Helicopter Tour Safe?

[beej210]

Are Helicopter tours safe? I was thinking about booking with Blue Hawaiian either on the big island or on Kauai.

 

But now I'm reading that there are a lot of accidents in hawaii, blah blah blah, and I think I'm scaring myself out of it.

 

What the verdict? Are these things safe?

[vbmom87]

Are Helicopter tours safe? I was thinking about booking with Blue Hawaiian either on the big island or on Kauai.

 

But now I'm reading that there are a lot of accidents in hawaii, blah blah blah, and I think I'm scaring myself out of it.

 

What the verdict? Are these things safe?

 

Is anything safe? You can fall down a flight of stairs, hit your head in the wrong way and die. In general I don't consider helicopters safe, but that is my perception, nothing based on fact. For the longest time I said, "I don't do helicopters." However, I decided to go with Blue Hawaiian in Kauai. I was too scared to go in Alaska, and probably missed a wonderful experience. The older I get the more mellow I am becoming and I did decide to take this risk. It is not like there are daily or even weekly helicopter crashes in Hawaii. However, yes, they can happen, just like car accidents can and do happen. All I know is I will be saying a lot of prayers.

[1Alaska]

The most magnificent helicopter tour in hawaii is over Kuaui. Amazing. Yes, helicopters can crash, but so can cars and planes. My son flies helicopters and swears he never feels unsafe!

[marym933]

I recently did a tour of Kauai with Island Helicopter. To my surprise, I wasn't scared at all. The ground crew was very professional with their pre-flight instruction. Everyone was escorted to the helicopter in order of seating. He then buckled us all in and we took off. It was an amazing 60 minute flight.

 

I felt safe with them and was confident they could handle an emergency.

 

Life is full of uncertainties. Sometimes we can't let the "what ifs" dictate our lives. I am so glad I went, but the decision is ultimately yours.

[Jenbo57]

I don't know whether this will scare people more, or put minds at rest, but here you go...

 

http://www.kauaihelicoptertoursafety.com/

 

(P.S. I've been in a helicopter several times...love it!)

[bronxite]

Is anything safe? You can fall down a flight of stairs, hit your head in the wrong way and die. In general I don't consider helicopters safe, but that is my perception, nothing based on fact. For the longest time I said, "I don't do helicopters." However, I decided to go with Blue Hawaiian in Kauai. I was too scared to go in Alaska, and probably missed a wonderful experience. The older I get the more mellow I am becoming and I did decide to take this risk. It is not like there are daily or even weekly helicopter crashes in Hawaii. However, yes, they can happen, just like car accidents can and do happen. All I know is I will be saying a lot of prayers.

 

I too missed a chance in Alaska as I was to scared and when I saw the photos of my husband's flight when they landed on a glacier and walked around I was speechless. I said I would not miss a hawaii one, what's the most that can happen, I get ill....:)

[LJH1]

Are Helicopter tours safe? I was thinking about booking with Blue Hawaiian either on the big island or on Kauai.

 

But now I'm reading that there are a lot of accidents in hawaii, blah blah blah, and I think I'm scaring myself out of it.

 

What the verdict? Are these things safe?

 

Your safer in the sky than on the road. We are booked for two on this trip and we did the Grand Canyon in September, just amazing.

[SamLH07]

What's the difference with flying on an airplane from the mainland to Hawaii versus a helicopter tour? I am booked with Blue Hawaiian for the Kauai tour. Am I nervous? Yes, but it is a once in a lifetime experience and you only live once. You have a much better chance dying in a car accident. Heck, my fiance is over in Afghanistan right now.

 

I would say go for it...the videos from their website will make you want to go :)

[beej210]

Ok, so should I go on a helicopter tour in Kauai or on the Big Island out of Kona? I hear Kauai is more beautiful, but the Big Island has the volcano.

 

Also, the Big Island tour is $370/per person and the Kauai one is like $175.

[vbmom87]

Ok, so should I go on a helicopter tour in Kauai or on the Big Island out of Kona? I hear Kauai is more beautiful, but the Big Island has the volcano.

 

Also, the Big Island tour is $370/per person and the Kauai one is like $175.

 

What you would rather see is what it boils down to. Have you looked at the videos on the Blue Hawaiin site? Perhaps that will help you decide. I am booked in Kauai based on what I read on this board and on TA. However, I know what my interests are. As much as I am sure the volcano is fascinating, I am more interested in greenery, waterfalls, the canyon, the NaPali Coastline, etc. Another factor in my decision to take a helicopter on Kauai was there was so much I wanted to see there, but so little time to see it all. I figured the helicopter would give me a nice overview of the Island from above.

 

We will be driving to Volcano National Park and I think it will be enough for me. However, I am sure there are others who might need more than a visit to the park to get their volcano fix. I know I have had to make so many choices for this vacation. It is not easy. However, at some point, you just have to make a decision and go with it.

