Are you looking for the best Oahu helicopter tours? This guide has you covered!
If you’re traveling to Oahu last minute, you want to ensure you have your tours and lodging booked ahead of time! These are our top picks:
🌴 Best Oahu helicopter tours (and more!):
- Open-Door Helicopter Tour over Oahu (most popular doors-off ride!)
- Royal Crown of Oahu Helicopter Tour (another top-seller – doors on or off!)
- Private Helicopter Tour with Romantic Landing (amazing for honeymooners!)
- Pearl Harbor Remembered tour (top Pearl Harbor tour!)
- North Shore Shark Cage Diving (leaves from Haleiwa but recommended!)
🛌 Best places to stay in Honolulu:
- Moana Surfrider Hotel (famous place & affordable luxury… my top pick!)
- White Sands Hotel (budget – I stayed here many nights!)
- Hotel Renew (budget option in HNL)
- Laylow (mid-range and stylish)
- Espacio the Jewel of Waikiki (luxury living in Waikiki)
🚗 Traveling to Oahu independently? Be sure to book your rental car ahead of time to ensure availability!
In this guide, we dive into the best helicopter tours on Oahu. There will be ones that soar over the coast (and those beautiful beaches!) to ones that will give you an aerial view of world-famous Waikiki Beach!
Did we miss any of the best Oahu helicopter tours? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Contents
Oahu Helicopter Tours Overview
We have quite a variety of tours on this guide and the main reason is that they all offer something different that may be important to travelers.
Below, you can find our favorite tours put into categories as we see fit!
- Best Doors-off helicopter tour: Open-door helicopter tour over Oahu (the most booked trip on the island!)
- Longest helicopter tour on Oahu: Royal Crown of Oahu helicopter tour (a full hour of flying!)
- Most affordable Oahu helicopter tour: 20-minute helicopter ride over Waikiki Beach
- Best Doors-on helicopter tour: Blue skies of Oahu Eco Flight
- Most romantic helicopter tour (great for honeymooners!): Private helicopter tour with a romantic landing
- Best value for money helicopter ride: Open-door helicopter tour over Oahu
Best Helicopter Tours on Oahu
1. Open-Door Helicopter Tour over Oahu
Duration: 50 minutes
Departure point: Honolulu International Airport
Doors on or off: Off
BOOK HERE
Board a cutting-edge chopper that gives you clear vistas as you explore the island and creates wonderful photo opportunities.
Meet your knowledgeable pilot, who will describe the experience as you soar over famous sites in Oahu and select open seating in the normal configuration or First Class for a more private trip just the two of you.
Aerial views of Honolulu Harbor, the Aloha Tower, Magic Island, Keehi Lagoon, and Ala Moana Beach Park should be your first stop.
Leave Honolulu’s more populated sector and head for Oahu’s greener side, which is home to waterfalls, mountains, and lush valleys, and view the stunning coral formations of Kaneohe Bay and the beautiful, white sand of Waimanalo Beach from above.
Before going to Ka’a’awa Valley, where a dozen significant motion pictures have been filmed, see the Chinaman’s Hat.
Hanauma Bay, the remains of a volcano crater that are now a renowned snorkeling spot, is located on the eastern extremity of the island.
Sea Life Park is followed by visits to the Halona Blowhole, Sandy Beach, Makapuu Point, and its lighthouse.
The Dole Plantation is located on the island’s central plain and is home to the largest agricultural maze in the world. View Sacred Falls, a 1,000-foot (300-meter) sheer waterfall.
A panoramic view of Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial will cap your Oahu helicopter tour. The tour lasts 50 minutes and is an open-door helicopter tour.
Book your helicopter ride here!
2. Royal Crown of Oahu Helicopter Tour
Duration: 60 minutes
Departure point: Honolulu International Airport
Doors on or off: Either
BOOK HERE
When making a reservation, choose a comfortable departure time, then start your trip from Rainbow Helicopters at Honolulu International Airport. With or without doors, take your position inside your helicopter.
