Kauai - Napali Coast - Air vs Water
 

We have one full day to spare for Napali Coast and surroundings in Kauai. We are in a dilemma over helicopter vs boat trip to tour the coast.

Please advise on the Pros and Cons. If it is a helicopter tour, do you recommend doors off option?

Thanks!

If you have the dough, go for the helicopter tour. Our doors were on, so can't compare.

Helicopter gives you a much broader view of the island not just NaPali and it is outstanding, stunning scenery. water gives you a lower view of the coast and you can actually see how high the cliffs are compared to how small you are next to it. BUT you do not see more than the cliffs. Air - you see the whole island. Have done both and if I had to do only one, it would be the Air although it is more expensive. But IMHO worth every penny just for the memory.

Thanks both.

@Shar - did you do doors off helicopter tour? Any service recommendations??

Heard Jack Harper,Sunshine,Safari are some of the good options. Please advise.

We did the Blue Hawaiian Helicopter tour and it was amazing. I get seasick so that's why we don't do the boat tours. I can't say whether doors on or off is better as we only had a doors on option but I assume that doors off is more exhilarating, but I am sure it's also windier and scarier! I was able to take a few decent pics even with doors on. You can check a couple of them out here: http://sulynnchen.com/travelblog/?p=665

I highly recommend the helicopter! It was expensive but it was worth it as we also got to see Waimea Canyon from the air which was really cool.

Thanks tifa2276

I've done both helicopter with doors on and with doors off and have also done at least 7 boat tours and I'd go with the boat tour, not only does it give you more bang for your buck (lasts 5 hours including lunch and maybe light breakfast) it costs less, nothing like being up close and personal with the Na Pali.

Not sure what your time frame is, but we did it ALL

AM: Took Jack Harters helicopter tour of the island, 90 minutes. Spectacular.

Then drove to the West, took HoloHolo catamaran afternoon trip to see up close what we had seen from the air.

One of the most amazing days of my life. Long, to be sure.

I recommend the helicopter have done both but helicopter gives a little better views

We did both. I would recommend helicopter. It was simply amazing.

cannot remember but I think it was doors on and once I actually sat in the front with the pilot. Have done the air tour 3 times. Sorry, the name escapes me. AWESOME views. SOme good points on water touring lasting much longer. it is an all day thing by the time you get up at the crack of dawn and drive to Port Allen (or at least that is where we were on a couple of our water tours). Still, for spectacular scenery that you will never forget, I would do air. I remember the first heli tour and as we lifted off, Vangelis was playing thru the ear phones and as we lifted up over the mt ridge and there was the world below me, I almost cried it was so beautiful and breath taking.....

tifa, loved looking at your pictures!

Is there a fixed wing option? Kauai and Big Island are my two 'from the air' islands.

Maybe I'm stating the obvious, but the reason for doors off is to prevent reflections in your photos, so if that's not important to you.... I agree with others; take the helicopter tour. It's a more unique experience, and the views from the sky are incredible.

If I may interrupt, Jamie99, do you have a favorite boat tour to recommend? We're staying north, so would want one that leaves from Hanalei. We did one a couple years ago with Napali Catamaran, which I thought was little different from a tour bus, including the incessant reminders to tip the crew. So we're thinking maybe one of those rigid-hull inflatables.

Thanks sf7307! Can't wait to go back next year!

FaceInTheCrowd, I have only done the tours out of Port Allen and my favorite was Holo Holo, they now have a rigid hull inflatable that leaves from Hanalei and it is getting good reviews over on tripadvisor.

ChiSue, yes there is a fixed wing option called Wings Over Kauai, next trip I may try it, less expensive than the chopper.

I've done both, but the boat tour as my favorite. For one it is less expensive, you get drinks and food along the way, it lasts longer for the money, you meet lots of people on board, and you feel like you get more of an up close feeling of the majesty of the Na Pali from a boat. Looking up at those cliffs is a magical and fabulous experience. If you have motion sickness, might not be the way to go.