Hawaii Helicopter Tours: Which Island Has the Best Views?

Updated January 2026 • 9 min read

Helicopter flying over Hawaiian coastline

A helicopter tour is the single best way to grasp Hawaii's scale and drama. From the air, you'll see waterfalls hidden in valleys, volcanic craters, and coastlines that are impossible to reach any other way.

Each island offers a completely different experience. Here's how to choose—and the tours worth your money.

Quick Verdict: Best Island for Helicopter Tours

🥇 Kauai: Most dramatic scenery per minute. Na Pali cliffs, Waimea Canyon, countless waterfalls. If you only do one helicopter tour in Hawaii, do it here.

🥈 Big Island: Active volcano (when flowing), diverse landscapes from snow-capped peaks to black lava fields. Most unique geology.

🥉 Maui: Hana waterfalls, West Maui mountains, Haleakala crater. Beautiful but less dramatic than Kauai.

Oahu: Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, urban Honolulu from above. Interesting but not essential unless you're military/history focused.

Kauai Helicopter Tours

The "Garden Isle" is 90% inaccessible by road. A helicopter reveals the Kauai most visitors never see: the Na Pali Coast's 4,000-foot cliffs, waterfalls cascading into hidden valleys, and Waimea Canyon's red-rock grandeur.

🚁 Private Kauai Helicopter Tour

From $375/person

Just your group in the helicopter. Customizable route, more time hovering at the best spots. The ultimate Na Pali experience.

View Kauai Tours →

Big Island Helicopter Tours

Kilauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes. Even when not actively flowing, the volcanic landscape is otherworldly—black lava fields, steam vents, and craters. Tours also cover waterfalls near Hilo and the Kohala Coast.

🌋 Volcano & Waterfall Tour

From $299

Circle-island tour covering Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hamakua Coast waterfalls, and the diverse climate zones. Best overall Big Island helicopter experience.

View Big Island Tours →

💡 Pro Tip: Morning flights typically have better visibility and calmer air. Book the earliest departure, especially in summer when clouds build by afternoon.

Doors-On vs. Doors-Off

Doors-off: Better photos (no glare), more thrilling, but colder and louder. Cameras must be strapped. Not available everywhere due to regulations.

Doors-on: More comfortable, climate controlled, easier to hear narration. Glass can create reflections in photos.

Our take: Doors-off for photographers and thrill-seekers, doors-on for families and casual sightseers.

Booking Tips

Weight matters: You'll be asked your weight—be honest. Seating is assigned for balance.
Window seats: Some operators guarantee them, others don't. Ask when booking.
Weather: Tours cancel in poor conditions. Book early in your trip to allow rescheduling.
Motion sickness: Usually not an issue—helicopters are stable. Take Dramamine if you're worried.

Browse All Hawaii Air Tours

Compare helicopter and small plane tours across all islands.

Explore Tours →