Before going to the Windward Coast, where you can see the Ko’olau Range, Lanikai Beach, and Kaneohe Bay, your guide will take you up in the air as you pass Leeward Coast landmarks including Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, and the Makapu’u Lighthouse.
Fly in close to capture breathtaking views of Sacred Falls, and then look out for surfers attempting waves at Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay in the distance.
Views of Pearl Harbor and the Dole Plantation will round out your excursion.
Your chopper circles back to the Honolulu International Airport after the thrill of flying over the island.
Please note that in order to balance the aircraft safely, a weight and balance fee is necessary for each passenger weighing 260 pounds or more.
A charge in the amount of 50% of the seat price will be applied after booking for customers weighing between 260 and 279 lbs. A second seat purchase will be required for visitors weighing 280 pounds or more after booking.
Jackets and/or sweaters, closed-toe shoes, and hair ties are necessary during the doors-off tour. The duration of the tour is about one hour and you have the option of flying with doors off or on.
Book your helicopter ride here!
3. Isle Sights Unseen from Honolulu
Duration: 45 minutes
Departure point: Honolulu International Airport
Doors on or off: Either
BOOK HERE
When making a reservation, choose a comfortable departure time, then start your trip from Rainbow Helicopters at Honolulu International Airport.
As you lift off above this tropical Hawaiian island, board your helicopter and enjoy your pre-selected choice of a “doors on” or “doors off” trip.
Experience a bird’s eye view of Honolulu Harbor and a fly over the southside of Oahu before cruising above some of the island’s most recognizable sites.
Then, as you fly above the well-known Diamond Head crater, Maunalua Bay’s crystal-clear seas and Hanauma Bay’s vivid reefs on Oahu’s eastern shore will come into view.
From there, follow the Ko’olau Mountains as they lead to Lanikai Beach and the “Chinamans’ Hat,” passing through a small lighthouse that is close to the Makapu’u cliffs.
As you continue your picturesque journey, ascend into Ka’a’awa Valley for a panoramic view of Oahu’s tallest waterfall, Sacred Falls.
Before returning to the airport, you can cruise to the famous Pearl Harbor location to cap off your breathtaking helicopter adventure. There, you can enjoy a close-up view of the USS Arizona Memorial.
For a full refund, you may postpone your experience cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. The duration is about 45 minutes and you have the option of flying with doors off or on.
Book your helicopter ride here!
4. Waikiki 20-Minute Helicopter Tour
Duration: 20 minutes
Departure point: Honolulu International Airport
Doors on or off: Either
BOOK HERE
With the help of this thrilling helicopter tour, see Waikiki from a fresh angle.
Fly over some of the island’s most well-known landmarks, including Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head, as well as well-known beaches from above the island’s crystal-clear surroundings.
Discover Waikiki’s beautiful vistas from above while listening to your guide’s live commentary!
When you reach the Ala Moana Center, continue on your trip along the white sandy beaches after beginning it over Honolulu Harbor. Before flying towards the renowned Waikiki Beach, take a look at the popular picnic areas on Magic Island.
Watch out for everyone, including swimmers, sunbathers, and surfers! Before you reach the renowned Punchbowl Crater, start the trek over Diamond Head where you might see a few hikers.
As the tour comes to an end, you’ll cruise toward Pearl Harbor, where the USS Arizona Memorial is located.
The port is surrounded by Oahu’s breathtaking scenery and is steeped in history but is not appropriate for those who are planning to dive 24 hours before, are over 260 pounds (118 kg), and those who get motion sick.
To access the visitor parking, follow the Rainbow Helicopters parking signage. Then proceed to the Castle and Cooke entrance and proceed to the end of the hall by following the signs.
For check-in, kindly show up at least an hour before your flight’s planned departure time. The tour lasts about 20 minutes and you have the option of flying with doors off or on.
