Kauai Scenic Flight: Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon & Waterfalls

Every seat faces the window on a flight built around the Na Pali Coast.

A 65-minute scenic flight over Kauai with a live English-language guide covers the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, Mount Waialeale, Hanalei Bay and the Poipu shoreline—sights that fixed-wing aircraft reach more fully than helicopters do. You arrive 30 minutes before departure, and the tour includes narration and music throughout the flight. Individual weight limits apply and must be declared at booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Scenic Kauai Deluxe Flight Tour

• Fly along Na Pali Coast
• View Kipu Kai and Poipu shoreline
• Whale watching over Poipu shoreline
• Fly over Waimea Canyon and waterfalls
• Fly over Jurassic Park waterfalls
• Fly alongside Mount Waialeale waterfalls
• Fly over Hanalei Bay and valley waterfalls

The Experience

The plane departs with every seat positioned at a window, and the route runs the full length of the Na Pali Coast first—the cliffs and beaches that define Kauai's north shore. From there the flight crosses to Waimea Canyon, the eroded brown landscape that contrasts sharply with the green valleys surrounding it, and descends low enough to see dozens of waterfalls spilling down the canyon walls. Mount Waialeale comes next, a crater-like formation ringed with waterfalls on three sides, and then the flight follows Hanalei Valley inland where hundreds of waterfalls ribbon down from above, visible off both wings and underneath the plane.

What separates this tour from helicopter operations is the route itself: fixed-wing aircraft cover the Kipu Kai and the entire Poipu shoreline, which helicopters skip for time. The Poipu stretch is also where whale watching happens along the coast. The narration and music run throughout the 65-minute flight, and the pace is built so you spend more time gazing at each landmark than you would on a faster tour. Arrive 30 minutes before your flight time; the operator requires accurate weight declared in pounds at checkout, with individual limits of 275 pounds and a four-person party limit of 1100 pounds.

What’s included

• The tour includes the 65-minute scenic flight with live English-language narration and music.
• landing fees and fuel surcharge.
• and local taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Wings Over Kauai LLC

Is this one for you?Book this flight if you want to see the full Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon and the Poipu shoreline in one trip—fixed-wing aircraft reach all of these in a single route, whereas helicopter tours skip some sections for time. The 65-minute duration and window-seat layout mean you spend more time at each landmark than faster tours allow.

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Top questions

What is the Na Pali Coast like from the air on this flight?

The Na Pali Coast is the first major section of the flight, and you see the full length of it—the cliffs, beaches and valleys that make up Kauai's north shore. Every seat is a window seat, so the view is unobstructed for the entire pass.

Does this flight go over Waimea Canyon?

Yes, the flight covers the entire Waimea Canyon, also called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. You fly low enough to see numerous waterfalls below you, and the brown eroded landscape stands in sharp contrast to the green valleys elsewhere on the island.

How many waterfalls will I see?

The itinerary passes over around 100 waterfalls across the island—many visible off the wings and underneath the plane, especially in Hanalei Valley and around Mount Waialeale. The exact number varies with weather and flight path.

Is there a weight limit for this flight?

Individual passengers cannot exceed 275 pounds, and a party of four, five or six people cannot total more than 1100 pounds. You must declare your weight in pounds at checkout, and the operator requires accuracy; if your actual weight is 10 pounds or more above what you stated, you may not be able to fly.

Can children fly on this tour?

Children of all ages can fly, including infants. Children under 24 months fly free and must sit on an adult's lap. Infants and small children can also travel in a pram or stroller, though lap seating is the standard arrangement.

How long is the flight?

The flight is 65 minutes long, including the narration and music throughout. You should arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time.