It’s simple, the best way to see the incredible island of Oahu is from the air in a helicopter tour! Discover the serenity and beauty of Oahu’s best attractions by helicopter. I’ve personally experienced an Oahu helicopter tour on multiple occasions and have been blown away each time. From the classic circle island tour to a unique sunset tour of the west. Flights generally circle most of the island to take in the rugged and off-the-beaten-path attractions such as hidden waterfalls, gorgeous beaches, and of course the jagged, spiny ridge down the center of the island.
Helicopter tours on Oahu should be on everyone’s bucket list. In this article, I’ve rounded up the six best helicopter rides on Oahu that you should consider next time you’re ready for an adrenaline rush. Make sure to book at least one week in advance (especially during high season) as they can get booked out quickly!
BEST OAHU HELICOPTER TOURS COMPARISON TABLE
| OAHU HELICOPTER TOURS | RATE | TIME |
| 45-Minute Tour with Doors on or off | $275/person | 45 min |
| 60-Minute Tour: Doors on or off | $325/person | 60 min |
| Waikiki Sunset Flight: Doors on or off | $333/person | 75 min |
| Path to Pali 30-Minute Tour | $215/person | 30 min |
| Waikiki 20-Minute Tour | $190/person | 20 min |
| Exclusive Private Romantic Flight | $1500/group of 3 | 60 min |
| Skyland Air Gyroplane Flight on North Shore | $249 | 30 min |
BEST HELICOPTER TOURS ON OAHU
Okay, let’s get into it with the top tours on offer when considering a helicopter flight on Oahu, Hawaii.
Oahu: 45-Minute Helicopter Tour with Doors on or off
This 45-minute helicopter tour with doors on and off will take you to all the numerous best attractions in Oahu such as Aloha Tower, Diamond Head, Makapu’u Lighthouse, Chinaman’s Hat, Sacred Falls, Dole Plantation, Waikiki Beach, Hanauma Bay, Windward Coast, Lanikai beach, Pearl Harbor, and USS Arizona Memorial.
The tour is very informative and you will not only see the city and coastal areas but also remote places. During this tour, you’ll be provided with phone cases and straps to prevent your phones from dropping. For $275 per person, the tour begins at Honolulu Harbor. Everything from pick-up to drop-off went seamlessly. If you are looking for a chopper ride around Oahu, this tour is perfect for you.
Book your tour: 45-Minute Heli Tour
Oahu: 60-Minute Helicopter Tour Doors on or off
Set back and just take in all the beauty of Oahu from the bird-eye view. This 1-hour chopper tour with a seat on an open-door and closed-door is highly recommended because you will not only see Oahu island for an hour but also get a chance to get that dream photograph of yours on an open-door helicopter. Sounds fantastic, isn’t it? Yes, this tour by air is well organized from pick-up, flight, to drop-off.
During this tour, you will be taken to North Shore where you’ll see the infamous Banzai Pipeline as well as other attractions – the Chinaman’s Hat, Makpu’u Lighthouse, Sacred Falls, and more. Then, you’ll be flying over the USS Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor with so much history and have a glimpse of the unparalleled views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head Crater.
Book your tour: 60-Minute Heli Tour
Waikiki Sunset Helicopter Flight
Oahu island’s famous Waikiki skyline can be experienced in all its glory at sunset. You’ll soar over the deep blue waters surrounding the island, taking in the last rays of light as the sun sets for another day in paradise. Flying during the day is amazing, but a sunset flight over Oahu is an epic experience and an opportunity for a romantic evening with a loved one!
Book your tour: Waikiki Sunset Flight
Oahu: Path to Pali 30-Minute Doors On or Off Helicopter Tour
If you are in Honolulu for a short stay and still want to experience a Helicopter tour around Oahu, this Path to Pali is just right for you as it will only take half an hour. This 30-minute tour begins with a fly over the island’s South Shore, Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Makapu’u Point, Mt. Olomana, and the most impressive part of the experience, of course, is seeing the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout and rainforests. This is a well-organized tour and the pilot is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. For the finale of the tour, you will be flying over Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial. This is perfect for those who are traveling in a light wallet.
