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Looking for the best flight tours in Kauai? You’re in the right place!
Kauai’s landscapes are some of the most breathtaking in Hawaii, but to truly appreciate their scale and beauty, you need to see them from above. Helicopter and plane tours give you a front-row seat to sights like the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, and the mist-covered crater of Mt. Waialeale.
Whether you want the thrill of a helicopter, the exclusivity of landing in a private canyon, or the expansive views from a small plane, there’s a flight for you. We’ve experienced the best aerial tours on the island and put this list together to help you choose. Keep reading to find your perfect sky-high adventure!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this helicopter flight over Kauai! We saw all of the island’s bucket-list sights from waterfalls to canyons. Plus, the windows were HUGE and the new helicopter was quieter than most and had super comfy seats!
Best Flight Tours in Kauai
1. 50-minute helicopter tour over Kauai
- Duration: 50 minutes
- Time: Multiple departure times from 8 am – 4:30 pm
- Highlights: Helicopter tour of Kauai, see the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, “Jurassic Park Falls,” Mt. Waialeale, new Eurocopter Eco-Star helicopter reduces noise by 50%
- Inclusions: Pilot who is a state-certified tour guide, use of noise-canceling headsets and microphones with two-way communication with pilot, business class-style seats with wide viewing windows, small group (maximum six people)
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 1,900+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you think Kauai is stunning from the ground, just wait until you see it from the air! This island helicopter tour takes sightseeing to another level. In just 50 minutes, you’ll fly over Kauai’s most breathtaking landscapes, from the cliffs of the Na Pali Coast to the red ridges of Waimea Canyon.
Taking off in a state-of-the-art Eurocopter Eco-Star, we settled into our business-class-style seats, headsets on, ready for the ride of a lifetime. The six-passenger setup meant everyone had a clear view through the oversized windows.
As we lifted off, our excitement kicked in! We soared over Kapa’a and Hanalei Bay while the State of Hawaii Certified Tour Guide pilot pointed out the coastline’s dramatic formations. A two-way radio let us ask questions, making it feel even more personal.
Our favorite part was flying over Mt. Waialeale, where waterfalls tumbled down bright green slopes. The mist made the whole scene look unreal! Then there was Manawaiopuna Falls, also known as “Jurassic Park Falls.” We half expected a dinosaur to pop out of the trees!
Check-in was an hour early, smooth, and well-organized. It gave us confidence knowing they took safety seriously, especially with over 25 years of FAA Diamond Awards for maintenance excellence.
By the time we landed, we knew this was an experience we’d never forget! If you’re looking for the best way to take in Kauai’s beauty, this flight tour is a must-do next time you’re on the island!
Don’t miss out – book this top-rated helicopter tour here and see Kauai like never before!
Related Read: For more fun things to add to your Kauai itinerary, check out the 10 best things to do in Kauai!
2. Helicopter flight and Olokele Canyon landing
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Time: Multiple departure times from 8 am – 2 pm (not available Saturday or Sunday)
- Highlights: Visit Kauai’s Olokele Canyon (off-limits to most visitors), soar over Kauai’s top landmarks, including Nāpali and Waimea Canyon, fly inside Mt. Waialeale’s crater
- Inclusions: Only helicopter operator with Olokele Canyon landing access, small-group (maximum six people)
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
We used to only dream of setting foot in Kauai’s privately owned Olokele Canyon, but this exclusive helicopter tour made it a reality! As the only helicopter operator with landing access to this remote wonder, this flight isn’t just about seeing Kauai’s landscapes from above, it’s about stepping into a place few ever get to experience.
Our tour began with a circle island experience, showcasing Kauai’s most famous landmarks from the sky. We soared over the dramatic cliffs of Nāpali and the vibrant colors of Waimea Canyon. But the magic truly happened when we landed at Olokele Canyon!
This privately owned canyon is a place that most visitors will never get to see up close. We could hardly believe we were standing in a place so few have ever been, surrounded by jagged ridges and untouched greenery. It felt like we had stepped into another world!
Our journey didn’t stop there! We also flew into the center of Mt. Waialeale, where waterfalls cascaded down the sides of this once-active volcano, creating a natural curtain of water. We had no idea it was one of the wettest spots on Earth! Since only six people were on board, we could take in the views without feeling crowded or rushed.
