Famed for its lush landscapes and magnificent beaches, Maui in Hawaii has earned a reputation as one of the world’s most alluring destinations.
Since eighty percent of this island’s legendary beauty is inaccessible by road, a Maui helicopter tour is the most scenic way to explore this island.
Maui’s unique topography – from the dignified crater of Mt. Haleakala and the high valleys of the West Maui Mountains to the towering sea cliffs on Molokai’s north shore makes viewing it from the sky particularly magical.
As a result, many helicopter tour operators offer hundreds of helicopter tours, which confuses the tourists.
This article shares everything you must know before booking your helicopter tour of Maui, Hawaii.
Table of contents
- What to expect in Maui
- Cancellation policy
- West Maui and Molokai Helicopter Tour
- Molokai and Maui Helicopter Tour
- Doors-Off West Maui and Molokai Experience
- Waterfalls of Scenic West Maui and Molokai
- Hana Rainforest Helicopter Flight with Landing
- Maui Helicopter Tour – Complete Island Flight
- Helicopter Tour over Haleakala Crater
- Private Airplane tour of Maui
- Additional information
What to expect in Maui
Cancellation policy
You can cancel your helicopter tour of Maui, 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.
West Maui and Molokai Helicopter Tour
This 45-minutes helicopter tour is a scenic flight over West Maui and Molokai.
You will soar past valleys and hidden waterfalls inaccessible by land and hover above ridgelines that sit at the heart of the rugged West Maui mountains.
Then cross the channel to neighboring Molokai for a flight past the world’s tallest sea cliffs. These vertical sea cliffs spill 1180 meters (3900 feet) to the turbid shoreline below.
You can choose from morning (7 am to 12 pm) or afternoon (12 to 5 pm) departure.
Tour operator: Air Maui Helicopters
Airtime in the helicopter: 45 minutes
Cost of tour: $246 per person
Molokai and Maui Helicopter Tour
This helicopter tour over Maui and Molokai takes off from Kahului and lasts 55 minutes.
Watch surfers riding Maui’s breaking waves as you fly towards Molokai’s sheer coastal cliffs.
You will see aerial views of Kahiwa Falls and the isolated North Shore, then turn towards the emerald green Halawa Valley.
Watch out for whales and dolphins as you cross the Pailolo channel.
Your chopper then swoops over Maui’s lush rainforest canopy and flies over Iao Valley State Park.
On your return path, you see the fascinating Honokohau Falls and Haleakala volcano.
Tour operator: Maverick Helicopters
Airtime in the helicopter: 55 minutes
Cost of tour: $330 per person
Doors-Off West Maui and Molokai Experience
If you want to increase the adrenalin rush of your helicopter tour in Maui, we recommend the doors-off West Maui and Molokai Experience.
During this 45 minutes tour, you will soar over the natural landmarks of Maui and Molokai in a helicopter without any doors.
Even as you glide over scenic vistas of towering waterfalls, sparkling rainbows, and unspoiled valleys thick with rainforest, you will feel the island breeze in your hair, making you one with nature.
You can also snap stunning photos from your mobile because there are no glare-causing windows.
This experience is the only doors-off helicopter tour in Maui.
Tour operator: Air Maui Helicopters
Airtime in the helicopter: 45 minutes
Cost of tour: $320 per person
Waterfalls of Scenic West Maui and Molokai
During this 50 minutes tour, the focus is on the waterfalls of the two Hawaiian islands.
The flight departs from Kahului, and you start by enjoying the aerial views of West Maui.
Then your chopper glides over the Pailolo channel to the Friendly Isle to check out Hawaii’s highest waterfall and the tallest sea cliffs in the world.
Before you get back to the heliport, you also check out the Kalaupapa peninsula.
All the while, your expert pilot shares their commentary about the region’s history and landmarks.
Tour operator: Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
Airtime in the helicopter: 50 minutes
Cost of tour: $400 per person
Hana Rainforest Helicopter Flight with Landing
This helicopter tour from Maui takes you straight to Hana Rainforest and northern shores, which are a treat to watch from the air.
