Helicopter Tours Across Hawaii
See Kauai, Big Island, Oahu & Maui Helicopter Tours
Editor’s Pick
Hawaii Helicopter Tours
Few activities are more thrilling than seeing the beautiful Hawaiian islands from the above on a Hawaiian islands helicopter tour. Helicopter tours are one of the most popular things to do in Hawaiʻi because there are so many areas that you just can’t see any other way. Hidden waterfalls in misty clouds, sweeping views of an entire side of the island, and unique perspectives of the ocean and reefs mean that your helicopter tour will be remembered as a once-in-a-lifetime highlight of your Hawaiian vacation for years to come.
Maui is known as the “Valley Isle” because of its two mountain ranges. The West Maui Mountains have hundreds of valleys encircling its highest point, the second wettest place on earth. The valleys leading from this peak are loaded with some of the highest waterfalls on the island. However, they are rarely visible from Maui’s roads. The only way to get a good view of them is from a helicopter. The Hawaiian Islands helicopter tour from West Maui can also include a flight across the channel to the island of Molokai and its thousand-foot high ocean cliffs!
Another spectacular landscape of valleys and waterfalls is Haleakala. The northeastern slopes have hundreds of waterfalls cascading through the jungle forest valleys along the Hana side. There are dozens above it and often a few farther down each valley for every waterfall you see along the road to Hana. From the air, it’s truly stunning how many waterfalls there are – with some even cascading into the ocean! Add to this the beautiful beaches and shorelines, and it’s easy to see why Helicopter tours are so popular on Maui. We have several flight times and routes to choose from that will help you choose a great air tour that’s perfect for you and your family’s time and budget!
Some of the most beautiful and scenic parts of Hawaiʻi are so remote they can only be seen from the air. That’s why a Hawaiian Islands helicopter tour is so spectacular, especially on the Big Island. True to its name, the Big Island is so sizeable that it can take a full day of driving to see just one side of the Big Island, but from the air, much more can be seen in a short period of time.
Take your pick of the several itineraries and routes from which to choose, guaranteeing you aerial views of the world’s most active volcano, Kilauea, rare black sand beaches, rainforest treetops, expansive valleys, flowing waterfalls, and towering sea cliffs. Helicopter tours depart from Kona, Hilo, and Waikoloa and range in time from one hour to a full-day, including on-ground sightseeing at various locations.
Often if visitors take a helicopter tour during the early part of their stay, it can help set your priorities for the rest of your Big Island vacation. Typically, a 50-minute flight from Hilo flies visitors over the most active parts of Kilauea Volcano then heads northeast to the waterfalls and ocean cliffs of the Hamakua Coast. As the shortest flights available, they are often more affordable than flights from Kona.
Tours from Kona on the southwestern side of the island mean they will cover more distance getting to Kilauea, but in doing so, passengers are rewarded with amazing views of the Kona Coast. These tours can be expanded into a full-day circle island tour which includes the dramatic sea cliffs of the Kohala Coast, Waipio Valley’s 2000’ cliffs, waterfalls in the north, and the lush rainforests of the Hamakua Coast in the east. We have hand-picked the best choices for flights no matter what side of the island you are staying on!
The island of Kauai, known as the “Garden Isle,” is the oldest and smallest of the four main Hawaiian islands. The island’s geography is unique as millions of years of erosion have created deep canyons, massive ocean cliffs, and towering waterfalls. Most of these features are in the island’s interior or along the massive cliffs of the Na Pali* coastline. Scenic overlooks or offshore boat views are beautiful, but these distant views are limited. However, a helicopter tour brings all the island’s splendors into full view! Kauai is surely one of the best islands to enjoy a sightseeing helicopter tour!
Waimea Canyon*, called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” by Mark Twain, is a spectacular sight to witness no matter how you get there. Still, from the air, you’ll see the incredible patterns and colors of bright red soil and lush green rainforests as the canyon twists and turns its way to the ocean.
The Na Pali* coastline consists of miles of thousand ft high cliffs that meet pounding ocean waves along the island’s lush north shore. Access is limited to a rigorous hiking trail or by ocean raft. You’ll see these extensive cliffs connect with the peaks and canyons of this amazing island! Adding to this, flyovers of the only navigable freshwater river in Hawaii, multiple waterfalls, and stunning beaches, and you’ll know why a helicopter tour is one of the most popular things to do on Kauai!
*Designated nature preserve
Before booking, keep in mind that not all helicopter tour routes or aircraft are alike. We are here to help you sort out all of the various aircraft options and flights available to ensure your flight captures all the amazing sights at the best prices. From affordable 30-minute, partial island tours to deluxe 60-minute flights that circle the entire island, we have safe and informative helicopter touring options that will be the highlight of your Hawaiʻi vacation!