We were absolutely blown away by how incredible this tour was! But don’t just take our word for it, read the outstanding reviews here to see for yourself why this is an adventure you won’t want to miss!
This tour is likely to sell out, so don’t wait too long—reserve your spot here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
3. 65-minute small plane flight over the island
- Duration: 1 hour and 5 minutes
- Time: Multiple departure times from 9 am – 4 pm
- Highlights: Narrated deluxe sightseeing flight of Kauai, soar over Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, Hanalei Bay, and tropical waterfalls, slow flying for optimal picture-taking opportunities
- Inclusions: Expert narration from a research scientist, guaranteed window seat, huge bubble windows in every seat, two-way intercom system with noise-canceling headsets, small group (maximum six people)
- Rating: 5 stars (check 1,800+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Flying over Kauai in a GA8 Airvan felt like unlocking a secret view of the island! With massive bubble windows, high wings, and guaranteed window seats, this deluxe air tour made sure we didn’t miss a thing.
We found ourselves glued to the windows, trying to soak in every detail!
Taking off from Lihue, the flight revealed one incredible sight after another. The Na Pali Coast stretched out below, rugged and untouched, while Waimea Canyon stood out with its deep red and green ridges. It was surreal to see places we’d only imagined from photos now right in front of us!
The beaches of Poipu ran along the coastline, Hanalei Bay sat framed by steep mountains, and waterfalls poured down the crater walls of Mt. Waialeale. The plane’s slower cruising speed meant we got plenty of amazing views. At one point, the pilot even tilted slightly to give us a better look at the waterfalls!
What set this tour apart was how much we could see in a single flight. Unlike helicopters, which have time limits on certain areas, this plane covered more of the island, including Kipu Ka. We even spotted whales along the coast!
Whether it was circling back for another pass over Jurassic Park Falls or hovering over the cliffs of Na Pali, this flight was the best way to experience Kauai from above! Read HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews here and learn more about why this tour is so highly recommended!
Book this five-star plane tour here for an unforgettable Kauai adventure!
Related Read: Check out our 5-day Kauai itinerary, which includes our favorite helicopter flight, and more epic activities!
Where to Stay in Kauai, Hawaii
Finding the right place to stay in Kauai can make all the difference in your trip. Whether you want to wake up to ocean views, be close to shopping, or just relax at a resort, there’s a perfect spot for every traveler.
To help you decide, I’ve rounded up the best places to stay on Kauai, catering to different budgets and travel styles!
Luxury – $$$
For a luxurious beachfront escape on Kauai’s stunning Napali Coast, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is an incredible choice. This 5-star luxury resort sits right on the sand, offering breathtaking ocean and mountain views. The hotel features a large outdoor pool, a full-service spa, a fitness center, a golf course, and two on-site restaurants and bars. If you’re looking for high-end comfort in a truly spectacular setting, this is the spot!
Prices vary by season but usually start around $1,600 USD per night. Check prices and book this stay on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
For a comfortable beachfront stay without the luxury price tag, Kauai Shores Hotel is a fantastic choice. Located right on the East Coast, this laid-back hotel offers direct beach access, two outdoor pools, and lush tropical gardens for a relaxing island vibe. Rooms are modern and many have private lanais (balconies) to enjoy the fresh ocean air. Guests can grab a drink at the poolside bar, lounge in the sun, or explore nearby shops and restaurants – what more could you ask for?
Prices start at around $380 USD per night. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
Budget – $
For an affordable and convenient stay on Kauai, Kauai Palms Hotel is a great pick. Located in Lihue, this no-frills hotel is close to the airport, shopping, and dining—perfect for travelers looking to explore the island on a budget. Rooms are simple but comfortable, featuring free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and mini-fridges. While there’s no pool or beach access, the central location makes it easy to reach Kauai’s top spots, from Waimea Canyon to Poipu Beach.
The room-only rates start as low as $195 USD per night, and you can check prices and book your stay on Booking.com.
For even more options, check out all the hotels in Kauai here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Seeing Kauai from above will be a highlight of your trip! I hope our guide has helped you find the best flight tour for your time here. We can’t wait to fly over this gorgeous part of Hawaii again!
If your travels are taking you to other parts of America, have a look at all our USA blogs here! Or if you’re sticking around the Hawaiian islands (lucky you!), our Hawaii blogs I put below will come in handy.
10 Best Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii