A helicopter tour is the best way to see Kauai, which many consider to be nature’s masterpiece.
Known as ‘Garden Isle,’ this Hawaiian island is made up of lush green valleys, evergreen jungles, sea cliffs, beautiful waterfalls, and long winding rivers.
More than 70% of Kauai Island is inaccessible by road, and as luck would have it, it is these parts where the most stunning sights exist.
Around 100 helicopters take off every day, ferrying excited tourists over Kauai’s scenic attractions.
This article covers everything you need to know before booking a helicopter tour in Kauai.
Top Kauai helicopter tours
# Kauai ECO Adventure Helicopter Tour
# Deluxe Kauai Helicopter Safari
# Ultimate Kauai Helicopter Adventure
# Private Kauai Helicopter TourIt’s highly recommended to book your helicopter tour in advance. With limited seating available, these tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.
What’s ahead
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Deluxe Waterfall Safari
The Deluxe helicopter tour in Kauai offers a magical sightseeing experience in just an hour.
This cheapest helicopter ride takes you to popular landmarks such as the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, waterfalls, and more.
It’s a thrilling way to explore more than what a land tour offers.
Note: The heliport is across from Hilo Hattie. You are required to check in 30 minutes prior to departure time.
Tour operator: Safari Helicopters
Timings: 8.05 am to 4.40 pm
Meeting point: 3225 Akahi St, Lihue, HI 96766, USA. Get Directions
Cost of the tour (2+ years): US$309 per person
Recommended
Ultimate Kauai helicopter ride
The Ultimate Kauai heli ride is a joyride that takes you over Kauai’s most scenic attractions, including Mt. Waialeale, Waimea Canyon, and the Na Pali Coast.
You’ll get an aerial view of the Alakai Swamp, home to rare species of flora and birds, and Bali Hai, where “South Pacific” was filmed.
This most-popular helicopter tour lasts 45 to 55 minutes.
It features large viewing windows designed for sightseeing and comes with a guide to answer all your questions.
You’ll have two flight options to choose from, and you can purchase souvenir photos and a DVD of your flight to remember your adventure.
Tour operator: Sunshine Helicopters
Timings: 8 am to 4 pm
Meeting point: 3730 Ahukini Rd, Lihue, HI 96766, USA. Get Directions
Cost of the tour (2+ years):
WhisperStar Luxury Helicopter: US$349 per person
Mandatory Comfort Seat: US$349 per person
Recommended
Kauai ECO Adventure helicopter tour
The ECO Adventure Kauai heli tour is the most popular of its kind.
You’ll fly in a new Eurocopter Eco-Star helicopter and experience the island’s diverse terrain.
You’ll see everything from the rain-soaked Mt. Waialeale and the waterfalls of Waiapuna to the dry red ravine of Waimea Canyon and the breathtaking emerald spires of the Na Pali Coast.
On this 50-minute tour, you’ll marvel at iconic spots like Manawaiopuna Falls (Jurassic Park Falls), Hanalei Bay, Kapaa, and Princeville.
You’ll enjoy business class-style seats, full windows, two-way radio communication with the pilot, and noise-reduced engines on this latest model of tourism helicopters.
Please arrive an hour before your tour for check-in, safety briefing, and boarding to ensure a timely departure.
Late arrivals are not accepted and you will not receive a refund.
Make sure to account for travel time to the tour base, allowing extra time for possible traffic delays.
Tour operator: Blue Hawaiian
Timings: 8 am to 3.30 pm
Meeting point: Lihue Airport, 3730 Ahukini Rd #8, Lihue, HI 96766, USA. Get Directions
Cost of the tour (2+ years): US$389 per person
Book This TourKnow before you go!
How long to wait after scuba diving before flying?
Why helicopter tours are an excellent gift?
Embark on a thrilling chopper ride over Kauai’s hidden gems
Every year since 1998, Blue Hawaiian’s maintenance engineers have earned the FAA’s Certificate of Excellence ‘Diamond Award.’ No other helicopter tour company in Hawaii has received it even once.
Private Kauai helicopter tour with no middle seats
On this private Kauai helicopter tour, you get the entire helicopter to yourself.
You’ll enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Manawaiopuna Falls, Olokele Canyon, Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali coast, the North Shore, and the Wai’ale’ale crater.
This one-hour tour guarantees a window seat for everyone with no middle seats.
You also have the option to fly with the doors off for an even more exhilarating experience.
Tour operator: Ali’i Air Tours & Charters
Timings: 7.30 to 4.15 pm
Meeting point: 3745 Ahukini Rd, Lihue, HI 96766, USA. Get Directions
Cost of the tour (7+ years): US$409 per person
Book This TourRecommended
Know before booking your tickets
Here are some things to keep in mind before booking your helicopter tours.
Exclusions of the air tour
Kauai heli tours do not include hotel transfers or food and drinks.
Your ticket does not include the HD video of the flight on a USB. However, it’s available for purchase.
Your ticket price is also not inclusive of gratuities and parking fees at the heliport.
Accessibility of the tours
Kauai ECO Adventure helicopter tour and Ultimate Kauai helicopter adventure are completely accessible to guests with disabilities.
The aircraft, transportation, and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, ensuring a convenient and comfortable experience for all guests.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before your tour date.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, a 100% percent cancellation fee applies.
No changes are allowed within 24 hours of the tour’s start time.
Helicopter tours depend on good weather.
If the tour is canceled due to poor weather or non-fulfillment of the minimum number of passengers, you may be offered a different date or a full refund.
Restrictions Strictly Followed
Here are some important restrictions to keep in mind for helicopter tours in Kauai:
| Weight limits apply to ensure a safe and comfortable ride. | Tours require a minimum and maximum number of passengers; if not, they will be canceled. |
| Infants can come along but must sit on a caregiver’s lap throughout the flight. | Scuba diving is not allowed within 24 hours before your flight. |
| Bags, large cameras, and extended selfie sticks are not allowed. | A valid photo ID is required. |
| Deluxe Waterfall Safari and Private Kauai doors on/off helicopter tours are not wheelchair accessible. | No pets are allowed except for service animals. |
| Arrive at least an hour early for check-in. | Flight times may vary based on winds, weights, and conditions. |
| Tour organizers may arrange seating for a safe and stable flight. |
What to expect in Kauai
Highlights of most helicopter tours in Kauai include the 27 km (17 miles) long Na Pali Coast in the North and Waimea Canyon, which is also known as the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific.’
Other than these two, the other sights you see include Jurassic Park Falls, the Hanapepe Valley, the Hanalei Valley, Mt. Waialeale, etc.
Open-Door Helicopter Tours
Kauai open-door helicopter tours, also known as doors off helicopter tours, have no doors, giving you an unobstructed view of the stunning scenery below. Experience the thrill of having no glass between you and the breathtaking landscapes of Kauai.
The best time of the year
The best time for a helicopter tour in Kauai is during the summer.
You are more likely to avoid storms, which can delay or cancel flights.
Winter is also not a good time for doors-off helicopter tours as the weather is more unpredictable.
The wind can be freezing, even on a warm day, and you might get exposed to rain if it drizzles.
Tour operators like Mauna Loa Helicopters, Air Kauai Helicopters, Airborne Aviation Tours, and Ali’i Kauai Air Tours and Charters offer door-off options.
The prices are a bit higher for the doors-off experience than for doors-on helicopter tours.
Map of Kauai Island
