Miami offers fantastic vistas for those willing to strap on the seatbelt and go up on a helicopter tour.
There is so much to see in the city – Miami Beach, Art Deco Historic District, South Beach, Everglades National Park, Bayside Marketplace, Key Biscayne, etc.
But there is a bigger thrill in seeing all of this from high up in the air.
In this article, we share everything you must know before you book your helicopter tour in Miami.
Table of contents
What time do helicopters take off?
Most of the helicopter rides in Miami start taking off at 9 am and continue till 5 pm.
If you book a private helicopter tour of Miami, you can take off as late as 7 pm.
If you opt for the romantic marriage proposal helicopter tour, you can schedule your take off anytime between 9 am to 8 pm.
Price of helicopter tours in Miami
The cheapest helicopter tour in Miami costs $95 per person.
Since its a shared flight, even a single traveler can book this tour, which gets you 12 to 15 minutes of airtime.
A helicopter tour of all the Miami beaches, which lasts 20 minutes, costs $160 per person and the Grand Miami helicopter tour, which lasts 25 minutes, costs $208 per passenger.
The one-hour private helicopter tour of Miami and South Florida is priced at $518 per person and is an excellent buy for those not on a budget holiday.
The most romantic helicopter tour in Miami will put you back by $849 for a couple, but it will be well worth the price.
Note: For tours that take off from Opa Locka executive airport, passengers must pay the heliport fee (which isn’t included in the ticket cost). $35.00 per passenger is payable at the time of tour check-in.
Cancellation policy of air tours in New York
If you cancel at least 24 hours before your Miami helicopter tour’s start time and date, you qualify for a 100 percent refund.
Cancellations made within 24 hours of the start date of the tour won’t receive any refund.
When helicopter ride gets canceled
There are two conditions in which a planned helicopter trip may not happen.
The tour may get canceled because of bad weather or because the minimum number of travelers required wasn’t met.
In both instances, the heli tour operator will offer a different date or a full refund.
Helicopter tours in Miami
There are various kids of helicopter rides you can book in Miami.
We describe them all below –
Taste of Miami Helicopter Tour
This trip is the cheapest helicopter tour of Miami in Florida, and as the name suggests, it gets you only a taste of the city.
Even though it is a short helicopter tour, you see spectacular views of Miami and its beaches.
After taking off from the airport, you will spot the Sun Life Stadium.
When the chopper gets closer to the Atlantic Ocean, you will spot North Miami Beach and Hallandale Beach.
Your helicopter then flies down the white sand coastline even as you marvel at the Golden Beach, Sunny Isles Beach, and Haulover Beach, North Miami’s famous clothing-optional beach.
You also get to see Bal Harbour before you turn right and head towards the airport.
This tour can take a minimum of one person.
Departure: 14970 NW 42nd Ave, Opa-locka, FL 33054, USA. Google Map
Tour timings: 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, and 5 pm
Duration in the air: 12 to 15 minutes
Narration: By the pilot
Tour Operator: Miami Jet Helicopters
Cost of the tour: $95 / person
Helicopter tour of Miami beach
This 20-minute long tour is also known as the Golden Beaches Helicopter Tour.
The moment you are airborne, you spot the stunning Miami Florida skyline.
The helicopter then heads towards North Miami’s plush neighborhoods, such as the Eastern Shores and North Miami Beach, with jaw dropping ocean views.
You see Miami’s beautiful white sand beaches, such as Golden Beach, Sunny Isles Beach, Haulover Beach, North Beach, Miami Beach, South Beach, etc., before you turn back at Fisher Island.
Departure: 14970 NW 42nd Ave, Opa-locka, FL 33054, USA. Google Map
Tour timings: 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, and 5 pm
Duration in the air: 17 to 20 minutes
Narration: By the pilot
Tour Operator: Miami Jet Helicopters
Cost of the tour: $160 / person
The Grand Miami helicopter tour
The Grand Miami Helicopter Tour offers 25 minutes of air time and is the ultimate Miami area tour.
This tour is a combination of the Taste of Miami Helicopter Tour, the Golden Beaches Helicopter Tour, and some more.
You get to see Miami’s massive skyline, sunny beaches, gorgeous coastline, stadiums, and racetracks islands, etc.
Departure: 14970 NW 42nd Ave, Opa-locka, FL 33054, USA. Google Map
Tour timings: 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, and 5 pm
Duration in the air: 22 to 25 minutes
Narration: By the pilot
Tour Operator: Miami Jet Helicopters
Cost of the tour: $208 / person
Long Miami Helicopter Tour
If you want to spend a long time in the air, this is the perfect Miami heli tour for you.
You get to choose from 30, 45, or 60 minutes air time and see Miami’s breathtaking beaches, skyline, and landmarks on a private helicopter flight.
