Can anyone recommend a good helicopter tour on Kauai? When is the best time to go on the tour, morning or afternoon? Also, would a one hour tour be too short? I've heard on the longer tours, the pilots have a tendency to do a lot more manuevering and therefore the chance of motion sickness increases. Any advice would be appreciated.

We really enjoyed Air Kauai. My wife was worried about air sickness, and the flight was very smooth. Highly recommend them.

Aloha,
We've been on Jack Harter and another company (since went out of business).

Harter was great! He flies a nice, easy flight and doesn't try and fly like TC on Magnum,PI like the other company's pilot did.
Kal

I just got back from Kauai and flew with Jack Harter too. I haven't been on any others, but really liked the Jack Harter trip. I think an hour was plenty; I wasn't motion sick but my husband was for the second half. If you are worried, definitely take something beforehand. Our guidebook (Ultimate Kauai) recommended a morning trip. As the guidebook was accurate on everything else, I'd trust that too. If you are going to be a few days in Kauai, the Ultimate Kauai guidebook is a great investment!

Mark,
I think they are all basically the same. One company, and I don't remember which, advertised only 4 passenger's pet trip. That may be more expensive but is something to consider as I found with six people, 2 were stuck in middle seats.

We went for 1 hour on American Helicopter Tours (think that was the name) which left from the airstrip in Princeville. If you are staying on the North Shore, they are the closest.

I did like the hour tour. But, the last 15 minutes were a little warm from the headset. A 4 person tour would have been better. Just make sure you turn the air blower on.

If you do go on a shorter tour, make sure you they fly over the Waimea Canyon, the Na' Pali coast, and Mount Wali-ali. Those are the major highlights and really shouldn't be missed or rushed.

In terms of turbulence, the only time we felt uncormfortable was over the Na Pali coast as a tropical storm about 100 miles from Kauai had the wind really kicking up. We went at noon.

One other note, make sure you eat a Bubba Burger. They are actually really tasty! (But wait until you land!)

Aloha again, Mark -

I've also heard consistently good things about Jack Harter, but my husband and I have always flown with InterIsland - they are the official search and rescue company for Kauai, and their pilots are all military trained. In addition, their claim to fame is that they seat 4 people and the doors on the chopper are removable (and usually open!), allowing for great Kodak moments. I highly recommend them, and if you can splurge for the bigger bucks (about $225 p/p), they offer a flight that, in addition to the tour of the entire island, lands at a remote waterfall where they provide a picnic lunch - absolutely heavenly!

Wish I had known about MArgot's suggestion while there! We spent $175 pp for 1 hour!

Jack Harter is the best - hands down. Jack has been in business the longest, is extremely conscientious and personable. We have found that the morning flights have clearer skies than the afternoon when the clouds start to pick up and gather over Mt. W. Jack will also cancel if the weather is inclement. For the $$$s you are spending, this is much appreciated. Others will take the money and not be concerned if you can see a thing. I would strongly suggest you book prior to your arrival in the islands. Jack's tours book up fast. It is not unusual to book a month in advance and confirm when you arrive on island. You will not be disappointed. The next best, IMHO, is Will Squyres (sp?). Stay away from the big companies. Their safety records have been suspect. Most of all enjoy. Kauai is the best of the Sandwich Isles to helicopter. It's expensive, but an experience you will treasure!

We had a great tour with Air Kauai and liked the large windows in their helicopter. We had originally booked with Jack Harter for the longer tour he offers, but they couldn't confirm us once we got to the island because there were 3 in our group and they didn't know if they'd come up with a single to go with us. We were disappointed with that, but in the end we were happy with out flight on Air Kauai. I was happy to be back on the ground after an hour too, I think the 90 minute tour would have been too much for me. We took a morning tour, I think that is supposed to be the best time. My sister is in Kauai right now and just went on a tour with Air Kauai and thought it was awesome. I don't think you can go too wrong with any of the companies.

i am wondering if i need to book a helicopter tour before i get to kauai or is it reasonable to expect to book after i arrive? we will be there from oct.5-12 are they very busy at that time? thank you

Margo,
Do you have a contact number for InterIsland? I tried looking the up on the net, but couldn't find them.
Thanks,
Tracey

Inter-Islands 808-335-5009.
I vote for Inter-Island too. We absolutely loved the waterfall landing ride. It was especially nice not getting stuck in the middle seat too. We could see everything. We went in the morning around 10. The night before it rained heavily so there were so many gorgeous waterfalls throughout the island on our tour. The weeping wall was spectacular. Our pilot was very cool, and gave us a few swoops and dive manuevers just for fun. I wasn't air sick at all, and I'm one who's prone for motion sickness.

Listen to Margo. We have flown both companies and there is no question which is the best. Interisland.

Aloha all!! My husband I have booked the waterfall helicopter tour with Interisland in October at 1:00 in the afternoon because the person on the phone said that the pond at the waterfall is cold in the morning. Can anyone tell me if 1:00 is a good time or would it be better to go around 10:00 or 11:00?? Any advice would be greatly apprciated??

We went Will Squyres Sept 10. As mentioned in my gabby posting about Kauai, it was wonderful. I choked reading about the one company who did "a few swoops and dive manuevers just for fun". I'm grateful that our pilot Gardner kept it smooth and steady throughout--it was like floating. Ours was 6 passenger, 2 in the middle, and neither of them had any complaint. The front row middle has the BEST view of all. The company that removes the doors sounds intriguing (and scary!). As a photographer I had to often wait to reduce the glare off the windows otherwise you're photographing mirrored images of yourself, the seat, etc. Our pilot would first pass on the right, then gently rotate the helicopter so the left side had an equal look. We moved in really close to each waterfall, and down through the canyon. I agree, it got rather choppy as we swung out over the Napali Coast. There probably is no optimal time, it depends on that moment's weather, light, fog, etc. Still 60 minutes was plenty. The company that lands and does the picnic lunch sounds well worth it.

If you go to one of the blasted Time-share presentations, you'll get 1/2 off on several companies, but then again, if the good ones book early, you might have trouble getting a reservation?

My one complaint with Will Squyres would be their $12 video needs rework, wasn't like the actual tour (promo shots of their helicopter not of the sights!), and the music was annoying and terrible, not the synchronized concert we enjoyed en route. Will's voice is gravelly compared to the soft soothing narration provided by Gardner. Did any of the other companies provide a top-notch video of your flight? If so, I'd gladly contact them and order it. Our flight was so memorable, I want to capture that experience.