What Blue Hawaiian Helicopters is and how to book

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters is a tour operator based in Hawaii that runs helicopter sightseeing flights from multiple islands. The company operates from Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai, flying routes that show volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, coastlines, and valleys. You book directly through their website or by phone, and tours typically run 45 to 120 minutes depending on which island and route you choose.

The company uses different helicopter models for different routes — some tours use the Eco-Star, which has larger windows and seats six passengers, while others use the A-Star, which seats five. Flight times, pricing, and what you see vary by location. Tours depart from dedicated heliports on each island, and you'll need to arrive 30 to 45 minutes early for check-in and a safety briefing.

Booking requires choosing your island, tour length, preferred date, and number of passengers. You pay upfront online or over the phone. Most tours operate year-round, though weather can cause cancellations or rescheduling — the company will work with you to find another date if your flight is cancelled due to conditions.

Key Takeaways

  • Blue Hawaiian operates helicopter tours from Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai, with flight times ranging from 45 to 120 minutes depending on the route.
  • You book through their website or by phone and pay upfront; arrival is typically 30 to 45 minutes before your scheduled departure.
  • Different helicopter models are used on different routes, affecting window size, passenger count, and price.
  • Weather can cause cancellations, and the company will reschedule you to another date rather than refund in most cases.
  • Tours show volcanic craters, waterfalls, and coastal views, but what you see depends on which island and route you select.

Tour routes and what each one shows

On Maui, Blue Hawaiian offers tours that focus on the West Maui landscape, including sea cliffs, waterfalls, and the crater of Haleakala. The most common route is the West Maui and Molokai tour, which flies over the island's windward side and can include views of Molokai's north shore cliffs if weather permits. Flight time is typically 50 to 60 minutes.

The Big Island tours center on volcanic features. The most popular route shows Kilauea caldera, Mauna Kea, and Kohala waterfalls. Some tours include views of recent lava flows and the Saddle Road area. These flights usually run 60 to 120 minutes depending on whether you're doing a shorter circle-island tour or a longer one that covers more ground.

Kauai tours focus on the Na Pali Coast, Wailua Falls, and the island's interior valleys. The Na Pali Coast tour is the signature Kauai flight and shows sea cliffs, beaches, and waterfalls that are difficult to reach by land. Most Kauai tours run 50 to 60 minutes.

Weather affects what you actually see on any given day. Clouds, rain, and wind can obscure views or make certain areas unsafe to fly. The company will tell you before takeoff what conditions mean, and if visibility is too poor, they may offer to reschedule rather than fly.

Pricing, what's included, and what costs extra

Tour prices vary by island and flight length. Shorter tours (45 to 50 minutes) typically cost less than longer ones (90 to 120 minutes). Maui tours generally range from around $200 to $400 per person, Big Island tours from $250 to $500 per person, and Kauai tours from $200 to $450 per person, though these figures change seasonally and by specific route. Check the website for current pricing on the exact tour you want.

What's included in the tour price is the flight itself, the helicopter, a pilot, and a safety briefing. Most tours include a headset so you can hear the pilot's narration during the flight. Some tours include photos taken during the flight, though this varies by route — check the tour description to see if photos are part of your package.

What costs extra includes hotel pickup and dropoff (if offered for your location), video recordings of your flight, and any merchandise like DVDs or printed photos. Gratuity for the pilot is not included in the price and is left to your discretion. Parking at the heliport is usually free.

Weight limits, health restrictions, and who shouldn't fly

Blue Hawaiian enforces weight limits because helicopter weight and balance affect safety and fuel consumption. The limit varies by helicopter model and tour, but typically ranges from 250 to 280 pounds per passenger. If you're near or above the limit, contact the company before booking — they may ask you to pay for an extra seat or may not be able to accommodate you on that specific tour.

Pregnancy is a restriction on most helicopter tours. The company typically does not allow pregnant passengers to fly, particularly in the later trimesters. If you're pregnant, call ahead to ask about their specific policy.

Recent surgery, back or neck problems, and heart conditions can make helicopter flight uncomfortable or unsafe. The motion and vibration of a helicopter is different from a fixed-wing plane. If you have any medical condition that might be affected by vibration, pressure changes, or sustained motion, discuss it with your doctor before booking and mention it to Blue Hawaiian during check-in.