A minimum of two people is a must to book this tour.
Departure: Miami Executive Airport, 12800 SW 145th Ave, Miami, FL 33186, USA. Google Map
Tour timings: 10 am, 11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, and 5 pm
Duration in the air: 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and 60 minutes
Narration: By the pilot
Tour Operator: Gray Line Miami
Cost of the tour
30 minutes airtime: $342 / person
45 minutes airtime: $411 / person
60 minutes airtime: $554 / person
Private helicopter tour of Miami
If you prefer luxury, the private helicopter ride in Miami offered by Heli Air Miami comes highly recommended.
This 30-minute experience in South Florida is flexible, and the route gets adjusted according to your requirements.
You can choose either the ‘Beach route’ and see the stunning white sand beaches or the ‘Everglades route’ and spot alligators.
Departure: Signature Flight Support TMB – Miami Executive Airport, 14150 SW 129th St, Miami, FL 33186, USA. Google Map
Tour timing: 10 am to 7 pm, you decide.
Duration in the air: 30 minutes
Narration: By the pilot
Tour Operator: Heli Air Miami
Cost of the tour: $259 / person
If budget isn’t an issue, check out this one-hour private helicopter tour of Miami and South Florida, which costs $518 per person.
Miami Shore Excursion
This tour is an excellent option if you are boarding a cruise from Miami, have just gotten back from one, or if your ship is docked in one of the terminals.
You get a bird’ s-eye view of Miami and its surrounding area such as the entire Miami Beach shoreline, the South Beach, Ocean Drive, Venetian Islands, Biscayne Bay, etc.
The passengers get picked from their cruise terminal (or hotel) and dropped back after the heli tour.
You also get to store your luggage (3 to 4 bags) in the private sedan assigned to you.
A minimum of passengers is needed to book this tour.
Departure: Miami Intl Airport, 2100 NW 42nd Ave, Miami, FL 33126 Google Map
Tour timing: 10 am to 5 pm
Duration in the air: 30 minutes
Narration: By the pilot
Tour Operator: Heli Air Miami
Cost of the tour: $535 / group of three
Doors off helicopter tour of Miami
These are also known as Miami open-door helicopter tours because they involve choppers that don’t have doors.
The only advantage of a doors-off helicopter ride is the unobstructed view because of the lack of glass between you and Miami’s attractions.
However, high up, the wind can be freezing even on a warm day.
That’s why if you plan to book a doors-off helicopter for your trip over Miami, it is essential to dress appropriately.
Departure: 14970 NW 42nd Ave, Opa-locka, FL 33054, USA. Google Map
Tour timings: 9 am to 6 pm, every half hour
Duration in the air: 18 minutes
Narration: By the pilot
Tour Operator: Miami Jet Helicopters
Cost of the tour: $234 / person
Helicopter tour in Miami for marriage proposal
This helicopter ride over Miami is an excellent way of pulling off an incredible marriage proposal.
The sunset helicopter tour will set just the right mood so that you can get down on your knees and propose to that special someone.
If you prefer, you can also propose high up in the air.
Champagne and flowers are provided to make it a memorable experience.
This trip is the most romantic helicopter tour in Miami, and need not necessarily be booked only for proposals.
If you are visiting Miami with your special someone, you can go ahead and surprise them.
Departure: Signature Flight Support TMB – Miami Executive Airport, 14150 SW 129th St, Miami, FL 33186, USA. Google Map
Tour timing: 9 am to 8 pm. You decide the time
Duration in the air: 30 minutes
Tour Operator: Heli Air Miami
Cost of the tour: $849 for a couple
Night helicopter tour of Miami
Some tourists prefer to go up on a helicopter tour, after dark – once Miami is shimmering with all its lights.
An evening air tour is an opportunity to see Miami when she is at her best.
You get to see colorful, sparkling skyscrapers, the Art Deco neon of South Beach, and the waters of Biscayne Bay as they reflect whatever light they can find.
A night tour of Miami in a chopper needs a bit of planning because there is no straight forward solution.
It is best to book a private helicopter tour available from 10 am to 7 pm and schedule a take-off by 6.30 pm so that you are up in the air after the lights have come on.
If you are a young couple, you can also opt for the romantic night helicopter tour*. However, at $849 for a couple, it gets a bit steep.
*You must opt for the 7 pm slot.
Romantic helicopter tours in Miami
Miami Helicopter rides for two are in demand all through the year because of the city’s touristy charm.
These romantic heli tours are customizable, and couples can choose their route and departure time before cozying together, up in the air.
The tour operators throw in champagne and flowers to make the trips even more memorable for the pair.
We present three of our favorite romantic air tours in Miami – one of them is a helicopter ride, and two are airplane tours.
1. The proposal heli tour
This trip is the most romantic helicopter tour in Miami and is best if you want to propose. However, it need not necessarily be booked only for proposals.
