Doors-off Helicopter Flightseeing on Kauai: AMAZING.

The Island of Kauai is spectacular to see just as you’re driving around it and hiking, but the the doors-off helicopter flight around Kauai will amaze you. Yes, I was uncertain about doing a door-off helicopter flight and it sounded like the most terrifying thing ever, but it was the most beautiful flight / sightseeing I’ve ever done. I’ve got all the information about helicopter flightseeing on Kauai, and specifically everything you need to know about the doors-off helicopter experience.

Haena State Park Na Pali Coast from Helicopter with Kauai Air Hawaii 2

Why do a Doors-off Helicopter on Kauai?

I was really surprised by how different the Island of Kauai is from the air. As you’re driving you can see the towering hills around you, but you’re also always in at least a little bit of civilization. When you take off from Lihue airport (LIH) for your doors off helicopter flight, immediately you see just how much of Kauai is undeveloped and perfect. The sheer cliffs and deep valleys, the waterfalls that flow down to the Pacific Ocean, it’s all so wild.

While I get nervous flying in general, I did feel extra terror initially doing the doors-off flightseeing. It took me a few minutes to really feel comfortable and safe, and to accept that I was indeed not going to fall out of the helicopter. Once I got over that, the views were absolutely amazing and the rainbows just added to the whole effect. The photos I was able to capture because the helicopter tour was doors-off were amazing and didn’t have any sort of reflections or filter to them. It was all beautiful.

Waimea Canyon from Air Kauai Doors Off Helicopter Tour Kauai Hawaii 1

Tips for a Great Doors-off Helicopter Flightseeing Experience

When you arrive for your doors-off helicopter flight around Kauai you’ll get set up with a jacket, goggles and a neck lanyard phone strap. You’ll get a safety talk, sign some waivers and then make your way to the helicopter pad. The setup of the helicopter is two passengers in front and four in back, so there are three seats that are at the edge of the chopper.

If you’re the more brave of your party, try to get an outside seat. You should decide in advance and talk to the crew about who will be sitting on the edge vs inside. There’s a certain amount of bravery needed to ride on the outer seats, so if you think the fear is going to prohibit you from enjoying the experience, just sit on the inside. The views are still amazing.

Waterfalls from Air Kauai Doors Off Helicopter Tour Kauai Hawaii 7

Preparing for Doors-off Kauai Flightseeing

Dress for a cool, breezy experience when you’re doing a doors-off helicopter tour on Kauai. You’ll likely pass through some moist clouds and get some good gusts of ocean breezes, so it can be cold. I recommend light pants for sure. You’ll need to wear close-toed shoes, NOT SANDALS, and then you’ll be given a jacket to wear.

NOTE: if you’re not doing a doors-off helicopter tour but a different sort of flight seeing, be sure you wear a BLACK OR DARK jacket or pullover. When you wear light colors for flightseeing, the light reflects onto the windows and creates glare, reflections and light flares in your photos.

For doors-off helicopter tours with Air Kauai (and any other operators) you won’t be able to bring any photography gear beyond your phone, including GoPros. You’ll be outfitted with a neck lanyard and stretchy phone holder to keep your camera safe, and that’s all you’ll be allowed to bring.

Flying into Rain with Air Kauai Doors Off Helicopter Tour Kauai Hawaii 1

Booking Your Kauai Doors-off Helicopter Tour

There are a few helicopter companies you can choose from for doing the doors-off flightseeing around Kauai. We’ve gone with Air Kauai and they did an amazing job with the pre-flight and narration. We HIGHLY recommend this crew! Other options include Ali’i Air Kauai and Jack Harter Helicopters, large helicopters and small 4 passenger choppers. You’ll find the one that’s right for your doors-off helicopter tour on Kauai.

Each operator has a slightly different style, time in the air or set of restrictions, so be sure to do the one that’s right for you. If you are an average weight person and only have adults in your party, most helicopter tours will work just fine for you. If you are heavier or need an accessible helicopter experience, you’ll want to talk directly with the tour operators once you’ve made your booking (or before) to confirm everything will be a “go” when it’s time for your doors-off helicopter flight around Kauai.

Before booking, always confirm technical details about your flight including:

the seating arrangements in the helicopter
if you are doing a landing
age and weight restrictions
weather cancellation policies

Rainbow over Na Pali Coast from Air Kauai Doors Off Helicopter Tour Kauai Hawaii 2

More Things to do on Kauai

Kauai is my second favorite island so I always have ideas for fun and beautiful things to do on Kauai. Because the island isn’t huge and there’s just the one road going around it (not even all the way), you can plan adventures on both the north and south shore in the same day as long as you allow yourself time to get between destinations. Here are our top picks for some of the best things to do on Kauai.

Beach days at Poipu (south shore), Lydgate (east) or Hanalei (north)
Smith’s Hawaii Wailua River Cruise – Lihue, east
Kauai Coffee Co tour – near Hanapepe, south
Waimea Canyon State Park – Waimea, south
Na Pali Coast hiking at Haena State Park – Waineha, north
Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge – Kilauea, north

There are, of course, many more things to do and so many beautiful hikes and beaches, but these are just our top picks that you can easily add to your Kauai itinerary to ensure you have an amazing experience here on the Garden Island.

Where to Stay on Kauai

There are three main areas to choose from when you’re planning your trip to Kauai. You can be on the east side (Lihue or Kapaa), the South Shore (Poipu, Koloa or Waimea) or on the North Shore (Princeville or Hanalei). I actually prefer to stay in Kapaa because it’s directly in the center. We’ve stayed all over though and it’s always easy to get around. The south shore is the most interesting with towns and epic sights, and then the east is most convenient with easy tourist activities and beaches, and then the north is much more rugged and is the start of the Na Pali Coast. Take your pick!

I hope you’ll consider doing the doors-off helicopter tour of Kauai. It’s one of the best ways to be wowed and fall in love with the Garden Island, and it really shows off the beautiful world of Hawaii. If you have any other questions about flightseeing or Kauai in general, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a beautiful Hawaii trip. Aloha!