Although Alan and I are big advocates of boots on the ground adventures to truly know a destination, there is also something special about seeing it from a seat in a small aircraft or helicopter.
Take the Hawaiian Islands, for instance. Steep sea cliffs with thundering waterfalls are no match for our boomer hiking skills. That’s why, when Visit Maui invited me to experience a Maui helicopter tour, I jumped at the chance.
Exploring Molokai and West Maui on a helicopter tour
Actually, my Maui helicopter tour with Air Maui included a late afternoon ride over West Maui and Molokai’s north shore. For 45 minutes, 6 passengers marveled at the ruggedness of dramatic sea cliffs and waterfalls that aren’t accessible on foot.
Getting ready to go
The journey starts at the Kahului Heliport, which is about 5 minutes from the Kahului Airport on Maui. Checking in at a desk in the terminal, a staff member asks me to step on a scale hidden in the floor in front of the counter — I certainly appreciate the discretion — so that seating in the helicopter can be balanced according to passenger weight.
Then it’s a matter of waiting on a sofa in the lounge area for the flight. That’s also when the staff reviews instructions, answers questions and shows a short safety video.
Boomer Travel Tip
Wear dark colored clothing to cut down on window reflection. The photographers in the group will especially appreciate it.
After buckling on the waist pouch that holds a life vest, I take my assigned spot in line to be escorted to the helicopter. Although I appreciate being seated next to the pilot — the control board is fascinating — my middle front row seat does not provide the best position for taking photos.
So I forget the idea of National Geographic-style photography. Instead, I concentrated on my very first helicopter ride and the beauty of West Maui and Moloka’i.
And the Maui helicopter tour begins
Before taking off, the pilot re-emphasizes safety instructions. The ride is surprisingly smooth as the helicopter lifts off and begins the journey over West Maui. I peer down to see if I can spot Montage Kapaula Bay, my favorite place to stay on Maui.
And then the helicopter leaves West Maui to cross the Pailolo Channel to Moloka’i. Down below, boat traffic etches a haphazard pattern of white streaks across the water.
Boomer Travel Tip
Check out Boomer Adventures in Hawaii for more fun activities.
Marveling at Molokai
After crossing over the Moloka’i coast, the helicopter rises over a mountain and approaches the Halawa Valley. According to the official Moloka’i website, Polynesians settled here as early as 650 A.D. The view reminds me of the scenic drive to Halawa Valley that Alan and I took on a previous visit to Moloka’i.
And then the helicopter rises up and over a mountain and into another valley where waterfalls stream down the steep sea cliffs. I can’t imagine a human ever exploring the sheer cliffs by foot. Everyone gets a birds-eye view when the pilot pivots the helicopter in a circle displaying the waterfalls’ mighty power.
Throughout the trip, a combination of Hawaiian music and historical narration from the pilot filter through the noise-proof headphones that each passenger wears. All too soon, the helicopter ride is over. It’s an experience that I’ll never forget.
Maui helicopter tours also make a fun cruise excursion in Hawaii, either booked on your own or through your cruise ship.
More things to do on Maui
- Learn to stand up paddleboard
- Experience sunrise at Haleakala National Park
- Go paragliding over Maui
- Explore La Perouse Bay
Disclosure: Visit Maui and Air Maui provided this travel experience. But, as always, the opinions are strictly my own.
