If you’d like to see the Hawaiian island of Oahu from up high, you can do so by booking yourself onto a thrilling helicopter ride.
(Photo: Rainbow Helicopters / Courtesy GetYourGuide)
From beautiful beaches to a buzzing Chinatown district and historic landmarks including Pearl Harbor, site of the famous World War II bombing attack, Oahu is awash with both natural and man-made attractions. And if you’d like to catch any of them from a truly unique vantage point, check out our list below of three of the best Oahu helicopter tours currently on offer.
Helicopter Tour with Doors On or Off
Experience a unique blend of coast, city and forest landscapes during this 45-minute helicopter tour over Maui. Your adventure begins by flying over the Honolulu Harbor, where you’ll see the Aloha Tower. You’ll then soar down the coast, past the Waikiki beaches before looping around the otherworldy Diamond Head crater (Lē‘ahi). Before long, Maunalua Bay will open in front of your eyes, revealing the island’s world-renowned reefs. Next, the historic Makapu’u Lighthouse will greet you before you travel up Windward Coast, passing Lanikai Beach and the appropriately named Chinaman’s Hat monument. The helicopter doors can be kept on or off, depending on your preference. From $326 per person.
Private Helicopter Tour in Honolulu
(Photo: Artem Savitsky)
For a more exclusive and intimate experience with friends or loved ones, this private 30-minute helicopter tour could fit the bill. As part of a select group of up to three guests, you’ll soar over the majestic shoreline and up to the stunning Diamond Head crater. But that’s not all – after exploring the breath-taking volcanic cone, you’ll travel to Oahu’s south shore for even more epic scenery. Highlights include flying above Koko Head, marvelling at Waikiki Beach down below, and enjoying a bird’s eye view of the century-old Makapu Lighthouse. Doors can either be on or off for the trip. From $366 per person.
Magnum P.I. Helicopter Experience from Turtle Bay
(Photo: Paradise Helicopters / Courtesy GetYourGuide)
Set in Hawaii, classic 1980s TV series Magnum P.I. remains a cult show in the minds of many. This one-hour experience invites you to see where the hit show was filmed from aboard a model MD500, a Magnum P.I. replica helicopter. With two-way communication between you, your pilot, and your group, you’ll take in stunning views of the fabled North Shore, flying over Pearl Harbor, the iconic Diamond Head crater, and gaining exclusive access to Kaliuwa‘a, better known as “Sacred Falls”, a 1000-foot waterfall only accessible by air. From $407 per person.