Deluxe Waterfall Safari Tours 2026: Prices, Route & Booking

Tours

Choose your Kauai waterfall flight

The Deluxe Waterfall Safari in the centre. Beside it, the two flights people weigh it against: a cheaper small-plane loop of the island, and Safari's own longer tour with a canyon landing.

Budget pick ★ 4.965 min2,391 reviewsFree cancellation

Wings Over Kauai: Small-Plane Island Flight

Window seatsWhole islandPlane

A slow, high-wing sightseeing plane that circles the whole island in about an hour. It cannot hover or dip into the Waialeale crater, but every single seat is a window seat.

What's included

65-minute narrated scenic flight around Kauai
Guaranteed window seat with large bubble windows
Landing fee, fuel surcharge and local taxes
Not included: gratuities; accurate weights in pounds needed at booking

From$159per person Reserve

The Deluxe Waterfall Safari ★ 4.855 min963 reviewsFree cancellation

Deluxe Waterfall Safari: 55-Minute Helicopter Tour

Waialeale craterNa PaliA-Star

Safari Helicopters' signature flight: a 100-plus mile loop over Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali cliffs and into the waterfall crater of Mount Waialeale, with pilot narration.

What's included

55-minute A-Star helicopter flight from Lihue with pilot narration
Waimea Canyon, Na Pali Coast and the Mount Waialeale crater, weather permitting
Six passengers: two beside the pilot, four in the rear
All fees, taxes and the fuel surcharge
Not included: hotel pickup, snacks; limit 250 lb per seat

From$336per person Reserve

With a landing ★ 4.890 min392 reviewsFree cancellation

Safari's Olokele Canyon Tour with Landing

Canyon landingWaialeale90 min

The same flight plus a stop on the private rim of Olokele Canyon, a preserve few visitors reach. It lands on the canyon rim, not at the Jurassic Park falls.

What's included

About 55 minutes of flying plus a ground stop of about 30 to 35 minutes
Landing at a private conservation preserve overlooking Olokele Canyon
Na Pali, Waimea Canyon and Mount Waialeale views
All fees and taxes
Not included: hotel pickup, snacks, a Jurassic Falls landing

From$396per person Reserve

Doors off, private or the big names

Other Kauai helicopters

Doors off ★ 4.850 min545 reviews

Compare

Which flight suits which traveler

They all fly roughly the same loop from Lihue. What differs is the aircraft, how many people share the cabin, whether the doors are on, and whether you land.

Flight	Operator and base	Best for	Length	Rating	From
Deluxe Waterfall Safari: 55-Minute Helicopter Tour	Safari Helicopters, Lihue	The classic crater and Na Pali loop, doors on	55 min	★ 4.8 (963)	$336	Book
Wings Over Kauai: Small-Plane Island Flight	Lihue Airport commuter terminal	Lowest price, a window seat for everyone	65 min	★ 4.9 (2,391)	$159	Book
Safari's Olokele Canyon Tour with Landing	Safari Helicopters, Lihue	Stepping out on a private canyon rim	90 min	★ 4.8 (392)	$396	Book
Air Kauai Doors-Off Helicopter Tour	Air Kauai, Lihue heliport	Doors-off photos in a six-seat cabin	50 min	★ 4.8 (545)	$402	Book
Jack Harter 60-Minute Doors-Off MD500	Jack Harter Helicopters, Lihue	Four passengers, every seat by an open door	60 min	★ 4.8 (424)	$460	Book
Blue Hawaiian Eco Adventure Helicopter	Blue Hawaiian, Lihue Airport	The big-name operator and a quieter EcoStar	50 min	★ 4.8 (2,065)	$489	Book
Private Helicopter Tour with No Middle Seats	Ali'i Kauai Air Tours, Lihue	Your own group and a window for everyone	75 min	★ 5.0 (1,793)	$425	Book
Mauna Loa Private Doors-Off Experience	Mauna Loa Helicopters, Lihue	Private, doors off, all window seats	55 min	★ 4.8 (521)	$384	Book
Na Pali Coast Morning Snorkel Catamaran	Port Allen, west Kauai	Na Pali from the water, with snorkelling	5.5 hours	★ 4.7 (1,640)	$234	Book

Safari's standard seats take up to 250 lb per person; heavier travelers buy an extra seat. Lap infants under two fly free. Booked direct, Safari lists the Deluxe Waterfall Safari at $309 ($279 with its online code); the Viator price adds free cancellation up to 24 hours before, on every tour here.