Book your helicopter ride here!
5. Private Helicopter Tour with Romantic Landing
Duration: 45 minutes
Departure point: Honolulu International Airport
Doors on or off: On
BOOK HERE
This romantic helicopter ride is perfect if you want to boost the romanticism of your Hawaii vacation. Take in the verdant valleys, Diamond Head crater, and the South Shore during a picturesque fly over Oahu.
Then, land away from the masses in a secluded location in a private oasis where leis, chocolates, and champagne are waiting for you and view the most prominent landmarks on the island from above.
Having a private helicopter means getting a unique experience.! To fit your schedule, select from a variety of tour times that are available.
Please remember that safety is the top priority, and passengers who appear to be intoxicated or who are themselves intoxicated may be refused service by the operator.
Passengers who are intoxicated will not be allowed to fly and will be fully charged.
For the door-off tours, it is highly advised on the tour to wear a light jacket or long-sleeve shirt, hair ties, and phone/camera wrist straps. Every traveler who is at least 24 months old must reserve a seat at the full fare.
When making a reservation, confirmation will be provided. It’s also wheelchair accessible and suitable for strollers.
The duration is approximately 45 minutes and the tour is a doors-on one.
Book your helicopter ride here!
6. Blue Skies of Oahu ECO Helicopter Tour
Duration: 45 minutes
Departure point: Honolulu International Airport
Doors on or off: On
BOOK HERE
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters is the starting point of this awesome tour! Free transportation is offered from a few hotels.
Modern Eco-Star helicopters are built for tours and offer postcard-worthy vistas through the glass. Look down at Waikiki, Diamond Head, Honolulu, and the iconic Pearl Harbor.
As you ride along, listen to the pilot’s recorded commentary about the beaches, waterfalls, valleys, and secret rainforests that few tourists ever see.
Depending on availability, confirmation will be delivered within 48 hours of booking.
Wheelchair access is available to the heliport and helicopter. At the base, a wheelchair lift is accessible to help with boarding. Infants under the age of 23 months are free and regarded as lap children.
Some things to note are: no scuba diving for 24 hours after leaving, the tour is wheelchair friendly, and it’s in the vicinity of a bus or train.
What’s included is: Aerial tours of Oahu offer breathtaking perspectives of the attractions, first-class seats, and viewing windows are available on the Eco-star helicopter.
Depending on your schedule, you can depart in the morning or the afternoon.
The duration is about 45 minutes and is a doors-on kind of tour.
Book your helicopter ride here!
7. Private Helicopter Charter – Oahu “Magnum Experience”
Duration: 60 minutes
Departure point: Honolulu International Airport
Doors on or off: Off
BOOK HERE
With a maximum of four individuals, enjoy VIP comfort on a helicopter tour of Oahu. Get unmatched vistas of the island’s azure waters, lush vegetation, and flowing falls when you fly above it.
A full circle island tour that begins above the white sands of Waikiki and ends with a flyover of Pearl Harbor will allow you to see the most stunning natural landmarks.
A spectacular way to end your trip to Hawaii or a great way to start off your trip you have just gotten there. Depending on availability, confirmation will be delivered within 48 hours of booking.
Good weather is necessary for the trip, so you will be given the option of an alternate date or a full refund if it is postponed because of bad weather.
There must be a minimum number of participants for this activity and if the minimum isn’t reached, you’ll be given the option of an alternate date or experience or a complete refund.
Enjoy the wonderful, picturesque views that Hawaii has to offer with your loved one(s), and experience a trip of a lifetime. The ride lasts about 50 minutes.
Book your helicopter ride here!
Did we miss any of the best Oahu helicopter tours? Let us know your tips and favorite experiences in the comments!
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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she has been traveling frequently to Hawaii for the last 15 years and loves exploring every corner of each Hawaiian island, while trying to promote sustainable travel and small, local businesses along the way. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She has co-authored a guidebook with Fodor’s Travel and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.