Tour Policies

For guest booking directly with Mauna Loa Helicopters, it is our policy to require a valid credit card to book a reservation. Payment is required at the time of booking. Tours on Kauaʻi will be charged 24 hours prior to departure. For guest booking online, your credit card will be charged in full upon completing the online booking process.

Tours are booked per person, should the tour have a minimum guest count you are required to pay for all minimums per-person chairs. Should you decide to add more guests you are required to inform the company 24 hours before your flight. You are only able to fly with the number of guests you have paid for. Example: You paid for three guests you are only able to fly with three guests, not the maximum guest count for the helicopter.

All passengers are required to have ID if they are 18 years or older. The credit card on file will need to match one of the passenger’s ID that is being presented.

Our prices are stated at USD. Please note that your credit card issuer may apply different exchange rates or foreign transaction fees. Please check with your issuer before making your booking. For refunds of international bookings, refunds are made in US dollars and are refunded at the exchange rate for USD effective at the time the refund is processed. If a refund is issued after a change to the currency rate, customers may receive a refund amount greater or lesser than what they paid in their local currency. Mauna Loa Helicopters is not responsible for currency rate changes that occur after the booking.

All passengers must check in from 35 minutes to 40 minutes prior to the flight time. Any passengers not checked in 35 – 40 minutes prior to the flight time will be considered a cancellation and filled for the full tour amount (see cancellation policy below).

During the check in process you will be asked to have your ID present, this ID needs to match the name on the credit card being used for the tour. If the credit card and ID do not match we will ask for a new card to be listed or we will not be able to fly the tour.

Kaua’i & O’ahu:

Total weight limit per person is restricted to 285 pounds per person and no more than 650 pounds as a group total. If the individual and/or group weight limit is exceeded at check in, the flight will not be accommodated and are subject to the full price.

Big Island (Depends on Tour booked):

Big Island Experience Tour: Total weight per person is restricted to 285lbs per person and no more than 700 pounds as a group. If the individual weight limit is exceeded at check in, the flight will not be accommodated and are subject to the full price. If the group weight limit is exceeded, you will be subject to a $200 refueling fee. Doors-Off may be selected for $250.  Children 7 years and older may participate.  You must be 12 years or older to sit next to an open door.

Magical Waterfall Tour: Total weight per person is restricted to 285lbs per person and no more than 700 pounds as a group. If the individual and/or group weight limit is exceeded at check in, the flight will not be accommodated and are subject to the full price.

Kona Coast & Kona Coast Sunset Tour: Total weight per person is restricted to 285 pounds per person and no more than 650 pounds as a group total. If the individual and/or group weight limit is exceeded at check in, the flight will not be accommodated and are subject to the full price.

Per FAA regulations, ALL passengers will be weighted at check-in with all items accompanying them on the tour. (NOTE: Seat assignments may be subject to weight and balance restrictions of the aircraft).

Tours may be cancelled up to 24 hours prior to the scheduled flight time without incurring a fee. Tours cancelled after 24 hours prior to the flight at the passengers request, or passengers who fail to show for a tour will be billed the full price for the tour booked. Tours rescheduled per the passengers request will be subject to a $100 rescheduling fee.

Should we have to land for an unexpected reason such as but not limited to; motion sickness or bathroom needs the passengers will be charged an additional $200.00.

Routes or flight times may vary due to weather conditions. Mauna Loa Helicopters reserves the right to cancel any tour due to unsafe weather. If cancellation due to weather occurs prior to the flight, any money collected will be refunded. If the flight has begun and must be canceled due to weather within 10 minutes of takeoff, the tour price will be refunded in full. If the flight has exceeded 10 minutes, the passengers will be refunded for the percentage of the flight that did not take place, i.e. if the flight lasted for 30 minutes and was scheduled to take an hour, the passengers will be refunded half of the amount paid. The pilots do have all the way up until the flight time to make a weather decision. If cancelled due to weather per the pilot, rescheduling opportunities are based upon availability.

Passengers are welcome to bring their personal belongings on the aircraft as long as they are light weight and able to be stored under the seat. For any flight with one or more doors off – cameras, video cameras, and all other photography equipment must be secured to the passenger by wrist strap or neck strap. Cell phones are permitted for picture-taking if they are set to airplane mode and for the doors-off flight must also be secured to the passenger by a strap. Earrings should be taken off for passenger comfort while wearing headsets.

While the information on this website is believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication, neither the authors, webmaster, nor Mauna Loa Helicopters can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Prices listed on website are subject to change.

Tour prices are subject to change.

Customers who are sick inside the helicopter during flight will be charged a $100 cleaning fee. If you are prone to air or motion sickness please request an “Aloha Bag” from our pilot prior to takeoff or during the flight.

Please note that all body parts must remain inside the helicopter for the duration of the tour. We do not allow “foot selfies” or similar on our tours for safety reasons.

Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours has the right to refuse service.

*Booking Protection Policy*

Passengers who do opt into our booking protection are able to cancel and or reschedule their tour up until flight time.

*Single Passenger Cancellation Policy*

Single passengers on a ʻshared tourʻ who do not opt into booking protection may be subject to a last minute tour reschedule, within the 24 hour window.