Where it really flies

Most of Kauai has no road: the helicopter is the way in.

Kauai is the oldest and greenest of the main Hawaiian islands, and most of its interior is roadless mountain and rainforest. The Deluxe Waterfall Safari leaves Safari Helicopters' base in Lihue and flies a loop of more than 100 miles: west through Hanapepe Valley past Manawaiopuna Falls, over Olokele and Waimea Canyon, along the sea cliffs and valleys of the Na Pali Coast, around Hanalei, and finally into the summit crater of Mount Waialeale, where dozens of waterfalls pour down walls that are wet almost every day of the year.

It is a sightseeing flight, not a landing tour, and the exact route depends on the clouds: when Waialeale is socked in, pilots skip it. Since Hurricane Lowell in September 2026, the state parks at Waimea Canyon, Koke'e and Na Pali are closed on the ground, which makes the flight the only way most visitors can see them right now.

100+ mi

The loop in about 55 minutes of flying. Safari says it covers roughly 80% of the island.

Mount WaialealeNa Pali CoastWaimea CanyonManawaiopuna Falls

Emerald Na Pali Coast ridges dropping into a turquoise sea on Kauai — The Na Pali Coast: roadless, and one of the highlights of the loop.

01

Does it land?

No. For a stop on the ground, Safari's 90-minute tour lands on the rim of Olokele Canyon.

02

Doors on or off?

Doors on, with large windows and air conditioning. Doors-off tours are a different aircraft and price.

03

Where do I sit?

Two front seats and four rear; the pilot assigns seats by weight, so nobody books a window.

04

Who might skip it?

Anyone over 250 lb who does not want to buy a second seat, or who gets badly airsick.

The flight

How the safari unfolds

About two hours from check-in to wheels down. Early flights usually get the clearest mountains.

01

Check in and weigh in

Arrive at the Akahi Street office in Lihue, weigh in, stow bags in a locker and watch the safety video.

45 to 60 min before

02

South and west

Lift off from Lihue, then Hanapepe Valley, Manawaiopuna Falls and the red walls of Waimea Canyon.

First 15 minutes

03

The Na Pali Coast

The pilot follows the sea cliffs and hanging valleys along the roadless north-west shore, then Hanalei.

Middle of the flight

04

Into Waialeale

The finale, weather permitting: the crater walls streaming with waterfalls, then back to Lihue.

Last 15 minutes

The Na Pali coastline

Aerial view of a reef lagoon and white sand on Kauai's north shore

North shore reef

The cockpit view of a helicopter flying along the Na Pali Coast

From the front seats

Fluted red and green ridges of the Na Pali Coast dropping into a blue sea

Na Pali from above

Plan your flight

Plan your Waterfall Safari

Getting there, prices and ages, the rules and what to bring: one tab each.

Check in at Safari Helicopters, 3225 Akahi St, Lihue, across the road from Hilo Hattie.
Hotel pickup is not included: drive or take a taxi; parking is on site.
Arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure: late arrivals can lose the seat without a refund.
From Poipu allow about 30 minutes, from Princeville about an hour, more while hurricane repairs slow traffic.

Direct from Safari: $309 per person, $279 with the operator's online code; Viator: from $336 with fees included.
Everyone from age two pays a seat; lap infants under 24 months and 25 lb fly free.
Private charter of the whole helicopter: about $1,500 on Safari's site.
The landing tour costs $369 direct, or from $396 on Viator.

Up to 250 lb per seat; above that, or two people over 420 lb combined, you buy an extra seat.
Children 7 and under cannot sit in the front seats.
No scuba diving in the 24 hours before the flight.
Not wheelchair accessible; not for anyone with heart problems or serious medical conditions.

Dark, plain clothes to cut window reflections.
Sunglasses and a phone with a wrist strap.
Closed shoes; nothing loose that could blow or fall.
Motion-sickness tablets if you need them, taken before check-in.
A light jacket: the air-conditioned cabin and early starts can feel cool.

On the loopMount WaialealeThe crater at the island's heart, its walls streaked with waterfalls.