Motion sickness is common on helicopter tours because the aircraft moves more than a plane does. If you're prone to motion sickness, take medication before the flight and sit in the middle of the helicopter if possible — the ends move more.

What to bring, what to wear, and preparation before your flight

Wear comfortable, casual clothing. Layers are a good idea because it's cooler at altitude. Avoid loose items like hats, scarves, or anything that could blow away during loading or unloading. Sunglasses are useful because of glare off the ocean and windows, but find them with a strap so they don't fall off during the flight.

Bring a camera or phone if you want to take your own photos. The helicopter windows are large on most tours, but they can have reflections or glare depending on the time of day and sun angle. Polarizing filters on cameras can help reduce glare. Leave your camera on a wrist strap or find it in a pocket — you don't want to drop it during the flight.

Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before your scheduled departure time. You'll go through check-in, sign a liability waiver, and receive a safety briefing. The briefing covers emergency procedures, how to use the headset, and basic rules during the flight. Pay attention to it — the pilot needs to know you understand the safety information.

Leave valuables at your hotel or in a find location. The heliport has lockers, but it's simpler not to bring items you don't need. Your phone and camera are fine, but leave jewelry, extra cash, and documents behind.

Cancellations, rescheduling, and refund policies

Blue Hawaiian cancels flights due to weather, mechanical issues, or insufficient passenger bookings. If your flight is cancelled, the company will offer to reschedule you to another date at no extra charge. Refunds are typically not offered — rescheduling is the standard option.

If you need to cancel your own booking, the refund policy depends on how far in advance you cancel. Most tours allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Cancellations within 24 hours may result in a forfeit of your payment or a credit toward a future tour. Check your confirmation email for the specific cancellation terms for your booking.

If you cancel and receive a credit instead of a refund, that credit is usually valid for one year from the original booking date. Credits can be used for any Blue Hawaiian tour on any island, so you have flexibility in rescheduling.

How the experience actually feels and what first-time fliers should know

A helicopter flight is louder and more vibration-heavy than a commercial airplane. You'll wear a headset so you can hear the pilot and other passengers, and the noise is manageable with the headset on. The helicopter moves more than a plane — you'll feel banking turns, altitude changes, and wind gusts. This is normal and expected, not a sign of danger.

The view is the main event. Windows are large and positioned so most passengers get a good sight line. If you're sitting in a middle seat, your view is more limited than window seats, so request a window seat when booking if that matters to you. The pilot will often slow down or circle back over particularly scenic areas so passengers can photograph or straightforward look.

The flight itself is smooth in good weather and bumpy in turbulent conditions. Bumps feel more pronounced in a helicopter than in a plane because the aircraft is smaller and lighter. This is not dangerous — it's just the nature of helicopter flight. If you're worried about motion sickness, sit in the middle, take medication beforehand, and focus on the horizon or a fixed point outside.

The whole experience from arrival to departure typically takes two to three hours, even though the actual flight time is shorter. Budget time for check-in, the safety briefing, the flight itself, and a few minutes to deplane and collect your things.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a specific seat or window location?

Yes, you can request a window seat when you book or during check-in. Window seats are popular and may not always be available depending on how many passengers are on your flight. The pilot and crew will do their best to honor requests, but seating is ultimately assigned based on weight and balance requirements for the helicopter.

What happens if the weather is bad on my tour date?

If weather is unsafe for flying, Blue Hawaiian will cancel and reschedule you to another date. You won't lose your money — you'll get a credit toward a future tour. If you can't reschedule, you can request a refund, though this varies by the company's policy at the time of cancellation. Check your confirmation for the exact terms.

Do I need to bring my own headset or does the helicopter provide one?

The helicopter provides a headset for every passenger. It's how you hear the pilot's narration and communicate during the flight. The headset is fitted to you during the safety briefing, and you return it after landing.

Can I bring my child on a helicopter tour?

Yes, children can fly on Blue Hawaiian tours. There is typically a minimum age of around 2 years old, though this can vary. Children count toward the weight limit, so if you're booking for a family, mention the ages and weights during booking so the crew can confirm the helicopter can accommodate everyone.

Is there a best time of day to take a tour for the best views?

Morning tours often have clearer skies and better visibility because clouds tend to build up later in the day. However, the best time depends on the specific island and season. Ask Blue Hawaiian which time slot they recommend for the route you're interested in — they know the weather patterns for each location.