IF YOU GO
The helicopter is air-conditioned, the buggy is not. Dress accordingly. If it’s raining, you’ll likely get wet even under the buggy’s bikini top; if it’s not, a hat and sunscreen are essential to avoid getting sunburned.
Make sure your phone is charged before you leave; the buggy has no charger. It does have a trunk just large enough for a backpack, but the rest of your stuff will be out in the open. The small cooler I brought and kept in the back seat was handy for cold drinks and snacks. Bonus: The roll bars double as hanging racks for towels—which you should bring if you plan on swimming. There are four major beaches along the Hāna Coast: Wai‘ānapanapa, Hāna Bay, Kōkī and Hāmoa . . . and for strong swimmers, Kaihalulu (Red Sand Beach).
Sunshine Helicopters and Barefoot Buggy offer a variety of tours and packages. Our package started at 7:30 a.m. at Kahului Heliport. The air tour takes about twenty minutes. The buggy is yours for the rest of the day, but must be returned to Kahului Heliport by six p.m. The cost is $299 per person for the helicopter; the buggy rents for $299 (fits four).
Sunshine Helicopters, Inc.
Kahului Heliport, Hangar #107, Kahului
808-270-3999 | SunshineHelicopters.com
Barefoot Buggy
808-495-6797 | BarefootBuggy.com
