Helicopter tours in Kauai – prices, discounts, timings, routes

A helicopter tour is the best way to see Kauai, which many considered to be nature’s masterpiece. 

Also called ‘Garden Isle,’ this Hawaii island is made up of lush green valleys, evergreen jungles, sea cliffs, beautiful waterfalls, and long winding rivers.

More than 70% of the Kauai Island is inaccessible by road, and as luck would have it, it is these parts where the most stunning of the sights exist. 

Around 100 helicopters take-off every day, ferrying excited tourists over Kauai’s scenic attractions. 

In this article, we explain everything you need to know before you book your helicopter tour in Kauai.

Kauai ECO Adventure Helicopter Tour

This tour is the most popular Kauai helicopter tour ever. 

You go up in a new Eurocopter Eco-Star helicopter and take in the diverse terrain of the island.

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. 

Departure: Lihue Heliport, 3730 Ahukini Rd #8, Lihue, HI 96766, USA (Get directions)
Duration: 50 minutes
Tour Operator: Blue Hawaiian*
Tour timings: 8 am to 4.30 pm

Cost: US$379 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 tour happens on a modern helicopter explicitly designed for sightseeing with large viewing windows and a professional guide.

Departure: Sunshine Helicopters, 3416 Rice St, Lihue, HI 96766, USA (Get directions)
Duration: 45-55 minutes
Tour Operator: Sunshine Helicopters
Tour timings: 8 am, 10 am, 1 pm, 3 pm

Cost:

WhisperStar Luxury Helicopter: US$349 per person

FXStar Standard Helicopter: US$294 per person

Private Kauai Helicopter Tour with No Middle Seats

Since this is a private tour, you get the whole helicopter to yourself. 

Once at the Heliport, you get to choose if you want the experience of Door on or Doors off helicopter.

For a small fee, you get Gopro mounts, using which you can record what you see. 

Departure: Lihue Heliport
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Tour Operator: Ali’i Air Tours & Charters
Tour timings: 9 am to 4.15 pm

Cost: US$399 per person

Deluxe Waterfall Safari

This tour is often also referred to as ‘Safari helicopter Kauai’.

During this chopper tour, you will cover 160 kms (100 miles) of amazing Kauai scenery from the air.

This helicopter ride includes pick up from select hotels. 

Once your purchase is complete, you’ll be able to coordinate pickup details directly with your operator.

Departure: Safari Helicopters, 3225 Akahi St, Lihue, HI 96766, USA (Get directions)
Duration: 55 minutes to 1 hour
Tour Operator: Safari Helicopters
Tour timings: 8.25 am to 3.50 pm

Cost: US$309 per person

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What to expect in Kauai

Highlights of most helicopter tours 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.

Best time for a helicopter tour on Kauai

Since a helicopter tour over Kauai island is a visual experience, it is best to take off between 12 noon to 3 pm when the light is much better, and the skies are clear.

Since Kauai’s valleys, canyons, and Na Pali Coast are full of shadows and ridges, you need the intense afternoon light to make a better sense of what you are seeing.

The best time of the year

The best time of year for a helicopter tour in Kauai is summer.

You are more likely to avoid the storms, which can often delay or cancel the flights.

In the winter, the weather gets a lot more unpredictable. Storms can easily wreak your plans, and flights can get canceled.

Winters are also not a good time for doors off helicopter tours.

Kauai open-door helicopter tours

These are also known as Kauai doors off helicopter tours because these involve choppers that don’t have doors. 

The only advantage of a doors-off helicopter tour is the more unobstructed view because of the lack of glass between you and what is on the ground.

There are no other significant advantages of paying more for a door-less helicopter experience. 

Besides, once you are up in the air, the wind can be freezing even on a warm day. Not to mention, you could get exposed to rain in case it drizzles. 

As of 2020, only two companies – Mauna Loa Helicopters and Jack Harter offer the doors-off option.

The prices are a bit costly for doors off experience than doors-on helicopter tours.

Check out Jackson’s experience on a door’s off helicopter in Kauai.

Restrictions strictly followed

Weight limits apply for safe and comfortable helicopter rides over Kauai.

A minimum and maximum number of passengers are required on these tours, failing which, it will be canceled.

Infants and children are allowed onboard, but infants must sit on the caregiver’s lap throughout the flight.

A valid photo ID is required.

Not wheelchair accessible.

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

Kauai heli tours do not include hotel pick-up and drop-off.

HD video of actual flight on USB (available to purchase) and refreshments are excluded from your ticket.

Your ticket price is also not inclusive of gratuities.

Map of Kauai Island

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before your tour date. 

If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, a 100% percent cancellation fee is applicable.

No changes are allowed within 24 hours of the experience’s start time.

Helicopter tours require 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.

Recommended Reading

# Helicopter tours in Big Island
# Helicopter tours in Oahu
# Helicopter tours in Maui
# Helicopter tours from Honolulu
# Helicopter tours from Kona
# Helicopter tours from Lihue
# Helicopter tours in Hawaii

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