Helicopter tours in Honolulu – prices, timings, duration

A helicopter tour of Oahu Island is a fantastic way to get your bearings if you have just arrived in Hawaii.

Most of these air tours take off from Honolulu, which is on the south shore of Oahu island.

During your aerial tour from Honolulu, you are sure to be mesmerized by beautiful beaches, mountains, waterfalls, valleys, and other landmarks such as Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial, which surround the capital city of Hawaii.

This article covers everything you must know before booking your helicopter tour from Honolulu.

Open-Door Helicopter Tour from Honolulu

Fly aboard an open-door helicopter over Oahu for unobstructed views of the island on this 50-minute tour. 

You get to see Oahu’s lush valleys, mountains, and waterfalls. 

Feel the high-flying wind in your hair even as you fly over sights like Pearl Harbor, Honolulu Harbor, Hanauma Bay, Halona Blowhole, Waikiki Beach, Arizona Memorial, etc.

If you prefer, you can purchase a video of your flight at the end of your tour.

On this Oahu helicopter tour, you can choose between first-class seats and regular seats. 

Tour Operator: Magnum Helicopters

Timings: 8.15 am to 3.15 pm, Monday to Saturday

Cost of the tour (3 years)

Regular Seats: US$350 per person
First Class Seats: US$390 per person

Unseen Sights of the Honolulu & Oahu Island

This 45-minute scenic helicopter ride over Oahu is ideal for a special occasion or a romantic moment. 

While booking the tour, you can choose if you want it to be a ‘doors on’ or ‘doors off’ flight.

Get bird’s eye views of famous Oahu sights like Sacred Falls, Diamond Head, Maunalua Bay, the Ko’olau Mountains, Ka’a’awa Valley, Pearl Harbor, and more. 

The breathtaking helicopter experience ends with emotional moments over the iconic Pearl Harbor site before you head back to the airport.

If money is not an issue but experience matters, you can opt to go for the private tour, in which only your group will be in the chopper.

Tour Operator: Rainbow Helicopters

Timings: 9 am to 5 pm daily

Cost of the tour (2+ years)

Doors OFF/ ON Private Tour: US$548 per person
Doors OFF/ ON Tour: US$365 per person

Rainbow Helicopters also offers a 60-minute long heli tour called the Royal Crown of Oahu, which takes off from Honolulu.

Path to Pali Passage – the mountains tour

During this 30-minute helicopter tour, you explore the Oahu island’s stunning peaks, such as Diamond Head, Mt. Olomana, and Nu’uanu Pali. 

Fascinating views of the island’s white-sand beaches, coral reefs, rainforests, and volcanic cliffs will be etched in your memory forever as well.

Just before you circle back to the Honolulu International Airport, you take in spectacular views of the famous USS Arizona Monument.

Tour Operator: Rainbow Helicopters

Timings: 9 am to 5 pm daily

Cost of the tour (2+ years)

Doors OFF/ ON Private Tour: US$473 per person
Doors OFF/ ON Tour: US$315 per person

Honolulu, the City-by-the-Sea Tour

During this short 20-minute helicopter tour over a section of Oahu Island, you see Honolulu city skyline, Waikiki, Diamond Head, Punch Bowl Crater, and Pearl Harbor.

If you want to focus more on the Honolulu city, this is the best aerial tour.

We recommend the doors-off option to get the best possible photos from your guaranteed window seat.

Tour Operator: Rainbow Helicopters

Timings: 9 am to 5 pm daily

Cost of the tour (2+ years)

Doors OFF/ ON Private Tour: US$420 per person
Doors OFF/ ON Tour: US$280 per person

Sunset Helicopter tour from Honolulu

This once-in-a-lifetime sunset experience in Oahu is perfect for romantic couples and special occasions.

Watch as the sun melts into the Pacific from the perfect vantage point high above the island, soaking up the views of the Honolulu skyline, Pearl Harbor, and Diamond Head.

Long after your holiday is over, the Hawaiian sky painted in a glow of red, pink, and orange light will be etched on your mind forever. 

This 50-minute experience is a complete package because it includes pick up and drop from your hotel.

Tour Operator: Rainbow Helicopters

Timings: 5 pm daily

Cost of the tour (2+ years)

Doors OFF/ ON Private Tour: US$455 per person
Doors OFF/ ON Tour: US$390 per person

Private Helicopter Tour with Romantic Landing

During this 1-hour helicopter tour, you get to an exclusive landing spot at a stunning and private valley on the Windward coast of O’ahu. 

Take off from the island’s South Shore for a chance to see a birds-eye view of the famous Waikiki skyline and Diamond Head crater. 

Land in a private and lush oasis after cruising over Hanauma Bay, the Windward Coast, and Kualoa Ranch.

You and your partner enjoy 15 minutes at your picnic spot with Wailua chocolates, a champagne toast, and leis.

Once in the air again, the chopper takes you close to the lush green forests and emerald cliffs of the Ka’a’awa Valley and Sacred Falls, Oahu’s highest waterfall.

Tour Operator: Rainbow Helicopters

Timings: 9 am to 4 pm daily

Cost of the tour (2+ years): US$2,440 per group (up to 3)

If you want to go one step further, check out the helicopter tour offering a ‘Marry Me’ Banner on the Beach.

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Departure point

Honululu heli tours take off from the Honululu International Airport.

Address: 155 Kapalulu Pl #197, Honolulu, HI 96819, USA. Get directions

The heliport is near public transportation.

The tours end back at the meeting point.

There are multiple take-offs daily, so book early to get your preferred time slot.

Exclusions of the air tours

Honululu heli tours do not include hotel transfers and food and drinks unless stated otherwise.

Your ticket price also excludes gratuities.

Restrictions strictly followed

Weight limits apply for safe and comfortable Honululu helicopter rides.

A minimum and maximum number of passengers are required on these tours, failing which, they will be canceled.

Infants and children are allowed onboard, but infants must sit on the caregiver’s lap throughout the flight.

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

When booking the doors off experience, your seat may or may not be directly adjacent to an open door.

The Open-Door Helicopter Tour from Honolulu is not wheelchair accessible.

Jackets or sweatshirts, closed-toe shoes, and hair ties are required for doors off helicopter tours. Long pants are recommended. 

A valid passport is required.

No pets are allowed onboard except service animals.

The operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or appear to be drunk. Such passengers will not fly but will be charged in full.

Check in at least 30 minutes early.

Flight times are approximate based on winds, weights, and conditions.

Seating arrangements may often be in the hands of the tour organizers for a safe and stable flight.

Accessibility to the tour

Honululu helicopter flights tours are completely accessible to guests with disabilities.

The aircraft, transportation, and surfaces are completely wheelchair accessible, preventing any inconvenience for the guests.

Cancellation policy

You can cancel the Open-Door Helicopter Tour from Honululu up to three days in advance of the experience for a full refund.

YAs for the other helicopter tours of Oahu Island, cancel at least 24 hours before your tour date For a full refund. 

If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, a 100% percent cancellation fee is applicable.

No changes are allowed within 24 hours of the experience’s start time.

Helicopter tours require good weather. 

If the tour is canceled due to poor weather or non-fulfillment of the minimum number of passengers, you may be offered a different date or a full refund.

Related Reading

# Helicopter tours in Kauai
# Helicopter tours in Big Island
# Helicopter tours in Oahu
# Helicopter tours in Maui
# Helicopter tours from Kona
# Helicopter tours from Lihue
# Helicopter tours in Hawaii

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# What to wear for helicopter tours
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# Why helicopter tours are are excellent gifts
# FAQs about Helicopter tours