Looking for an exciting, memorable way to take in the beautiful Hawaiian landscape? Consider hopping on an air tour to get a bird’s eye view of the incredible diversity of terrain offered on Maui, including the green jungles of Hāna, the 10,000 foot Haleakalā Crater, the sunny west coast of Maui around Lāhainā, and the blue waters and offshore islands of the ʻAuʻau Channel.
These areas are amazing to explore on foot and by boat, but from above, one is treated to a new perspective that brings clarity to their size and scope. Air tours also allow access to otherwise hard to reach areas, like backcountry waterfalls, tall sea cliffs, and high mountain ranges. From November to March, you may even be able to see whale activity from the air!
Table of contents
Table of Contents
Most helicopter and other air tours on Maui depart from the Kahului Airport. Below, we break down everything you need to know.
Helicopter tours
Thanks to their ability to hover in place and zip around rather quickly, helicopter tours are an action-packed, adventurous way to explore the islands. They can cover a large coastline or massive volcano relatively quickly, and their size and maneuverability allows them to fly lower than airplanes and “hang out” in scenic places by starting, stopping, and swiveling in place.
Below, we cover three important aspects of choosing a helicopter tour on Maui:
- 6 different types of helicopter tours on Maui
- What to expect on a helicopter tour on Maui
- Helicopter tour company recommendations for Maui
6 different types of Helicopter Tours
Here are the most common flight types that you’ll find across all companies:
1: Circle Island Flights
Every helicopter tour company will offer some type of “circle island tour” with a route designed to explore as much of the island as possible. Think of it as an “overview tour,” where the goal is to see as much as you can without putting a specific focus on the itinerary.
Circle island tours are very popular, and each itinerary will vary slightly by company, so be sure to check the fine print. On Maui, you can expect circle island tours to visit Hāna, Haleakalā, and parts of the west coast and the West Maui Mountains.
2: Doors Off Flights
Certain helicopter tour companies on Maui offer an extra dose of adventure via a “doors off” tour. It’s most appealing to adrenaline seekers and photographers, who will benefit from the absence of glass.
3: Special Focus Tours
If you’re looking for a tour with more specialization and focus, worry not – many companies offer itineraries that explore a particular part of the island more deeply. Some will simply spend more time in a particular area, and some will focus on a particular feature or offer a landing at a scenic spot.
4: Sunset Tours
These tours are hard to come by, but if you see one, jump on it! It’s one of the most unique ways to experience a Hawaiian sunset.
5: Romantic Landings
Want to set up a romantic outing? Or better yet, thinking of popping the question? Helicopter tours have you covered with romantic-themed outings that often include landings, picnics, and proposal opportunities.
6: Private Tours
If you desire a customized itinerary and want the helicopter reserved only for your party, a private charter is the way to go. Almost all companies offer the option of private tours, but not surprisingly, they tend to be the most expensive.
What to Expect on a Helicopter Tour on Maui
Though most helicopter tour companies on Maui will offer similar itineraries on certain trips, the details of the flights will vary, and some companies may offer experiences or comforts that another company doesn’t. It’s important to read the fine print when booking and always ask specific questions when considering one company versus another, including flight time, price, seating options, and any extra offerings. Generally, pricing for helicopter tours starts around $250 per person for a 45-minute flight and increases from there.
For first-timers, this is what you can expect from a helicopter tour:
- Before your flight, a check-in presentation will go over the company’s safety procedures and other details you need to know about the flight, such as visibility and weather. This is a great time to ask any questions you may have.
- Tour helicopters must maintain a minimum altitude. You will get up close and personal with the scenery on a helicopter tour, but the FAA requires all helicopters in Hawaiʻi to stay above 500 ft. Most companies fly between 500 and 1,500 feet, on average. If it matters to you, you can inquire with tour companies about how low (or high) they fly.
- Helicopter rides are bumpy. If you get motion sickness, go for a middle seat or take non-drowsy medication, like ginger pills.
- Helicopter rides can be noisy. But a provided headset will cancel out much of the noise and allow you to communicate with the pilot and your fellow passengers.
Recommended Helicopter Tour Companies
The following companies receive consistently good reviews and have good flight-safety histories. Because helicopter rides can be canceled in inclement weather, we recommend scheduling them early in your trip so you have backup days to try again should your experience get cancelled.
Air Maui Helicopter Tours
Air Maui has an extensive offering of flights that include at least five special focus tours to different parts of the island, and even over to another nearby island, Molokaʻi.
- Departs From: Kahului Airport
- Tour offerings: Circle Island, Special Focus, Doors Off, Romance, Private Charters
- Best for: Variety of special focus tours
- Website: Air Maui
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
If you’re looking for time-tested professionalism, Blue Hawaiian has operations on all islands and is arguably the most established and reliable company serving the islands. Their tours run a little longer than most other companies (1 hour 15 minutes for their circle island tour), although they are one of the most expensive.
