Like all of the Hawaiian Islands, there is so much that can only be seen from the air - and the views are fantastic.
The best way to see all of these places is from a helicopter and Maui has some of the best helicopter tours in Hawaii.
Departing from the heliport at the Kahului Airport, four companies offer flights that include full island tours, tours that concentrate on Haleakala and Hana Coast, and tours that fly over West Maui to the island of Molokai.
I have flown with two of the companies that offer helicopter tours on Maui and both of them did an excellent job.
With Sunshine Helicopters I took their "Molokai Deluxe" tour which flew over the highlights of West Maui and then proceeded across the Pailolo channel to the island of Molokai where we flew past the highest sea cliffs in the world, over the Kalaupapa peninsula where St. Damien worked with those suffering from Hansen's Disease and over the beautiful fishponds along the coast of Molokai's south shore. We returned to the heliport flying over the West Maui Mountains.
My flight with ALEXAIR was a lot of fun. I took their "Extreme Haleakala-Hana Tour with the Doors Off." It's a great tour for photographers since without doors, there's no window glare. I climbed into a special jumpsuit (which helps with the cold) and we took off flying over the sugarcane fields of central Maui to the 10,000 foot Haleakala crater. From there we descended to the Hana coast and along the north Maui with its wonderful rainforests and countless waterfalls.
More Information:
Air Maui Helicopters
Phone Toll Free: 1-877-238-4942 (toll free)
On Maui Call: 808-877-7005
Email: etsfly@airmaui.com
ALEXAIR
Phone Toll Free: 1-888-418-8455
On Maui Call: 808-871-0792
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
Phone Toll Free: 1-800-745 2583
On Maui Call: 808-871-8844
Sunshine Helicopters
Phone Toll Free: 1-866-501-7738
On Maui Call: 808-270-3999
Email: bookings@sunshinehelicopters.com