You will glide over the completely green north coast, passing beauty spots like the ‘Jaws’ surf break beach and Jurassic Rock.
The best part is when your helicopter touches down on a virgin spot in the verdant Wailua Valley.
You get plenty of time to step out and explore the tropical vegetation and admire views over waterfalls and canyons before your return flight.
Tour operator: Maverick Helicopters
Airtime in the helicopter: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cost of tour: $350 per person
If you would prefer a cliffside landing, check out this air tour over Hana and Haleakala.
If you love oceans, you may want to check out the West Maui & Molokai Heli Tour with an oceanfront landing.
Maui Helicopter Tour – Complete Island Flight
Maui is an island that’s best seen by air, and on this complete island Maui helicopter tour, you soar over both East Maui and West Maui and catch a glimpse of neighboring Molokai.
Fly deep inside the West Maui Mountains, where there aren’t even any trails, and gaze upon the colorful cinder cones of Haleakala Crater.
Off the coast of Hana, you will enjoy splendid waterfalls that tumble their way directly into the sea and see hidden coves and white sand beaches you never even knew were there.
During this one-hour tour, you will see more than a dozen waterfalls.
Tour operator: Air Maui Helicopters
Airtime in the helicopter: 60 minutes
Cost of tour: $340
Helicopter Tour over Haleakala Crater
The highlight of this East Maui helicopter tour is the thrill of soaring high above the cinder cones of Haleakala Crater.
Upon lifting off from the heliport, you will see the waterfalls as you approach the East Maui rain forest.
You will see valleys and hidden pools only accessible by air and get a sense of how much of the island is still uncorrupted.
After flying above the Hana coastline and watching waterfalls spill towards the sea, you will climb high up the eastern flank of the Haleakala volcano to peep in.
Once back home, you can boast that you flew over the world’s largest and tallest dormant volcanoes.
Tour operator: Air Maui Helicopters
Airtime in the helicopter: 45 minutes
Cost of tour: $245 per person
Private Airplane tour of Maui
This experience is the only airplane tour of Maui Island, which aims to reveal the magical and hidden beauty of the island.
Up to three passengers can sit comfortably in the private cabin, which offers fascinating views from its non-tinted windows.
Tour operator: Maui Plane Rides
Airtime in the airplane: One hour 30 minutes
Cost of tour: $450 per person
We recommend the below-given sightseeing airplane tours from Maui –
Additional information
- Passengers wearing dark clothing have less reflection in the windows when flying and therefore you can get better photos during their tour.
- Infants under 24 months must sit on an adult’s lap. Kids over two years must occupy their own paid seats.
- For the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to intoxicated passengers. In such a case, the passenger won’t be refunded.
- All passengers 18 years and older will be required to show a photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport at the time of check-in.
- Children must be at least ten years of age or older to go on doors off in Hawaii. An adult must accompany passengers aged 10 to 18 years. Only age 16+ guests can sit on an edge/outside seat.
- If you have booked a doors-off helicopter tour, it is better to wear jackets or sweatshirts, closed-toe shoes, long pants, and hair ties.
- Even though most travelers can join a helicopter tour, they aren’t recommended for pregnant women, travelers with back problems, heart problems, or other severe medical conditions.
- If you have gone scuba diving within 24 hrs of the planned take-off, it can be dangerous for you. Always book an air tour at least a day after a scuba diving session.
- Due to FAA regulations, all passengers must be weighed at check-in.
- For the safety and comfort of all passengers, an additional seat must be purchased for each passenger weighing 109 Kg (240 pounds) or more, or combined weights of 190 Kg (420 Pounds) per couple. This is payable directly to the tour operator on the day of the tour.
Recommended Reading
# Helicopter tours in Kauai
# Helicopter tours in Big Island
# Helicopter tours in Oahu
# Helicopter tours from Honolulu
# Helicopter tours from Kona
# Helicopter tours from Lihue
# Helicopter tours in Hawaii