Maui: Helicopter Tour Hana Rainforest & Wailua Valley Landing

Summary

Helicopter flight above Road to Hana with rare rainforest landing

You’ll board a helicopter at Kahului airport for an aerial ride over Maui’s North Coast, spotting waterfalls and the famous Road to Hana before landing in Wailua Valley’s rainforest. Walk among banana trees on an old taro plantation with your guide sharing stories — it’s peaceful, lush, sometimes muddy underfoot. You’ll leave with more than photos; it kind of lingers with you.

What’s the experience like?

“You see that curve down there? That’s where my uncle used to fish,” our pilot said, tilting the helicopter just enough for us to peek at the wild coastline below. I gripped my headset, partly from nerves and partly because I was trying not to miss a word. The sound of the rotors was louder than I expected — sort of like standing near a waterfall, which we actually did fly over about five minutes later. I caught a glimpse of Paia and Hookipa, tiny against all that green, and then there was JAWS — just a patch of ocean from up here but you could almost feel the stories in those waves.

Flying along the Road to Hana felt both fast and slow at once. The sea cliffs looked impossibly steep, and our pilot (I think his name was Matt? Or maybe Mark — sorry) pointed out Jurassic Rock with a grin. He kept tossing in local facts between jokes about helicopter hair. When we started descending into Wailua Valley, my stomach did that rollercoaster thing. The landing spot was a clearing surrounded by banana trees and wild ginger — it smelled earthy, sharp, sweet. We stepped out onto soft ground that squished underfoot; I probably should’ve worn different shoes.

I wandered off a bit during our 30-minute stop, brushing past wet leaves and listening to water drip somewhere nearby. The quiet felt thick after the flight noise. Our guide told us about taro farming here — apparently hardly anyone gets to walk this patch anymore. There was something humbling about standing in a place most people only ever see from above. On the way back up, someone asked if you ever get used to these views; our pilot just laughed and shook his head.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Helicopter flight and rainforest landing

• Check in at Kahului airport
• Meet pilot and board helicopter
• Fly along Maui’s North Coast
• View sea cliffs, waterfalls, and landmarks
• See Road to Hana and Jurassic Rock
• Land at former taro plantation
• Explore Wailua Valley rainforest for 30 minutes

Top questions

How long is the Maui helicopter tour including landing?

The total experience is approximately 70 minutes: 40 minutes flying and 30 minutes exploring on foot after landing in Wailua Valley.

Where does the helicopter depart from?

The tour starts at Kahului airport on Maui.

Is hotel pickup included?

No, hotel pickup is not included; you meet at Kahului airport for check-in.

What do you see during the helicopter flight?

You’ll see Maui’s North Coast, waterfalls, Paia, Hookipa, Haiku, JAWS surf spot, Road to Hana, Jurassic Rock, and more.

What happens during the rainforest landing?

You land in Wailua Valley for about 30 minutes to explore an old taro plantation surrounded by rainforest with your guide.

Is lunch or food provided on this tour?

No meals are included; food is not provided during this tour.

Are there any weight restrictions for passengers?

Yes—passengers over 300 lbs (136 kg) must purchase an extra seat; total group weight cannot exceed 1,140 lbs (518 kg).

Do I need ID for this tour?

Yes—per FAA rules all passengers 18+ must show photo ID at check-in.

What’s included

Your day includes live commentary from your pilot as you fly for around 40 minutes above Maui’s North Coast with views of waterfalls and landmarks like Road to Hana before an exclusive 30-minute landing in Wailua Valley’s rainforest — all taxes and fees are covered too.