Airborne Aviation Tours

Kauai Helicopter Tour

A Doors-off Helicopter Tour of Kauai

Adventure on a Higher Level!

50 Minute Doors-Off Kauai Helicopter Tour

The DOORS-OFF ADVENTURE will take you over Kauai’s most lush and scenic destination on the island!

Tour Details:

  • Tour Time: 50-55 minutes
  • Fast and smooth Hughes 500 helicopters
  • 4 guests max
  • Great for shooting photos and video
  • Departs from: Lihue Airport, Kauai

Special Online Rates:

  • Open Seating $319 each
  • Front Seats Upgrade $359 each
  • Private Tour $1276 up to 4 guests

Hughes 500 Seating:

Hughes 500 Seating Diagram

View Bali Hai, also known as the Makana Mountain, which starts at the beginning of the Na Pali Coast on the north shore of Kauai. Soar over Manawaiopuna Falls, one of the Garden Isle’s most famous waterfalls. Best known from the opening of the 1993 blockbuster film, Jurassic Park. Watch from above as the water rushes over a 380-foot tall cliff surrounded by walls of deep green lush flora. Located within Hanapēpē Valley on the west side of the island, it is a site few can say they have seen while on Kauai.

Continue on over to Hanalei Bay which covers nearly two miles of beach and is backed by 4000ft tall emerald mountains: Hihimanu is on the east, Namolokama is in the middle with its square top, and the triangular shaped Mamalahoa is to the west. Often cloaked with a mist of clouds the Mt. Waialeale ridge home to dozens of cascading waterfalls.

The name Waialeale, meaning “rippling water or overflowing” receives over 400 inches of rain per year and is known to be one of the wettest spots on earth. You’re surrounded by enchanting waterfalls and lush green walls of fauna. Waialeale Crater aka Blue Hole & The Weeping Wall. From above you will see it all and find yourself lost in the beauty and mystery of Kauai’s enchanting lure.

Other sites like the Wailua Falls and Waimea Canyon are also famous aerial sites on the Doors-Off Adventure Tour.

Frequently Asked Questions...
Do you fly in rainy or windy conditions?

Short answer is “yes”. However, rest assured, prior to every flight our pilots and ground crew review the weather to make sure it is not only safe, but also conducive to a quality tour for you. We understand that this is a big expenditure, and we want to make sure you get your money’s worth. We will cancel your tour and make sure you get a full refund if there is poor visibility, or if the pilot determines the winds are unsafe.

What is your cancellation policy?

We give a 100% refund for cancellations made 48 hours before the tour date. If there is inclement weather or unscheduled maintenance, we will either reschedule your tour or issue a 100% refund. Keep in mind that if the tour is booked with a third party, their cancellation and refund policy may differ from ours.

Is there a shuttle service for pickup at hotels or cruise ships?

All guests must provide their own transportation. We recommend Taxi, Uber, or Lyft. We ask guests to allow an extra 15 minutes of travel time due to unforeseen traffic, to arrive early or on time for their check in.

What type of clothing should I wear?

The doors-off helicopter tour is extremely windy. We recommend comfortable athletic wear, no loose shirts, or dresses, or skirts. Closed-toe shoes or sandals with a heel strap. Hair should be secured in a bun or tightly braided, no loose ponytails or braids. Temperatures are 10-15 degrees cooler and we recommend a windbreaker or a jacket to protect against the wind chill.

What is the best time of day to fly?

All of the tour times we offer are great times to view the island. Time is personal preference whether you like to be an early bird and do activities first thing in the morning, or take your time and do a later tour midday or afternoon.

The forecast says there is a chance of rain, or it will be raining on the tour date I selected. Can I change my tour date and time?

You may reschedule or cancel your tour for a full refund if done 48 hours prior to the tour date and time. It should be noted that it does rain almost every day in Hawaii. Most of the time it is in very small areas at a time, which does not affect our tours. So we do not recommend cancelling or rescheduling based on a forecast of rain.

What does “Front Seat Upgrade” entail?

Front Seat upgrades are the two seats in the front with the pilot. Selecting these seats guarantees the seating assignment if the two passengers’ body weights combined do not exceed the 345 pounds weight limit. The front seats are sold only as a pair together, whether it is for one or two people. The open seating is any seat in the helicopter. Open class seating is assigned by body weights. For solo passengers, we try our best to accommodate a seat next to the open door. For couples, we seat you two together in the same row. For a party of three, we either seat two passengers in the front and the third passenger in the rear seat, or vice versa depending on the weights. For a party of four passengers, we will seat accordingly by each body weight, typically the two body weights that are the lightest combined at, or under, 345 pounds will be seated in the front. For any seating, you may add a request upon booking. We do not guarantee seating nor assign seating until the day of the tour. Premium Plus seatings are for any guests that weigh 240lbs/109kg or more. An additional seat is blocked and reserved to ensure the combined passenger weight does not exceed the aircraft limitation of 745lbs/339kg.