If you are visiting Miami with your special someone, you can go ahead and surprise them.
2. Miami sunset airplane tour
During this sightseeing sunset helicopter ride Miami, you see the big ball of fire go down over South Beach, Bal Harbor, Star, Palm and Venetian Islands, Key Biscayne, Downtown Miami, etc.
You fly over Miami for about 45 minutes, which is good enough time to cozy up to your partner and enjoy the views.
3. Romantic Miami Airplane Tour With Champagne
If you want to enjoy Miami’s magic from the air, even as you sip on some champagne, look no further than this helicopter tour.
Since this will be a private tour, only for the couple, you can choose to fly at sunset, during the day, or at night.
A bottle of champagne and two glasses come along for free when you book the tour.
Where do Miami helicopter tours take off from?
There are three popular helicopter tour operators in Miami, and they have their heliports.
1. Miami Jet Helicopters
Miami Helicopter Inc’s helicopter rides take off from a private airfield in the busy Opa Locka executive airport.
The Opa Locka executive airport is 22 Kms (14 miles) from Miami Downtown, and you can cover the distance in less than half an hour.
The heliport’s address is 14970 NW 42nd Ave, Opa-locka, FL 33054, USA. Google Map.
Tours offered by Miami Jet Helicopters
- Taste of Miami helicopter Tour
- Golden Beaches helicopter Tour
- The Grand Miami helicopter tour
- Doors off helicopter tour of Miami
2. Heli Air Miami
Heli Air Miami is yet another high-quality helicopter tour operator in Miami.
All their tour choppers take off from Signature Flight Support TMB – Miami Executive Airport, 14150 SW 129th St, Miami, FL 33186, USA. Google Map
Miami Executive Airport is 38 kms (24 miles) from Miami Downtown.
Tours offered by Heli Air Miami
- Private helicopter tour of Miami
- Marriage proposal helicopter tour
- Private helicopter tour of Miami and South Florida
3. Gray Line Miami
In our list of recommended tours, only the Long Miami Helicopter Tour is operated by Gray Line Miami.
Gray Line Miami’s choppers take off from Miami Executive Airport, which until 2014 was known as Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport.
The heliport is in Miami Executive Airport, 12800 SW 145th Ave, Miami, FL 33186, USA. Google Map
Where do helicopters return?
After your sightseeing trip is over, you will land at the same place from where the helicopter took off.
How many people in one helicopter?
Most of the choppers flying the tourist routes in Miami can seat three passengers.
Passengers weighing over 129 Kgs (280 lbs) must book an additional seat.
This additional seat helps the pilot ensure the weight balance of the helicopter. This rule is non-negotiable.
In such a case, only two passengers can go on a tour at a time.
The additional seat fee can be paid directly to the tour operator on the day of the flight.
Bigger group
If your group has more than three passengers, go ahead and book your tour, and the operator will manage a bigger chopper.
In the worst-case scenario, your group will go up in two (or more) different helicopters.
Kids on helicopter rides
Children below 18 can’t go on helicopter tours by themselves – they must be accompanied by an adult.
Kids below two years of age (with a valid birth certificate or passport) need not pay for the tour and can sit on their parents’ lap.
However, they must pay the $35.00 heliport fee if your tour is taking off from the Opa Locka executive airport.
If your kid is two years and above, regular adult rates apply.
Weight restrictions
For the safety of all involved, weight restrictions apply to all helicopter tour passengers.
Passengers who weigh more than 129 kgs (280 lbs) are considered heavy, and the decision is taken depending on the helicopter used by the operator.
Helicopter tour operators in Miami who use smaller choppers don’t allow passengers weighing 129 kgs (280 lbs) and more to participate.
Tour operators with bigger helicopters welcome such passengers, but they must buy an additional seat to balance the helicopter’s weight.
If you tip the scale beyond this weight, check the fine print on the tour booking page before checking out.
Note: Before take-off, the pilot and the ground staff will ensure the passengers’ weight is distributed evenly in the helicopter. To achieve this balance, they may even seat you in the middle. Sitting in the middle does affect your view, but not so much as to risk your safety.
Things to know
- All passengers must carry a valid photo ID
- All surfaces are wheelchair and stroller accessible
- Service animals are allowed
- All passengers must be willing to walk through a metal detector
- All bags will go through security
- Even cameras and video cameras may go through a security check
- No handbags or backpacks are allowed on the helicopter
- Only a camera, cell phone, and sunglasses can be brought aboard.
- Complimentary lockers are available to hold belongings while flying
Recommended Reading
# What to expect on maiden helicopter tour
# How to dress up for helicopter tours
# Overcoming the fear of flying
# Scuba Diving – how long to waiting before flying
# Why helicopter tours are worth it
# FAQs about Helicopter tours