Flying over Kauai in a helicopter with no doors, dare you blink?

Experience one of the most breathtaking and unforgettable experiences of your life in Hawaii, flying over Kauai in a helicopter with no doors!

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... by air!

And you know what?

The most impressive thing about Kauai, the images you will never forget, can be seen from the sky.

If you travel to Hawaii, flying over Kauai in a helicopter is an unmissable experience, believe me.

We enjoyed it so much, so much, so much... that if we had been luckier with the weather, we would have gone back without hesitation.

Well, tightening our belts a little, okay.

But it would have been worth it.

Take advantage of it— 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 in a helicopter. If I listed them all, I would end up boring you. And I want you to keep reading, because...

I saved the best for last!

So I'm going to tell you the only two compelling reasons why you could justifiably skip this activity:

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

That's it. There's no turning back.

Would you like some advice?

Try to overcome your fears and start saving now.

Why Manua Loa Helicopter Tours

Or, in other words:

 With or without doors?

One of the essential requirements demanded by my private reporter (wink wink) was that the helicopter had no doors. For a photographer, this is essential, as the reflection of the glass makes it difficult to take high-quality photographs like the ones you see in this article. They're cool, aren't they?

There are only two companies that offer flying without doors over Kauai:

• Jack Harter Helicopters: This company is one of the most famous on the island. They guarantee you will be in the air for 60 minutes or more. However, the doorless helicopter shown on their website has four 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 helicopters with doors in operation.
• Manua Loa Helicopter Tours: This was our only option available for flying over Kauai withthe doors off. The tour lasts about 55-60 minutes and costs $287 per person. The most notable thing about this company is that they book each session privately, for groups of two to three people maximum. If you are traveling as a couple, this ensures you a truly doors-off seat in the front row. If your group consists of 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.

Opinions about Manua Loa Helicopter Tours?

Ten out of ten. If I have the opportunity to return to Kauai, I will do so without hesitation.

Is it scary to travel without doors?

Not at all. The doors-off tour is definitely worth it. You can fully immerse yourself in this natural wonder when there is nothing separating you from it.

Our helicopter tour over Kauai

We were asked to arrive 45 minutes before the flight at their bus/office (I have marked the location on the map at the bottom of this page).

On the first day, we traveled there for nothing, as the trip was canceled due to bad weather. Therefore, I recommend calling an hour beforehand to confirm whether the activity will take place.

They postponed our appointment for two days, and this time... it was confirmed!

The 45 minutes beforehand are for signing the invoice, weighing yourself (with everything you are going to take on board the helicopter), and watching a video explaining some instructions and safety rules.

A minibus picked us up to take us to the heliport. There, Bruno, the pilot, reminded us of the most important safety rules and showed us how to use the intercoms so we could talk to each other without being disturbed by the noise of the engine.

And... let's fly!

The experience was indescribable.

I spent the entire trip with my mouth open, my eyes wide, and exclaiming in amazement every minute.

Bruno entertained us during the tour with evocative music and explanations about the places we flew over. He even made a personalized approach to the valley where the Awaawapuhi Trail, where we had been a couple of days earlier. The only thing we missed was the Blue Hole waterfalls, due to bad weather in the area.

Words cannot describe how powerful the images are that this experience has left forever etched in my mind.

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

Video

Want to be amazed? Hit play!

Tips

• Book your trip online well in advance. You don't want to miss out on a place.
• Choose one of the first days of your stay on the island to do this activity. That way, if your trip is canceled due to bad weather, you will have the option of postponing it for two or three days.
• Select the flight time with your photos in mind. Early in the morning, the sky is clearer and there is less wind, although the Napali coast is not yet well lit. As the day progresses, the mist and cloud cover increase, especially in the canyon, but the evening light favors the west coast. We opted for visibility: 11:30 a.m.
• Be sure to secure your camera or video camera with a strap around your neck or wrist.
• Keep in mind that looking at your camera screen can make you feel a little dizzy. Remember to enjoy the scenery with your own eyes. Those are the images that will remain in your memories forever.

Kauai is a spectacular island. Every corner, every view, every hour of the day will surprise you. Set aside a week and enjoy all it has to offer, whether by car, on foot, by boat, or... from a bird's eye view!

Have you flown over Kauai or any other Hawaiian island in a helicopter? Are you thinking about doing so? Tell me about it in the comments!

Useful Links

• Manua Loa Helicopter Tours
• Jack Harter Helicopters
• Booking offers in Kauai.
• ESTA application.
• International flight deals to Hawaii: Trabber, eDreams, andMomondo.
• Get 5% off your IATI travel insurance.

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

• 9 days on the road in Kauai, step by step. 
• A practical guide to organizing a trip to Kauai on your own.
• Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
• Kalalau Trail, Kauai's most challenging hike.
• Kauai's most beautiful beaches: what would you like to do 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 on Kauai.

Do you want to know another island of Hawaii? Take a look at our experience in Maui:

• 7 day tour of Maui.
• Guide to organizing a trip to Maui on your own.
• The best snorkeling beaches in southern Maui.
• Sighting of humpback whales off the coast of Maui.
• Nightmare before dawn at Haleakala.
• The full description of our experience at O'hoe Gulch and Pipiway Trail.
• 3 days and 2 nights discovering the Road to Hana.

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