Doors-off helicopter flight over Kauai: Do you dare blink?

Experience one of the most breathtaking and unforgettable moments of your life in Hawaii, flying over Kauai by helicopter and… doors-off!

Only a small part of Kauai is accessible by road. If you want to discover the rest of the island, you'll have to do it on foot, by boat, or… from the air!

And you know what?

The most impressive views of Kauai, the images you will never forget, you'll see from the sky.

If you travel to Hawaii, flying over Kauai by helicopter is an absolute must, believe me.

We enjoyed it so, so, so much… that, if we had been luckier with the weather, we would have done it again in a heartbeat.

Well, tightening our belts a bit, sure.

But it would have been totally worth it.

Take advantage, you don't visit Kauai every day… or do you?

Seeing Kauai by helicopter, is it for you?

There are a thousand and one reasons to fly over Kauai by helicopter. If I named them all, I'd end up boring you. And I want you to keep reading, because…

I've saved the best for last!

So I'm going to give you the only two solid reasons why you could reasonably skip this activity:

1. If helicopters terrify you.
2. Or if the price is out of your budget.

That's it. Plain and simple.

Want a pro tip?

Try to overcome your fears and start saving right now.

Why Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours

Or in other words:

Doors-on or doors-off?

You see, one of the essential requirements demanded by my private reporter (wink-wink), was that the helicopter had to be doors-off. For a photographer, this is essential, since glass glare makes it hard to take high-quality photos like the ones you see in this article. They look great, don't they?

There are only two companies offering doors-off flights over Kauai:

• Jack Harter Helicopters: This company is one of the most famous on the island. They guarantee 60 minutes or more in the air. However, the doors-off helicopter shown on their website has 4 passenger seats, and not all of them are next to a window. It was never an option for us because, during our visit in November 2016, they only had doors-on helicopters operating.
• Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours: This was our only available option to fly over Kauai doors-off (doors-off). The tour lasts about 55-60 minutes and costs $287 per person. The best thing about this company is that they book every session privately, for groups of two to three people maximum. If you go as a couple, this guarantees a truly doors-off seat, right on the front line of the flight. If your group has three people, keep in mind that whoever sits in front with the pilot will have a door. So… leave the best photographer in the back seats.

Reviews on Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours?

A 10 out of 10. If I ever get the chance to return to Kauai, I'd do it again without a second thought.

Is it scary to fly doors-off?

Not at all. The doors-off tour is totally worth it. The immersion in this natural wonder is absolute when there's no surface separating you from it.

Our helicopter tour over Kauai

We were told to meet 45 minutes before the flight at their bus/office (I've marked the location on the map at the end of this page).

The first day, we went all the way there for nothing, since they cancelled the departure due to bad weather. So, I recommend calling an hour ahead to confirm if the activity is going ahead.

They rescheduled our appointment for two days later and, this time… it was on!

The 45 minutes beforehand are for signing the paperwork, weighing in (with everything you'll take onto the helicopter), and watching a video explaining some instructions and safety rules.

A minibus picked us up to take us to the helipad. There, Bruno, the pilot, reminded us of the most important safety rules and showed us how to use the headsets so we could talk to each other over the engine noise.

And… time to fly!

The experience was indescribable.

I spent the whole flight with my mouth open, eyes wide, and gasping in awe every minute.

Bruno enhanced the ride with evocative music and commentary about the places we were flying over. He even made a custom approach to the valley where the Awaawapuhi Trail ends, which we had hiked a couple of days before. We only missed seeing the waterfalls at the Blue Hole, due to bad weather in the area.

Words fall short of describing how powerful the images etched forever in my mind from that experience truly are.

So… a picture is worth a thousand words! Here is a summary video I recorded during the flight.

Video

Want to be amazed? Hit play!

Tips

• Book your tour online well in advance. You don't want to miss out on a spot.
• Pick one of the first days of your stay on the island for this activity. That way, if your flight is cancelled due to bad weather, you'll have the chance to reschedule it for two or three days later.
• Choose your flight time with your photos in mind. Early in the morning, the sky is clearer and there's less wind; although the Napali Coast isn't well lit yet. As the day goes on, haze and cloud cover increase, especially over the canyon; but the afternoon light flatters the west coast. We opted for visibility: 11.30 am.
• Make sure to keep your photo or video camera securely strapped to your neck or wrist.
• Keep in mind that looking at your camera screen can make you a bit dizzy. Remember to enjoy the scenery with your own eyes. Those are the images that will stay in your memories forever.

Kauai is a spectacular island. Every corner, every angle, every time of day will manage to surprise you. Set aside a week for it and enjoy every single version of it, whether by car, on foot, by boat, or… from a bird's-eye view!

And what about you, have you flown over Kauai, or any other Hawaiian island, in a helicopter? Thinking about doing it? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Useful links

• Manua Loa Helicopter Tours
• Jack Harter Helicopters
• Booking deals in Kauai.
• ESTA application.
• International flight deals to Hawaii: Trabber, eDreams and Momondo.
• 5% discount on your IATI travel insurance.

And if you're putting together your own trip, check out the rest of the articles about our experience in Kauai:

• 9-day Kauai road trip, step by step.
• Practical guide to organizing your own trip to Kauai.
• Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
• Kalalau Trail, Kauai's most demanding trek.
• Kauai's most beautiful beaches: what are you in the mood for today?
• Awaawapuhi Trail, the Napali Coast at your feet.
• Discover the Napali Coast on a luxury boat.
• Queen’s Bath, forbidden beauty in the Garden of Eden.
• Mahaulepu Trail, hiking, temples, and pristine beaches in Kauai.

Want to explore another Hawaiian island? Check out our experience in Maui:

• 7-day Maui road trip.
• Guide to planning a DIY trip to Maui.
• The best snorkeling beaches in South Maui.
• Humpback whale watching off the coast of Maui.
• A nightmare before dawn at Haleakala.
• The full description of our experience at O’hoe Gulch and Pipiway Trail.
• 3 days and 2 nights exploring the Road to Hana.

Map