Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Kauai Tour ? helicopter or boat?

Search

Kauai Tour – helicopter or boat?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 15th, 2019 | 03:25 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Kauai Tour – helicopter or boat?

First trip to Kauai next month and we want to take a helicopter or boat tour. Which one do you recommend and with what company? We will only have 6 days on the island, but we could possibly do both?
CindyA is offline  
Old Sep 17th, 2019 | 12:21 PM
  #2  
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,445
Likes: 0
Although I was a seagoing Coast Guardsman, I like the helicopter over the boat. See if Blue Hawsii has a Kauai operation. You see l lot more and the pilots know where all of the really beautiful places are.....places you cannot see from the water.
Bobmrg is offline  
Old Sep 17th, 2019 | 01:05 PM
  #3  
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 0
I've done both several times and would pick the Na Pali catamaran tour of the coast, it seems like more "bang for your buck" and it is terrific to spend so much time seeing the coast up close and personal. The chopper only spends about 10-12 minutes (out of about 50) flying over the coast. On the other hand, if the weather is good and the helo can fly into Mt. Waialeale crater, the waterfalls inside are stunning.
Yes Blue Hawaiian company is on Kauai and gets good reviews as does Jack Harter and Mauna Loa.
jamie99 is offline  
Old Sep 18th, 2019 | 04:32 AM
  #4  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,319
Likes: 0
We did both in one day: Jack Harter helicopter tour followed by sunset catamaran cruise of the coast. Fabulous to see from both venues.
rncheryl is offline  
Old Sep 18th, 2019 | 10:04 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Looks like I need a tie-breaker!
I think I’ll make reservations for one (leaning toward helicopter), and play it by ear on the other.
CindyA is offline  
Old Sep 18th, 2019 | 02:05 PM
  #6  
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 0
There is also Wings Over Kauai which is a fixed wing aircraft (gets good reviews but I have not done it) that costs about half as much as a helicopter.
jamie99 is offline  
Old Sep 20th, 2019 | 07:19 PM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
A 3rd option! I’ll check it out.
CindyA is offline  
Old Sep 21st, 2019 | 09:30 AM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Has anyone taken an airplane tour AND a helicopter tour of Kaua’i? If so, how do they compare?
CindyA is offline  
Old Sep 23rd, 2019 | 12:24 PM
  #9  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 35,486
Likes: 3
We took a helicopter tour in Maui several years ago with Blue Hawaiian and it was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. I am very glad I did it but I won't ever do it again. Not to be a Debbie Downer but a couple of months after our tour, the same helicopter with the same itinerary and the same pilot crashe, killing everyone on board. I am not saying helicopter tours in Hawaii are not safe - just for me personally, I experienced it once and I'm good.
tom42 is offline  
Old Sep 23rd, 2019 | 08:39 PM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Yikes! We’ve decided to do a plane tour (Wings Over Kaua’i) and a sunset cruise (Holo Holo or Blue Dolphin). Can’t wait!
CindyA is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement -