One of the attractions of Hawaii is its diverse terrain. And the best way you can enjoy the full impact of its beautiful landscape is by taking a helicopter tour. But there are several things you should consider before deciding which one would be the best tour for you. We present a few useful tips to plan an enjoyable helicopter tour of Hawaii.
Pick the right timing: It would be best to book your helicopter tour within the first two days of your visit. That way you would get a better idea of the orientation of the place right at the start. Also, during early afternoon or late morning flights the colors of the island would appear more brilliant and vivid due to the brighter light. On Kauai, the Na Pali Coast being located on the west of the island, it would be best toured in the afternoon light.
Pick the right islands: Kauai and the Big Island are the best picks for a helicopter tour. At Kauai you’ll enjoy splendid views of the Na Pali Coast, the Waimea Canyon, and the waterfalls at the Waialeale Crater. A tour of the Big Island would let you view the volcanic activity at Kilauea.
Pick the right operator: It is important to pick a tour operator with a clean accident-free record. Always go for tour operators that declare they have FAA Part 135 Air Carrier certification, meaning they adhere to higher standards as compared to other general aviation operators. As an added precaution, you could look up the accidents database recorded by the National Transportation Safety Board. To get results for Hawaii, pick Hawaii as the state, and then Helicopter as the type of aircraft. For each accident check the name of the tour company involved.
Pick the best price: An online search would help you compare the prices charged by different tour operators. Many companies offer attractive discounts if you book a tour directly with them.
Pick the right seats: Most of the helicopters like the Eco-Star and A-Star type helicopters seat six passengers, two in the front and four in the back, with the two people in the middle seats behind getting a limited view. But the Hughes 500 used by operators like Jack Harter Helicopters seats two passengers in the front and two passengers in the back. The Eco-Stars however offer slightly extra room, more window space and less noise than the A-Star helicopters.
The best seats for helicopter tours are the seats in front. However, seating is often decided based on the weight of passengers. For touring Kauai, seats on the right side provide the best views, including that of the Na Pali Coast, since most tours will circle the island in a clockwise direction.
A few Dos and Don’ts:
Take proper medication in advance if you tend to get motion sickness.
Wear dark clothing to reduce the glare on the aircraft windows.
Make sure your camera has high speed film/settings.
Understand and observe all the safety instructions.
Don’t wear earrings as they could obstruct your headphones.
Don’t waste too much time gazing at the scenery below through your camera.
A helicopter tour of Hawaii is a thrilling experience. There’s no better way to feast your eyes on the forests, cliffs, volcanic shapes, craters and beaches of this wonderful destination.
