Helicopter Tours
Since 70% of Kaua’i is inaccessible by land, you have to take to the sky to get a full view of all that Kaua’i has to offer. Several tour operators provide options to view the interior and coastline views of Kaua’i from above. In addition to standard tours, private charters are also available. We would recommend any of the following companies to take you on an unforgettable adventure.
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
Blue Hawaiian, Hawaii’s largest helicopter company with tours available on four islands, flies state of the art ECO-star helicopters which are designed specifically for touring. They offer two tours taking you over rainforests, the “Jurassic Park” waterfall and other stunning sites of the interior and coastline- Discover Kaua’i out of Princeville (approximately 45 minutes) and Kaua’i Eco Adventure out of Lihue (approximately 50 minutes).Kaua’i. They also offer private charters.
Island Helicopters
Started in 1980, Island Helicopters is the oldest helicopter tour company operating out of Lihue Airport. Their fleet of Airbus A-star helicopters provides stunning viewing opportunities with floor to ceiling windows on their two tours: Jurassic Falls Landing Adventure (75-80 minutes) and Kaua’I Grand Deluxe Circle Island Tour (50-55 minutes). The highlight of the Jurassic Falls Landing Adventure is being able to set down at the base of the stunning Manawaiopuna Falls, and this is the only company with permission to do so. As a small company, with an average of 18 on staff, Island Helicopters prides itself on the personal and in-depth knowledge of the island.
Jack Harter Helicopters
Jack Harter Helicopters claims both the oldest presence on Kaua’i, with the first helicopter brought to the island in 1962, and the adventurous distinction as the only company to offer a completely doors-off tour. Over the years, Jack Harter had a few other helicopter tour companies, and formerly flew from many different locations. The company now offers a 60-65 minute tour in either a luxurious 6 passenger AStar or a thrilling 4 seater, doors off, Hughes 500. A 90-95 minute tour is also available in the AStar helicopter. Picture opportunities abound on from either helicopter, and the in-flight intercoms encourage passengers to ask questions of the knowledgeable pilots throughout the flight. Flights depart from the Lihue Heliport.
Mauna Loa Helicopters
Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours started offering tours in 2006. They began over twenty years ago as a flight training school, and all their tour pilots are also certified flight instructors. They offer 4 private tour options, two Island Adventures for 2-3 passengers, and two specialized flight options. The Private Island Adventure tour covers the main sites of Kaua’I in 55-60 minutes for 2-3 passengers and the Extended Private Island Adventure tour, also for 2-3 passengers, adds twenty minutes to explore in more detail for a total flight time of 75 minutes. For both of these tours, you have the option to have the doors on or off, or some doors on and some off, all at the same tour price. For those wanting a chance to fly the helicopter, the Instructional Adventure Flight with a minimum of 1 hour flight time, includes a brief ground lesson and allows you to maneuver the helicopter under the guidance of a Certified Flight Instructor. You may bring one other passenger on this tour. Photography flights are also available, for 1-2 passengers with a minimum flight time of 1 hour. For a photography flight, you can set the agenda and take the time you want to get the perfect shot.
Safari Helicopter Tours
Safari Helicopter Tours prides itself on offering amazing views with a focus on safety and family spirit. They fly customized A-Star 350 B2-7s offering amazing visibility, quiet and comfort. Their tours include a 55-minute Deluxe Waterfall Safari covering over 100 miles of scenery featured in various Hollywood films and a 90-minute Kaua’i Refuge Eco Tour that adds a 30-minute stop at the Kaua’i Botanical Refuge overlooking Olokele Canyon. In their focus on safety, most of their full-time pilots are military veterans. When requesting a booking, you can request a morning or afternoon time, and you will be contacted with your specific tour time.
Sunshine Helicopters
Sunshine Helicopters was started by a husband and wife team in 1985 on Maui. Their Kaua’I tour is a 50 -55 minute adventure soaring over the waterfalls, canyons and other sites of the island in either a Kaua’i FX STAR or WhisperSTAR helicopter. Both helicopters have a 6 passenger capacity. Kaua’i You can save $50 on the flight if you request a tour before 8:30 a.m. or after 2 p.m, according to their website. Sunshine Helicopters also offers a video of your flight narrated by your pilot so you can relive your adventure at home.