- Departs From: Kahului Airport
- Tour offerings: Circle Island, Special Focus, Private Charters
- Best for: 1.5-hour Maui Spectacular Tour
- Website: Blue Hawaiian Maui
See the video below for some highlights from the Blue Hawaiian Maui helicopter tours:
Maverick Helicopters
Maverick has locations on Maui and Kauaʻi. Its most unique tour offering is the Hāna Rainforest Experience, which includes a landing in Hāna.
- Departs From: Kahului
- Tour offerings: Circle Island, Special Focus
- Best for: Hāna Rainforest Experience (see video below)
- Website: Maverick Helicopters Maui
Pacific Helicopter Tours
Pacific Helicopters offers a unique three-island itinerary and the option to add a landing to your flight. However, they only run private tours as of this writing, meaning you’ll have to rent out the entire chopper – which may not be a problem if you have a big family or group.
- Departs From: Kahului Airport
- Tour offerings: Doors Off, Private Charters
- Best for: Private Charters
- Website: Pacific Helicopter Tours
Sunshine Helicopters
Sunshine operates on Kauaʻi and Big Island as well, and offers three tours on Maui.
- Departs From: Kahului Airport
- Tour offerings: Circle Island, Special Focus
- Best for: Molokaʻi Deluxe Tour
- Website: Sunshine Helicopters Maui
A helicopter crossing the Maui coastline with Haleakala on the horizon, on its way to Molokai. Image from the
Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Blake Bronstad
Small Airplane Tours
If a helicopter journey sounds too intense overall, but you like the idea of seeing Maui from the air, consider a small airplane tour. They don’t jerk around as much, so the flight is smoother, and while you won’t get to access all the nooks and crannies or fly as low as a chopper, you will still be treated to a beautiful, scenic ride. Another added bonus is that air tours are generally cheaper.
Recommended small airplane tours
There is only one small airplane tour company on Maui.
Maui Plane Rides
Maui Plane Rides offer a variety of special routes that include a 60-minute sunset romance flight (complete with champagne), a 5-island tour around Maui, and a volcano flight.
- Departs From: Kahului Airport
- Offerings: Circle Island, Special Focus, Sunset, Romance, Private Charters
- Best For: Sunset romance flight
- Website: Maui Plane Rides
Skydiving
Hawaiʻi is a wonderful place to skydive thanks to its range of terrain and beautiful backdrop against which to jump.
Recommended Skydiving Companies
Skydiving companies often offer a selection of packages. Check the fine print or call to ask questions when booking. Inquire about free-fall time, photo packages, and the altitude of the jump.
Maui Skydiving
Maui Skydiving is the island’s only skydiving operator. It operates out of the remote town of Hāna and offers a wonderful jungle-ocean combination for your jump.
- Departs From: Hāna Airport
- Price: Starting at $299
- website: Maui Skydiving
A tandem skydiving jump with Maui Skydiving. Image credit: Maui Skydiving.
Paragliding
Paragliding is a skydiving alternative for those that want a mellow ride. No plane is required, and while the takeoff provides a rush of adrenaline – i.e. launching the parachute off a mountainside – things settle down after that. Flying tandem, you and an instructor float through the air beneath the parachute, and most of the experience is very gentle and peaceful.
Recommended Paragliding Companies
Paragliding is a very weather-dependent sport, so we recommend scheduling this adventure early in your trip. Then, in case of cancellation, you can try it again another day.
Paraglide Maui
Paraglide Maui launches from either an altitude of 6,500 or 4,500 feet and soars off the side of Haleakalā. They offer tandem flights with instructors.
- Departs From: Kula
- Price: $295 per jump
- Website: Paraglide Maui
Hang Gliding
If you’ve tried all the above and are still looking for more, check out hang gliding. This isn’t your grandfather’s version of the sport; rather, the opportunity on Maui features a motor-powered glider that, once airborne, provides a very stable and open-aired ride.
Recommended Hang Gliding Companies
There is only one hang gliding company on Maui.
Hang Gliding Maui
Hang Gliding Maui offers a motor-powered hang gliding experience over Hāna’s jungles. It is one of the more expensive air tours you can do, with a 30-minute ride costing $240 and an hour costing $400 per person.
- Departs From: Hāna Airport
- Price: Starting at $240
- Website: Hang Gliding Maui
Day-trips to other islands
Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe are all visible from Maui’s west coast, and many air tours take the opportunity to showcase their proximity.
The easiest to visit is Molokaʻi. The “Friendly Island” is a staple on helicopter tour itineraries, typically its eastern shore and waterfall-filled valleys.
For something more comprehensive, Maui Plane Rides offers one of the most extensive visits to the “outer islands” with its 5-island tour that flies over Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Molokini, and Kahoʻolawe.
Air Tours on the other Hawaiian islands
Don’t forget to check out our air tour overviews for the neighboring islands if you are traveling there: