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Doors-off helicopter tours in Hawaii

Open-door flights on all four islands. The rules are stricter than on doors-on flights and differ by operator, so read them before you book.

Top picks
Oahu Kauai Maui Big Island

Oahu

Rainbow Oahu · 60 min, doors off
Rainbow Helicopters · 60 minutes Rainbow Oahu · 60 min, doors off
★ 4.9 (478) from $540
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Rainbow Oahu · 45 min, doors off
Rainbow Helicopters · 45 minutes Rainbow Oahu · 45 min, doors off
★ 4.9 (238) from $490
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Kauai

Ali'i private · 60 min, doors off
Ali'i Air Tours · 60 minutes Ali'i private · 60 min, doors off
★ 5.0 (24) from $425
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Air Kauai · 45 min, doors off
Air Kauai Helicopters · 45 minutes Air Kauai · 45 min, doors off
★ 5.0 (5) from $386
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Jack Harter MD500 · 60 min, doors off
Jack Harter Helicopters · About 2 hours Jack Harter MD500 · 60 min, doors off
★ 4.8 (437) from $495
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Maui

Air Maui West Maui and Molokai · 45 min, doors off
Air Maui Helicopters · 45 minutes Air Maui West Maui and Molokai · 45 min, doors off
★ 4.8 (57) from $452
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Big Island

Rainbow Hualalai Volcano · 60 min, doors off
Rainbow Helicopters · 60 minutes Rainbow Hualalai Volcano · 60 min, doors off
★ 4.8 (14) from $640
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Compare all 8 flights

See which flights still have places on your dates

With the doors off there is no window between you and the view, and it gets windy and loud on board. In return the operators set limits: a minimum age of 7 or 10, weight rules per seat and, at Air Kauai and Air Maui, nothing on board except your phone on a lanyard. On Rainbow flights your seat may or may not be next to an open door.

Oahu with Rainbow, from Honolulu

The 45- and 60-minute routes with the doors off. Only passengers of at least 80 lb may fly at an open door in the Robinson R44, at least 100 lb in the Airbus Astar.

Rainbow Oahu · 60 min, doors off
Rainbow Helicopters

Rainbow Oahu · 60 min, doors off

  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 2 days before
from $540 per person ★ 4.9 (478 reviews)
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Full flight details

Meeting point

Honolulu

Flight details as the seller lists them, including weight rules and check-in times of the operator.

Rainbow Oahu · 45 min, doors off
Rainbow Helicopters

Rainbow Oahu · 45 min, doors off

  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 2 days before
from $490 per person ★ 4.9 (238 reviews)
Book now
Full flight details

Meeting point

Honolulu

Flight details as the seller lists them, including weight rules and check-in times of the operator.

Kauai from Lihue

Air Kauai and Jack Harter fly from age 10, the private flights of Ali'i and Mauna Loa from age 7. All check in on Ahukini Road by Lihue Airport.

Ali'i private · 60 min, doors off
Ali'i Air Tours

Ali'i private · 60 min, doors off

  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
from $425 per person ★ 5.0 (24 reviews)
Book now
Full flight details

Meeting point

Lihue Airport

Flight details as the seller lists them, including weight rules and check-in times of the operator.

Air Kauai · 45 min, doors off
Air Kauai Helicopters

Air Kauai · 45 min, doors off

  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
from $386 per person ★ 5.0 (5 reviews)
Book now
Full flight details

Meeting point

Lihue Airport heliport

Flight details as the seller lists them, including weight rules and check-in times of the operator.

Jack Harter MD500 · 60 min, doors off
Jack Harter Helicopters

Jack Harter MD500 · 60 min, doors off

  • Duration: About 2 hours
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
from $495 per person ★ 4.8 (437 reviews)
Book now
Full flight details

Meeting point

Ahukini Road, Lihue

Flight details as the seller lists them, including weight rules and check-in times of the operator.

Mauna Loa private · doors off, all window seats
Mauna Loa Helicopters

Mauna Loa private · doors off, all window seats

  • Duration: 55 minutes
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
from $384 per person ★ 4.8 (538 reviews)
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Full flight details

Meeting point

Heliport, 3748 Ahukini Road, Lihue

Flight details as the seller lists them, including weight rules and check-in times of the operator.

Maui with Air Maui, from Kahului

West Maui and the north shore of Molokai in 45 minutes. Air Maui hands out a phone lanyard, a windbreaker and goggles before the flight.

Air Maui West Maui and Molokai · 45 min, doors off
Air Maui Helicopters

Air Maui West Maui and Molokai · 45 min, doors off

  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
from $452 per person ★ 4.8 (57 reviews)
Book now
Full flight details

Meeting point

Kahului Heliport

Flight details as the seller lists them, including weight rules and check-in times of the operator.

