Quick Facts
- Category: Tour Operator
- Cost: $$$
- Difficulty: Easy
Activity Overview & Highlights
- Activity type: Scenic helicopter air-tour departing from a private hangar near Līhu‘e Airport
- Signature experiences:
- 50- to 55-min “Deluxe Waterfall” circle-island flight over Nāpali Coast, Waimea Canyon & Mt. Wai‘ale‘ale
- Exclusive Olokele Canyon landing (90 min tour) on Robinson family land—Safari is the only company with permission to set down here
- Who it suits: Bucket-list travelers, photographers, families with young kids (no minimum age; lap infants fly free), and guests who prefer doors-on, climate-controlled aircraft
Key Features & Logistics
- Costs / price range
- Island Waterfall Flight ≈ $244 pp
- Deluxe Waterfall ≈ $309 pp
- Canyon Landing Eco-Tour ≈ $369 pp
- “Extra-comfort” seat required for anyone ≥ 250 lb or any 2-person pair ≥ 420 lb (charged at full fare) (safarihelicopters.com)
- Duration & difficulty
- 50–55 min airborne; 90 min for landing tour (30 min on the ground)
- Physical effort minimal; quick step onto skid (crew assists)
- Amenities & facilities
- AStar B2 helicopters (6 pax) with forward-facing seats, A/C & Bose noise-canceling headsets
- Free lockers, water, restrooms at base; no restroom on aircraft
- In-flight HD video available for purchase after landing
- Accessibility notes
- Ground facilities ADA-compliant; guests using mobility aids must pre-arrange a lift device—availability limited.
- Free gravel parking at hangar; expect congested airport traffic in high season.
- Safety & environmental considerations
- Mandatory weigh-in & safety briefing 45 min prior; late arrivals count as “no-show” and are charged in full.
- December–March brings more frontal weather—flights may reroute or cancel; turbulence common mid-day.
- Company policy keeps doors on to reduce cabin debris risk and protect tail rotor. (safarihelicopters.com)
History & Background
- Founding story: Established 1987 by former U.S. Naval aviator Preston Myers; began as a two-person, one-helicopter family business and remains locally owned. (safarihelicopters.com)
- Accolades & stewardship: Only tour operator with Robinson Ranch landing rights; partners in native-plant restoration at the canyon site.
- Safety record context: Held a long clean record until a Dec 26 2019 crash (AS350 B2, 7 fatalities). The NTSB cited pilot decision-making and limited weather info; Safari resumed operations after FAA review and additional training requirements. (ntsb.gov, ntsb.gov)
Review Sentiment Snapshot
- Common praises
- Knowledgeable, calm pilots; dramatic fly-through of “Weeping Wall” crater
- Smooth check-in, friendly ground crew, good value versus larger brands
- Recurring criticisms
- Strict 48-hr cancellation even when office closed on weekends; some guests stung by weight surcharges
- Middle seats can feel claustrophobic for photographers; no doors-off option
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lower entry price than most competitors
- Exclusive canyon landing & private waterfall stop
- Family-run vibe; accepts infants and young children
- Doors-on, climate-controlled cabin suits guests averse to wind or rain
Cons / Cautions
- Past fatal accident still raises eyebrows; ask about current safety protocols
- No doors-off photography option
- Extra-seat fee at 250 lb adds cost fast
- Flights highly weather-dependent; afternoon tours more likely to reroute
- 48-hr cancellation policy is rigid; office closed Sun/Mon for calls (plan ahead)
Practical Visitor Tips
- Best times: Early-morning flights (7:30 – 10 a.m.) see crisper light, fewer clouds; winter afternoons may lose Nāpali visibility.
- Reservation lead time: Book 4–6 weeks ahead for peak summer & holidays; landing tour often sells out first.
- What to bring / wear: Dark clothing to cut window glare, reef-safe sunscreen (no aerosols), small camera with wrist strap, motion-sickness tabs 30 min prior if prone.
- Nearby pairings: Līhu‘e Beer Co. (5 min drive) for a post-flight lunch; Kalapakī Beach for sunset.
- Quirks / policies: No hats, large bags or selfie-sticks aboard; personal GoPros allowed with wrist tether only.
Brief Comparison – Alternative Option
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters (Kaua‘i base, also at Līhu‘e Airport)
- Price: From ≈ $409 pp—~30 % higher than Safari.
- Equipment: Larger Eco-Star helicopters with 7-pax theater seating & bigger windows; optional first-class front seats.
- Experience: 50-min “Eco Adventure” covers similar route but no landing privilege; offers quieter “WhisperStar” airframe.
- Safety reputation: Part of a statewide corporate brand with rigorous SMS program and no Kaua‘i fatalities in past decade.
- Weight policy: Extra seat at 300 lb (more forgiving for bigger guests).
- Bottom line: Blue Hawaiian costs more but offers roomier cabins and a longer track record; Safari wins on price and its exclusive canyon landing. (tripadvisor.com)
(All details verified against operator FAQs, NTSB reports, TripAdvisor/Google user feedback, and recent 2024–25 pricing listings. Figures and policies subject to change—reconfirm during trip planning.)
