Kauai, Hawaii
Probably the greatest methods to see the Hawaiian islands is by air, and a doors-off Kauai helicopter tour of the Na Pali coast is an epic aerial images expertise!
When you don’t know by now, I completely love helicopters. Actually, I used to need to be a helicopter pilot as a child (okay, perhaps I nonetheless do).
So on our latest journey exploring the Hawaiian island of Kauai, I couldn’t move up the prospect to fly over the island’s well-known Na Pali shoreline in a helicopter!
Hovering by the sky, hovering over landscapes, and in a position to take off and land nearly anyplace — helicopters are tremendous cool.
Whereas helicopter excursions may be costly, some locations are simply made to be photographed from a helicopter, just like the Grand Canyon, New York Metropolis, and Cape City for instance.
We determined to take a helicopter tour of Kauai with the doorways off for an additional adrenaline rush!
Kauai Helicopter Tour Information
Finest Helicopter Excursions On Kauai
Doorways-Off Tour
Anna and I made a decision to guide a 60-minute open door helicopter tour with Jack Harter Helicopters. There are solely 2 corporations who supply this in Kauai, the opposite is Mauna Loa Helicopters. It’s nice for photographers, as a result of there’s no glass to get in the way in which of your pictures. However you’re uncovered to the weather!
Doorways-On Tour
Most individuals select to fly with the doorways on, the traditional manner. It’s a bit extra enjoyable, and never as windy/chilly. There’s a fantastic Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Coast helicopter tour that covers all the highest highlights. ➜ BOOK IT HERE
Sightseeing Aircraft
When you’re touring to Kauai on a finances, however nonetheless need to fly over the Na Pali coast, a less expensive choice is to guide a Na Pali sightseeing airplane flight, which prices below $200 (about half the value of a helicopter). ➜ BOOK IT HERE
There’s SO a lot cool stuff to see on Kauai that I undoubtedly suggest the 60-minute choice slightly than the shorter flights.
An hour would possibly sound like lots, however it goes by in a short time if you’re having enjoyable!
Stunning Waimea Canyon
After leaving Lihue Airport, our Kauai helicopter journey started by flying into Waimea Canyon — aka “The Grand Canyon” of the Pacific (thanks Mark Twain!).
At 14 miles lengthy, and one mile broad, Waimea Canyon was one in all my favourite locations on Kauai. When you can drive and hike alongside the canyon partitions, flying over it in a helicopter was further particular!
It’s made up of rugged cliffs with contrasting colours in orange, crimson, and inexperienced. The canyon principally covers the entire western facet of the island — with 45 miles of climbing trails too.
The spotlight is Waipo’o Waterfall, a large 800-foot tower of water. Most Kauai helicopter excursions will make two passes so everybody will get an opportunity to {photograph} it.
Kauai’s Finest Waterfalls From Above!
There are SO MANY waterfalls on Kauai! From the bottom, you’ll solely have the ability to expertise a few of them. However from the air… that’s when you’ll be able to actually respect the most effective waterfalls on the island.
Our Kauai helicopter flight took us over Hanapepe Valley, house of the well-known Jurassic Park waterfall.
Its Hawaiian title is Manawaiopuna Falls, the identical 400-foot waterfall that was featured a number of occasions within the unique 1993 Jurassic Park film.
It appeared that there was some form of huge waterfall (or 10) cascading into each valley we flew over!
Gorgeous Na Pali Shoreline
Probably the most epic part of our helicopter flight got here subsequent. Kauai’s gorgeous Na Pali Coast State Park on the north finish of the island.
Typically thought to be probably the most lovely a part of the Hawaiian islands, Na Pali (which suggests “the cliffs”) is a 17-mile stretch of lush emerald inexperienced cliffs and jagged mountain peaks.
Pristine white-sand seashores dot the border between land and ocean. The water is a deep turquoise blue coloration.
Hold a watch out for “Cathedrals”, a spectacular wall of knife-edge ridges.
That is additionally the place the Kalalau Path is positioned, a rugged (and sketchy) 2-3 day climbing & tenting trek alongside the coast of Kauai.
Mount Waialeale’s “Weeping Wall”
Lastly, we flew into the wet Hanalei Valley in the direction of the Mount Waiʻaleʻale Volcano, one of many wettest spots on earth.
It’s right here the place over 20 completely different waterfalls funnel down the steeps sides of the long-dormant volcano, right into a river far under.
The climate right here is regularly unhealthy, and right now was no exception. The summit of Waialeale is seen for less than about 20 days per yr.
We flew under the clouds, into the rain, and proper up subsequent to the “Weeping Wall” itself. With the doorways off, it was extraordinarily chilly, windy, and moist!
If you’re on the lookout for a tough hike in Kauai, you’ll be able to hike to this wall of water, typically known as the Blue Gap Hike. It’s a tricky (and moist) full-day trek.
Helicopter Images Ideas
Whereas I like my Mavic 2 Professional Drone, aerial panorama images from a helicopter with the doorways off is a lot enjoyable! However it may be difficult too.
Use Shutter Precedence Mode
I’m a giant fan of taking pictures photographs in Handbook Mode. However in some conditions, issues are shifting too quick to regulate manually. Helicopter images is like this. I typically suggest retaining your shutter pace at 1/1200 (or larger) so your photos aren’t blurry. Auto ISO is useful too!
Hearth Away!
Shoot as many photographs as doable, on fast fireplace mode. Helicopter excursions can transfer shortly, and there’s typically not a lot time to compose your shot. It’s essential work quick, and shoot TONS of photographs. Ensure that to pack a spare battery and a big (plus quick) reminiscence card that may deal with all the photographs.
Polarizer & Lens Hood
When you’re flying in a helicopter with the doorways on, you’ll must shoot by the home windows. This glass may cause undesirable glare & reflections. Utilizing a polarizing filter and a lens hood might help scale back this.
Digicam Gear
When you’re fortunate sufficient to personal two digicam our bodies, I’d suggest bringing them each. One with a wide-angle lens (like 16-35mm), and one other with a telephoto zoom (like 70-200mm). When you can solely carry one digicam/lens, choose one thing that’s within the center, like a 24-70mm.
Extra Hawaii Helicopter Recommendation
Helicopter Security
Over the previous few years, there have been some high-profile helicopter sightseeing crashes, a few of them with the doorways off. Nonetheless, I take into account them very uncommon occasions, identical to aircraft crashes.
That stated, many helicopter tour corporations have began banning sticking your arms and toes out from the open doorways. Whereas I used to be allowed to do that in NYC, we couldn’t do it on our Kauai helicopter journey. All the time hearken to your pilot!
How A lot Does It Value?
Helicopter excursions on Kauai can price anyplace between $250 – $400 per individual, relying on the size of the journey, the kind of helicopter used, and the corporate.
Finest Time For A Helicopter Journey
Kauai isn’t known as the Backyard Island for no purpose! The winters right here may be very moist & stormy. So summer season is mostly the most effective time of yr to go on a helicopter tour. You’ve got extra possibilities for good climate.
As for mild, as a result of the Na Pali coast is on the Northwest facet of the island, the solar hits the mountain peaks within the early afternoon. Simply earlier than sundown is one other good time to go. ★
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I hope you loved my information to helicopter excursions in Kauai! Hopefully you discovered it helpful. Listed here are a couple of extra wanderlust-inducing articles that I like to recommend you learn subsequent:
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