Kauai - Lihue

Island of Kauai

Adventures in the Air - Helicopter Tours

Jack Harter Helicopters, 888-245-2001, 808-245-3774,
www.helicopters-kauai.com. Jack Harter is the guy who started it all. He began the first helicopter service in 1962. He’s no longer doing tours, but he does make sure you are in good, capable hands. One thing that the company is known for is their detailed and accurate information. I found the narration insightful and accurate. The company has two planes. The ASTAR is roomy and comfortable, with huge windows for everyone to get a good view. Their Hughes 500 helicopter is a four-passenger helicopter that is flown with the doors off for that extra sense of adventure. Both have a two-way communication system, which allows a dialog between you and the pilot.

They have two tours. A60-minute one for $229 per person covers all the major areas, such as Nawiliwili Harbor and the Menehune Fishpond, Waimea Canyon, Na Pali, Mt. Wai`ale`ale and Manawaiopuna Falls in Hanapepe Valley. They also have a 90-minute tour for $299 per person that follows
the same route, but is much slower to allow more photo opportunities.

Will Squyers Helicopter Tours, 888-245-4354, 808-245-8881, 808-245-7541, www.willsquyres.com, flies in air-conditioned ASTAR 350s with custom windows to maximize viewing. The pilots are knowledgeable and the company loves to highlight its perfect safety record. The 55-minute tour takes you to Waimea Canyon, Mount Wai`ale`ale, Alakai Swamp,
Wailua Falls and the Na Pali Coast. It costs $219.

Safari Helicopter Tours, 800-326-3356, 808-246-0136, www.safariair.com. This family-owned company flies air-conditioned ASTAR 350B2-7 helicopters that have forward-facing seats with more legroom, a soundproof cabin with Bose stereo headsets and a two-way intercom system between pilot and passengers. You have unobstructed views while a four camera video system records your flight. The Deluxe Waterfall Safari is 55 minutes at $224 per person. Check Safari’s website before you book for potential savings.

Island Helicopters Kaua`i, 808-245-8588, www.islandhelicopters.com, has two new six-passenger ASTAR helicopters. All offer smooth and stable flight with forwardfacing seats, extra-large windows, state-of-the-art CD stereo
systems and two-way communication between pilot and passengers. The main attraction is the “Kaua`i Grand” tour, which pretty much follows the same route as the other helicopter companies – Manawaiopuna Falls in the Hanapepe Valley (as seen in the movie Jurassic Park) Olokele Canyon,
Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali Coast and, weather permitting, on to MountWai`ale`ale. This 50-minute flight costs $250 per person. It’s not a bad tour, but you can do better elsewhere.

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, 800-745-2583, 808-245-5800, www.bluehawaiian.com, only offers one tour. The 50-minute ECO Adventure flies on an ECO-Star helicopter, which gives you more room and less noise. It also has a twoway communication system and large windows that are great for photos. Your tour starts in Lihu`e and heads to Hanapepe Valley, and ManaWaiapuna, the waterfalls featured in Jurassic Park. Then it’s on to Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast. The narration is pretty good, but the helicopter’s the real star. This 50-minute flight is $219 per person.

Air Kaua`i Helicopters, 808-246-4666, www.airkauai.com, flies one tour that lasts for about 60 minutes through Hanapepe Valley, Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali Coast and MountWai`ale`ale. The ASTAR helicopters are equipped with Bose Acoustic Stereo headsets, providing two-way communication. The tour costs $195 per person. Be sure to book in
advance.

Heli USA Airways, 808-826-6591, www.heliusahawaii.com, does one tour out of Lihu`e Airport. All of their tours start you off with a video presentation. Then you climb aboard their ASTAR helicopter and fly around the island. You head into Hanapepe Valley, Waimea Canyon, Na Pali Cliffs, pass Bali Hai and Hanalei Valley. This tour is only 45 minutes and is $169.

Air Tours

Wings Over Kaua`i, 808-635-0815, www.wingsoverkauai.com. If riding in a helicopter doesn’t appeal to you, perhaps a four-seat Cessna 172 Skyhawk will. Wings Over Kaua`i offers informative airplane tours. You cruise above waterfalls, the Waimea Canyon, and the Na Pali coastline. The rates for tours start at $86 per person for a 30-minute flight with a two-person minimum. The rates go up to $130 for a 70-minute tour.

Air Ventures Kaua`i, 866-464-7864, 808-651-0679, www.airventureskauai.com, is another option if you don’t want to take a helicopter. They fly in a Maule MXT7-180 STOL aircraft. The pilot is very knowledgeable and makes the tour fun. For $69, you can book a 40-minute tour that takes a different route from Lihu`e Airport up the east coast of the island, where you see Sleeping Giant and Kilauea Lighthouse. The 60-minute tour circles the island, going over Waimea, the Na Pali Coast, Hanalei Valley and Kilauea Lighthouse. The rate for this one is $99. If you go to their website, you can get discounted rates on their flights, as well as discounted air/boat tour combos.

Kaua`i Aero Tours, 808-639-9893. If I had to sum up this tour in one word, it would have to be “Wow!” You fly in a Classic Citabria that was specifically designed for acrobatics. Not only will you see the sights of the island, but you also fly acrobatic loops, barrel rolls and other maneuvers. The pilot will even let you take the stick. They can only take one person at a time. Tours range from 30 to 60 minutes; prices start at $125.

Tropical Bi-Planes, 808-246-9123, www.tropicalbiplanes.com. If you ever wanted to ride in a plane with a classic look and feel, here’s your chance.
Tropical Biplanes, operated by Fly Kaua`i, runs tours in its 2002 WACO WMF Super bi-plane. You even get the nostalgic cloth helmet and goggles. Fortunately, the plane is modern, so you get a headset that provides
two-way communication. The open cockpit gives you a feeling of freedom as you fly around Waimea Canyon and up the Na Pali Coast. They have 30- and 45-minute rides that travel either to the North Shore or along the South Shore, for $178 and $267 per couple, respectively. They also have a 60-minute ride that travels along the South Shore, up to the Na Pali coastline, Hanalei and Princeville for $356.

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