If there’s one activity you do when you visit Kauai, make it a helicopter tour with Island Helicopters. There’s no better way to see the wild beauty of Kauai, it’s the ultimate sightseeing experience. You gain access to remote and inaccessible locations around the island. I’d wanted to do a helicopter tour since we moved to Kauai, and I’d heard nothing but amazing things about Island Helicopters.
Why is Island Helicopters is the best helicopter tour on Kauai?
- Exclusive Access: Island Helicopters is the only company with permission to land at Manawaiopuna Falls, aka Jurassic Falls.
- Outstanding Customer Service: They offer outstanding customer service throughout your entire experience.
- Combo Experience: Any Kauai helicopter tour offers a broad sightseeing experience over the island, but getting to land at the falls makes it truly memorable. You experience the wild beauty first hand landing at the falls.
- Award Winning Company: Island Helicopters won multiple awards as the Best Helicopter Tour Company in the United States from USA Today, Hawai’i Magazine, and The Garden Island Newspaper.
- Glowing Reviews: They have 4.8/5 stars on Google with almost 2,000 reviews! And I’ve heard nothing but incredible things from everyone who has flown with them.
Kauai Helicopter Tour: Jurassic Falls with Island Helicopters
If you’re looking for an activity filled with insane views, natural beauty, and access to remote locations, the Jurassic Falls landing tour with Island Helicopters is the activity for you! A Kauai helicopter tour is the ideal way to experience the breathtaking beauty of the island. You see so much more of the island on a helicopter tour, including waterfalls and areas that are secluded or have restricted access.
A helicopter tour on Kauai gives you the ability to access remote or delicate locations without causing physical disturbance. This is the definition of ecotourism – providing responsible travel to natural areas while conserving the environment.
Island Helicopters
Bonnie and Curt Lofstedt started Island Helicopters in 1980, it is one of the longest running helicopter tour companies in Hawai’i. They have been operating for 45 years, are family owned and operated, and are very actively involved in programs like Fly Neighborly. These programs bridge the gap between air tourism and the local communities desire for quieter air space above their homes. The pilots are trained on appropriate routes to minimize noise over neighborhoods.
Their helicopter tours are a form of ecotourism by allowing people to access and appreciate Nāpali Coast and other remote or otherwise inaccessible locations while conserving the environment.
Why Book a Kauai Helicopter Tour with Island Helicopters?
Besides their glowing reviews, Island Helicopters won multiple awards for Best Helicopter Tour on Kauai and Best Helicopter Tour in the United States from various sources.
Like I mentioned earlier, Island Helicopters has exclusive access to land at Manawaiopuna Falls (Jurassic Falls). I knew we needed to land at Jurassic Falls, I’ve always been a huge Jurassic Park fan so getting to see these waterfalls in person was on my bucket list. These falls were famously featured in Jurassic Park, seen in the beginning when the helicopter first lands on Isla Nublar. All of the tour companies fly over the falls, but getting to land there and view Manawaiopuna Falls from the ground is incredible. Even if you aren’t a Jurassic Park fan, these 400 foot falls are just so impressive to see up close.
Fun Fact: The Manawaiopuna Falls don’t dry up! We haven’t gotten much rain in the last year, so I was worried that we weren’t going to see Jurassic Falls. Waipo’o Falls in Waimea Canyon has been dry since last year and despite some recent rain, it was still dry on our trip. Mt. Waialeale is one of the wettest places on Earth, so there were plenty of other incredible waterfalls to see.
They definitely take pride in offering outstanding customer service. Their entire staff was friendly, professional, and made us feel safe and comfortable. They welcomed us in like family, talking with us and sharing stories. Our pilot was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining throughout the entire flight.
Booking Your Kauai Helicopter Tour With Island Helicopters
To provide better customer service and flight experiences, they review all booking requests and handle their own scheduling. The FAA requires all pilots to approve a weight and balance for each individual flight, so they do ask for your weight and height during booking. By reviewing all booking requests, they can appropriately assign guests to flights that work best with submitted weights.
So make sure your weight submissions are fairly accurate as you risk not being able to fly. They discreetly verify your weight at check in, asking you to step on a scale in front of their counter with the display hidden behind their counter for their eyes only. It’s similar to a scale you see at a vets office.
There are some weight policies. Passengers over 240 lbs are required to purchase an additional seat. If any two passengers in a booking have a combined weight of 420 lbs or more, they will need to purchase an additional seat. You provide weights and heights during booking, and make sure they are accurate. They submit a weight plan and distribute weight in the helicopter.
From my research and asking friends who have done the helicopter tours, the morning tours tend to have less winds but the afternoon tours are amazing for photographers with the softer lighting and dramatic shadows on Napali Coast.
Jurassic Falls Landing Tour Overview + Review
The total time for the Jurassic Falls tour is about 75–80 minutes, this includes landing at the falls. We checked in at their facility at the Lihue Airport. The staff discreetly verified our weights on scales, we purchased some shirts, and then we hung out until it was time to go. We had a brief safety meeting, where every passenger received shoe covers and a life jacket belt. The shoe covers protect the delicate ecosystem at the waterfalls and life jacket is a requirement because you fly over the ocean.
After the safety meeting, you head to the helicopter to your assigned seats. The crew and pilot help buckle you into your seats and you get headphones to wear during the flight. To allow the pilot to focus on flying the helicopter, they disconnected and taped back all the passenger microphones. The pilots’ microphone is the only one that works to talk to the passengers and point out various landmarks and film locations around the island.
