Are you looking for the best Kauai helicopter tours? This guide from a Hawaii local has everything you need to know!
Kauai is one of the most beautiful islands in Hawaii. There are so many wonderful things to do on Kauai – from visiting beaches to tackling hikes to trying new foods. But many of Kauai’s most stunning landscapes – including the famous Na Pali Coast – aren’t accessible by car. That’s when a helicopter tour comes in!
By taking one of the best Kauai helicopter tours, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the island’s coolest sites. The Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, and Hanalei Bay are just the start.
So what are you waiting for? Which of these fantastic Kauai helicopter tours will you book for your island getaway?
What to Know Before Taking a Kauai Helicopter Tour
To have the best Kauai helicopter tour experience possible, be sure to follow the tips listed below!
Don’t Scuba Dive the Same Day
Most people don’t realize this, but you can’t scuba dive within 24 hours of your Hawaii helicopter tour. The stark difference between the air/water pressure can cause a problem known as decompression sickness, DCS.
There isn’t a ton of research into DCS, but it can cause a lot of pain in the muscles and joints. In severe cases, it can even cause paralysis. Simply put, don’t scuba dive and fly within 24 hours of each other.
For more information on DCS, refer to this Harvard Health article.
Wear Dark Clothes
This one isn’t typically a rule to take a Kauai helicopter ride, but it definitely makes things more enjoyable. If you wear bright clothes during your tour, the colors can reflect on the glass and obstruct your view. But dark colors won’t cause much of a glare at all!
*Note: Of course, this rule doesn’t really apply if you choose to take one of the Kauai doors off helicopter tours.
Be Assured of Kauai Helicopter Tours’ Safety
Many people are concerned about the safety of helicopter tours in general, including helicopter tours on Kauai. Flying in helicopters has become much safer over the past few decades. While there is always a risk, helicopter crashes on Kauai are now extremely rare.
Be Willing to Rearrange Your Schedule for the Weather
The main reason for the rare helicopter crashes that do happen is inclement weather. Sometimes, your Kauai helicopter tour company will call you and tell you that they need to reschedule. While this might seem like a pain itinerary-wise, it’s the best option for your safety.
Since your helicopter tour may need to be rescheduled to a later date, it’s best to book your adventure for an earlier day during your vacation.
The Overall Best Kauai Helicopter Tours
We’ll start off this Kauai helicopter tours article with the best of the best. These helicopter tours and companies have established themselves as the most incredible options on the island.
Kauai ECO Adventure Helicopter Tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters is arguably the most popular helicopter tour company in Hawaii. And their most popular tour on Kauai by far is their Kauai ECO Adventure Helicopter Tour.
This particular helicopter tour takes guests over all of the best Kauai sites, including the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, and Manawaiopuna Falls (also known as Jurassic Park Falls). As a matter of fact, many of the beautiful spots that you’ll see aren’t accessible by car, so they’re quite a treat.
But what really sets Blue Hawaiian Helicopters’ Kauai ECO Adventure Tour apart from the pack is their eco-star technology. This advanced feature reduces the noise in the helicopter by 50%, which definitely makes for a more enjoyable experience.
Book Now: Kauai ECO Adventure Helicopter Tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
Epic Air Kauai Helicopter Tour
A strong competitor to Blue Hawaiian Helicopters is Air Kauai. And one of Air Kauai’s most popular tours is this Epic Air Kauai Helicopter Tour.
At 65-minutes long, this Kauai helicopter tour is one of the longest rides on this list. And trust me on this, you’ll want to be in their air as long as possible, because there’s simply so much to see on this beautiful island! From the Na Pali Coast to Mt. Waialeale to Tunnels Beach, your eyes will keep darting from one stunning place to another!
Book Now: Epic Air Kauai Helicopter Tour
Doors Off Air Kauai Helicopter Tour
If you’re an adrenaline junky, you may want to try Air Kauai’s Doors Off Helicopter Tour instead. That’s right – this helicopter tour has NO DOORS. While this may seem a little scary, it also means you’ll get completely unobstructed and glare-free views of the beauty of Kauai.
