What should have been a positive life changing experience for the passengers ended in tragedy on Friday, December 27th, 2019. It was very difficult to write this post encouraging others to book a tour following the horrific news of the most recent helicopter crash on the island of Kauai—but we think it is now more important than ever for people to be able to make an informed decision.

With over 90% of Kauai being inaccessible by road—there are only two ways to explore the entire island—on foot or in the air. Helicopter tours have been operating on the island for over 50 years and have long been one of the most popular tourist attractions for those visiting Hawaii. We had some family friends take a tour a few years ago and to this day it is still something they haven’t stopped talking about. With this in mind—we knew our trip had to include our own bird’s eye view of the Garden Isle!

With several different companies to choose from—all of which offer multiple tours at differing price points—it can be quite overwhelming when starting your research. In this post, we try to put all the information we found into one place while also answering some of the most frequently asked questions.

Jack Harter Helicopters

Offering aerial views of Kauai since the 1960s—Jack Harter Helicopters is one of the oldest tour companies on the island. Throughout our research we read many positive reviews about their company—and even though their prices were a bit higher than some of the other tours on this list—we still decided to book with them!

A-Star Tour - $289

60-65 min
6 passengers
Save $30 by booking online!

Hughes 500 Tour - $309

60-65 min
4 passenger
One of the only companies to offer a doors off tour. Click here to read about why you should book a doors off tour!

90-95 min A-Star Tour - $434

6 passengers
A slower and more in depth tour of the island.

Looking for something a little more exclusive? Contact them to charter a VIP flight or photography/video tour!

Blue Hawaiian

With their bright blue helicopters flying over Hawaii since 1985—Blue Hawaiian is another great choice for your aerial tour! If you plan on staying on the North side of the island they are the only company we found that offers departures from Princeville. Visiting some of the other Hawaiian Islands during your trip? They also operate flights over Oahu, Maui and the Big Island!

The Eco-Adventure tour - $269

50 min
6 passengers
Will fly you over the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon and more!

Rise and Shine OR Happy Hour - $229

50 min
6 passengers
Save $$ by booking at 8AM or 4PM!

Discover Kauai - $349

45 min
6 passengers
The only helicopter tour we found that departs from Princeville.

All helicopters are seated based on weight. You can guarantee yourself good seats by hiring a private charter (starting from $2320/hour) OR paying extra to get to the front two seats on any of their regular tours!

Island Helicopters

If you’ve ever seen the original Jurassic Park film you may remember an early scene where the helicopter carrying some of the main characters lands at the base of a waterfall. This waterfall is known as Manawaiopuna Falls but since the release of Jurassic Park in 1993 it has unofficially been called ‘Jurassic Falls’. Island Helicopters is the only company that offers you the unique opportunity to recreate this scene. While you may not be met by any prehistoric creatures—you will have approximately 25 minutes to explore!

The Grand Deluxe Circle - $180

50-55 min
Covers all the major attractions
Cheapest tour we found!

Jurassic Falls Landing Adventure - $342

75-80 min
6 passengers
Combines the Grand Deluxe tour with a landing at Manawaiopuna Falls which is inaccessible to the public!
Tour is not available on Sundays and most Thursdays.

Want to spend even less? Save 4% if paying by cash or traveller’s check!

Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours

What started as a flight training school for helicopter pilots 22 years ago has blossomed into one of the more exclusive tour companies. Offering private sightseeing tours over Kauai since 2006 and boasting an impeccable safety record—Mauna Loa is a great choice for those looking to share this experience with only their loved ones!

The Kauai Experience - $325

55-60 min
2-3 passengers
Your choice of doors on or off!

Kauai Pro Photography Flight - $693

55-60 min
1-2 passengers
Doors on or off
You choose the itinerary!

Not visiting Kauai? Check out their tours on the Big Island and Oahu!

Safari Helicopters

The third oldest helicopter tour company on Kauai has been providing passenger flights over the island since 1987. A recent crash calls into question the claims put forth on their website that they put safety first. However, it is the first time the company has been involved in a fatal accident. With the possibility of severe weather changes in the area of the crash—and no concrete answers about what happened—it is possible that an accident could have happened with any of the tour companies on this list. According to an article by Global News—the FAA has reported four previous incidents involving Safari Helicopters since 2001, none of which resulted in major injuries. It should be noted that most of the companies on this list have had at least one previous accident and that there are inherent risks involved with flying in any helicopter.

