Kauai Helicopter Tour: Na Pali Coast & Waimea Canyon

Fly over Kauai's Cliffs, Waterfalls & Hidden Valleys in an Eco-Star

You fly in a modern Eco-Star helicopter with individual seats, two-way communication with the pilot, and unobstructed glass views of Kauai's entire north and west coasts. The route covers Jurassic Park Falls, Waimea Canyon, Na Pali Coast, Hanalei Bay, and, weather permitting, Mount Wai'ale'ale. Arrive an hour early for check-in and safety briefing. Bags and large cameras are not permitted onboard.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kauai Eco Adventure Helicopter Tour

• Fly over Lihue town
• Pass by Kapa'a coastline
• View Manawaiopuna Falls
• Fly over Hanapepe Valley
• See Olokele Canyon
• Fly over Waimea Canyon
• View Na Pali Coast cliffs
• See Hanalei Bay and pier
• Pass Princeville Resort area
• Weather permitting, fly Mt Waiʻaleʻale
• Pass Port Allen Small Boat Harbor

The experience

You're strapped into an individual business-class seat in a new American Eurocopter Eco-Star, headset on, two-way radio live with the pilot. The helicopter lifts off from Lihue and banks toward Hanapepe Valley, where Manawaiopuna Falls, the waterfall from Jurassic Park, drops between emerald walls. The glass wraps around you. There's no partition between you and the view, and the aircraft's design cuts noise by about 50 percent, so you hear the pilot's voice clearly as he points things out, not shouting over an engine roar. That matters more than you'd think when you're trying to actually see what you're looking at.

From there the route moves north and up. Olokele Canyon opens below, then Waimea Canyon itself: the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, and the comparison isn't just marketing. The walls drop thousands of feet, waterfalls thread down the crevices, and the scale is real enough that your brain takes a moment to process it from the air. Then you're over the North Shore: Na Pali Coast's 3,000-foot sea cliffs, Hanalei Bay with its turquoise water and the old pier from the South Pacific film, Princeville Resort sprawling on the ridge. If weather clears, the pilot will push toward Mt. Wai'ale'ale, the second-wettest spot on earth, where 450 inches of rain a year keep the mountain draped in mist and 3,000-foot waterfalls fill every ravine. You won't see it every day (conditions have to align), but when it appears, it's the kind of thing you remember.

Check-in is an hour before departure, which gives time for a safety briefing, weight check (the aircraft balances precisely), and boarding. Bags and large cameras stay behind: the rule exists because there's nowhere to stow them and nothing between you and the sky. You'll get your tour time confirmed after booking, and arriving late means you lose the flight with no refund, so plan your drive to the heliport with traffic in mind. The whole experience runs about an hour in the air, and it's the kind of thing that changes how you see an island you thought you already knew.

What’s included

Your tour includes the one-hour helicopter flight in an Eco-Star aircraft with individual business-class seating, two-way communication headsets with a State of Hawaii certified pilot guide, Bose aviation-grade noise-cancelling headsets, all taxes and fees, and wheelchair accessibility with a lift available at the base. Gratuity is not included and is left to individual discretion.

Information

Lasts 50m, runs every day, 14 start times, from US$ 489 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 6 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday: 08:00, 08:30, 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 and 15:30Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday: 08:00, 08:30, 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 and 15:30Friday: 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 and 15:30Saturday: 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00

GroupUp to 61 private ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.1 with pickup ›

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (2 and older) · Infant (under 2)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Blue Hawaiian Helicopters - Kauai

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Kauai's entire north and west coasts (Na Pali, Waimea Canyon, Hanalei Bay, and the hidden waterfalls) without arranging your own boat or hiking routes. The fixed route and pilot commentary cover all the major sights in one flight, and the noise-reduced aircraft means you can actually hear what you're seeing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the helicopter tour?

The flight is approximately one hour in the air, with an additional hour needed for check-in, safety briefing, and boarding.

What's included in the Kauai helicopter tour?

The tour includes the helicopter flight, individual business-class seating, two-way communication headsets with the pilot, a State of Hawaii certified pilot guide, and all taxes and fees. Gratuity is not included.

Can I bring a camera on the helicopter?

Small cameras are allowed, but large cameras and extending selfie sticks are not permitted due to space and safety constraints.

Is the helicopter tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The heliport, helicopter, and all areas are wheelchair accessible. A wheelchair lift is available at the base to assist with boarding.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Tour sights vary depending on weather. Mount Wai'ale'ale and some other stops may not be visible on cloudy or rainy days, but the pilot will adjust the route to show what is safely accessible.

Do infants need their own seat?

No. Children 23 months and younger sit on an adult's lap at no charge and are considered a lap child.

What if I weigh over 240 pounds?

Passengers weighing over 240 pounds (108 kg) require an adjacent empty seat for aircraft balance. The second seat costs half the regular tour price and must be arranged after booking.

Can I go scuba diving before the tour?

No. You must wait at least 24 hours after scuba diving before flying in the helicopter.

What time do I need to arrive?

Check-in is one hour before your scheduled tour time. Late arrivals will not be accepted, and the flight is non-refundable. You'll receive your confirmed tour time after booking.

Where does the helicopter depart from?

The tour departs from a heliport in Lihue, Kauai's main town. Public transportation options are available nearby.