The Big Island of Hawaii is, as you can guess, the biggest of the inhabited Hawaiian Island chain. Geologically speaking it is also the youngest of the Hawaiian Island chain and in fact is still being formed by the ceaseless lava flows that continue to build layers onto the southeastern side of the Big Island of Hawaii. Like so many of the Hawaiian Islands, The Big Island is a place of extremes. One of these extremes is seeing a live volcano in action. It can be extremely dangerous to attempt to see a live volcano by foot, which is why it is very popular to take a helicopter tour over the Volcano National Park. There are a few big advantages to touring the volcanoes of the Big Island by helicopter. The first is a helicopter tour over the live volcanoes is the safest way to see one spewing lava… and the most comfortable way as well. The second is a helicopter volcano tour gets you right up close to the action that you would never be able to see from the ground. The third is when you take a helicopter volcano tour with Safari Helicopters you will be shown not only the live volcanoes but also the ancient flows and general chronology of the volcano activity and how it has affected the Big Island over the years.

On a Big Island helicopter tour with Safari Helicopters your pilot is likely to tell you about how the Hawaiians viewed the spewing red lava. In ancient times the Hawaiians believed that the tempestuous volcanoes of the Big Island were from the moody and often angry Goddess called Pele. In the Hawaiian culture Pele is portrayed as a tall fierce woman with burning lava like hair. She was and still is (depending on your viewpoint) the most powerful and feared deity of the Hawaiian mythology. Even today you will find offerings around the Big Island of Hawaii to the Goddess Pele. While we are still on the topic of lava, your helicopter pilot will probably also point out that there are two types of lava. The first type of lava you will find on the Big Island of Hawaii is pahoehoe. Pahoehoe is formed when the lava flows quickly and hardens with a smooth surface. The second type of lava you will find on the Big Island of Hawaii is a’a’ which is when the lava flow is slow and hardens with rough edges.

Enjoying an informative helicopter tour over the Big Island of Hawaii is a great way to get your overview of how this incredible Hawaiian island was formed and still being shaped today. In addition flying over the Big Island of Hawaii with a helicopter company like Safari Helicopters you are sure to gain much insight into the Hawaiian culture and myths. Most of all a helicopter tour over the awesome volcanoes of the Big Island is sure to wow you with sights you could only see from the safety and comfort of a helicopter tour company with many years in the business and a perfect safety record.