The Jurassic Monopoly
Island Helicopters has a singular value proposition: Manawaiopuna Falls. They hold the exclusive landing permit for the waterfall made famous by the 1993 film Jurassic Park.
The Landing Experience
- The flight: Standard island tour.
- The landing: You touch down at the base of the falls, disembark, and walk along a jungle path to the fall’s base.
- Competitors: Everyone else can only fly over.
The “Drip Pricing” Warning
Island Helicopters uses a segmented fee structure.
- Advertised Price: Might look low (~$336).
- The Shock: A ~$96 “Surcharge/Fee” is added at checkout.
- Total: ~$432. Be aware that the “cheap” price you see on Google often excludes this massive fee.
Equipment
They fly the Airbus AS350 A-Star. It is a capable workhorse, but lacks the theater seating of the Eco-Star or the agility of the Hughes 500. It’s a “Doors-On Only” operation.