Kauai, Hawaii
One of the best ways to run into the Hawaiian islands is past times air, as well as a doors-off Kauai helicopter tour of the Na Pali coast is an epic aerial photography experience!
If yous don’t know past times now, I absolutely dear helicopters. In fact, I used to desire to last a helicopter airplane pilot every bit a little (ok, possibly I nevertheless do).
Soaring through the sky, hovering over mountains or buildings, able to accept off as well as province almost anywhere.
These things are really amazing machines. While going on helicopter tours tin last expensive, some places are simply made to last photographed from a helicopter.
Beautiful places similar the Grand Canyon, New York City, as well as Cape Town await completely dissimilar from the sky.
That’s why I was determined to become on a helicopter tour of Kauai — alongside the doors off for an extra adrenaline rush!
Kauai Helicopter Tour Guide
Best Helicopter Tours On Kauai
Doors-Off Tour
Anna as well as I decided to volume a 60-minute opened upwardly door helicopter tour alongside Jack Harter Helicopters. There are exclusively 2 companies who offering this inwards Kauai, the other is Mauna Loa Helicopters. It’s dandy for photographers, because there’s no drinking glass to brand it the way of your shots. But you’re exposed to the elements!
Doors-On Tour
Most people guide to wing alongside the doors on, the normal way. It’s a flake to a greater extent than relaxing, as well as non every bit windy/cold. There’s a dandy Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Coast helicopter tour that covers all the top highlights. ➜ BOOK information technology HERE
Sightseeing Plane
If you’re traveling to Kauai on a budget, but nevertheless desire to wing over the Na Pali coast, a cheaper alternative is to volume a Na Pali sightseeing bird flight, which costs nether $200 (about one-half the cost of a helicopter). ➜ BOOK information technology HERE
There is SO much cool materials to run into on Kauai that I definitely recommend the 60-minute alternative rather than the shorter flights.
An hr mightiness audio similar a lot, but it goes past times really apace when you’re having fun!
Beautiful Waimea Canyon
After leaving Lihue Airport, our Kauai helicopter adventure began past times flying into Waimea Canyon — aka “The Grand Canyon” of the Pacific (thanks Mark Twain!).
At xiv miles long, as well as i mile wide, Waimea Canyon was i of my favorite destinations on Kauai. While yous tin drive as well as hike along the canyon walls, flying over it inwards a helicopter was extra special!
It’s made upwardly of rugged cliffs alongside contrasting colors inwards orange, red, as well as green. The canyon basically covers the whole western side of the isle — alongside 45 miles of hiking trails too.
The highlight is Waipo’o Waterfall, a massive 800-foot tower of water. Most Kauai helicopter tours volition brand 2 passes as well as then everyone gets a guide chances to photograph it.
Kauai’s Best Waterfalls From Above!
There are SO MANY waterfalls on Kauai! From the ground, you’ll exclusively last able to sense some of them. But from the air… that’s when yous tin actually appreciate the best waterfalls on the island.
Our Kauai helicopter flying took us over Hanapepe Valley, abode of the famous Jurassic Park waterfall.
Its Hawaiian get upwardly is Manawaiopuna Falls, the same 400-foot waterfall that was featured several times inwards the master 1993 Jurassic Park movie.
It seemed that at that spot was some form of massive waterfall (or 10) cascading into every valley nosotros flew over!
Stunning Na Pali Coastline
The most epic department of our helicopter flying came next. Kauai’s stunning Na Pali Coast State Park on the due north cease of the island.
Often regarded every bit the most beautiful role of the Hawaiian islands, Na Pali (which way “the cliffs”) is a 17-mile stretch of lush emerald greenish cliffs as well as jagged mount peaks.
Pristine white-sand beaches point the border betwixt province as well as ocean. The H2O is a deep turquoise blueish color.
Keep an oculus out for “Cathedrals”, a spectacular wall of knife-edge ridges.
This is also where the Kalalau Trail is located, a rugged (and sketchy) 2-3 twenty-four hr stream hiking & camping ground trek along the coast of Kauai.
Mount Waialeale’s “Weeping Wall”
Finally, nosotros flew into the rainy Hanalei Valley towards the Mount Waiʻaleʻale Volcano, i of the wettest spots on earth.
