Helicopter Tour News

Stars! You have to go to the observatory visitor center and the observatories. You just have to. If you think the stars are great viewing in your country side/mountain/beach, you haven't been on Mauna Kea. That's why the observatories are here. WOW. Not only are the stars about an inch away (or so they seem), they are nearly at your feet. You don't have to look up to see them, you just have to look... they are all around, even eye level.
Hints: make sure you plan your trip on a new moon or after moonset. Full moons here are gorgeous, but the wash out the stars.
Children under 16 can go to the visitor's center (at 12k), but not the observatory tours (14+k feet).
DRESS WARMLY! It's cold up there.

Volcano! Go to the national park, it's a great and strange landscape. Also, there are some current lava flows. Sometimes you can see them by hiking to them, other times you need to take a helicopter tour (around 200 a person... budget breaker for some).

Richardson's beach. Free :). It's a small (I mean it) black sand beach, but great for kids. Waves are small and you can go snorkeling and see some great fish.
Hint: Go at 4pm. That's when most people are starting to leave AND it's when the sea turtles start to swim up to shore to feed (easy to spot, they swim right next to you!.. just don't touch and disturb them).

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In addition to beach activities, there are a number of land activities that can be just as adventurous and romantic. This is due in part to the beauty of Hawaii, namely Oahu. Hiking is a popular activity among those on romantic Oahu vacations. You can easily enjoy a hike on foot, on a bicycle, ATV, or on horseback. Whichever method of hiking you choose, every romantic bone in your body will come alive when you get to see the beautiful waterfalls and overall tropical landscape that Oahu holds. For the ultimate views of Oahu, you are advised to participate in a guided tour.

Although it is great to experience Oahu from the water, as well as the land, you will also want to experience it from the air. You can do this with a helicopter tour of Oahu. Over the past few years, Oahu helicopter tours have increased in popularity. That increase in popularity is due in part to the realization that you can't experience all that Oahu has to offer from the ground; some things you just have to see from the air. A helicopter tour of Oahu is romantic all on its own, but for added romance you may want to schedule a private helicopter tour. A private helicopter tour will ensure that you are not paired up with other Oahu vacationers; thus making for a private, romantic experience.

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In my opinion, a helicopter tour is much more thrilling than any amusement park ride. The views are beyond description and there is so much to see. A helicopter tour in Hawaii is an ideal way to see the islands' cliffs, forests, volcanic shape, beaches and craters. One of the reasons I love Hawaii is the diversity of terrain, which a helicopter tour helps you see. Before you do that, spend time researching online options. Here are tips to help you choose the best tour.

Make a Safe Choice - Choose a tour that is certified as a FAA Part 135 Air Carrier. That means the operator is subject to higher standards than general aviation operators. It might also be helpful to look at the list of accidents by tour company. I hope this doesn't scare you off, but it is important to know there are risks in riding a helicopter.

Know the Seating Arrangement - Most helicopters used for touring have six passengers with a seating arrangement of two passengers in front and four in the back. Two people are going to be stuck in the middle seats in the back, with limited view. A-Star and Eco-Star type helicopters carry six passengers. The Eco-Stars are nicer than the A-Stars because they offer additional room, less noise and more window space. I particularly liked the Hughes 500, which seats two passengers in the back and two in the front. I flew with Inter-Island Helicopters on Kauai in a Hughes 500. It was tremendous.

When booking, request the front seats. They are the best, but bear in mind that seating will be based on the weight of you and your friend/partner. If you are taking a helicopter tour in Kauai, request the right side because most tours circle the island clockwise. You will get the best view of the Na Pali Coast from the right side.

Shop online for pricing - Most companies offer a big discount for booking directly with them online.

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I do not have a favorite island. Each island has unique characteristics that make it special. I like them all for different reasons.

I saw too much and did too much to go into details so I will just recommend a couple things.

Take a helicopter tour. We took our tour with Blue Hawaiian helicopters on the island of Kauai. They were very organized and professional. I felt safe and enjoyed every moment of it. The experience is worth the price.

Consider a submarine tour. We took our tour on Oahu with Atlantis submarines. They operate the largest passenger sub in the world. It is a unique and enjoyable experience. They also operate tours around the world. Check them out.

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