Where We Be
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| Kauai is a perfect fit for a helicopter tour since so much of its beauty is inaccessible otherwise |
| Kauai, Hawaii -- Helicopter Tour |
Our doors-off helicopter tour of Kauai is one of
the ten best travel experiences we’ve ever had.
Yes, it was that good! It's hard to put down into
words something as over-the-top awesome as
this, because words or even photos or videos
can’t capture the visceral thrill of riding in an
open helicopter over some of the most
stunning scenery in the world.
We took the tour with Mauna Loa Helicopters at
a cost of $518 total – and it was worth every
penny in our opinion for the once-in-a-lifetime
views we got of the Garden Island. Since only
20% of Kauai is accessible by car, the other 80%
is best seen by helicopter, so if you ever want
to do a helicopter tour, this is the place to do it.
Going on a private tour meant we both had
guaranteed window seats, and flying with the
doors off meant unobstructed views and photos
with no reflective window-glare.
Our pilot took us on a 60-minute “Grand Circle
Island Tour" that started and ended at the Lihue
airport. We visited such highlights as Jurassic
Falls, Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali coast, and the
breathtaking Wai'ale'ale Crater – the wettest
spot on earth and also the sight of Kauai’s last
eruption 400,000 years ago. Entering the crater
and staring up at its sheer green walls while
turning in a slow circle turned out to be the
surprise highlight of our whole trip. The words
awe-inspiring are overused on travel websites,
but this really was deserving of the description.
We caught the first flight of the day at 8:30 am
and would recommend you do the same to give
yourself the best chance of good weather and
ideal light conditions. If you go with the doors-
off option, dress warmly as winds can be strong.
The seat behind the pilot is the best for taking
photos. Motion blur can be an issue so use a
high shutter speed and press gently. And don't
forget to look with just your eyes now and then!
the ten best travel experiences we’ve ever had.
Yes, it was that good! It's hard to put down into
words something as over-the-top awesome as
this, because words or even photos or videos
can’t capture the visceral thrill of riding in an
open helicopter over some of the most
stunning scenery in the world.
We took the tour with Mauna Loa Helicopters at
a cost of $518 total – and it was worth every
penny in our opinion for the once-in-a-lifetime
views we got of the Garden Island. Since only
20% of Kauai is accessible by car, the other 80%
is best seen by helicopter, so if you ever want
to do a helicopter tour, this is the place to do it.
Going on a private tour meant we both had
guaranteed window seats, and flying with the
doors off meant unobstructed views and photos
with no reflective window-glare.
Our pilot took us on a 60-minute “Grand Circle
Island Tour" that started and ended at the Lihue
airport. We visited such highlights as Jurassic
Falls, Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali coast, and the
breathtaking Wai'ale'ale Crater – the wettest
spot on earth and also the sight of Kauai’s last
eruption 400,000 years ago. Entering the crater
and staring up at its sheer green walls while
turning in a slow circle turned out to be the
surprise highlight of our whole trip. The words
awe-inspiring are overused on travel websites,
but this really was deserving of the description.
We caught the first flight of the day at 8:30 am
and would recommend you do the same to give
yourself the best chance of good weather and
ideal light conditions. If you go with the doors-
off option, dress warmly as winds can be strong.
The seat behind the pilot is the best for taking
photos. Motion blur can be an issue so use a
high shutter speed and press gently. And don't
forget to look with just your eyes now and then!
| One of the best hours we've ever spent! |
| Beyond the green ridges, Waimea Canyon comes into view |
| We climbed aboard our helicopter (just like this one except blue) |
| A remote and spectacular spot |
| The Grand Canyon of the Pacific is really something to see from above |
| This dry-looking canyon was carved into existence by the extreme rainfall emanating from the wettest place on earth, Mount Wai-ale-ale |
| Pretty Hanalei Bay, the largest bay on Kauai's North Shore |
| Wai'ale'ale Crater is so spectacular it defies words. To our surprise it was the highlight of our whole trip! |
| Heading into Kauai's interior, we pass this emerald green mountain |
| Heading out of Wai'ale'ale Crater, we were treated to this lovely view down the valley |
| Do you remember the scene in Jurassic Park where they see the dinosaurs for the first time? These are those meadows! |
| Beautiful Wailua Falls -- which you may recognize from the opening credits of the TV show "Fantasy Island" |
| Banking sharply for our landing |
| The early morning sunlight makes these mountains even more magical |
| Twin Falls near Hanalei. Wow! |
| We head into Wai'ale'ale Crater, one of the greenest and wettest spots on earth |
| The slow 360-degree circle our helicopter pilot performed inside the crater was superb |
| Water and erosion created this natural rock sculpture |
| The Na Pali cliffs come into view as we swing around to Kauai's western coast |
| Looking straight down at the rugged coastline |
| Some seriously secluded beaches! |
| Circular "wash tub" in the rocks |
| Now we're northwest of Kauai looking back at the Na Pali coast |
| What a fantastic overview of the Garden Island in all its variety |
| Green mountainsides fill up most of the front window |
| Waimea means "reddish waters" |
| These are the falls made famous by the movie Jurassic Park. Their real name is Manawaiopuna Falls but most just call them Jurassic Falls. |
| Some tours let you descend onto a helipad next to Jurassic Falls |
| Kauai's southern coastline comes into view |
| It's windy if you choose the doors-off option, but your views are unobstructed and it feels more adventurous |
| Our helicopter pilot, Coleman, was highly capable |
| Coleman did a great job of occasionally narrating during our hour-long tour. We could communicate through our headphones, pressing a button on our seats if we wanted to speak. |
| And we're off! |
| It's fun sitting together in the back seat so you can share the experience |
| This glorious string of waterfalls is accessible only by helicopter |
| Same beach as above, looking straight down |
| All smiles! |
| Dawn's early light on the mountains near Lihue |