4 Best Helicopter Tours in Maui

Flying over Maui in a helicopter will be the best memory you will keep of your vacation, forever. Adrenaline and incredible views are guaranteed.
4 Best Helicopter Tours in Maui

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There is no vertigo when you can fly over Maui by helicopter and have a bird's eye view of this beautiful island known as "The Valley Isle", for its geography full of beautiful green valleys and impressive waterfalls. It will be one of the most unforgettable memories of your trip to Hawaii!

1. Private plane ride over Maui

From the plane|©Jori Samonen
From the plane|©Jori Samonen

Seeing Maui from the air is a spectacular way to appreciate its natural beauty. This tour takes off from Kahului airport and offers a private experience, just for you and your companions. If you want to live it, you can book your flight over Maui, with an approximate duration of one hour and a half.

An experienced pilot will accompany you throughout the route, sharing explanations and anecdotes about the places you will see from the sky. The activity includes water, drinks and headphones so you won't miss any detail during the tour.

Highlights of the itinerary include the Nakalele Blowhole, Honolua Bay Reef, Lanai Island, Molokini Crater, the award-winning Wailea Beach, and the expansive Makena State Park, among others. Each landscape is more breathtaking than the last.

Weather in Hawaii can change rapidly, but cancellations are rare. In the event of bad weather, it is usual to reschedule your flight. A light meal before boarding is recommended to make the most of the experience.

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2. Helicopter tours to visit Hana

Napili Bay| ©Andrew Bain
Napili Bay| ©Andrew Bain

If you are passionate about road trips, Hawaii has one of the most beautiful roads in the world where the important thing is not the destination but the journey itself: Road to Hana.

It is a spectacular journey of about 72 kilometers along the north coast of Maui that has 620 hairpin bends and more than 50 bridges that will lead you to wonderful landscapes of virgin jungle, steep cliffs, beautiful waterfalls, palm groves and black sand beaches.

Considering the peculiar geography full of curves along the road to Hana, the best way to make this road trip and get to know the landscapes of Maui is by joining one of the tours that explore Road to Hana, as local drivers and guides know the terrain like the back of their hand and will show you the most amazing places without taking any risk behind the wheel.

To have a global vision of the beautiful landscapes of Maui, there are tours to Hana that combine the visit by land and by air. That is to say, part of the circuit is done by car and the other by helicopter because many places can only be accessed from the sky due to the unique geography of the place.

In order to have a personalized experience, these tours are usually done in small groups and during the visit you will see incredible sites such as Wai'anapanapa State Park, Waikani Falls, Haleakala Crater, Hana Tropicals Gardens or the cities of Ke'anae and Hana.

So don't hesitate and get your camera ready for a memorable adventure on Road to Hana!

3. Maui Helicopter Tours of different durations

Halawa Valley| ©Forest and Kim Starr
Halawa Valley| ©Forest and Kim Starr

With its beautiful green valleys and towering waterfalls, the island of Maui is a spectacle in itself and even more breathtaking when you appreciate its beauty from the air during a helicopter flight.

There is no doubt that it is an experience that will remain in your memory. The fascinating views of Maui that seem to be taken from a lost world are complemented by the adrenaline of flying at hundreds of miles per hour over Hawaii and the Pacific. You will not stop taking pictures!

During your vacation you can choose from several helicopter tours in Maui with different durations and routes. Some of the most beautiful sites covered by these tours are the north and west coast of the island, Molokai, Halawa Valley, Pailolo Channel, Iao Valley State Park, Honokohau Falls, Haleakala Volcano or the Maui Rainforest, among others.

These types of activities are usually flexible so, depending on availability on the selected dates, you can choose schedules, prices and standard or premium options to adapt the experience to your tastes, budget or needs.

How to choose between tours

Your budget will probably determine which tour you choose, but even if you choose the shortest flight, the experience will be just as beautiful and the pilot will make sure you enjoy the views to the fullest. You will take home a magical souvenir of your visit to Maui!

4. Helicopter tour with open doors

Helicopter with open doors| ©Jakob Owens
Helicopter with open doors| ©Jakob Owens

If you are not only a nature lover, but also a thrill seeker, how about taking a helicopter tour of Maui with the doors open?

The feeling of floating in the air and the adrenaline rush is even greater when there is no barrier between you and the scenery. If you are concerned about safety, you should know that these flights are totally safe as you will be wearing an extra seat restraint, so don't worry about it.