On the loopNa Pali CoastSea cliffs up to about 4,000 feet and hanging valleys with no road in.

On the loopWaimea CanyonThe "Grand Canyon of the Pacific": red rock, green slopes, ribbon falls.

Fly-byManawaiopuna FallsThe Jurassic Park waterfall, on private land in Hanapepe Valley.

On the loopHanaleiThe bay, the taro fields and the north shore mountains.

Landing tour onlyOlokele Canyon rimA private conservation preserve, on the 90-minute tour.

Where the flight starts

Safari Helicopters base

Safari Helicopters, Lihue

3225 Akahi St, Lihue, HI 96766, USA

The office sits in Lihue, near the airport and across the road from Hilo Hattie. You check in, weigh in and watch the safety briefing there, then staff drive you to the helicopter. The flight ends back at the same base. There is no hotel pickup on this tour, so plan your own transport and allow for traffic.

Check in 45 to 60 minutes before departure
Lockers for bags; only a phone or camera on board
Phone (800) 326-3356 for same-day questions

Get directions

Around your flight

Everything else worth knowing

Timing, the small things fliers wish they had known, what is nearby and the weather fine print.

Morning: clouds tend to build on Waialeale through the day, and reviewers who flew first thing saw the most.
Early in your trip: if the flight is cancelled for weather, you still have days to rebook.
Summer: usually the calmest weather; winter brings more rain, but also fuller waterfalls.
After heavy rain: the crater walls run with the most waterfalls, if the cloud lifts.

Wear dark clothes: bright colours reflect in the glass and spoil photos and video.
Shoot with your lens close to the window, but not touching it, to cut glare and vibration.
Rear middle seats see least; a solo traveler is often seated in front for balance.
Eat lightly beforehand; ginger or motion-sickness tablets help if you are prone.
Put the phone down for a few minutes in the crater: it is the part people remember.

Wailua Falls: a roadside waterfall ten minutes north of Lihue, seen on the flight too.
Kalapaki Beach: Lihue's sheltered beach at Nawiliwili, for after the flight.
Port Allen: the harbour for Na Pali catamaran trips, about 30 minutes west.
Poipu: the sunny south shore resort area, about 30 minutes away.

Every tour on this page cancels free up to 24 hours before on Viator.
If the operator cancels for weather or mechanics, it offers a new time or a refund.
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30; Hurricane Lowell reached Kauai on September 7, 2026.
Check the operator's notices close to your flight while the recovery schedule is reduced.

Guest reviews

What fliers say

4.8 ★★★★★
963 reviews · Deluxe Waterfall Safari
live Viator & Tripadvisor figure

★★★★★
What a ride! The hour-long ride flew by with views of stunning waterfalls, the Na Pali coast, small towns and villages, plus helpful info about this beautiful island. Definitely worth the money and time.
Mary R. · Deluxe Waterfall Safari, Jun 2026

★★★★★
We saw all the sights and waterfalls that you can imagine, but landing in the canyon and walking around was a bonus. Our pilot was fantastic and the whole Safari crew was friendly and helpful.
Karl R. · Olokele Canyon landing, Mar 2026

★★★★★
We felt safe, had a wonderful visual of the island including a dip into the volcanic crater where many waterfalls were streaming down. Kauai is one of those places that a helicopter is necessary to really see all the splendor.
Mike D. · Deluxe Waterfall Safari, Jun 2026

★★★★★
Amazing views of the island! Not as scary as I thought it would be. Enjoyed the pilot's narration of the scenery. There was some glare at times off our arms and legs, wearing darker clothing helps reduce this.
Allison D. · Deluxe Waterfall Safari, Aug 2026

★★★★★
The most surreal, amazing experience my husband and I have ever had! My kids ages 8, 9 and 12 were also in awe! Seeing the views from above was breathtaking, and the music going along with everything really pushed it over the top!
Madeline S. · Deluxe Waterfall Safari, Jul 2026

★★★★★
Planning and check-in was super easy. Aiden was a great pilot and we had an amazing time! Flight was very smooth and he did a great job avoiding the strong wind areas.
Brian G. · Deluxe Waterfall Safari, Aug 2026

★★★★★
I was in the front row of seats and immediately from liftoff the views were unbelievable. The whole island was stunning and the photos I took did not do it justice. If you are going to do anything in Kauai I would recommend the helicopter tour.
James C. · Deluxe Waterfall Safari, Jun 2026