Book your tour: Path to Pali Tour
Oahu: Waikiki 20-Minute Doors On / Doors Off Helicopter Tour
This aerial tour focuses specifically on Honolulu and is by far the cheapest helicopter tour on Oahu island. The tour commences at the airport and directions are provided so it’s pretty handy. You should wear a jacket, long pants, a hair tie, and closed-toe shoes. This 20-minute chopper tour with doors on and off will pass over the Waikiki skyline offering breathtaking views, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Punchbowl Crater including the prominent beaches. Suitable for private or small groups, this tour in Oahu by air will leave you in awe.
Book your tour: Waikiki 20-minute Flight
Oahu: Exclusive Private Romantic Flight
Are you looking for an exotic idea to propose to your loved one or a romantic date idea? This tour might appeal to couples who want some privacy and intimate moments. The exclusive one-hour flight will take off from Honolulu Airport and touch down at a private valley for 15 minutes just to have a memorable romantic moment. Apart from the commentary guide, you’ll be provided with straps and phone cases for safety purposes. There are also complimentary Wailua chocolate, champagne, and leis.
Book your tour: Private Romantic Flight
There is one other alternative when it comes to seeing Oahu from above and I am going to detail it below. I actually had the pleasure of experiencing this tour I’m about to tell you about and it’s got a lot going for it and is much more peaceful and relaxing than a helicopter tour.
GYROPLANE FLIGHT OVER OAHU’S NORTH SHORE
Imagine soaring above the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean, feeling the warm Hawaiian sun on your face and the wind rushing through your hair. From high above, you can see the lush green mountains and rugged coastline of Oahu’s North Shore, as well as some of the world-famous surf breaks like Pipeline and Sunset Beach. This is the exhilarating experience of gyroplane flight, a unique and thrilling way to explore the beauty of Hawaii’s third-largest island. I did this flight and it was one of the coolest, and most unique things to do on Oahu.
Book your flight by visiting their site: Skyland Air
I hope you enjoyed this guide for the best Oahu helicopter tours and found one that was exciting to you!
WHERE TO STAY ON OAHU
- Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort (Overall Favorite): In the heart of Waikiki, this high-end resort is right on the beach with a private lagoon.
- Sheraton Waikiki (Luxury): A luxury resort with the most amazing infinity pool on the island, which overlooks the beach.
- Ewa Hotel Waikiki: (Value): Ewa Hotel is just one block back from the beach and is just over $150 USD.
- Waikiki Beachside Hostel (Budget Choice): A budget alternative, which is still in an amazing location.
- Disney Aulani Resort (Family Choice): This is a resort your kids will never forget. It honestly feels like you are living in a theme park.
MORE OAHU BLOG POSTS
I lived on Oahu for two years and loved adventuring from the beaches to the mountains to the waterfalls! These are my most popular blog post and guides from the beautiful island of Oahu to help you plan your trip!
- What to pack for Hawaii: THE HAWAII PACKING LIST: WHAT TO PACK
- A helpful guide to choosing accommodation: WHERE TO STAY ON OAHU
- Most epic hike on Oahu: THE STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN OAHU, HAWAII
- The best Waterfalls: AMAZING WATERFALLS ON OAHU, HAWAII
- Ultimate Cliff Jumping Guide: 11 BEST CLIFF JUMPING SPOTS ON OAHU
- Guide to Swimming with Sea Turtles: WHERE TO SEE TURTLES ON OAHU
- The best Waterfall Hikes: TOP WATERFALL HIKES ON OAHU
- Best Tours: 20 BEST TOURS ON OAHU
- The Ultimate Guide to Oahu: 80 AWESOME THINGS TO DO ON OAHU
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