the Main Terminal. Our parking* is directly in front of our office in the paved Commuter Terminal Parking lot.

NOTE: ALL parking areas are regulated by the Hilo Airport. We recommend $2.00 (coins or dollar bills) for payment to park in the Commuter Terminal parking lot. Please do not park in the Cellular Parking Lot (the gravel lot next door to the Commuter Terminal). A vehicle left unattended in the Cellular Parking Lot may be fined and/or towed away by the Airport towing contractor.

Special Notes: