Inter-Island Helicopters, Kauai

Pros: They remove the doors to provide spectacular views, great safety record, exclusive waterfall trips. Amazing!
Cons: A bit expensive, but well worth it.

Having visited Kauai once before, my husband and I decided the only way to truly experience the beauty of Kauai was from a helicopter.

We visited several helicopter tour companies before deciding on Inter-Island.

Why We...

Pros: People out of shape would love this novelty ride without doors
Cons: Lack of stimulating narration by the pilot

So many helicopters, so many choices... It was suggested in The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook (5th Edition, 2004) that Kauai without taking a chopper ride was like visiting the Sistine Chapel without ever looking up. I don't know anything about Michelangelo ...

Pros: Flies low and actually into the Na Pali coast valleys
Cons: The front office could care less about the customer.

This is the 3rd Helicopter trip I've taken on Kauai and by far the best. Inter-Island uses a different airport than the other companies and thus there is more time flying over the more interesting parts of the island. Our pilot, Ken, really took us ...

Pros: The breathtaking view flying around without doors over the most beautiful places on Earth!
Cons: Being treated as a dollar sign rather than a customer in a horrible circumstance.

My wife and I celebrated our honeymoon on the gorgeous island of Kauai September 2005. The highlight of our trip was going to be our hour long sightseeing trip with Inter Island Helicopters and their Hughes 500D helicopters. We drove nearly an hour and ...

Pros: No obstacles to camera shots, nice water fall break
Cons: Forget the schedule, dress like you're in Antarctica, take a nap pillow and chair.

To summarize, book a craft with doors and with a company not contracted to the State to provide search and rescue and transport services to police. We booked our flight with Inter-Island because they advertised a two hour tour, longer than most and with ...

Pros: Up close,nothing between us and Kauai. Can hold camera outside and shoot to rear.
Cons: It just ended way to soon !!!!!!!!!!

We have been on several scenic helicopter rides. On our return trip to Kauai I researched and learned Inter-Island had no door aircraft and every seat was a window seat. I had experienced open door flying while in service, and it is special, ...

Pros: Expansive view looking out the open door of a Hughes 500D.
Cons: Not too easy to find the Hanapepe Airport.

My wife Joline and I decided on taking a helicopter tour of Kauai (April 2004)with Inter-Island Helicopters based on the fact that they flew their Hughes 500D with its doors removed. My hope was that this would be preferable to flying in a totally ...

Pros: Safely witnessing Kauai's spectacle unobstructed by doors. Not feeling "separate from," but feeling "part of."
Cons: From an inveterate, irrepressible critic in all things: this experience had NO CONS whatsoever.

The hour-long helicopter flight over Kauai with Inter-Island Helicopters is an unforgettable experience, worth every penny of the $185 price per person. My husband, our 8-year-old daughter, 13-year-old niece and I flew with pilot Marty on July 12, 2004, ...

Pros: the only helicopter tour on Kauai with no doors
Cons: somewhat expensive

I booked my helicopter tour based on the one review I found at epinions.com. This company doesn't really advertise and after going on the tour, I know why. They don't need to. This is the only company I know of on Kauai that has no doors. I have to...

Pros: Great View from the outside seat.
Cons: Avoid front center spot. Hard to hear pilot. Disappointing for photography.

Our helicopter trip with Inter-Island was a little disappointing since their major claim is Guaranteed Window Seats. We made our reservation six months before so this was not a last minute trip. My wife got the assigned the center front "space." Her ...

Pros: Spectacular views
Cons: A bit pricey

At first I was a bit intimidated by a helicopter with no doors, but it's the only way to go. We had ...

Pros: No Windows, 100% scenic flight from takeoff, Awesome!!!
Cons: None...

I actually read these reviews before I went and absolutely would give these guys 5 stars. I literally could hang out the side of this helicopter if I felt like leaning out a bit. It was unreal to be strapped in safe but still be able to experience the unobstructed views this tour offered without doors on the helicopter. It turned out that our pilot Floyd was a nine year Army veteran and flew 2 tours in Afghanistan and 1 in Iraq. Not only was I honored to be flying with him but I felt extremely safe as well. He was very knowledgeable on the scenery but also manuevered us very close to many of the sights. The entire flight was smooth and stable except for 5 seconds of high winds that made me a bit green but was handled well by the Pilot. I will do it again and will only use these guys.

Pros: The best safety record, no doors=awesome!
Cons: None

Kauai from the air is an experience not to be missed and the Hughes 500 is the only way to do it,,,no doors. I'm afraid of heights and I was so awestruck I was hanging out the door to get maximum footage and photos. Beg or borrow the money but don't go to Kauai without an inter-island air tour.

Pros: Internet registration, excellent safety practices, superb delivery of information during tour
Cons: Must rent a car to get to location from Lihue airport, but worth it!

I would highly recommend Inter Island Helicopters for so many reasons! Starting from the internet registration to the perfect landing at the end of the flight, they were excellent. I registered online, then needed to change our take-off time. I simply sent an e-mail and within minutes our new confirmation arrived. Once on Kauai, we used the directions sent by Inter Island to find them without issue. Despite being housed in a bunker with only portable restroom facilities, the office was clean, the staff courteous and the information regarding safety delivered in a clear and concise manner. After loading into the doors off Hughes 500 right on time, we were greeted very kindly by the pilot, whose sense of humor and knowledge of the island were fantastic. The tour itself was more than can be put into words - you must experience it first hand. We had a perfect landing and proceeded immediately back to the office to purchase logo shirts to grant Inter Island a bit of well deserved free advertising. Inter Island was the best and it was an experience I will never forget! The only other thing I can say is: DO THIS!

Pros: OPEN AIR, FORGOT TO BREATH IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL DON'T TAKE ANY OTHER TOUR
Cons: INTER-ISLAND IS THE ONLY TOUR THAT FLYS DOORS OFF

The next time I visit Kauai I'll stay somewhere close to Port Allen and start every morning with an Inter-Island Helicopter tour. I'm 54 Years old and took my first flight on Inter-Island Helicopters this April. It is now in the top 5 most memorable experiences of my life and that includes sex.
The open air ride was breathtaking. The beauty of the island
along with the open air ship brought such and excitement to my wife and I that we can't get the trip out of our thoughts even today. Our pilot, Bob, a retired Army Ranger, was simply perfect and his ship the Hughes500, known as the Ferrari of the air was astounding. Do not pass up the chance to fly in one of these aircraft. After this tour with Inter-island I'm ruined for any other "doors on" tour they simply aren't a comparison to Inter-Island, period! Let me know how u liked it msupaul@comcast.net. Oh yeah, bring lots of $ the Inter-Island logo t-shirts and stuff they have the coolest trade logo you've ever seen or be seen in.
Paul&Paula