The Na Pali coast on Kauai is undoubtedly the most gorgeous coastline in the world, and there’s no better way to see it than from the air.

I’d always wanted to fly over Kauai in a helicopter with the doors off, and that finally occurred last week! I joined Jack Harter Helicopters for a one-hour scenic ride of the island and took hundreds of photographs.

It was an incredible experience, and I was thoroughly delighted with the entire tour from beginning to end. It was far amazing than I anticipated.

In this article, I’ll cover all you need to know about Kauai scenic flights, including costs, safety, and what to expect while in the air. I will also share some of the photos I shot during my own flight!

Table Of Contents
1) Company: Jack Harter Helicopters.
2) Kauai Scenic Flight: What to Expect.
3) When is the best time to fly?
4) How much does the flight cost?
5) Is the helicopter safe?
6) Additional Tips for Flight
7) More Kauai travel guides

Company: Jack Harter Helicopters

I flew with Jack Harter Helicopters, a Kauai-based firm that has been in operation since 1975.

Today, there are other firms that provide helicopter excursions on Kauai, but Jack founded the first company.

They also pioneered the concept of doors-off tours, which provide better views and photographs without any windows in the way.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary flight from Jack Harter in exchange for an honest evaluation. All opinions are my own. I only recommend high-quality products and services that I believe will benefit my readers.

Kauai Scenic Flight: What to Expect

My tour began with a short check-in at the Jack Harter office in Lihue, followed by a 5-minute minivan ride to the airport with a group of fellow travellers.

We were divided into two groups after receiving a safety briefing that included instructions on how to use the seatbelts in an emergency situation.

Jack Harter seats four people per flight, two in the front with the pilot and two in the back.

The passenger in the front middle seat may have to hunch over to take shots, but otherwise, you’ll all have window seats.

Everyone has a good perspective of the action, so don’t stress too much over your seat assignment. The chopper even circles and hovers above some of the better photo locations, giving everyone an opportunity to take shots.

Our group flew with Chrissy Marsaglia, a female pilot from New York who had completed the tour thousands of times. She was an excellent communicator, and it was clear that she is extremely comfortable flying. She narrated each sight as we walked.

We circled the island clockwise, and here are some of the things I noticed:

Manawaiopuna falls. Jurassic Park’s opening sequence featured a 400-foot waterfall.
Waimea Canyon. The Pacific Grand Canyon has portions that are up to 3,000 feet deep. If you’ve already visited the state park by automobile, seeing it from a new perspective is a tremendous delight.
Waipo’o falls. A multi-tiered waterfall in Waimea Canyon. This is the same waterfall you may have viewed from the state park’s roadside pull-offs.
Na Pali Coast. This was one of the tour’s highlights. We had plenty of time to visit all of the Na Pali coast’s major sites, including Kalalau Valley and Honopu Beach.
North shore. We drove by some lovely beaches on the North Shore, such as Ke’e and Hanalei Bay.
Mount Waialeale. An extinct volcanic mountain in the center of the island. It features a ‘weeping wall’ of waterfalls that come to life after rain.

Everyone has a good perspective of the action, so don’t stress too much over your seat assignment. The chopper even circles and hovers above some of the better photo locations, giving everyone an opportunity to take shots.

Our group flew with Chrissy Marsaglia, a female pilot from New York who had completed the tour thousands of times. She was an excellent communicator, and it was clear that she is extremely comfortable flying. She narrated each sight as we walked.

We circled the island clockwise, and here are some of the things I noticed:

Manawaiopuna falls. Jurassic Park’s opening sequence featured a 400-foot waterfall.
Waimea Canyon. The Pacific Grand Canyon has portions that are up to 3,000 feet deep. If you’ve already visited the state park by automobile, seeing it from a new perspective is a tremendous delight.
Waipo’o falls. A multi-tiered waterfall in Waimea Canyon. This is the same waterfall you may have viewed from the state park’s roadside pull-offs.
Na Pali Coast. This was one of the tour’s highlights. We had plenty of time to visit all of the Na Pali coast’s major sites, including Kalalau Valley and Honopu Beach.
North shore. We drove by some lovely beaches on the North Shore, such as Ke’e and Hanalei Bay.
Mount Waialeale. An extinct volcanic mountain in the center of the island. It features a ‘weeping wall’ of waterfalls that come to life after rain.

One advantage of Jack Harter’s trips is that they last 60-65 minutes, as opposed to 45-50 minutes with other firms on the island.

From the time we hopped into the helicopter until we stepped out, our flight took slightly more than 65 minutes.

Despite the extended flying duration, the entire experience is so exciting that it passes quickly!

When Is the Best Time to Fly?

As a photographer, I spent a lot of time researching the optimum time to take a helicopter flight in Kauai.

The driest and sunniest months are typically April through October. This would be an ideal opportunity to take a helicopter tour of the island.

The rainy season lasts from November to March, with January and February being particularly wet months. However, these months are still suitable for helicopter tours.

I’ve visited Kauai several times during the rainy season, and most days are quiet and sunny. The photographs in this article were taken in January, and the weather was great, so don’t dismiss it.

Any time of day is suitable for flying, and there is no ‘ideal’ time period unless you are a photographer. Even yet, the changes between hours are rather modest.

If you wish to picture the Na Pali shoreline from a helicopter in the winter, the afternoon or evening are the best times.

That’s when you may capture stunning lighting and shadows in your photos. Otherwise, Na Pali is backlit for the most of the day throughout the winter.

In the summer, things are a little different. Early dawn illumination is ideal for pictures, particularly at Na Pali and Waialeale, although any time of day would suffice. Midday produces the most light and colour.

If you’re checking the weather forecast, don’t be concerned about a light rain or wind. These normally have no effect on the trips, and they occasionally produce beautiful rainbows and cascades.

How much does the flight cost?

As of 2026, the 60-minute helicopter tour with Jack Harter costs $399 USD per person.

They also offer shorter tours for roughly half the price. These cruises do not visit the Na Pali coast, so you will not see as much, but they do pass through some beautiful scenery at Waialeale and the waterfalls in the interior of Kauai.

In either case, their excursions are well worth the price! Where else can you get vistas like these?

Is the helicopter safe?

I’m usually scared around helicopters, but Jack Harter has a superb safety record spanning more than 60 years.

They’ve flown these routes tens of thousands of times and know them really well.

If the weather is not suitable for flying, they will reschedule your tour for a better day. Safety is the first priority.

Sure, it’s a little unnerving when you first rise off the ground and the doors open wide, but you’re safely strapped in with a seatbelt and harness.

The removal of the doors enhances the whole experience. You almost forget you’re in a helicopter, and it feels like you’re simply flying around Kauai with no barriers.

If you prefer, Jack Harter offers tours with the doors closed, but trust me: it’s more fun with them open, and it’s much better for photography.

Other Tips for the Flight

No loose items. Open door flights do not accept loose items such as hats, purses, or flip flops. Phones and cameras require a strap, which they can give if you don’t already have one. You can learn more about their FAQ here.
Camera settings. Shutter speeds of at least 1/1000 second are recommended to eliminate motion blur and propellers in the picture.
Lens type. Because you’ll be flying close to massive cliffs and canyons, a wide angle lens is usually the best choice. I utilised a Fuji X-T5 camera with a 10-24mm lens, and the majority of my photos were taken at the smallest focal length.

More Kauai Travel Guides.

Thank you for looking! I hope you enjoyed this recap of my doors-off fly with Jack Harter Helicopters.

Don’t forget to check out my other Hawaii travel recommendations before you leave!