Sea Cliffs on Molokai, Rainforest on Maui, in Fifty-Five Minutes
Two islands from one heliport. The cliffs and waterfalls along Molokai's north shore, then Maui's west side on the way home.
Most Maui sightseeing keeps you on Maui. This one spends its middle stretch over a different island. The helicopter lifts off from Kahului Heliport, crosses the Pailolo Channel, and turns along the north coast of Molokai.
The National Park Service puts Molokai's sea cliffs at three thousand feet above sea level, among the highest in the world. That is what the channel crossing buys. Then it turns back for Maui. Two islands, two crossings, one takeoff.
Seven passengers ride at a time, plus the pilot. The fare covers the flight, live commentary, and taxes. Hotel pickup is not included. Getting to the heliport is on you. Departures run at several times through the day, and booking closes 48 hours before the slot you pick.
Deluxe Helicopter Tour of Molokai and MauiMaverick Helicopters Maui. Round trip from Kahului Heliport, seven seats, live commentary and taxes included.www.viator.comWhat the Molokai Leg Covers
The Molokai stretch has two halves that look nothing alike. Along the north coast the helicopter runs beside the pali, a continuous face of rock with waterfalls dropping off the top of it. The National Park Service records the North Shore Cliffs as a National Natural Landmark covering 17 miles of northeast coast between Kalaupapa and Halawa. The itinerary names Kahiwa Falls on this leg. The operator's own page adds Elephant Rock.
Halawa Valley sits at the far end of that run. Hawaii's tourism authority dates Polynesian settlement there to as early as 650 AD, and says the only way to explore it on the ground is with a guide. The trail crosses private property. Then the aircraft comes around to the south coast and everything drops to sea level. The fishponds down there are dated in the itinerary to roughly 800 years ago, and their rock walls still read as curves against the fringing reef.
How the Seats Get Assigned
Maverick assigns seats by computer once check-in is complete, and its terms say seating is not guaranteed next to or in the same row as your party. Everyone is weighed on arrival, and the terms add that guests whose stated weights turn out to be wrong can be delayed or canceled with no refund.
Seven passengers is the cabin maximum. On Maui flights the per-person limit is 275 pounds, and total passenger weight has to stay under 1,140 pounds. Anyone over the personal limit buys a second seat. Travelers describe two passenger seats up front beside the pilot and four behind, and the front pair is the one they write about wanting. Mrs Johnstone wrote in September 2026 that the pilot "spent a good amount of time over different areas to allow all seats in the helicopter to get a view and photos."
The Way Back Over Maui
The return leg comes in over the West Maui Mountains. The itinerary describes that side as a lava rainforest, names Iao Valley State Park and Honokohau Falls, and puts Haleakala on the horizon before the turn back to the heliport.
Nothing on this flight lands. Every point in the itinerary is marked as a pass-by, and all 55 minutes happen from the cabin. That is the trade for covering two islands inside an hour. A landing is a different booking.
Before You Get to the Heliport
Every passenger 18 or over has to present a physical REAL ID or passport at check-in, and the name has to match the lead name on the booking. Printed or digital copies are not accepted, and a refused check-in is not refunded.
The operator's terms put the check-in cutoff at 30 minutes before departure, and say missing it can cancel the flight without reimbursement. Boarding is called 15 minutes out for the safety briefing. The booking instructions ask for 40 minutes at the terminal. Take the 40.
- Children two and over need their own seat. Under two can ride on a lap with a passport or birth certificate, and anyone 17 or under flies with a parent or guardian.
- Parking at the heliport is run by ABM Parking Services. The pay booth takes Visa, Mastercard and cash, and it gives no change.
- Wait 24 hours after scuba diving before you fly.
- Closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes are what the operator recommends.
Cancel at least three full days ahead and the refund is complete. Inside three days it is zero. That catches people who book on arrival and then start watching the forecast.
The operator's side runs differently. Its Maui page says these flights cross rainforest and there is often light rain, and that it keeps flying while conditions stay within what it considers safe. When the weather does turn extreme it cancels, tries to rebook around your availability, and refunds the group in full if nobody can take a new slot. The same holds if the flight does not reach its minimum passenger count. The Molokai Voyage page also warns that routes are subject to change for weather or other circumstances.
📍 Kahului Heliport, Lelepio Place, Kahului
Departures run at several times through the day, and the flight can sit at the front of a day on Maui and leave the rest of it alone.