Hi! We are going on our honeymoon at the end of Oct - Maui BI and Kauai. We heard tha Kauai is the best for helicopter excursions. (any thoughts?).

Any recommendations on helicopter companies/tours? My brother went on Island Helicopter and had a good time . My travel agent mentioned one company that had helicopters without doors? Are those safe? Thanks

I have been on Island a couple of years ago, and would recommend them. Definitely worth the money, will be a highlight of your trip, Kauai is gorgeous.

I took helocopter tour on Island Helicopters this summer. They did a good job. Book directly with them through the internet and you get a nice discount.

Thanks for the tips!
I was mistaken, my brother went with Jack Harter. He loved the trip. My travel agent recommended Inter-Island, who have no doors (intentionally!) on their helicopters. Anyone have any thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
Jackie

We were on Kauai in June 2000 and did the helicopter tour with Inter-Island and it was incredible. Since they only take 4 people at a time, everyone had a great view. And yes, the doors are off during the trip which made picture taking perfect. I highly recommend this outfit. Any questions just e-mail me.

Is it scary to be on a helicopter wthout doors?

Kauai is the best of the three islands you mention for helicoptering with the Napali Coast, waterfalls, Waimea Canyon, Bali Hai, Taro fields, et al. However, I would recommend only two people to fly with on Kauai because of their impeccable safety records and for the fact that they will not fly if the weather is inclement, as so many will. The first and the best is Jack Harter and the second is Will Squires. The big companies give you a cut rate tour timewise and pilotwise (knowledge of the island). You should be booking now for a trip at the end of October. Jack Harter books quickly. You are going to be spending a good deal of money and you should have the best. Jack and Will make the trip memorable. I would also recommend scheduling late morning or early afternoon before the clouds start to roll in. We were blessed with a tour with Jack a few years ago where there was not a cloud to be seen our entire trip - exceptional with NaPali and the Kaalau Valley rarely offering that unfettered beauty. Book now early into your trip in the event it is canceled because of weather and has to be rescheduled. You will be treated to a gift of a lifetime.

Jackie,
We did a helicopter tour on Kauai last year with Air Kauai, we had a great pilot and the windows were the entire length of the doors. I would definitely recommend them. We didn't take the 60 minute tour which we had planned on with Jack Harter. I think ours was 30 or 45 minutes, which was more than enough for me and the others I was traveling with. By the end, I was a little nauseated and glad to be off the helicopter. The scenery is incredibly beautiful. I do think it might be scarey to be on a helicopter with no doors. Some advertise windows that open which wouldn't be quite as frightening, but still allow for better picture taking.

My husband and I went on a helicopter tour with Air Kauai last week. We had a great time. Their helicopters are only 6 months old, which was really nice, and we had a great pilot (Pat?). They do seat 6 (plus the pilot), so the middle seats aren't that great, but you can still see alot. It is just hard to take pictures. We have done helicopter tours on both Maui and Kauai, and enjoyed both, but I think it is more of a necessity on Kauai because so much of the island is hard to see any other way.

We just returned from Kauai and we took the Jack Harter 90 minute tour. It was FABULOUS! This Bell Jet ranger helicopter has windows that are open in front and in back so it is great for pictures! Our pilot, Doug, was great! I would recommend this tour - it is expensive but worth it. The 90 minute tour allows for a slower pace (for instance, the pilot will turn the helicopter around so everyone gets a great view. I was scared to go and took a bonine tablet to be safe but did not need it. We booked early - we did a 9:45 am trip and had no clouds so it just depends on the day! Enjoy!