West Maui Mountains Tour
Explore Ancient Valleys and See Incredible Waterfalls
Honokohau Falls
The West Maui Mountains Tour was the first Maui Helicopter Tour I did over 20yrs ago, and is one of the best Things to do in Maui. Even to this very day, it is still one of the most memorable activities I have ever done growing up on Maui. It is one Maui tour I highly recommend to family and friends.
I grew up in Lahaina. Our family had a taro and pig farm in Kanaha Valley located toward the backside of Lahainaluna High School.
As a kid, I hiked into many valleys of the West Maui Mountains, but had never seen a single waterfall. The only exception was Iao Valley on a rainy day. Naturally, I assumed there weren’t any waterfalls in the West Maui Mountains. Boy was I wrong!
My initial concern as we prepared for our West Maui Mountains Helicopter Tour was visibility. Our Maui Helicopter Tour departed under weather conditions that most guidebooks would consider to be less than ideal – it was in the afternoon on a rainy (drizzling) overcast day. Fortunately, my concern would turn out to be unfounded.
The West Maui Mountains Tour of The Wall of Tears
The West Maui Mountains Helicopter Tour took me into Waihee Valley to see the jaw-dropping “Wall of Tears” with over a dozen segmented waterfalls streaming down the face of this majestic mountain. I was literally in awe by the amount of waterfalls concentrated in this one valley.
Dozens of smaller cascading waterfalls were abundant on the West Maui Mountains Tour feeding the streams and sparkling-blue pools running along the rainforest floor – I wanted to land and jump in for a swim!
Catch a Rainbow on the West Maui Mountains Tour
I was in no hurry to leave the lush forests and waterfall-strewn valleys on the windward-side of Mauna Kahalawai, but we pressed on. I was not disappointed when our tour reached the leeward (Lahaina side) of the island. The sun hit the light misty rain coming across the ridgeline of the West Maui Mountains at just the right angle creating the most amazing full-circle rainbows!
I’d never seen a full-circle rainbow in my whole life growing up in Lahaina. I can only assume that the only way to see them is from the air. No longer is it exclusive to our feathered friends. You too can see them on a Maui Helicopter Tour! So don’t let a little rain scare you from the ride of your life!
The West Maui Mountains tour of Honokohau Falls
My Maui Helicopter Tour of the West Maui Mountains continued to the tallest waterfall on Maui, the magnificent Honokohau Falls. It is a 2-tiered waterfall totaling 1,119 ft.
For a long time many helicopter tour operators referred to Honokohau Falls as Jurassic Falls, as it was featured in a scene from the movie Jurassic Park. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters flew the aerial photography for the movie.
I’m glad to see that many operators, like Blue Hawaiian, are using the proper place names during the West Maui Mountains Tour. The given names contain the rich beauty and history of the area. I find it a little insulting to substitute them with flamboyant or easier to pronounce names like Jurassic Falls.
Iao Valley and the end of our West Maui Mountains Tour
My Maui Helicopter Tour concluded with a flight through Iao Valley State Park where an epic battle to unite the Hawaiian islands were fought between the armies of Kamehameha and Kalanikupule.
Although I’ve been up to Iao Valley a gazillion times on hikes, for swimming, parties and weddings, seeing it by air gave me a greater appreciation for the beauty and splendor of this special place.
A small budget Maui Helicopter Tour that delivers BIG
So if waterfalls are your thing, and maybe a rainbow or two, then I highly recommend the West Maui Mountains Tour. It’s a great first flight that won’t break the bank. Comforting news for those on a tight budget, especially large families. If the West Maui Molokai Tour is a bit out of reach then this would be the next best option.
Set aside 30 minutes of your time to enjoy the beauty of the West Maui Mountains and add another memorable experience to your Maui vacation. Visit Blue Hawaiian Helicopters to book your West Maui Mountains Tour today.
Take care and aloha!
~your Buddy
