Booking choice: The Deluxe Waterfall Safari, from $336 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
Mount Waialeale is one of the wettest places on Earth, and cloud often sits on its summit. That is why the crater is the most frequently skipped part of any Kauai flight.
In September 2026, Hurricane Lowell added another factor: a reduced flight schedule and closed parks on the ground.
The quick answer
Fly in the morning, early in your trip, and keep a spare day for a rebooking. Summer is usually calmest; winter is wetter but the waterfalls run fuller. After Hurricane Lowell (September 7, 2026), tours fly on a reduced schedule while Waimea Canyon, Koke'e and Na Pali stay closed on the ground.
Is morning or afternoon better?
Morning: cloud usually builds over the mountains as the day warms.
Reviewers who took the first flight of the day report the clearest views. Afternoon light can be beautiful on the Na Pali Coast, but the crater is more often hidden.
Want a morning slot? Check availability for the Deluxe Waterfall Safari.
Check dates for the Deluxe Waterfall SafariWhat is the best season?
Summer for calmer, clearer weather; winter for fuller waterfalls but more cancellations.
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Storms are rare, but when they come, flights stop for days.
What happens if your flight is cancelled?
The operator offers another time or a refund; on Viator you can also cancel free up to 24 hours before.
Cancellations for cloud or wind are a safety decision, not a sales trick. Accept them: Safari lost an aircraft and seven lives in bad weather near Koke'e in December 2019.
Are tours flying after Hurricane Lowell?
Yes, on a reduced schedule: Safari says it is operating with limited flight times.
Lowell hit Kauai as a Category 2 storm on September 7, 2026. Lihue Airport reopened two days later, and most county parks reopened by mid-September, but the state parks at Waimea Canyon, Koke'e, Polihale and Na Pali remained closed indefinitely, and Koke'e Road was closed for clearing.
Is it a good time to visit Kauai?
Kauai's mayor has said the island is welcoming visitors; confirm each booking before you travel.
Expect slower traffic around repair work and some closures. Visitors' spending supports the recovery; patience and courtesy help too.
Want Na Pali up close while the trail is shut? A catamaran gets you under the cliffs.
Explore the Na Pali snorkel catamaranHow early in your trip should you fly?
As early as you can: a cancellation on day two can be rebooked, one on your last day cannot.
Keep one flexible morning later in the week as a backup.
What about sunset flights?
Some operators fly late afternoon; the light is warm, but the crater is often in cloud.
For the full loop including Waialeale, mornings win. See Kauai helicopter tours compared for every option.
Ready? Book an early slot with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check dates for the Deluxe Waterfall SafariFrequently asked questions
What month is best for a Kauai helicopter tour?
Late spring and summer usually bring the calmest weather; winter has fuller waterfalls and more cancellations.
Do helicopter tours fly in the rain?
Light showers may be fine, but low cloud and wind ground flights. The pilot decides on the day.
Is Waimea Canyon open after Hurricane Lowell?
As of late September 2026 the state park was closed indefinitely and Koke'e Road was closed for clearing. Check the Hawaii DLNR before you go.
Ready to book
Choose your flight
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Deluxe Waterfall Safari: 55-Minute Helicopter Tour
- 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
Wings Over Kauai: Small-Plane Island Flight
- 65-minute narrated scenic flight around Kauai
- Guaranteed window seat with large bubble windows
- Landing fee, fuel surcharge and local taxes