 

If there is a next time, and I survived the helicopter in Kauai, then maybe I will think about the one on the Big Island. For now, I am happy with my choice.

[sceptic]

I'm really curious about that $370 cost for the volcano copter tour.

 

I just checked Blue Hawaiian and some discount places and the cost (out of Hilo, of course) is in the $165-180 range.

 

What, exactly, are you getting for your $370?

[CruisingGoddess]

Ok, so should I go on a helicopter tour in Kauai or on the Big Island out of Kona? I hear Kauai is more beautiful, but the Big Island has the volcano.

 

Also, the Big Island tour is $370/per person and the Kauai one is like $175.

 

We decided to go for the one in Kauai. I also heard that Kauai is more beautiful and breathtaking. Volcanoes are very interesting to us too but there has not been much visible lava flow for many months now and I don't think the helicopter tour on the Big Island will be as interesting without visible lava flow.

 

I just checked Blue Hawaiian and some discount places and the cost (out of Hilo, of course) is in the $165-180 range.

 

What, exactly, are you getting for your $370?

 

The more expensive tour is out of Kona and includes the whole Big Island, not just the volcano like Hilo's tour.

[whale-watcher]

We did the "Big Island Spectacular" tour out of Kona, and it was worth every penny. This tour includes some spectacular scenery along the north coast of Hawaii, as well as a flyover of the VNP area. When we went (1/08) it was the ONLY way to see molten red lava, and this was a high priority for us...and the sight of a flowing river of molten lava from the air was truly stunning!

[CruisingGoddess]

We did the "Big Island Spectacular" tour out of Kona, and it was worth every penny. This tour includes some spectacular scenery along the north coast of Hawaii, as well as a flyover of the VNP area. When we went (1/08) it was the ONLY way to see molten red lava, and this was a high priority for us...and the sight of a flowing river of molten lava from the air was truly stunning!

 

But would it be worth every penny if there was no molten lava since there isn't any right now? :confused:

[marym933]

But would it be worth every penny if there was no molten lava since there isn't any right now? :confused:

 

My DD and SIL took what they called "the mac-daddy" helicopter ride on the Big Island through NCL (Blue Hawaii). It cost $487 each with 2 hours flying time. It flew from Kona to Hilo to refuel, then back to Kona. They said they were able to see "skylights" over the volcano. This is where there is a crack in the hardened lava crust and you can see the red from the molten lava underneath. I haven't seen the pictures yet, so I can't say if it was worth it. They shared the helicopter with another couple and their 99 year old father.

[CruisingGoddess]

My DD and SIL took what they called "the mac-daddy" helicopter ride on the Big Island through NCL (Blue Hawaii). It cost $487 each with 2 hours flying time. It flew from Kona to Hilo to refuel, then back to Kona. They said they were able to see "skylights" over the volcano. This is where there is a crack in the hardened lava crust and you can see the red from the molten lava underneath. I haven't seen the pictures yet, so I can't say if it was worth it. They shared the helicopter with another couple and their 99 year old father.

 

This is great to know! I had no idea they could see some of the red molten lava underneath the crust! That sounds AWESOME! At least the next best thing to actual flowing lava. Thanks for this info. So many wonderful things to do at each port!! How will I ever prioritize?! :eek:

[whale-watcher]

But would it be worth every penny if there was no molten lava since there isn't any right now? :confused:

The first part of the trip...from the Heliport to the Volcano...was pretty but not spectacular. The entire area around VNP was amazing...the extensive lava fields and the steaming crater would have been enough for us, but we are really interested in geology. The red molten lava was the highlight...but that is something that can change on a day to day basis.

 

The second half of the trip...from Hilo back to the Waikoloa heliport...was also wonderful. We flew along the rugged north shore of the big island, and saw whales from the air. We also flew into two deep and narrow valleys (can't remember the names anymore) with steep walls and waterfalls...very "Kauaii-like" in topography.

 

Overall we were very happy with the trip, but if spectacular topography is your top priority (rather than volcanic activity, even with possibly no lava) then Kauaii may be the safer choice? I don't think you would be disappointed either way.

[chipmaster]

Blue Hawaiian is one of the larger and more established operators. We used them in Kauai and I felt very good with them! If there is "ONE" island to do it it is Kauai! The day before we flew weather was dicey, from what I heard Blue Hawaiin chose not to fly, some other operators did, that in my mind says something. Still no guarantee, and helicopters are for sure more dangerous than airplanes, but not enough so that I wouldn't do it.

 

Enjoy that trip!

 

Are Helicopter tours safe? I was thinking about booking with Blue Hawaiian either on the big island or on Kauai.

 

But now I'm reading that there are a lot of accidents in hawaii, blah blah blah, and I think I'm scaring myself out of it.

 

What the verdict? Are these things safe?