Eco Adventure Helicopter

Kauai Eco Adventure Helicopter Tour runs through Blue Hawaiian Helicopters - Kauai. Rated 4.8 across 2,065 reviews. Runs 50 minutes (approx.). From $489.

Check park access before you go. Stops inside state parks (Waimea Canyon, Koke'e, Wailua River and Secret Falls) follow current DLNR notices and can be closed. Check the booking page for which stops are running on your date.

Overview

Nothing is landed or walked; every sight is viewed from the air while a State of Hawaii certified pilot guide narrates over two-way intercom headsets.

The route begins near Lihue and Kapaa on the east side, sweeps up past Princeville and Hanalei Bay on the north shore, then crosses the Na Pali cliffs and the canyon country of the west side before returning past Hanapepe. Reviewers repeatedly describe the flight as the only practical way to see these areas, with several saying the island can really only be appreciated by air.

The aircraft seats up to six travellers, so parties may share the cabin with others. It suits most people, including nervous first-time flyers; many reviewers mention pilots who explain everything calmly and put anxious guests at ease. Families take it too, with infants under two years sitting on laps at no charge. It is not a budget outing, and one reviewer calls it worth every penny despite the expense.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at LihueArrive at Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, Lihue Airport, 3730 Ahukini Rd #8, one hour before the flight for weigh-in, safety briefing and boarding. Late arrivals are not accepted and the booking is non-refundable.
2. East side passThe helicopter lifts off from Lihue and passes Kapaa on Kauai's east coast.
3. North shoreThe route continues past Princeville and Hanalei Bay before turning along the coast.
4. Na Pali CoastThe flight passes Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, one of the tour's headline sights.
5. Canyons and waterfallsSights include Waimea Canyon State Park, Olokele Canyon and Manawaiopuna Falls, known as Jurassic Park Falls.
6. Return via HanapepeThe aircraft passes Hanapepe on the way back and lands at the same Lihue base where the tour started.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points make the difference between a good flight and a stressful one.

• Getting there. Hotel pickup and transportation are not included, and parking fees at the heliport are on you. One reviewer found a rideshare to the base easy and recommended that approach. Build in buffer for traffic, since late arrivals lose the booking with no refund.
• Motion sickness. The flight is widely described as smooth, with one reviewer comparing it to riding a bus. Still, anyone prone to motion sickness should consider taking a remedy beforehand, since no part of the flight involves a stable, ground-level view.
• What to leave behind. Bags, large cameras and extending selfie sticks are not allowed in the helicopter. Travel light. A USB video and photo package of the flight can be purchased afterwards if you want images.
• Seating and weight. The helicopter seats six, so smaller parties will likely share the cabin. Guests over 240 pounds (108 kg) need an adjacent empty seat for balance, charged at half the tour price, arranged after booking.
• Weather and sights. Tour sights vary depending on weather, and the operator requires good conditions to fly. If weather cancels the flight, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
• Comfort and communication. Bose aviation-grade noise-cancelling headsets are provided, with microphones for two-way talk with the pilot. Reviewers often mention the narration, and several remark on pilots playing music during the flight. Children 23 months and younger ride free on a lap.

Common issues. The main gripes are cost and rigidity. Check-in a full hour ahead is firm: late arrivals are turned away with no refund, and changes within 24 hours of departure are not accepted. The flight also depends on weather and a minimum number of travellers, so cancellations can happen, with a rebooking or full refund offered in those cases. The in-flight video sold at the end costs extra.

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