The 5 Best Helicopter Tours In The USA: Part 1 - Hawaii
It is a truth universally acknowledged that one of the best ways to see a place is on board a helicopter flight, which is why we are dedicating the following five blogs to our fave places to do this! First up: Beautiful Hawaii.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that one of the best ways to see a place is on board a helicopter flight, which is why we are dedicating the following five blogs to our fave places to do this! First up: Beautiful Hawaii.
Q. Which Hawaiian island is best for a helicopter tour?
You can’t go wrong with the island of Oahu - simply stunning in terms of its diverse landscape (think emerald green valleys, bright blue waterfalls, forests, beaches, an active volcano and lava fields!). Honolulu, in particular, is one of our top choices, and you can book one of many Oahu helicopter tours here.
If we had to pick one, it would probably be Kauai (also known as the Garden Island). A helicopter ride here will offer a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest, Mount Waialeale (considered one of the wettest places on Earth), the Waimea Canyon, Hanapepe Valley and famous Na Pali Coast ridges and cliffs. An amazing experience is guaranteed!
Q. How much does it cost?
Helicopter tours in Hawaii range from around $200 - $500 per person and last between 30 to 60 minutes, although you can always find extended and private charters, too.
Q. What are the best times to take a helicopter tour in Hawaii?
There are two reasons to plan your helicopter tour as early as possible. First, if you get bad weather, you can always reschedule for later and second, it will give you an overview of the place so you can decide what you want to see more of throughout your stay.
Q. What should I wear for my Hawaii helicopter ride?
The ride will only take place in good weather for safety reasons, so - being Hawaii - it’s probably a safe bet to wear shorts and a t-shirt. If you opt for a doors-off helicopter ride, you may want to bring a jacket with you as it can get a bit windy (yes, even in Hawaii!) and limit the number of loose items with you, unless you want to see your prized possessions free fall through the sky.
Another top tip: Wear plain, dark clothing to reduce glare on the windows for those all-important Insta-snaps! You may also want to remove your earrings as you’ll be wearing headphones.
Q. Are helicopter rides in Hawaii safe?
While climbing aboard a helicopter flight is always going to carry with it some risk, there are things you can and should check before booking to ensure safety. First and foremost is the vital importance of ensuring your provider is certified as an FAA Part 135 Air Carrier (Federal Aviation Administration), meaning they’re subject to higher standards than general aviation operators. Airborne Aviation Tours in Kauai is a good choice for this.
According to a recent press release, the FAA has” installed five weather cameras in Hawaii” with a further 21 on the way and is “conducting random and regular surveillance on all Hawaii air tour operators.” The FAA will also give weight restrictions to ensure the safety and proper balance of the aircraft. You can also check your provider’s safety record. Once you’ve chosen a provider, ensure you pay attention during the safety lesson before the flight.
Q. What is the best helicopter tour in Hawaii?
There are several things to consider when finding the best helicopter tour in Hawaii. First, of course, is the area you want to see! Assuming the island of Oahu - home to the beautiful Honolulu - has swayed you, we offer quite a few. Rainbow Helicopters offers a 30-minute or 60-minute tour and a doors-on or doors-off experience (which is pretty cool!) and operates daily. Honolulu Helicopter Tours, however, come in slightly cheaper, starting at $363 per person (instead of $395) for 30 minutes.
If it’s Kauai you want to see, there are two leading providers to consider: First is the epic Air Kauai Helicopter Tours, which continues to be one of our most popular. If, however, you will only fly with an FAA Part 135 Air Carrier, you should choose Airborne Aviation Tours in Kauai, which starts at $325 per person.
Another massive plus for this one is that it’s a Hughes 500 helicopter which only seats four passengers with no middle seats. That means everyone gets a good window view! You should request to sit on the right side in Kauai because most tours circle the island clockwise.
Book a private Kauai helicopter tour with no middle seats!
Q. Why book with us?
When it comes to a helicopter tour, it’s not enough to just find a company with the lowest prices (although, on that point, we do offer some of the most competitive pricing available!). You also need to feel as if you’re in safe hands with a trustworthy partner and - having been around since 2019 - we know what we’re doing!
Other benefits include free cancelations (up to a day before your tour) and our Live Chat feature, which is active 24/7, meaning no matter what time of day you reach out to us, someone will take care of you.
Tripening is an Amadeus, Google, Stripe, Viator, TUI, TravelGateX, AITA and Bókun partner, so if it’s a trusted ride you’re looking for, you’ve just found it!
