Taking a helicopter trip over Kauai is very exciting. Viewing the incredible landscape of Kauai usually makes one wonder how Kauai has evolved both geologically and historically. We at Safari Helicopters on Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii have gathered the most important historical and geological and other interesting facts about Kauai. Kauai is truly a land of wonder and we think you will agree.

The geological history of Kauai is as unique as its incredible beauty. Kauai was once a volcano erupting on the ever-moving tectonic plates on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. Eventually Kauai rose out of the frothing warm waters, in what is now Hawaii, about 5.1 million years ago. Kauai is the oldest of the inhabited Hawaiian Island chain, yet interestingly enough Kauai has only been inhabited for about 2000 years. When taking in the magnificent sites of Kauai from a helicopter a few areas stand out the most. They are Waialeale Crater, Waimea Canyon and Napali Coastline. The Waialeale Crater stands proud towards the center of Kauai and is a sight to behold. One usually assumes that this was the remains of the volcanic crater that formed the island but in fact Waialeale crater is misnamed, as it is a caldera not a crater. When viewing it from a helicopter, the Waialeale crater is most impressive after it has just rained but is still clear enough to see the many string like waterfalls cascading into the small pools below. Your Safari helicopter tour pilot is likely to point out that the Waialeale Crater was sacred to the Hawaiians and you can still see the Heiaus (Hawaiian temples) that remain both on top of the crater and inside the crater.

The next fascinating scenic location you will see when touring Kauai with Safari helicopters is The Waimea Canyon. For such a small island the Waimea Canyon on Kauai stands out as particularly huge. Your helicopter pilot will point out the many secret waterfalls and streams that have eroded this special Kauai place, much like the Grand Canyon has been formed. In fact Mark Twain was famously quoted as saying that the Waimea Canyon is the “grand canyon of the Pacific.”

Safari helicopters saves the best for last on their Kauai island tour. After the Waimea Canyon the helicopter pilot will fly you towards the Napali Coastline. Napali literally means “the cliffs” in Hawaiian….and it is aptly named. Weather permitting; your helicopter pilot will enter the Napali over one of the highest and most picturesque sea cliffs of the Napali, which is called Nualolo. Like many of the valleys along the Napali , Nualolo was once inhabited by Hawaiians. Your helicopter pilot is likely to point out ancient Hawaiian terraces and other unique points of interest as you proceeded towards the end of your helicopter tour. The Napali Coast is one of Kauai’s most unique locations and it is an irony that many visitors miss it unless they take a helicopter tour of the Garden Island of Kauai