A VIP Air Adventure Volcano Tour from Maui offered an unforgettable way to see Kīlauea, active lava flows, waterfalls, and two Hawaiian islands from the air.
Overview
When we were exploring Maui, Hawaii, we wanted to see as much of the island as possible, but we also knew there was an incredible opportunity to see another of the Hawaiian Islands from above. In May 2008, we took a VIP Air Adventure Volcano Tour with Big Island Air, operated by Maui Island Air, Inc., departing from Kapalua–West Maui Airport (JHM).
This wasn’t simply a flight from Maui to the Big Island of Hawaii. It was a panoramic sightseeing adventure over two islands, with views of Haleakalā, Mauna Kea, Kīlauea, active lava flows, Hilo, ʻAkaka Falls, the Hāmākua Coast, the Kohala cliffs, and the lush eastern side of Maui.
The flight lasted approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, and my mom’s scrapbook records the price as $365 per person at that time.
For us, this was a unique opportunity to experience some of Hawaii’s most dramatic volcanic landscapes without spending a full day on a land tour. We could see volcanic terrain, lush rainforests, waterfalls, coastline, and active volcanoes from a completely different vantage point.
History
Big Island Air was an alternate name for Maui Island Air, Inc., a company established in Maui in 1997. BBB records identify Big Island Air as an alternate name of Maui Island Air, Inc., while federal records also identify Maui Island Air doing business as Big Island Air.
The company offered scenic Hawaii tours, including its VIP Air Adventure Volcano Tour, sometimes described as a Panoramic Live Volcano Flight. A surviving description of the tour gives a route remarkably similar to the one recorded in our family memories: departing Kapalua, crossing to the Big Island, passing Mauna Kea, flying over Kīlauea and the active volcano area, continuing to Hilo and ʻAkaka Falls, following the Hāmākua Coast and Kohala cliffs, and returning to Maui over Hāna.
The tour was particularly memorable in May 2008 because Kīlauea was actively erupting. A contemporary April 2008 travel article specifically described Big Island Air’ Maui-to-Big-Island flight as an option for seeing the active lava flow by air. The article reported that the flights lasted between two hours and two hours and 15 minutes and that pilots spent approximately 15 to 20 minutes around the active lava flow when conditions allowed.
The aircraft used by Big Island Air were twin-engine, approximately 10-seat Piper Chieftains. Contemporary descriptions mention two-abreast seating, large windows, air conditioning, and headsets for the pilot’s narration.
VIP Air Adventure Volcano Tour Plan
Whenever we travel, we try to see as much as we can, and our trip to Maui was no different.
We wanted to experience the beautiful beaches, volcanic landscapes, mountains, waterfalls, rainforests, and different sides of the island rather than spending our entire vacation in one area. When we learned we could take an aerial tour that combined Maui sightseeing with a Big Island volcano experience, it immediately went on our list.
A Big Island air tour from Maui sounded like the perfect way to see another island on our Hawaii vacation without giving up an entire day to transportation.
Since Kīlauea was actively erupting during our visit, the VIP Air Adventure Volcano Tour became a particularly exciting tour and one of the most memorable Maui activities of our trip.
Getting There
Location
Maui is one of the major islands in the Hawaiian Islands and is located in the central Pacific Ocean. Known as the “Valley Isle,” Maui is famous for its beautiful beaches, lush tropical landscapes, waterfalls, volcanic scenery, and the massive summit of Haleakalā.
The island sits between Molokaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island, with the Alenuihāhā Channel separating Maui from the Big Island. That location made a Maui-to-Big-Island scenic flight possible and gave us the opportunity to see two Hawaiian islands during one excursion.
Maui has several distinct regions, from West Maui and its resort communities to the rainforest-covered eastern side of the island. Kapalua, Kaʻanapali, Lahaina, Hāna, and Haleakalā are among the places that make Maui such a popular Hawaii vacation destination.
Best Time to Go
Maui is a year-round destination, but the best time for an aerial sightseeing excursion depends heavily on weather and visibility.
Clouds, wind, rain, volcanic activity, and other conditions can affect both what you see and the route flown.
We took our flight in May 2008, which was an especially memorable time because Kīlauea was actively erupting.