Why do I need a strap or tether for my cell phone or camera device? I will be responsible and take responsibility for my phone or camera.

Because this is a doors-off helicopter tour operation we must take extra steps — in accordance with FAA regulations — to make sure nothing flies out of the helicopter in flight. A phone flying out the door could hurt someone on the ground, or even damage the helicopter if it hits the spinning rotors. Requiring a tether for your phone allows you to enjoy the tour without having to worry about it slipping out of your hands and being lost forever. If you do not have a phone tether, one will be available for your use.

Can children do a doors-off tour?

The minimum age requirement is 10 years old. A responsible adult must be seated next to any child. No lap children are allowed, and each person is required to wear a seat belt.

What if I still have a question about the tour?

Weight Restrictions: Front Seats are sold as a pair only, with a maximum combined weight limit of 340lbs/154kg. Guests weighing more than 240lbs./109kg and parties of two (2) with a combined weight of more than 400lbs./182kg, must reserve (1) one additional seat at the regular price. Private Tour 4 guest maximum weight limit is 745lbs/338kg.

Age Restrictions: Minimum age 10 years.

Google Reviews

Ken GordonKen Gordon
04:01 18 Sep 23
Great experience, I am a pilot and observed excellent and safe procedures during our flight. The route was amazing and we experienced views that were truly once in a lifetime. I would recommend them without any reservations.
Michael fritzMichael fritz
00:41 18 Sep 23
We highly recommend Airborne Aviation. The pilot was knowledgeable about the area while giving the tour and she seemed to be a great pilot. We've already recommended them to others. This is the best way to see the island.
Tom PollokTom Pollok
03:42 15 Sep 23
Totally awesome experience! Thank you so much! Would recommend others to do it here!
Ken FlappanKen Flappan
15:20 13 Sep 23
It was unbelievable. We toured Kauai in a helicopter and saw the vast beauty of the island and at times up close almost able to reach out and touch mountains and water falls you can't get to by land. Keep your hands in the helicopter.
Sarah GaringSarah Garing
20:39 10 Sep 23
Had an amazing time on the Doors-off Helicopter tour - incredible views of Na'pali coast, Waimea Canyon, etc. Max the pilot was awesome and the whole experience was exhilarating and super fun. Honestly, did get a tad queasy towards the last 10... minutes of the flight, but totally worth it and 10/10 would recommend! Probably my favorite tour we did on our whole trip. The views were unmatched.. just incredible to see the mountains/waterfalls/etc from a bird's eye view. Amazing!read more
Victor KünzigVictor Künzig
05:47 04 Sep 23
This was absolutely fantastics and definitely the highlight of our visit to Kauai. The views were spectacular and the ride was thrilling and incredibly fun, the commentary and info from the pilot was also really helpful and gave us tips on which... part of the island we wanted to visit on foot next.read more
Senthilvelan EkambaramSenthilvelan Ekambaram
09:52 04 Aug 23
Amazing and thrilling Doors-off Heli tour. 50 minutes of mind-blowing views of the Garden Island. Breathtaking aerial views of Kauai's mountains, valleys, waterfalls, forests, plantations and shorelines. Once in a lifetime experience to appreciate... the beauty of mother nature. The friendly staff of Airborne Aviation explained about the tour prior to departure.The Chief Pilot took care of our helicopter ride and nicely explained about the various locations and history during the tour. Awesome, thrilling and memorable adventure trip.read more
Michael BeckmannMichael Beckmann
07:46 29 Jul 23
Airborne Aviation was just superb. We had seven family members: three in a copter with Wayne as our pilot and four with Kate as their pilot. We were amazed at the beauty that unfolded before us. My mother In law, brother in law, sister in law and... two nephews had never been in a helicopter before. They were amazed-couldn't stop talking about it.A shout out to Freddie who explained the whole process to us as we waited. The whole team was really really top notch. Highlyread more
Danielle DeckerDanielle Decker
15:07 14 Jul 23
This was our first ever helicopter ride, so we have nothing to compare it to, but we were incredibly impressed with this company. They were communicative, made us feel safe, and gave us an experience of a lifetime. It was a 50 minute doors off tour... with no rear middle seat so the views were amazing, and the pilot often circled back around at key sites to that the people on the opposite side of the helicopter could get the same view. Max was our pilot and in addition to a smooth ride, he offered a good combination of giving us information about what we were seeing and giving us quiet time to take it all in.read more
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