Kauaʻi helicopter tours
Much of Kauaʻi’s interior is out of reach by road. A helicopter covers Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali Coast, Mount Waiʻaleʻale and Manawaiopuna Falls in about an hour.
Short answer: a 60 to 65 minute full-island flight from Līhuʻe covers the highlights. Pick doors-off for photos, or the 90-minute landing tour to step out in a remote canyon.
Types of tour
| Type | Length | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard loop | About 50 minutes | A first look at the island |
| Full island | 60 to 65 minutes | Na Pali, Waimea Canyon, Waiʻaleʻale and the falls |
| Doors-off | About 60 minutes | Photographers; stricter weight limits |
| Landing tour | About 90 minutes | A guided walk at Olokele Canyon Wildlife Refuge |
The operators
- Jack Harter Helicopters began Kauaʻi helicopter tours in 1962 and ran the first doors-off tour in 2005.
- Blue Hawaiian Helicopters flies a quieter Eco-Star fleet, mostly from Līhuʻe, with a Princeville departure on some routes.
- Safari Helicopters runs the landing tour at Olokele Canyon and a 60-minute waterfall loop.
Check safety before you book. A fatal tour helicopter crash near Kalalau Beach on March 26, 2026, involving Airborne Aviation, was under NTSB investigation as of our last check. Look up any operator’s record before booking.