Based on the shores of Lake Rotorua, Volcanic Air offers the most comprehensive range of scenic flights and air tours in the region. Established in 1992, we carry over 10,000 satisfied customers per year to experience our local volcanoes, geothermal reserves and lakes district from both the air and the ground. Volcanic Air operate a mixed fleet of both helicopters and Rotorua’s only floatplanes. The versatility of these aircraft allows us to visit remote destinations that are hard to reach by other means. Our region is unique, and the diversity of its landscape is quite remarkable. We combine spectacular scenery with informative and interesting commentaries about an area that is considered as the cultural heart of New Zealand. Look no further than Volcanic Air for the best scenic flights Rotorua has to offer.
Our key scenic flights in Rotorua include Mount Tarawera, the site of the largest eruption in New Zealand’s living memory. Standing on Mount Tarawera offers a privileged view of spectacular craters and domes formed by the eruption. Further south, we also land at the hidden valley of Orakei Korako, to experience stunning scenery and fascinating geothermal activity. Other key highlights of our Rotorua scenic flights include aerial views of vibrant geothermal reserves like Waimangu and Wai-O-Tapu, as well as the area’s lakes district.
Exciting! Great pilot, professional and friendly. Knowledgeable about area. Felt safe and most spectacular views!
The sights of Rotorua were spectacular from the helicopter. Our pilot Suk was knowledgeable and shared information about the area and the geographical features. Our flight included views of... read more the crater lakes, the Tarawera Falls and the geothermal reserves. We landed onto Mount Tarawera and began the walk along the path to the top, the views were breathtaking. My husband suffered a moment of anxiety, however Suk calmly encouraged him to proceed and he was so glad he did. Thank you Suk for making our experience a memorable one!
Was more than I expected. Quite a thrill at age 75 to stand and look down at the volcano site. Loved flying over it with my son and... read more three grandchildren aged 11 to 14. We all enjoyed the experience., Staff were helpful and courteous. Pilot was engaging. Thank you.
A really amazing experience to land on the mountain and walk to the summit. The views from the mountain and during the helicopter ride were great despite less than ideal... read more weather. The pilot had excellent knowledge of the mountain and the surrounding area.
This was one of the most enjoyable tours we have done on a helicopter. We landed on Mt Tarawera on the most beautiful day and you could literally see for... read more miles. Our pilot was professional, caring, informative and fun. We then went over the beautiful countryside and saw waterfalls, thermal activity until landing at Orakei Korako. Such a beautiful area to enjoy. We never felt rushed on this tour and felt it was such good value for money. We shared seats so we all had an opportunity to enjoy the helicopter views. This is the only way to go and such a professional company.
An amazing experience seeing the Rotorua lakes region from the air, out-weighed only by the rare opportunity to set foot on the remarkable Mt Tarawera. Josh is an excellent... read more helicopter pilot and a wonderful tour guide. Many thanks also to Steve and his crew for going above and beyond to completely turn our day around - much appreciated. We will be back to experience a float plane ride next time!
EXCELLENTBased on 142 reviewsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Mathew Pendleton30 September 2024Kate our pilot was amazing. Super friendly and accommodating to my two talkative boys. We picked the right day for it. But an amazing experience. Been wanting to do this since I was a kid. And it lived up to my expectations.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Lars Hallstone2 September 2024Been here a couple times over the years and it is a great service! It's also great they've let us land here when using Charter Companies from Auckland. Highly recommend!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Marta López4 August 2024Una experiencia inolvidable, un piloto súper experto y un helicóptero con la última tecnología. Insuperable!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.J j13 July 2024what an awesome experience!!so relaxing and enjoyable..Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Kevin Butters7 May 2024This was an absolutely superb trip, everything I’d expected and more. The pilot was very professional, friendly and knowledgeable about the area pointing out points of interest as we flew over. I highly recommend this trip to any visitors to Rotorua.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Klaus Bergmann26 April 2024The team is as nice a nice can be, the helicopter is in perfect shape and the whole experience is breathtaking. Don't miss it!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Nathalie Strassmann15 April 2024Netter Service, freundlicher und witziger Pilot. Wir fühlten uns jederzeit sicher und gut aufgehoben. Auch unser 6 jähriger Sohn fühlte sich wohl. Wir waren zu viert im Flugzeug und es hätte noch Platz für einen weiteren Gast gehabt. Sehr empfehlenswert.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Stan New14 March 2024Really enjoyed our flight today on the floatplane with pilot Katie. The scenery was amazing around Rotorua and surrounds with all the thermal areas, lakes and Mt Tarawera. Katie did a fantastic job as pilot and guide. Well done VoltanicTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Amber Hafeez10 March 2024This was worth every penny. My husband and I did the Mt Terawera tour, it felt like enough time in the air without it feeling too quick or too long, and the pilot was very experienced and knowledgeable. We Were also super fortunate to have a clear bright day, we could see as far out as white island and tongariro. Thank you for a great honeymoon experience!Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Christena Smith8 March 2024What a wonderful experience! If you are on the fence about this I would highly recommend. We did the Mt. Tarawera helicopter tour with landing (out of Rotorua, NZ) and to be able to not only see the top of a volcano but walk around the summit was incredible and breathtaking. Our pilot Brian was very knowledgeable and an overall great guide. Thanks for an unforgettable experience!
Our aircraft are maintained to the highest standard and are flown by experienced pilots. All of our pilots also have an intimate knowledge of the local area. Volcanic Air is approved by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority and independently accessed via a stringent Quality Assurance Program. We are also Qualmark Gold accredited.