Seeing lava flowing from a lava tube into the Pacific Ocean was the highlight of the trip.
If seeing active lava is your primary reason for taking a Hawaii volcano tour, remember that volcanic activity changes constantly. An active volcano doesn’t necessarily mean you will see active lava flows on a particular tour.
It’s also important to distinguish between the conditions we experienced in 2008 and a tour today. This particular Big Island Air experience is historical, and the company is reported as permanently closed in current travel listings.
VIP Air Adventure Volcano Tour by Big Island Air
Who Can Go?
A VIP Air Adventure Volcano Tour was an excellent option for travelers who wanted to experience Hawaii’s volcanic terrain without spending hours hiking.
Because most of the sightseeing happened from the airplane, passengers could see an incredible amount of scenery without needing a high fitness level or long walks. This made an aerial tour appealing to families, couples, seniors, and travelers who wanted to experience the Big Island without spending an entire day on a guided ground tour of the volcano.
The aircraft used by Big Island Air had approximately 10 passenger seats, with two-abreast seating and large windows. Passengers also had headsets so they could hear the pilot’s narration during the flight.
Of course, individual mobility requirements, potential hazards, medical considerations, and airline requirements should always be confirmed with the operator before booking any current Hawaii tours.
What You'll See
The VIP Air Adventure Volcano Tour was much more than a flight directly to Kīlauea volcano. The panoramic route showcased some of the natural beauty of both Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii.
Haleakalā
After leaving Kapalua–West Maui Airport, the flight traveled along Maui and passed the summit of Haleakalā.
Haleakalā is an enormous shield volcano that dominates much of Maui. From the air, seeing the Haleakalā volcano and its surrounding volcanic terrain provided a perspective that is difficult to get from the ground.
The flight is a completely different experience from visiting Haleakalā National Park by car and standing at the summit.
Alenuihāhā Channel
The airplane then crossed the Alenuihāhā Channel, the stretch of ocean separating Maui from Hawaiʻi Island.
From the airplane, this portion of the flight provided a fascinating perspective on just how large the Hawaiian Islands are and how dramatically the landscape changes from one island to another.
Northern Big Island
After reaching the northern end of the Big Island, the route continued near North Kohala and the Waimea area, including views around Parker Ranch.
The scenery gradually changed from Maui’s volcanic slopes to the enormous mountains, valleys, coastline, and volcanic landscapes of Hawaii Island.
Mauna Kea
The flight continued toward Mauna Kea, one of the most recognizable mountains on the Big Island.
From the air, we could see the enormous volcanic landscape and, weather permitting, the astronomical observatories near the summit.
Mauna Kea also provides an interesting contrast to Kīlauea. Instead of focusing on active lava, this part of the flight showcased the massive scale and geological history of the Big Island.
Kīlauea and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
The highlight of the VIP Air Adventure Volcano Tour was Kīlauea and the surrounding volcanic region.
During our May 2008 flight, Kīlauea was actively erupting, making the experience especially unforgettable.
The flight took us over the volcanic area before continuing toward the active eruption zone associated with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Today, the spelling Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is commonly used by the National Park Service, although older sources and historical material may omit the ʻokina. The park protects an extraordinary landscape shaped by volcanic activity, including Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
Active Lava Flow
For us, the most memorable part of the tour was seeing lava flowing from a lava tube into the Pacific Ocean.
This was the experience we had hoped for when we booked a Hawaii volcano tour.
Seeing active lava flows from an airplane was completely different from seeing photographs or videos. The aerial perspective allowed us to appreciate the enormous scale of the lava fields and volcanic terrain.
Our pilot spent about 15 to 20 minutes around the active lava flow. That made this an especially unique experience at a time when Kīlauea’s volcanic activity was producing visible lava.
Hilo
After viewing the volcano, the flight turned north toward Hilo. Seeing Hilo from above gave us another perspective on the Big Island, with the city surrounded by the lush landscape of eastern Hawaiʻi.
ʻAkaka Falls
The flight continued north toward ʻAkaka Falls, one of the Big Island’s famous waterfalls.
From above, the waterfall and surrounding tropical landscape were part of a much larger picture of the Big Island’s lush northeastern coast.