You take off flying over Nawiliwili, towards Poipu and tree tunnel, then head into the mountains to see Manawaiopuna Falls. It was really surreal flying through the canyons and seeing Jurassic Falls come into view while listening to the Jurassic Park theme song. We landed and walked a short distance to the falls. The trail was pretty flat and even, crossing over a short metal staircase that looks like something from Jurassic Park. We spent about 20-30 minutes on the ground at the Manawaiopuna Falls talking with the pilot, admiring the waterfalls, and taking tons of pictures.
After getting back into the helicopter, you fly over Hanapepe Valley then through Waimea Canyon. We’ve driven through Waimea Canyon plenty of times and done several amazing hikes, but seeing it from the air was incredible. There hasn’t been much rainfall in the last year, so Waipo’o Falls in Waimea Canyon has been dry for over a year. Normally they fly you up closer to the waterfalls to check them out, but since they were not flowing we didn’t get too close. Hopefully we get some much needed rain and they are flowing when you fly!
As you leave Waimea Canyon, you head to Napali Coast. Seeing the reds and greens of the coastline and ridges contrast against the vibrant blue water is absolutely breathtaking. You fly into one of the deep valleys between two ridges of an area known as The Cathedrals. It’s incredible to see how insanely big they are and how steep the drop offs are.
Then you head up to Hanalei Bay where you fly over Ke’e Beach and Tunnels Beach. Both beaches are gorgeous to see from above with their incredible reefs. Hanalei Bay is such a beautiful area, but I never appreciated the surrounding mountains until seeing them from the helicopter. Taking an afternoon tour blessed us with beautiful views and dramatic shadows in the valleys.
Saving the best for last, one of the best parts of the tour is flying into Mt. Waialeale crater. It feels ethereal or like stepping into another world.
Mt. Waialeale is one of the wettest spots on Earth and averages over 450 inches of rainfall per year. It is so green and lush with countless waterfalls hidden in the mountains! This area is really remote and pretty inaccessible, so a helicopter tour is the best way to see the area.
After Mt. Waialeale, you fly over some more mountains with hidden waterfalls as you make your way back to the airport.
Important Notes
Island Helicopters’ permit to land at the falls only allows for them to land five days a week. They don’t operate the Jurassic Falls landing tour on Thursdays or Sundays.
Pricing: The tour costs US$432 per person for the landing tour.
Dress like a ninja. Wearing all black clothing minimizes reflection off the windows for better sightseeing and picture taking. Light clothing reflects off the windows obstructing your view. If you have big logos or designs on your clothing, they will offer you a shirt to wear over. There are shirts available for purchase in their office (makes a good souvenir!).
Check in for your tour 45 minutes prior to your departure time.
The total tour time is about 75 minutes, including 20 minutes on the ground at the waterfalls.
Bring close toed shoes for the waterfalls landing tour. The short trail is mostly flat, but it is rocky and can be uneven. You wear shoe covers at the falls to preserve the ecosystem.
Be prepared to get wet! The falls create a lot of mist so you get wet as you stand under the falls. But this means there’s a chance of rainbows.
The helicopters are temperature controlled with A/C vents like an airplane. But I was comfortable in a t-shirt and leggings.
Whether or not you’re a Jurassic Park fan, you have to do the Jurassic Falls landing tour at Manawaiopuna Falls. They are just so impressive to stand below and admire.
Is the Jurassic Falls Tour Right for You?
This tour is perfect if you:
- Want to see parts of Kaua’i inaccessible by land
- Love Jurassic Park and want to see the iconic falls
- Enjoy photography and want aerial shots
- Have limited time and want to see the whole island quickly
- Want a bucket list experience
This tour might not be ideal if you:
- Have a very tight budget (it’s a splurge at $432/person)
- Are extremely afraid of heights or flying
- Get motion sickness easily
- Prefer ground-based activities
FAQ
Is a helicopter tour in Kaua’i worth it?
Absolutely! It’s the only way to see 80% of Kaua’i, which is inaccessible by land. You’ll see Nāpali Coast, Mt. Waialeale crater, hidden waterfalls, and remote valleys that most visitors never experience.
Which helicopter tour is best in Kaua’i?
Island Helicopters Jurassic Falls landing tour is the best because it’s the ONLY tour that lands at Manawaiopuna Falls (Jurassic Falls). All companies fly over the falls, but Island Helicopters has exclusive permission to land there.
How much does a helicopter tour cost in Kaua’i?
The Jurassic Falls landing tour costs $432 per person. Standard air-only tours (no landing) cost $250-350.
Is it scary to fly in a helicopter?
Not at all! The helicopters are smooth and stable. The pilots are experienced (Island Helicopters has been operating for 45 years), and they prioritize safety.
What should I wear on a Kaua’i helicopter tour?
Wear ALL BLACK clothing to minimize window reflections for better photos and views. Bring closed-toed shoes for the waterfall landing. You’ll get wet from the mist, so avoid anything that can’t get damp.
Can you take photos on a helicopter tour?
Yes! Bring your camera or phone, but no selfies sticks, drones, tablets, or extended lenses. Your camera lens cannot be longer than 4 inches. The windows are large and clear, but avoid touching them as it could potentially scratch the glass and the vibrations can make your pictures turn out blurry.
Wearing black clothing helps eliminate reflections.
The afternoon tours have gorgeous, dramatic lighting for photos.
How long is the Jurassic Falls helicopter tour?
The total tour is 75-80 minutes, including 20-30 minutes on the ground at Manawaiopuna Falls.
When should I book my helicopter tour?
Book as early as possible — Island Helicopters is very popular and tours fill up weeks in advance, especially during peak season (June-August, December-January).
Thank you Island Helicopters for partnering with me on this post!
