Kohala Waterfalls Helicopter Tour: Exclusive Landing

Land at the base of a 1,200-foot waterfall in a remote valley

A helicopter tour departing from Waikoloa that flies over the Kohala Coast's waterfalls, valleys and ranching country, then descends to an exclusive landing pad at Laupahoehoe Nui on the Kohala Coast. You spend 20–25 minutes on the ground at the waterfall's edge, with a pilot guide who is also a State of Hawaii Certified Tour Guide narrating the flight through noise-canceling headsets.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kohala Waterfalls Helicopter Tour

• Depart from Waikoloa
• View Kohala ranching and valleys
• Pass by Waimea Falls area
• Exclusive landing at Laupahoehoe Nui waterfall
• Explore white sandy beach on west coast
• See lush valley surrounded by cliffs

The experience

The helicopter leaves Waikoloa and climbs over the Kohala area, a landscape of rolling pastures and ranches known as cowboy country. The flight passes Waimea Falls and moves into the mile-wide valley surrounded by cliffs up to 2,000 feet high: the boyhood home of King Kamehameha I, called the Valley of the Kings. Your pilot, a certified tour guide, narrates the history and geography through two-way communication headsets as you get a bird's-eye view of waterfalls cascading thousands of feet into the rainforest, where remnants of ancient Hawaiian settlements remain visible.

The defining moment comes when the pilot descends among the lush flora and fauna along the 1,200-foot cliffs to a grassy landing pad at the waterfall's base. You step out at the edge of a freshwater pool fed by the thundering cascade: a one-of-a-kind photo and video opportunity during your 20–25 minutes on the ground. The valley is unspoiled and untouched, the kind of access a helicopter landing alone makes possible. After landing, the flight continues over a white sandy beach along the west coast before returning to Waikoloa.

Check-in is one hour before departure to allow for weight verification, a safety briefing, and seating. The tour runs about 70 minutes total. Tours may shift timing or route based on wind and weather. Wear dark clothing to avoid reflections in photos. Hats, bags and large cameras stay behind. Bose aviation-grade noise-canceling headsets are provided, and your pilot communicates with you throughout the flight.

What’s included

• Helicopter flight over the Kohala Coast with pilot guide who is a State of Hawaii Certified Tour Guide.
• use of Bose Aviation-grade electronic noise-canceling headsets with two-way communication to the pilot.
• exclusive landing at Laupahoehoe Nui with 20–25 minutes on the ground at the waterfall.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 14:00 and 15:05

Book up to12h before

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

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

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Blue Hawaiian Helicopters - Waikoloa

Is this one for you?The tour runs about 70 minutes total with one hour of check-in beforehand, so plan for a morning or afternoon block of roughly two and a half hours from Waikoloa. The landing itself is the payoff. If you want the waterfall from the air only, a standard helicopter tour costs less. This one's worth the premium if standing at the base of the cascade matters to you.

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Top questions

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.

What is the landing site like at Laupahoehoe Nui?

Laupahoehoe Nui sits at the base of a 1,200-foot waterfall in a lush valley a mile wide and over five miles deep, with a grassy landing pad at the edge of a freshwater pool fed by the cascade. The site is remote and undeveloped, surrounded by cliffs and accessible only by helicopter.

Can I bring a camera or phone to take photos?

You can bring a phone or small camera, but large cameras and extending selfie sticks are not permitted on the helicopter. The operator offers optional video and photo packages available for purchase after the flight at the heliport.

How much time do I actually spend on the ground at the waterfall?

You have 20–25 minutes on the ground at the landing site to walk around the waterfall, take photos and experience the valley before returning to the helicopter for the flight back to Waikoloa.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?

Tours may vary in timing or route according to wind and weather conditions. The operator will work with you on rescheduling if conditions prevent safe flight, though you should check the specific cancellation and rescheduling policy when you book.