Reviews

we had great fun! loved the staff! got great info during the ride and a great video after!! you have to try them for yourself! they are really really the best!

My significant other gets seasick easily, and we were warned not to do one of the catamaran cruises to the Napali Coast in the wintertime. So this was the only way we were going to get to see that side of Kauai! There was a minimum of administrative stuff to deal with. We were shown a safety video after checking in, and given a fanny pack containing a small folded life jacket. Then we were shuttled to the helipad. We waited in folding chairs for about 10 minutes while the previous tour landed and disembarked and the chopper was refueled. Then we boarded, fastened ourselves in and put on headphones, and got acquainted with the pilot, who was very friendly and obviously very competent. The Eco-Star holds 7 passengers, 3 in the front and 4 in the back. We felt very lucky to be in the front! The tour itself is nothing short of spectacular, and we saw a 360-degree double rainbow to boot. Unfortunately, both of our cameras needed a recharge on batteries after about 45 minutes, and the tour was 55 minutes long, with one of the most spectacular sights (the Waialeale Crater) near the end. So pay attention to this tip: charge your cameras ahead of time, and take extra batteries!

How do you rate the best thing about Kauai? Even the worst of Kauai is better than a lot of destinations. But this was definitely outstanding. First, the helicopter itself. It is a 6-passenger Eco-Star -- the newest and best of the passenger helicopters. Two seats up front next to the pilot and four more across the back, all with headsets so you can hear all the pilot's comments. Seating is determined by weight but even if you wind up in one of the interior rear seats (as I did), don't worry. You still have a great seat. Lots of glass all around you, and the visibility is excellent. Next, the tour: Outstanding! Takes about an hour, and you'll wish it went longer. Some of the most exquisite scenery on the planet. From 5000+ foot mountain tops to ocean beaches, it's all breathtaking. It just defies an adequate description. And best of all, our pilot: His name is Jimmy, and if you wind up with him, consider yourself lucky. His commentary is excellent -- not too sparse, not too chatty, just right. He knows what he's talking about and he gives you a lot of information without being overpowering. Best of all, Jimmy is a seasoned and well-qualified pilot. Flew with the First Cav in 1970-71, so it's probably a genuine pleasure for him to be flying without being shot at. If you're on one side of the helicopter he will turn it around so you get a good view of what your mates on the other side just saw -- and you don't even have to ask him to do it, he just knows. Finally: there is a video of your trip being made while you are flying. This isn't anybody else's trip -- this is the trip you just completed. It's yours for another $25. I know -- you just spent a small fortune for the trip but, trust me, this is the cherry on the sundae. Dollar-for-dollar, you won't spend a better $25. We've been home just over 24 hours, and we've watched it twice. Wonderful! You order it once you're returned at the end of the trip. Takes 15 minutes or so for them to process it and make your copy. Don't think twice about it, just do it. You won't regret it. Thank you, Blue. And thank you, Jimmy, not just for our trip but for your service to our country too.

We had a wonderful and very informative flight. The only way to see large parts of the island. Gave us great perspective and insight. Our captain was incredibly knowledgeable. Highly recommended. Helicopter was top notch with great visibility and comfort from every seat.

Blue Hawaiian was recommended by Frommer's or Fodor's. The views that we saw by helicopter were awesome. But I was disappointed because I was put in the middle seat in the back. I did book early and was the first to arrive at the office on the day of the trip. I did ask for a seat up front because I wanted to take pictures. It was so noted. However when we arrived at the helicopter, I was told that the "computer" decided where people were placed and that I would get better pictures from a seat in the middle. I never did buy the Brooklyn Bridge and I didn't buy those statements either.

We were in Kauai on our honeymoon and splurged to go on a helicopter ride. My husband is 6'4" and weighs 260lbs, so all of the helicopter companies charge for a "comfort seat" due to his weight. You basically have to buy an extra seat and these seats are not cheap (~$265 or so). Blue Hawaiian only charged $112 for the comfort seat so we went with them. What a great trip! We had never been in a helicopter before and felt completely safe. I am about 6' tall and definitely not a lightweight, but was comfortable in the seat. My husband had the empty seat next to him and sat in the middle back. He was able to see with no problem and was surprised at how comfy it was. The views were spectacular! The Napali Coast is breathtaking. I enjoyed the narration and music that went with the tour, but don't remember much of it as I was plastered to the window. One note: PLEASE WEAR DARK CLOTHING. This includes pale skin... cover it up a bit! I was seated behind a very fair-skinned lady wearing a sleeveless shirt, so her pasty arm is in all of my pictures as the glass in the helicopter is highly reflective. Still got some great shots and enjoyed the trip, but it would have been a little bit better without the glare of paste. Anyway, I highly recommend Blue Hawaiian and would not hesitate to take another trip with them!

The flight was great and our pilot, Captain Travis, was a big hit with our wives. Evidently, if you want a sexy pilot, Captain Travis is your man. Anyway, a visit to Kauai is not complete without going on a helicopter tour since so much of the island is not accessible via car so it is the best way to see everything. Blue Hawaiian is a first-class operation.

