Although a bit pricey, a helicopter tour is a must for anyone visiting Kauai. Much of the island is inaccessible to ground transportation and the only way to truly see the incomprehensibly beautiful island is by air. I chose Inter-Island due to their excellent safety record and because they fly without the doors on! Their Hughes 500 helicopters hold only four passengers (instead of the typical six), so you're sure to have a great view. Unfortunately, seating assignments are based on weight distribution and as luck would have it, I got stuck on the left side, placing me on the ocean side while flying over the Na Pali Coastline (seats on the right side are best).

As of this writing, Inter-Island offers two packages: a 60-minute tour for $185 (plus tax) and a spectacular 90+ minute waterfall tour for $250 (plus tax). On the extended tour, you actually land near a secluded and inaccessible waterfall. I decided to splurge and take the waterfall tour - a highly recommended treat! We were on the ground for about 30 minutes and were provided with a deli lunch (chicken wrap, potato chips, and juice). Although I brought my swim suit, I passed on taking a dip in the pool due to the cold water temperature and danger of contracting leptospirosis (a bacteria found in some of Hawaii's fresh water). Additional recommendations: Be sure to wear pants and a jacket (it gets mighty windy and cold at 5,000+ feet), take sea sickness medicine if you have a weak stomach, and make sure your camera has fresh batteries and a heavy strap. Reservations can be made by calling 808-335-5009.