Deluxe Waterfall Safari - $239

60 min
6 passengers
Booking around the holidays? Promo code: web40 for $40 off!

Refuge Eco-Tour - $314

90 min
6 passengers
40-min stop at Kauai Wildlife Refuge
Promo code: web55 for $55 off holiday special!

Heading to the Big Island? Check out their tours here!

Sunshine Helicopters

Family owned and operated by husband and wife duo Ross and Anna—Sunshine Helicopters offers only one tour but with two different helicopters—the FX Star and and the Whisper Star. The only noticeable differences we found from the 360 degree views of each aircraft was that the FX Star has slightly smaller seats and the pilot appears to sit on the right side of the helicopter. The position of the pilot is an important distinction due to the flight path. While most views can be seen from both sides of the helicopter—the Na Pali Coast is best viewed from the right side!

Ultimate Kauai Adventure (FX Star) - $220

50-55 min
6 passengers
Choose your seats for $50 more per person
Save $20 if you fly before 8:30AM or after 2PM!

Ultimate Kauai Adventure (Whisper Star) - $250

50-55 min
6 passengers
Larger and more comfortable seating!
Choose your seats for $50 more per person
Save $20 if you fly before 8:30AM or after 2PM!

Sunshine also operates tours on the Big Island and was the only company we found that offers aerial tours of Maui and Molokai!

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is best?

If you’re just going for the views—any time of day will be amazing! However, if you're looking to get some great photos for your Instagram feed, you may want to opt for a specific flight time. While some companies offer deals for early morning/late afternoon flights—the mid to late afternoon sunlight can create some incredible depth by casting shadows in some of the valleys of the Na Pali Coast while providing enough light to capture some amazing photos. Make sure you read our guide on ‘How to Capture the Perfect Photo on your Helicopter Tour’ to see what accessories you will need for your camera!

Can you choose your own seat?

Most tour companies do not allow you to choose your own seat. The small profile of a helicopter require seats to be assigned to ensure equal weight distribution of the aircraft. While some companies will allow you to reserve seats for an extra fee—we feel that the best course of action is to spend the extra money on one of the companies that offer flights of 2-4 passengers—see Jack Harter and Mauna Loa above—where there is no bad seat!

What should you wear?

This all depends on whether you choose a doors on or doors off tour. Most of the helicopters are temperature controlled so if you go with a doors on tour you will probably be comfortable in your shorts and t-shirt. You’ll need to make sure you wear dark clothing to minimize the chance of glare on the windows. If you opt for the doors off tour you’ll want to dress warmly and be prepared for the chance of getting wet! We were comfortable in athletic pants, a light sweater and a rain jacket. You’ll also need to make sure everything is secured to your body—including footwear, camera gear and your cell phone.

What if you need to cancel?

Most companies have a cancellation policy that allows you to cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour. If you need to cancel or change your reservation within 24 hours you will typically be charged the full amount. A reservation change within 24 hours may be subject to a refund from some companies if they can find someone to fill your spot. Make sure you check the cancellation policy of the company you choose prior to booking your tour!

Do they fly in bad weather?

Due to the rapidly changing weather on Kauai—all of the companies listed above should have a weather policy in place. While most companies will fly through passing showers—severe weather will ground all tours. If this happens to you, your tour company should try to accommodate you by offering a tour on another date or by offering you a full refund with no penalty.

*Travel Tip: Book your tour early in your trip and minimize your chance being disappointed by a weather cancellation!

Is a helicopter better than a plane tour?

With a small profile and a tight turning radius—a helicopter offers the ability to get you closer to the sights of Kauai than any plane ever could!

Final Thoughts

Motion sickness is a real thing. The quick turns made by the pilot—which allows passengers on both sides of the helicopter a chance to see the views—left Branden feeling a bit queasy and had Marcie looking like the Incredible Hulk. If you have a history of even the slightest bit of motion sickness—we highly recommend taking some anti-nausea medication prior to your flight!

Life is all about taking risks. We take risks every time we walk out the front door, drive a car or fly in a plane. All of which you will probably do on your way to Hawaii. The most recent crash may have you second guessing the decision to book your helicopter tour; but with only seven fatal crashes on Kauai in the past 20 years—and increased scrutiny of safety regulations—we seriously think you should take the chance on this once in a lifetime experience!