3 Best Helicopter Tours in Maui

There's no vertigo when you can fly over Maui by helicopter and get 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!

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'd like to experience it, you can book your own Maui flight, which lasts approximately one and a half hours.

An experienced pilot will accompany you throughout the tour, sharing explanations and anecdotes about the sights you'll see from the sky. Water, drinks and headphones are included so you won't miss a thing during the tour.

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

The weather in Hawaii can change rapidly, but cancellations are rare. In the event of bad weather, it is usual to reschedule your flight. It is recommended that you eat a light meal before boarding in order to get the most out of the experience.

If you're a road trip enthusiast, Hawaii has one of the most beautiful roads in the world where it's not the destination but the journey itself that matters: Road to Hana.

It's a spectacular 72-kilometre drive along the north coast of Maui with 620 hairpin bends and more than 50 bridges that will take you to beautiful landscapes of virgin rainforest, rugged cliffs, beautiful waterfalls, palm groves and black sand beaches.

Given the unique and twisty geography of the road to Hana, the best way to take this road trip and experience Maui's scenery is to join one of the Road to Hana tours, as the local drivers and guides know the terrain like the back of their hands and will show you the most amazing sights without taking any risks behind the wheel.

To get an overview of Maui's beautiful scenery, there are tours to Hana that combine a visit by land and by air. That is, part of the tour is done by car and part by helicopter as many sites are only accessible by air due to the unique geography of the place.

In order to have a personalised experience, these types of 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 towns of Ke'anae and Hana.

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

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

There's no doubt that this is one of those experiences that will stay with you for a long time. In addition to the fascinating views of Maui that seem to be straight out of a lost world, there's the adrenaline rush of flying at hundreds of miles per hour over Hawaii and the Pacific. You won't stop taking pictures!

During your holiday you can choose from several helicopter tours in Maui with different durations and routes. Some of the most beautiful sites covered by these tours include the North and West Coast, Molokai, Halawa Valley, Pailolo Channel, Iao Valley State Park, Honokohau Falls, Haleakala Volcano, Maui Rainforest and more.

These types of activities are usually flexible so, depending on availability on your selected dates, you can choose times, prices and standard or premium options to suit 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 still be just as beautiful and the pilot will make sure you enjoy the views to the fullest. You will take away a magical souvenir of your visit to Maui!

If you're not only a nature lover but also a thrill-seeker, how about 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're worried about safety, these flights are totally safe as you'll be wearing an extra seat restraint, so don't worry about that.

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

However, no cameras other than your mobile phone are allowed on the flight. The operator will provide you with a lanyard case so that you can use your camera safely during the flight.

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

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

Helicopter tours on Maui last between 40 and 55 minutes approximately. The great thing about flying in a helicopter on this island is that within minutes of taking off you'll be treated to some amazing views, so whichever tour you choose, you'll see some amazing Polynesian scenery.

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

However, if you're one of those travellers who believe that flying in a helicopter is one of those once in a lifetime experiences, then I'd advise you to go for the longer tour because you'll still get a taste of the island.

The great thing about booking online is that you can compare itineraries, prices and length of tours before you choose one, so it's hard to go wrong.

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.

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

Depending on the route taken by the pilot, you will usually visit the island's most iconic sites by helicopter while listening to the pilot narrate the tour. Some of them are:

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

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 driving licence) at check-in.

Here's a little tip for getting some great photos during the helicopter tour in Maui: wear dark clothing so there's less glare on the aircraft windows as you fly.