Waterfall Safari Helicopter Tour from Lihue Kauai

Waterfalls of the interior and the hidden valleys

The helicopter waterfall tour focuses on the lush centre and north of Kauai, where rain falling on the high ridges forms hundreds of waterfalls that drop into deep valleys. Most are far from any road. The helicopter can slow down, turn and descend into valleys, so you look at the falls from the side and above, with rainbows common in sunshine after a shower.

Among the sights is Manawaiopuna Falls, a tall cascade in a private valley that is visible only from the air and known as a filming location. Winter rains make the falls fuller, while summer brings clearer skies. If you are comparing a Kauai waterfall helicopter tour with a hike, this is the way to see waterfalls that hikers never reach.

Waimea Canyon from a helicopter

Waimea Canyon is a deep red gorge on the west side of Kauai, cut by the Waimea River and framed by green ridges and side canyons. From the rim you see a few viewpoints; from the air you see the full length, the layered rock walls and the thin waterfalls that join the canyon after rain.

Because the helicopter can fly low inside the canyon walls when conditions allow, the scale becomes clear in a way that photographs of the lookout do not show. Many visitors combine a helicopter flight with a driving day to the lookouts, since the two views complement each other. Morning flights are often calmer and clearer.

The Na Pali Coast by helicopter

The Na Pali Coast on the north-west shore is a wall of fluted green cliffs with hanging valleys and sea caves, and there is no road along it. A helicopter tour of the Na Pali Coast lets you see the cliffs from the side rather than from far out at sea, and the pilot can point out valleys such as Kalalau and the beaches that are otherwise reached only on foot or by boat.

Cloud on the north coast can change quickly, so the pilot chooses the best route on the day. If you want the clearest conditions, choose an early slot and travel in the drier summer months, although winter flights give more dramatic, waterfall-filled scenery.

Your flight from Lihue

The tour departs from the Lihue area, so it is easy to reach from the airport and from east-side and south-side hotels. The flight lasts about an hour and is narrated by the pilot, with headsets for everyone. Seats are arranged so passengers can see well, and weight limits may apply to balance the aircraft.

Hotel pickup is not part of the default option, so plan your own transport to the check-in point. Flights depend on the weather, and the operator may move or cancel a flight if clouds sit low on the mountains. The booking panel on this page shows the current dates and start times.