Okay, here is something fun for tourists and short term residents of Kauai. Did you know you can get a helicopter tour of the island? Well, you can! Believe me when I tell you that there is nothing quite like flying above the lush paradise of my hometown and seeing everything Kauai has to offer. There are unique features of the island that you can only see from the air, so a helicopter ride is your best chance.

Sunshine Helicopters (also known as Will Squyres Helicopter Tours) is a tour company that offers copter rides and spectacular aerial views for a pretty good price. And Safari Helicopter Tours is located right next door, offering rides in some of the best helicopters on the island. Only an hour of flying can get you into places you’ve never dreamed, observing vibrant vegetation, tropical rainforests, plunging waterfalls, and dramatic vistas. The helicopter company calls these places the unspoiled side of Kauai, the parts that only wildlife can travel. And you’ll get to see it.

If you want to go on a helicopter tour of the island, then head east. Sunshine Helicopters and Safari Helicopter Tours are both located in Lihue, which is off of HWY 56 near the Kuhio Mall. If you are coming from the airport, you’d simply have to take HWY 51 south to Rice Street, hang a right and travel up to Eiwa Street, hang another right and follow this street until it ends at Hardy Street. Go left at Hardy and take an almost immediate right on Akahi Street. Safari is at the end of Akahi and for Sunshine you’ll have to turn left on Ahukini Road. It will be on your left.