★★★★★
We took our five year old and she had a blast! Being able to get out on the private reserve to take in the beauty of Waimea Canyon was an unbelievable experience.
Ashlee H. · Olokele Canyon landing, Apr 2025

★★★★★
We loved seeing the island's incredible waterfalls, the Garden of the Gods, and the spectacular coastline from such a unique perspective. The views were breathtaking, and the entire experience was a special memory for our family.
Heather K. · Deluxe Waterfall Safari, Aug 2026

From the water

See Na Pali from the sea too

The helicopter shows you the scale; a boat puts you under the cliffs, in the sea caves and in the water with the turtles.

Na Pali Coast Morning Snorkel Catamaran

★ 4.7 · 1,640 reviews · 5.5 hours

Want the Na Pali cliffs from sea level too? This morning catamaran leaves Port Allen, runs up the roadless coast past sea caves and waterfalls, stops to snorkel, and serves breakfast treats, a sandwich lunch and drinks on board. Dolphins and sea turtles are common company. It is the natural second half of a Kauai trip after the helicopter.

CatamaranSnorkel stopLunch + drinks

From$234per personReserve

The guide

The Deluxe Waterfall Safari, explained

The Deluxe Waterfall Safari is the tour most people mean when they say "the Safari helicopter". Here is what the 55 minutes cover, what the price buys, where you will sit and how to give yourself the best chance of a clear day over the crater.

What the tour is, and what it isn't

It is Safari Helicopters' main Kauai flight: a doors-on, air-conditioned A-Star with oversized windows, six passengers and a pilot who narrates over the headsets, with music timed to the scenery. The loop runs from Lihue through Hanapepe Valley and past the Jurassic Park falls, over Waimea Canyon and along the Na Pali Coast, then round by Hanalei into the crater of Mount Waialeale. It does not land anywhere, it is not doors-off, and it is not a private flight unless you charter the whole aircraft.

A waterfall on a sheer green cliff seen through a helicopter window — Big windows, but glass all the same: dark clothes keep the reflections down.

What it really costs

Safari lists the flight at $309 per person and knocks $30 off with its own online code. Viator sells it from $336, with taxes, fees and the fuel surcharge included, and lets you cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before. Booking direct is cheaper; booking on Viator buys flexibility, which matters on an island where cloud cancels flights. Add the Olokele Canyon landing and the price rises to $369 direct or $396 on Viator.

The honest small print: the praise in reviews is for the pilots and the views; the complaints are about the seats and the weather. The two front seats and the rear window seats see most, the rear middle seats least, and you cannot choose. Light clothing reflects in the glass. And cloud on Waialeale means the crater is sometimes skipped or the flight is cancelled, so fly early in your trip.

Safari or another operator?

Most Kauai helicopter tours fly a similar loop, so the choice comes down to the aircraft and the cabin. Safari is a mid-priced, doors-on A-Star with six seats and the island's only canyon-rim landing tour. Blue Hawaiian flies the quieter EcoStar at a higher price; Jack Harter and Air Kauai take the doors off for photographers; Ali'i and Mauna Loa sell private flights with no middle seats. If price is what matters, a small plane circles the island for about half the cost, but cannot dip into the crater.

A tour helicopter parked on a grassy canyon rim on Kauai — Safari's longer tour lands on a private canyon rim; the Deluxe Waterfall Safari stays in the air.

Making the most of the flight

Book a morning slot early in your stay, wear dark clothes, and give accurate weights so nobody is moved on the day. Arrive in good time for the weigh-in and briefing, eat lightly, and take motion-sickness tablets beforehand if you need them. In the air, take your photos over the canyon and the coast, then look up and simply watch as the pilot turns into the Waialeale crater.

Dark long-sleeve shirt, sunglasses, phone with strap, rain jacket and sneakers on a table — Dark clothes, sunglasses and a phone strap: the helicopter kit.

Compare the tours

FAQ

Questions before you fly

Straight answers to what travelers ask most about the Deluxe Waterfall Safari.

What is the Deluxe Waterfall Safari?

It is the signature Kauai helicopter tour of Safari Helicopters, a family company flying since 1987. The 55-minute flight leaves Lihue and loops more than 100 miles over Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali Coast, Hanalei and into the waterfall-lined crater of Mount Waialeale, with the pilot narrating. It does not land. See the tour.