Just make sure you have your camera fully loaded because the pictures you will take will be dizzying! Many of the valleys, waterfalls and rainforests that you will see during the Maui and Molokai flight can only be seen from the air, so you can't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Of course, no cameras other than your cell phone are allowed during the flight. The operator will provide you with a lanyard case so you can use the camera safely during the flight.

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How much does it cost to take a helicopter tour in Maui?

View of Ke'anae| ©Navin75
View of Ke'anae| ©Navin75

A helicopter tour in Maui can cost between 200 and 400 euros per person approximately.

It will all depend on factors such as the duration of the tour, whether it is a standard or premium tour, the number of tourist attractions visited, the type of aircraft or whether or not lunch is included, among others.

Book a private plane ride in Maui

How long are helicopter tours in Maui?

Waikani Falls| ©Neora Aylon
Waikani Falls| ©Neora Aylon

Helicopter tours in Maui last between 40 and 55 minutes approximately. The great thing about flying in a helicopter on this island is that minutes after take off you will already enjoy amazing views, so whichever tour you choose, you will see some wonderful Polynesian scenery.

For example, the Maui helicopter tour combined with the Road to Hana tour has the shortest flight but by blending a land and air experience, it shows you all the facets of the island.

However, if you are one of those travelers who believe that flying in a helicopter is one of those once in a lifetime experiences, then I advise you to go for the longer tour because it will still not be enough.

The good thing about booking online is that you will be able to compare itineraries, prices and duration of the tours before selecting one, so it will be hard to go wrong.

Book a private plane ride in Maui

Can I take a helicopter tour with the doors open?

Quite an experience| ©Ted Murphy
Quite an experience| ©Ted Murphy

That's right! You may be a little apprehensive about riding in a helicopter without doors or with the doors open, but you have nothing to fear because they are very safe. You will be fastened to your seat with harnesses and belts for added protection.

Specifically in Hellotickets is available a 45 minute flight in a helicopter with the doors open with which you will have a panoramic view of the island of Maui without barriers.

Will I be able to see volcanoes from the helicopter?

Maui Coast| ©Anton Repponen
Maui Coast| ©Anton Repponen

Indeed, during the helicopter flight you will be able to see the Haleakala volcano which rises above the island of Maui forming more than 75% of its surface and can be seen from almost any point. The writer Mark Twain described it as "the most sublime spectacle I have ever witnessed".

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What else will I see from the helicopter?

Enjoy the experience| ©Ethan Eddins
Enjoy the experience| ©Ethan Eddins
Haleakala Crater| ©Paul VanDerWerf
Haleakala Crater| ©Paul VanDerWerf

Depending on the route taken by the pilot, you will normally visit the most emblematic places of the island by helicopter while you listen to him narrate the visit. Some of them are:

  • Maui's north and west coast
  • Molokai
  • Haleakala National Park
  • Iao Valley State Park
  • Halawa Valley
  • Pailolo Channel
  • Honokohau Falls
  • Maui Rainforest
  • Kahiwa Falls

What are the best helicopter tours in Hawaii?

Take the best pictures| ©Ted Murphy
Take the best pictures| ©Ted Murphy

Actually, there is no helicopter tour worse than another. The main difference between them is the duration or the fact that the aircraft has the doors closed or open. I recommend you to book online to compare prices, duration and itineraries.

What documentation is required to fly in helicopter?

Discover inaccessible paradises| ©Ted Murphy
Discover inaccessible paradises| ©Ted Murphy

According to FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) regulations, all passengers 18 years of age and older must show a valid photo ID (such as a passport or driver's license) at check-in.

How to take the best photos of the helicopter views?

Molokai| ©Mark Shepherd
Molokai| ©Mark Shepherd

A little tip to get some heart-stopping photos during the helicopter tour in Maui: wear dark clothing so that there is less reflection on the aircraft windows when flying.

Book a private plane ride in Maui

Reviews from other travellers

4.5
· 1423 Reviews
  • A
    A.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I am here on my honeymoon and highly recommend booking this, you won't regret it!
  • B
    B.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    The customer service was amazing. The pilot had great knowledge of the island
  • E
    E.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    It is such a fantastic experience that I want to repeat it and I am sure I will. Book this flight, you won't regret it!
  • E
    E.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    This flight was the highlight of our trip. It made my friend and I feel special.
  • D
    D.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    A very expensive experience but one to live at least once in your life. The ride is fantastic in every aspect