Hāmākua Coast
The airplane then followed the Hāmākua Coast. This spectacular stretch of the Big Island is known for dramatic sea cliffs, deep green valleys, waterfalls, and rugged coastline. Seeing the Hāmākua Coast from the air was an incredible way to appreciate its scale.
Kohala Cliffs
The route continued toward the Kohala cliffs and waterfalls before beginning the journey back toward Maui.
The combination of steep cliffs, tropical valleys, waterfalls, and amazing natural formations made this one of the most scenic portions of the Big Island aerial tour.
Hāna and Maui's North Shore
After crossing the Alenuihāhā Channel again, the airplane reached Maui around the eastern side of the island.
The historical Big Island Air description called this portion of the route “Heavenly Hana.” The plane then followed Maui’s north shore back toward West Maui.
This gave us one more opportunity to see Maui’s rainforests, waterfalls, coastline, and volcanic terrain before landing back at Kapalua.
In a way, it was like seeing portions of the scenic drive to Hāna from a completely different vantage point.
What to Bring & Wear
Even though you spend most of the excursion sitting inside an airplane, it’s still worth preparing for a sightseeing flight.
- Comfortable clothing
- A light jacket or sweater for the air-conditioned airplane
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Camera or smartphone
- Extra camera batteries or a portable charger
- Comfortable shoes
- Motion-sickness medication if you are prone to airsickness
- Water
- Any required identification or booking information
The large windows were one of the best features of the aircraft for sightseeing and photography, so having a camera ready is definitely worthwhile.
Unlike a hiking tour, you don’t need specialized equipment for lava fields, a short walk, or a higher-elevation trail. The focus is on seeing Hawaii’s natural wonders from the air.
Where to Go
The VIP Air Adventure Volcano Tour by Big Island Air departed from Kapalua–West Maui Airport (JHM), also known as Kapalua Airport.
The small West Maui airport was convenient for travelers staying around Kapalua, Kaʻanapali, and Lahaina. It was very different from Maui’s larger Kahului Airport, which helps explain our memory of departing from a small airport with only a few gates.
How Long Does it Take?
The total flight was just under 2 hours. We also had to account for the time to get checked in and boarded on the plane. Overall, we ended up spending about 2.5 hours total on this excursion.
Cost
My mom’s scrapbook records the price as $365 per person for the May 2008 VIP Air Adventure Volcano Tour. Now, when looking online, the cost has drastically increased to $798 per person. While it’s a steep price, I would say it was still worth the cost.
Tips for VIP Air Adventure Volcano Tour
- Check the weather before your flight. Clouds and rain can significantly affect visibility from the air.
- Ask about volcanic activity. Seeing active lava depends on current eruption conditions.
- Bring a camera. The large aircraft windows provided excellent opportunities for aerial photography.
- Listen to the pilot's narration. The headsets made it possible to learn about the landscapes while flying over them.
- Choose a window seat when possible. With a sightseeing flight, the view is the entire point of the experience.
- Dress in layers. The airplane was air-conditioned, so a light jacket or sweater could make the flight more comfortable.
- Consider motion sickness. A sightseeing flight in a small aircraft can be uncomfortable for travelers who are sensitive to movement.
- Allow extra time around the airport. Small airports can have different procedures and schedules than larger airports.
- Don't expect to see lava just because you book a volcano tour. Volcanic activity changes constantly.
- Remember that the route can change. Weather, volcanic activity, air-traffic considerations, and other conditions can affect the flight path.
- Consider an aerial tour if you don't want to hike. It provides an opportunity to see dramatic volcanic scenery without long hikes or a demanding fitness level.
- Take advantage of the entire route. Kīlauea may be the star attraction, but Haleakalā, Mauna Kea, Hilo, ʻAkaka Falls, the Hāmākua Coast, Kohala cliffs, Hāna, and Maui's north shore are all part of the experience.
- Don't confuse Kapalua Airport with Kahului Airport. This particular Big Island Air flight departed from Kapalua–West Maui Airport (JHM).
- Don't assume a current helicopter tour follows the same route. Helicopter tours, airplane tours, private tours, and small group tours are different experiences and may operate from different locations.
- Check the time of booking carefully. Current volcanic conditions and tour availability can change, particularly when visiting areas associated with active volcanoes.