How much does the Deluxe Waterfall Safari cost?

Safari Helicopters lists it at $309 per person, or $279 with its own online code. On Viator it is from $336, with all fees and free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Prices move; see the price guide for what the gap buys.

Does the Deluxe Waterfall Safari land at the Jurassic Park waterfall?

No. It flies past Manawaiopuna Falls, the waterfall from Jurassic Park, which sits on private land in Hanapepe Valley. Safari's landing tour stops on the rim of Olokele Canyon instead, and Safari says so itself. Read where the Jurassic falls really are.

How long is the flight, and how long should I allow?

The flight is about 55 minutes. Allow about two hours in total: check in 45 to 60 minutes early for weigh-in and the safety video, then the flight, then the drive back to your hotel.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. A standard seat takes up to 250 lb per person; heavier travelers, or two people over 420 lb combined, must buy an extra seat. Give accurate weights when you book: the pilot balances the aircraft by seat, and Safari does not refund seats lost to wrong weights.

Where do I sit, and can I choose?

The A-Star carries six passengers: two in front beside the pilot and four in the rear. The pilot assigns seats by weight and balance, so you cannot book a seat. If a guaranteed window matters most, look at the private and no-middle-seat tours.

Is a Kauai helicopter tour worth it?

For most visitors, yes: most of Kauai, including the Waialeale crater and much of the Na Pali Coast, cannot be reached by road. The Deluxe Waterfall Safari rates 4.8 from 963 reviews. The common complaints are window glare, weaker views from the rear middle seats, and weather cancellations.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Flights are cancelled or rerouted when cloud sits on the mountains, which is common on Kauai. The operator rebooks you, and on Viator you can cancel free up to 24 hours before. Book early in your trip so there is time to fly again. See the best time to fly.

Are helicopter tours running after Hurricane Lowell?

Yes, on a reduced schedule. Hurricane Lowell hit Kauai on September 7, 2026; Lihue Airport reopened two days later, and Safari says it is operating with limited flight times. Waimea Canyon, Koke'e and the Na Pali state parks remain closed on the ground, so the air is currently the way to see them.

Are Kauai helicopter tours safe?

Tour flights are regulated and pilots cancel when weather is poor, which is exactly why cancellations happen. The risk is not zero: a Safari Helicopters A-Star crashed in bad weather near Koke'e in December 2019, killing all seven aboard. Accept a weather cancellation rather than pushing for another slot the same day.

What should I wear on the flight?

Dark, plain clothes: light and bright colours reflect in the windows and spoil photos, a tip repeated in reviews. Wear closed shoes, bring sunglasses and a phone strap, and leave loose items in the lockers. See what to wear.

Can children fly?

Yes. Children pay their own seat from age two; lap infants under 24 months and 25 lb fly free on an adult's lap. Children 7 and under cannot sit in the front seats. Families in reviews report kids of 5, 8 and 12 loved it.

Deluxe Waterfall Safari

Choose your Kauai waterfall flight

Wings Over Kauai: Small-Plane Island Flight

Deluxe Waterfall Safari: 55-Minute Helicopter Tour

Safari's Olokele Canyon Tour with Landing

Doors off, private or the big names

Air Kauai Doors-Off Helicopter Tour

Jack Harter 60-Minute Doors-Off MD500

Blue Hawaiian Eco Adventure Helicopter

Private Helicopter Tour with No Middle Seats

Mauna Loa Private Doors-Off Experience

Which flight suits which traveler

Most of Kauai has no road: the helicopter is the way in.

Does it land?

Doors on or off?

Where do I sit?

Who might skip it?

How the safari unfolds

Check in and weigh in

South and west

The Na Pali Coast

Into Waialeale

Plan your Waterfall Safari

Safari Helicopters base

Safari Helicopters, Lihue

Everything else worth knowing

Canyon, cliffs and crater, in one hour.

What fliers say

See Na Pali from the sea too

Na Pali Coast Morning Snorkel Catamaran

The Deluxe Waterfall Safari, explained

What the tour is, and what it isn't

What it really costs

Safari or another operator?

Making the most of the flight

Plan it properly

Questions before you fly

Pick your seat in the sky.