Big Island Helicopter Tours Comparison: Discover Hilo vs. Kohala Coast – Which Scenic Flight Is Right for You?
The Big Island of Hawaiʻi is unlike any other Hawaiian island. Active volcanoes, lush rainforests, towering waterfalls, dramatic sea cliffs, and black lava fields create landscapes that simply cannot be appreciated from the road alone. A helicopter tour provides the only complete perspective, making it one of the highest-rated experiences for visitors planning a Hawaiian vacation.
Among the most popular options are the Discover Hilo tour and the Kohala Coast tour. While both showcase the beauty of Hawaiʻi Island, each offers a distinctly different experience depending on what you want to see.
Discover Hilo vs. Kohala Coast
Feature Discover Hilo Kohala Coast
Primary Scenery Active volcanoes, rainforests & waterfalls Sea cliffs, lush valleys & waterfalls
Best For First-time Big Island visitors Nature lovers & photographers
Highlights. Kīlauea, lava fields, Hilo rainforest Waipiʻo Valley, Kohala Mountains
Landscape Volcanic and tropical Coastal and green mountain scenery
Overall Dynamic geological adventure Relaxed scenic island beauty
Discover Hilo Helicopter Tour
If seeing an active volcano tops your Hawaii bucket list, the Discover Hilo tour is difficult to beat. Flights typically explore the eastern side of the island, showcasing lush tropical forests, cascading waterfalls, volcanic craters, lava flows (when active), and the ever-changing landscapes surrounding Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Travelers searching for Big Island volcano helicopter tour, Hilo helicopter tour, and Kīlauea helicopter flight consistently choose this experience because no ground tour offers the same panoramic perspective.
Kohala Coast Helicopter Tour
The Kohala Coast tour reveals another side of Hawaiʻi Island. Departing from the sunny west side, flights showcase emerald valleys, towering waterfalls hidden deep within the Kohala Mountains, dramatic coastline, ancient Hawaiian valleys, and breathtaking ocean views.
Guests searching for Kohala helicopter tour, Big Island waterfall helicopter ride, and Waipiʻo Valley helicopter tour often prefer this flight for its incredible photography opportunities and peaceful scenery.
Which Tour Should You Choose?
Choose Discover Hilo if you want:
Active volcanic landscapes
Rainforests and waterfalls
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park views
The island's geological highlights
Choose Kohala Coast if you want:
Dramatic sea cliffs
Hidden waterfalls
Historic valleys
Coastal scenery and lush mountains
Many returning visitors eventually fly both routes because together they reveal two completely different sides of Hawaiʻi Island.
After Your Helicopter Adventure: Continue Exploring Hawaiʻi
July offers ideal flying conditions across much of the Big Island, with generally stable morning weather and excellent visibility for aerial sightseeing. It's also a great month to combine your helicopter tour with local events, farmers markets, and cultural experiences.
Helpful planning resources:
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: https://www.nps.gov/havo/
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority: https://www.gohawaii.com/
Big Island July Events Guide: https://www.hawaii-guide.com/blog/big-island-events-in-july
Hilo Farmers Market: https://hilofarmersmarket.com/
If you're continuing your Hawaiian vacation, recent Maui community events and cultural celebrations throughout July make island hopping an excellent addition to your itinerary. Visitors will also find numerous festivals, rodeos, live music, and local celebrations taking place across Maui during the summer season.
Why a Helicopter Tour Belongs on Every Hawaii Vacation
There are countless ways to experience Hawaiʻi, but nothing compares to viewing the island from above. Whether you're watching volcanic landscapes unfold beneath the helicopter or flying along waterfalls hidden deep within the Kohala Mountains, these are memories that simply cannot be recreated from the ground.
Both the Discover Hilo and Kohala Coast tours consistently rank among the most unforgettable activities on the Big Island. Whichever route you choose, you'll gain an entirely new appreciation for Hawaiʻi's extraordinary beauty and leave with photographs—and memories—that last a lifetime.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between Discover Hilo and Kohala Coast isn't about selecting the "better" tour—it's about choosing the scenery that inspires you most. Adventure seekers often gravitate toward Hilo's volcanic landscapes, while those seeking lush tropical beauty love the Kohala Coast. Either way, you're investing in one of Hawaiʻi's premier sightseeing experiences, backed by professional pilots, outstanding safety records, and some of the most spectacular aerial views anywhere in the world.