Big Island with Rainbow, from Kailua-Kona

The 60-minute Hualalai route along the Kona coast with the doors removed, same weight minimums as on Oahu.

Rainbow Hualalai Volcano · 60 min, doors off
Rainbow Helicopters

Rainbow Hualalai Volcano · 60 min, doors off

  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • ✓ Free cancellation up to 2 days before
from $640 per person ★ 4.8 (14 reviews)
Book now
Full flight details

Meeting point

Kailua-Kona

Flight details as the seller lists them, including weight rules and check-in times of the operator.

Rules by operator

OperatorMinimum ageWeightOn board
Rainbow (Oahu, Big Island)Not stated; full-fare seat from 24 monthsAt an open door from 80 lb (R44) or 100 lb (Astar); fee from 250 lb, second seat from 275 lbPhone straps and cases provided
Air Kauai10; under 18 with an adult; edge seat from 16Extra seat from 230 lb, 400 lb per pair or an average of 190 lb in groups; comfort seat above 250 lbPhone on a lanyard only; goggles provided
Air Maui10; under 18 with an adult; edge seat from 16Same limits as Air Kauai; heights in feet and inches at bookingPhone on a lanyard only; windbreaker and goggles provided
Ali'i (private)7 and 40 lb; ages 7 to 11 fly with the doors on275 lb per seat; groups of three: one person over 200 lb at most, 560 lb in totalOne photo device per person, on a strap
Jack Harter (MD500)10; under 18 with an adultComfort seat above 250 lb or 400 lb per pair; in groups of 3 or 4, one passenger of 150 lb or less and 5'10" or shorter for the front middle seatCamera or phone on a neck or wrist strap
Mauna Loa (private)7; ages 7 to 11 next to a closed door275 lb per person, 620 lb in total, weighed with everything you carryAll window seats

What to wear

Closed-toe shoes; Air Kauai, Air Maui and Ali'i also accept sandals with an ankle strap, and flip-flops are out everywhere. Tie long hair back in a bun or braid; Ali'i also rules out claw clips. Air Kauai, Air Maui and Jack Harter allow no hats, bags or loose items, and at Air Kauai and Air Maui that includes sunglasses: they hand out goggles, and prescription glasses are fine. Bring a jacket. Rainbow requires a jacket or sweatshirt and recommends long pants, Mauna Loa asks you to dress warm, Ali'i suggests a fitted jacket or sweater.

Private or shared

Ali'i and Mauna Loa fly only your group. Mauna Loa sells every seat as a window seat; Ali'i lets you choose doors on or off and flies into the Mt Wai'ale'ale crater. Jack Harter flies the small MD500 with at most four passengers and turns the helicopter at each viewpoint so every seat gets the view. Air Kauai and Air Maui share a six-seat cabin with other guests, and Rainbow sells shared seats on Oahu and the Big Island.

FAQ

How old do you have to be for a doors-off flight?

At least 10 with Air Kauai, Air Maui and Jack Harter, at least 7 with Ali'i and Mauna Loa. At Ali'i, children from 7 to 11 fly with the doors on; at Mauna Loa they sit next to a closed door. Rainbow sets no age, but a passenger must weigh at least 80 lb (R44) or 100 lb (Astar) to sit at an open door.

Can I take a camera?

At Air Kauai and Air Maui only your phone, on the lanyard they provide. Jack Harter allows one camera or phone secured with a neck or wrist strap, Ali'i one photo device per person, with cameras and GoPros on a strap. Jack Harter rules out selfie sticks and gimbals.

Will I sit next to the open door?

Not necessarily. Rainbow says your seat may or may not be directly at an open door. At Air Kauai and Air Maui only passengers aged 16 or older may take an edge seat. Mauna Loa gives every passenger a window seat.

How late can I cancel a doors-off flight?

Rainbow through GetYourGuide: 2 days before; through Viator: 24 hours. Air Kauai, Air Maui, Ali'i, Jack Harter and Mauna Loa: 24 hours before.

What happens if I am over the weight limit?

At most operators you buy an extra or comfort seat. Mauna Loa is the exception: if the weights at check-in exceed its limits, the tour is cancelled without refund. Ali'i does not fly passengers over 275 lb.

Related on this site

Kauai with the doors on

Safari, Blue Hawaiian and Air Kauai's Ohana flight, which keeps the doors closed for children under 10.

Oahu with the doors on

Rainbow and Blue Hawaiian from Honolulu, 20 to 60 minutes.

Hawaii helicopter FAQ

Weight, children, cancellation and check-in times for every island.

Choose your doors-off flight

Pick the island, then check age and weight rules on the card.

Compare doors-off flights