It’s hither where over 20 dissimilar waterfalls funnel downward the steeps sides of the long-dormant volcano, into a river far below.
The weather condition hither is ofttimes bad, as well as today was no exception. The summit of Waialeale is visible for exclusively nigh 20 days per year.
We flew below the clouds, into the rain, as well as correct upwardly adjacent to the “Weeping Wall” itself. With the doors off, it was extremely cold, windy, as well as wet!
If yous are looking for a hard hike inwards Kauai, yous tin hike to this wall of water, sometimes called the Blue Hole Hike. It’s a tough (and wet) full-day trek.
Helicopter Photography Tips
While I dear my Mavic 2 Pro Drone, aerial landscape photography from a helicopter alongside the doors off is as well as then much fun! But it tin last tricky too.
Use Shutter Priority Mode
I’m a large fan of shooting photos inwards Manual Mode. But inwards some situations, things are moving likewise fast to adapt manually. Helicopter photography is similar this. I to a greater extent than often than non recommend keeping your shutter speed at 1/1200 (or higher) as well as then your images aren’t blurry. Auto ISO is handy too!
Fire Away!
Shoot every bit many photos every bit possible, on rapid burn downward mode. Helicopter tours tin displace quickly, as well as there’s often non much fourth dimension to compose your shot. You need to operate fast, as well as shoot TONS of photos. Make certain to pack a spare battery as well as a large (plus fast) retentivity carte that tin guide hold all the images.
Polarizer & Lens Hood
If you’re flying inwards a helicopter alongside the doors on, you’ll need to shoot through the windows. This drinking glass tin displace unwanted glare & reflections. Using a polarizing filter as well as a lens hood tin assist bring down this.
Camera Gear
If you’re lucky plenty to ain 2 photographic telly camera bodies, I’d recommend bringing them both. One alongside a wide-angle lens (like 16-35mm), as well as some other alongside a telephoto zoom (like 70-200mm). If yous tin exclusively convey i camera/lens, pick something that’s inwards the middle, similar a 24-70mm.
More Hawaii Helicopter Advice
Helicopter Safety
Over the final few years, at that spot receive got been some high-profile helicopter sightseeing crashes, some of them alongside the doors off. However, I consider them really rare events, simply similar storey crashes.
That said, many helicopter tour companies receive got started banning sticking your hands as well as feet out from the opened upwardly doors. While I was allowed to create this inwards NYC, nosotros couldn’t create it on our Kauai trip. Always brain to your pilot!
How Much Does It Cost?
Helicopter tours on Kauai tin cost anywhere betwixt $250 – $400 per person, depending on the length of the trip, the type of helicopter used, as well as the company.
Best Time For Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Helicopter Trip
Kauai isn’t called the Garden Island for no reason! The winters hither tin last really moisture & stormy. So summertime is to a greater extent than often than non the best fourth dimension of twelvemonth to become on a helicopter tour. You receive got to a greater extent than chances for goodness weather.
As for light, because the Na Pali coast is on the Northwest side of the island, the Sun hits the mount peaks inwards the early on afternoon. Just earlier sunset is some other goodness fourth dimension to go. ★
Packing Guide
Check out my travel gear guide to assist yous maiden of all packing for your trip. Pick upwardly a go backpack, photographic telly camera gear, as well as other useful go accessories.
Book Your Flight
Find inexpensive flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine to uncovering deals on airlines. Also brand certain to read how I uncovering the cheapest flights.
Rent Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Car
Discover Car Hire is a dandy site for comparison automobile prices to uncovering the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.
Book Accommodation
Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent apartments from locals on Airbnb. Read to a greater extent than nigh how I volume inexpensive hotels online.
Protect Your Trip
Don’t forget go insurance! I’m a large fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read to a greater extent than nigh why yous should ever deport go insurance.
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I promise yous enjoyed my guide to helicopter tours inwards Kauai! Hopefully yous establish it useful. Here are a few to a greater extent than wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend yous read next:
- Guide To The Big Island Of Hawaii
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- Driving From Miami To Key West
- Hitchhiking Across America
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Have whatever questions nigh Kauai isle helicopter tours? Have yous ever been inwards a helicopter? Drop me a message inwards the comments below!
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