Lihue is the cultural and historical center of Kauai Island of Hawaii.
This Hawaii Island, also called ‘Garden Isle’, comprises lush green valleys, evergreen jungles, sea cliffs, beautiful waterfalls, and long winding rivers.
Since more than 70% of the Kauai Island is inaccessible by road, hundreds of helicopters take off daily with tourists on board.
Kauai’s main airport is in Lihue and is known as the Lihue Airport.
This article covers everything you need to know before booking a helicopter tour from Lihue, Hawaii.
Top Lihue helicopter rides
Table of contents
- Top Lihue helicopter rides
- Kauai ECO Adventure Helicopter Tour
- Ultimate Kauai Adventure
- Kauai Helicopter Tour with No Middle Seats
- Deluxe Waterfall Safari
- Airplane tours from Lihue
- What to see in Kauai Island
- Restrictions strictly followed
- Exclusions of the air tour
- Accessibility to the tour
- Map of Kauai Island
- Cancellation policy
Kauai ECO Adventure Helicopter Tour
This 50-minute tour is the most popular Kauai helicopter tour taking off from Lihue.
Discover the island’s beauty as you fly over Mt. Waialeale, the Waiapuna Waterfalls, the dry red ravine of Waimea Canyon, and the phenomenal emerald spires of the Na Pali Coast.
You go up in a new Eurocopter Eco-Star helicopter and take in the diverse terrain of the island.
You will also soar over the beautiful coastline of Kapaa, and Princeville, Hanalei Bay, Olokele Canyon, Hanapepe Valley, and Eleele.
Since this is the latest model of tourism helicopters, you enjoy business class-style seats, full windows, two-way radio communication with the pilot, and noise reduced engines.
If you want to save US$40, you can choose the early bird or the late bird option of the tour.
Departure: Lihue Heliport, 3730 Ahukini Rd #8, Lihue, HI 96766, USA (Get directions)
Tour Operator: Blue Hawaiian*
Tour timings
Kauai ECO Adventure: 8 am to 3.30 pm
Early Bird or Late Bird Option: 8 am and 3.30 pm
Cost of the tour (2+ years)
Kauai ECO Adventure: US$389 per person
Early Bird or Late Bird Option: US$349 per person
Every year since 1998, Blue Hawaiian’s maintenance engineers have earned the FFAA’s Certificate of Excellence ‘Diamond Award.’ No other helicopter tour company in Hawaii has received it even once.
Ultimate Kauai Adventure
This 45- to 55-minute tour from Lihue whisks you away to Waimea Canyon, dubbed by Mark Twain as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”
Fly over Mount Waialeale, the wettest spot on earth, and Wailua Falls.
Get a glimpse of several rare species of plants and birds.
You can’t miss the iconic sights of the Na Pali Coast, the setting of the 20th Century Fox movie, South Pacific.
Choose from two aircraft options.
You can purchase souvenir photos and DVD at the heliport.
Departure: Lihue Heliport, 3730 Ahukini Rd #8, Lihue, HI 96766, USA (Get directions)
Tour Operator: Sunshine Helicopters
Tour timings: 8 am, 10 am, 1 pm, 3 pm
Cost of the tour (2+ years)
WhisperStar Luxury Helicopter: US$349 per person
FXStar Standard Helicopter: US$294 per person
Kauai Helicopter Tour with No Middle Seats
Since this is a private tour, you get the whole helicopter to yourself.
As the name suggests, this 1-hour trip guarantees a window seat for all its passengers and no middle seats.
Once at the Lihue Heliport, you get to choose if you want the experience of Door on or Doors off helicopter.
Experience the privilege of gliding over Manawaiopuna Falls, also known as “Jurassic Park falls,” the Olokele Canyon, Waimea Canyon, Na Pali coast, North Shore and Wai’ale’ale crater.
Get views that are not possible from the ground but only accessible by a helicopter.
Departure: Lihue Heliport
Tour Operator: Ali’i Air Tours & Charters
Tour timings: 7.30 am to 4.15 pm
Cost of the tour (7+ years): US$425 per person
Deluxe Waterfall Safari
This 1-hour small-group tour takes you over Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, waterfalls, and more.
You will witness some of the the island’s most important attractions and world’s highest sea cliffs.
Departure: Safari Helicopters, 3225 Akahi St, Lihue, HI 96766, USA (Get directions)
Tour Operator: Safari Helicopters
Tour timings: 8.25 am to 3.50 pm
Cost of the tour (2+ years): US$309 per person
Airplane tours from Lihue
If you are one of the tourists who feels safer in an airplane than in a helicopter, Lihue doesn’t disappoint.
Three fixed-plane tours of the Kauai Island take off from Lihue, and all offer equally breathtaking views of the lush green island.
You can book the most popular airplane tour, which takes you around the whole island in approximately 70 minutes.
Check out the private airplane tour if you don’t mind the cost but want the whole plane for yourself.
If you want to spend maximum time in the air, check out the 90-minutes long airplane tour over Lihue, Kauai, and the Forbidden Island.
What to see in Kauai Island
Highlights of most helicopter tours taking off from Lihue in Kauai include 27 Kms (17 miles) long Na Pali Coast in the North and Waimea Canyon, which is also known as ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’ in SouthWest.
Other than these two, the other sights you see include Jurassic Park Falls, the Hanapepe Valley, the Hanalei Valley, and Mt. Waialeale, etc.
Restrictions strictly followed
Weight limits apply for safe and comfortable helicopter rides in Lihue. Passengers exceeding the weight limit must purchase an additional seat.
Some of these tours are not wheelchair accessible.
A minimum and a maximum number of passengers are required on these tours, failing which, they will be canceled.
Infants and children are allowed onboard, but infants must sit on the caregiver’s lap throughout the flight.
If you have gone scuba diving within 24 hrs of the planned take-off, avoid helicopter tours.
Bring camera and wear a dark colored shirt to reduce glare on the plexiglass windows.
For doors-off helicopter tour, it is better to wear jackets or sweatshirts, closed-toe shoes, long pants, and hair ties.
The tours are not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
A valid photo ID is required.
No pets are allowed onboard except service animals.
Check in at least 45 minutes early.
Flight times are approximate based on winds, weights, and conditions.
Seating arrangements may often be in the hands of the tour organizers for a safe and stable flight.
Exclusions of the air tour
Lihue helicopter tours do not include hotel transfers and food and drinks.
HD video of actual flight on USB (available to purchase) and personal expenses are excluded from your ticket.
Your ticket price is also not inclusive of gratuities.
Accessibility to the tour
The Ultimate Kauai Adventure and Kauai ECO Adventure Helicopter Tour are completely accessible to guests with disabilities.
The aircraft, transportation, and surfaces are completely wheelchair accessible, preventing any inconvenience for the guests.
Map of Kauai Island
Cancellation policy
You can cancel your helicopter tour of Lihue, Hawaii, up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund.
All air tours over Hawaii require good weather.
If it is canceled due to poor weather (heavy rain, low cloud ceilings, lightning, or extreme winds), you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
Failure to show up for your appointment without notice will result in the cancellation of your tour without a refund.
Recommended Reading
# Helicopter tours in Kauai
# Helicopter tours in Big Island
# Helicopter tours in Oahu
# Helicopter tours in Maui
# Helicopter tours from Honolulu
# Helicopter tours from Kona
# Helicopter tours in Hawaii