Book Now: Doors Off Air Kauai Helicopter Tour
65-Minute Grand Deluxe Air Tour with Wings Over Kauai
Wings Over Kauai offers one of the few Kauai helicopter tours that are over an hour: the 65-Minute Grand Deluxe Air Tour. While soaring through the sky, you’ll get to see many of Kauai’s coolest natural landmarks.
Like many of the other Kauai helicopter tours on this list, Wings Over Kauai offers a narration or guide to point out all of the amazing sights along the way. But Wings Over Kauai sets itself apart from the pack, because its narration is recorded by the expert research scientist, Dr. Bruce Coulombe.
Book Now: 65-Minute Grand Deluxe Air Tour with Wings Over Kauai
Kauai Helicopter Tours that Land in the Middle
When you think of a helicopter tour, you often think of taking off, soaring around, and then landing right back where you started. Well, some Kauai helicopter tours give you the unique option to land on otherwise inaccessible parts of the island in the middle of your tour!
Jurassic Park Landing Adventure with Island Helicopters
If you’ve ever watched Jurassic Park, you’ve seen the beautiful, remote waterfall in the opening sequence. That waterfall – officially known as Manawaiopuna Falls and nicknamed Jurassic Park Falls – is on Kauai.
Now, everyone wants to see this famous waterfall. After all, it’s one of the best waterfalls in Hawaii. That said, Manawaiopuna Falls is on privately owned land, which means it’s very difficult to get access to it. But there is one loophole: booking the Jurassic Park Landing Adventure with Island Helicopters.
Island Helicopters is the only helicopter company on Kauai that is allowed to land at Manawaiopuna Falls. That’s right! If you book a helicopter tour with this specific company, you’ll get to see this cascading waterfall from Jurassic Park live and in-person.
Book Now: Jurassic Park Landing Adventure with Island Helicopters
Olokele Canyon Landing Safari with Safari Helicopters
Like many of the other Kauai helicopter tours on this list, this Olokele Canyon Landing Safari with Safari Helicopters flies guests over fantastic locations like the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon. But that’s not all!
This tour comes with the exclusive stop at the privately owned Olokele Canyon. Not only that, but you’ll actually be able to land at and explore this stunning canyon.
Book Now: Olokele Canyon Landing Safari with Safari Helicopters
Private Kauai Helicopter Tours
Sometimes, being in a cramped space – like a helicopter – with strangers can be a little uncomfortable. That’s where the option of a private Kauai helicopter tour comes in!
Private Airplane Tour with Alii Kauai Air Tours & Charters
Alii Kauai Air Tours & Charters’ Private Airplane Tours are perfect if you want to have a helicopter adventure just for your group. With a minimum of two people and a maximum of four people, it can accommodate couples, small families, or a few friends.
During your journey, you’ll see many of Kauai’s best attractions. The Na Pali Coast, Hanalei Bay, and Kilauea Lighthouse are just the start.
Book Now: Private Airplane Tour with Alii Kauai Air Tours & Charters
Private Luxury Full-Island Sightseeing Flight with Air Ventures Hawaii
Air Ventures Hawaii offers another private tour option with its Private Luxury Full-Island Sightseeing Flight. This 65- to 70-minute flight is one of the longest Kauai helicopter tours on the market. At the same time, it’s surprisingly affordable compared to its competitors, so you’ll get the most value on this adventure – at least time-wise.
As you listen to stories about the lovely island of Kauai, you’ll also get to see sites like the Na Pali Coast, Wailua Falls, and Waimea Canyon. You’ll fly all the way from the North Shore to the South Shore, from Lihue to Princeville, and see everything in between.
Book Now: Private Luxury Full-Island Sightseeing Flight with Air Ventures Hawaii
What other Kauai helicopter tours do you think should be added to this list? Let me know in the comments below!
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