While most visitors flock to the famous volcanoes and waterfalls, there’s a world of breathtaking beauty on the Big Island that remains off the beaten path—unless you’re in the air. This guide reveals the top 5 hidden sights on the Big Island you can only see by helicopter, giving you insider access to the island’s most awe-inspiring secrets.
1. Waimanu Valley’s Towering Waterfalls
Only accessible by a challenging multi-day hike—or from the sky—Waimanu Valley is home to some of the tallest and least-visited waterfalls in Hawaiʻi. From a helicopter, you’ll witness shimmering ribbons of water cascading down impossibly lush cliffs into an untouched valley below.
2. Lava-Cut Sea Arches on the Puna Coast
The Puna Coastline is rugged, remote, and carved by centuries of lava flows meeting the ocean. Helicopter tours offer a rare chance to see natural sea arches, lava shelves, and steam vents—features you simply can’t reach on foot or by car.
3. The Isolated Summit of Mauna Kea
While you can drive to the visitor center, the actual summit of Mauna Kea is best appreciated from above. Helicopter tours give you a stunning aerial perspective of the world’s tallest mountain (measured from base to summit) and its surreal, moonlike terrain.
4. Untouched Rainforest Ravines of Kohala
North Kohala is full of dramatic gulches and rainforest canyons that helicopters glide through like canoes in the sky. These ravines are rich with ferns, freshwater streams, and ancient Hawaiian history—but totally inaccessible by road.
5. Volcano Fissures Still Shaping the Island
Helicopter flights often pass over active rift zones and cooling lava fields—features that constantly evolve with each eruption. Many of these fissures are tucked into private or protected areas that are off-limits to hikers, but open to your eyes from the air.
Fly Above the Island Few Get to See
Helicopter tours unlock parts of the Big Island most travelers never experience. From hidden valleys to raw volcanic terrain, these flights deliver unforgettable views and moments you won’t find in any guidebook.
Ready to see the Big Island from a new perspective? Book a flight and discover the island’s best-kept secrets from the sky.