We had really high expectations for the helicopter tour in Kauai. Everyone told us how wonderful it is and Kauai is the best place to do it. We weren't disappointed! We were a little nervous the tour would be poor or canceled since we drove through fairly heavy rain to get there. But as most days on the island, just because it's raining in one place doesn't mean is isn't beautiful 10 minutes away. We had great visibility, smooth ride, and informative narration from our pilot. We were lucky enough to get the two front seats so we had a great view. Everyone else sitting in the back thought it was great too. We bought the video of our flight- it isn't super quality but it's a fun thing to have since we are on it. This was a big of a splurge for us but we thought it was worth it- we would recommend to others.

We took a helicopter tour with Blue Hawaiian on Sept. 6th, 2010, while visiting Kauai. I had booked the tour online ahead of time, because it's much cheaper this way. Their offices are located in the Harbor Mall in Lihue and everything went well as planned. You arrive at their office, get a briefing, put a life vest around your waist, and they take you to the Helipad in air conditioned vans. There were 6 of us in the helicopter, plus the pilot. I must admit that I was a little hesitant because I have a problem with heights, but boy am I GLAD I did it! 80% of Kauai is uninhabited and inaccessible by car, so therefor you cannot see all these sights unless you are in a helicopter! The flight lasted 55 minutes, he helicopter is air conditioned and has great headsets, plus you can communicate with your pilot and others and ask questions via a handheld microphone. I cannot begin to describe the breathtaking views you get to see on this trip....it almost brought tears to my eyes! We were lucky to have a very clear day, so the pilot even flew into the crater of a volcano...simply amazing! The Napali Coast is gorgeous, but again, it's not accessible by car, so this is the only way to see it other than by boat. The only problem was that even though you are asked to wear dark clothing (to minimize reflection in the windows for picture taking), they allowed a guy with a WHITE polo shirt on our flight. He sat in the front of the helicopter and unfortunately this messed up most pictures I tried to take because his shirt and bare legs reflected in the window. I was very disappointed about this. Also, the DVD of our flight didn't record, so we weren't able to purchase a customized DVD after our flight. Blue Hawaiian was very apologetic about this though, and they gave all of us a complimentary copy the "generic" DVD of our tour...it's the same exact thing as the customized DVD would've been, with the exception of the fact that we weren't in it. Well that was no big deal for us, we were happy with the complimentary copy. I would highly recommend this tour, just be SURE they don't let anyone with bare legs or light colored clothing on your flight, or you will be upset about not being able to take pictures, just like I was. Enjoy your flight, it's worth every penny of it, and it wasn't scary at all...they don't "drop" down or do any crazy maneuvers, it's a very smooth ride. ALOHA!

After going back and forth on which helicopter tour to take, we chose this one, and so glad we did! Jimmy was a great pilot and told us lots of facts and stories about the places we saw. We had never been in a helicopter before, and what a great experience it was! Very smooth and fun to go down into the canyons and close to waterfalls. It gave a great overview of the island on our first day there, so it was easier to navigate around the island by car.

Our pilot/guide Andy was just phenominal and the tour of the canyons, craters and the NaPali coast was incredible. You will never forget the experience and you will see things on the island that you would never get to see otherwise since there is no way to get to the attractions by any sort of roadway or trail.

We enjoyed the Blue Hawaiian Helicopter trip around Kauai. It was spectacular and the new helicopters they have are very quiet and easy to get in and out. Four seats in the back and two in the front for customers.

Simply amazing. 60 minutes of the best views in the world. Completely safe and very comfortable. The pictures last a lifetime. Travis, our pilot was extremely knowledgable and friendly. if you don't do anything else on Kauai, do this!

I highly recommend Blue Hawaiian for a helicopter ride around Kauai. Our pilot, Captain Jimmy, was a very capable and knowledgable pilot and put everyone at ease. He provided many excellent insights during the flight about the areas we were flying over and the company had music broadcast over the headsets synced nicely with the flight's progress. I will definitely do this again!

I do not like to fly, so first off I did my research and read through FAA and NTSB crash reports to determine the safest helicopter company (all have a small risk, see http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=20111110X01102&key=1). As the hyperlink will show, even one of the safest Helicopter tours can have its risk. That out of the way, let me tell you that this is one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had! Our pilot, Kevin McIntyre, was great, kept the flight as smooth as possible (it was a little windy that day) and he was extremely knowledgeable about Hawaiian culture and geography. We saw things that you cannot see unless you are in a Helicopter. The flight itself was very comfortable and we could see extremely well because we flew in the Eco-Star (see picture). I do suggest (Highly suggested) to schedule your flight early in your vacation because Kauai has ever changing weather and the flights do frequently get pushed back or cancelled due to weather. If you schedule it for your first or second day you can always reschedule if need be before your leave. Have fun and hope this helps. And ask for KEVIN (you may see him in the background giving the shaka sign).