Helicopter Tours FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers About Helicopter Tours

General FAQ

Can you do a helicopter tour while pregnant?

In most cases, where a woman is visibly pregnant we will discourage her from taking the flight (third trimester). Depending on the time of day, some of the flights tend to get bumpy. There are no restrictions overall due to the low flight altitude and the positioning of the harnesses across the body. We do recommend that you speak with your doctor prior to any flights.
Are helicopter tours safe in Hawaii?

Hawaii has strict safety regulations making the state one of the safest places to go on a helicopter tour. Pilots and mechanics are fully certified in their respective fields and well trained. Helicopter tours are popular in Hawaii so many companies work together to keep everyone as safe as possible.
How much is a helicopter tour in Hawaii?

A helicopter tour ride varies in price depending on the size and speed of the helicopter and the length of your flight. Some flights for 25 minutes start around $175 while a 55-60 minute flight tends to be between $250 and $400 dollars depending on the aircraft and route.
Which Hawaiian island is best for a helicopter tour?

It's pretty tough to choose a specific island that is best for a helicopter tour. Each island has something to offer, depending on your interest. Oahu has a lot of unique features and things to see in a short time period. Big Island is so huge that a single tour can't cover it all. Looking into a volcano is pretty amazing. Maui has a lot of variety of views but it's not as dramatic as Kauai. Most of Kauai you can't see from the ground or boat so it might be the best place to take a helicopter tour. The scenes are dramatic and in a 60-minute flight, you will be awed by the views right from take-off.

What Is The Difference Between Some Tours That Have The Same Route?

In most cases, it’s the comfort and size of the helicopter itself. A larger, more comfortable helicopter can cover more airspace in the same amount of time as a smaller, slower helicopter. This increases the tour price but allows you to see more sights in the same amount of time.
What to wear on a helicopter tour?

Wear something dark so that your clothing doesn't reflect in the windows. This will keep the glare down and allow you to take pictures through them with minimal issues. Many people choose to do the "doors-off" version for that reason, to get clear pictures. (You will be given a jacket so you don't get cold.)
What does a helicopter ride feel like?

Have you driven down a dirt road in an old truck that is elevated next to a canyon or gulch? It's a comfortable bumpiness with incredible views of things down below. You will feel totally safe as you are strapped into your seat and there are no large drops like when you feel turbulence in a jet.
How long does an X mile helicopter ride take?

Tour helicopters tend not to go fast as you want to take your time and enjoy the views. They travel around 130 mph or just over 2 miles per minute. A complete tour of Maui would be about 110 miles of flight.

Oahu FAQ

Can I take pictures?

Yes! Pictures are encouraged. Please note, however, that photos must be taken safely within the aircraft.
Do I Get To Choose The Seat?

By default, the seating is done by weight, so the heaviest will be in the front and center. However, on some helicopter experiences, you may choose to buy the front seat beside the pilot (which has the best views) or reserve a window seat on the larger helicopter vs an inside seat.
Where Do Most Helicopter Tours On Oahu Start From?

Most helicopter companies are located across the airfield from the large passenger aircraft terminals at the Honolulu airport. Therefore, getting to the heliport is easy with plenty of free parking. Some helicopter companies start tours from the smaller airports, including Kapolei, on the West side of Oahu, or on the North Shore at Turtle Bay.

Maui FAQ

From where do the helicopters take off from the island of Maui?

Almost all helicopter tours depart from the Kahului Heliport, about 50 minute drive from most Lahaina area resorts.
What Flight Do You Recommend If You Have To Choose One?

If you want to go all out; we recommend taking a complete experience and including the landing option. For a more affordable experience, than the most exciting tends to be the West Maui flights that take you into the steep canyons of Iao Valley.
Which Maui helicopter tour is the best?

The best helicopter tour on Maui has to be one with a landing. Some of the most dramatic and exciting times is during take-off and landing. Doing a helicopter landing upon the side of Haleakala or down near a waterfall is really cool.

Kauai FAQ

How long does the tour last?

Helicopter tours vary between 45 minutes and 90 minutes. The complete tours of Kauai are about 55 minutes in length.
What is the best way to get to the heliport?

As transportation is not provided on this particular tour, we always recommend coordinating transportation through your hotel. Each hotel should be able to provide information on taxi services and pricing.
Where Do We Start Our Helicopter Flight?

Most of the helicopter tours happening right now on the island of Kauai are taking off from the airport, just outside of Lihue. Later in 2022, flights should be operating out of the Princeville heliport.

Big Island FAQ

Is there parking at the Hilo airport?

Yes, parking for 1-2 hours is $5, and 2-3 hours is $7. You will be issued a ticket at the entrance to the parking area and will need to present the ticket to the cashier when you exit.
How Many Seats Are Available?

There are different types of helicopters based upon the tour style. A doors-off tour typically will seat 4 people (one of them being the pilot). The larger helicopters can seat 6 to 8 people.
What Helicopter Flight Do You Recommend For A First And Only Visit To Hawaii?

We have done all the helicopter options on the island, and we thought the most impressive was flying over the volcanoes. What you see from the air will make a visit to Volcanoes National Park all the more interesting. You can better relate to the landforms on the ground because you have appreciated from the sky, the immense power needed to create the land you are walking on. It’s pretty mind-boggling.

Private Tours FAQ

Should I Do A Doors On or Off Tour?

For those who are looking to take great pictures and donʻt mind, the wind blowing against you the entire time, then doing doors off tour is pretty awesome. You will be pushed around a lot so any video will be a bit shaky, even with a stabilizer.
Can We Land At Any Time During The Tour?

Only certain tours have the ability to do a landing and it must be reserved in advance. If a landing is available, it will show during the booking process.
Are Helicopter Tours Private Or Shared With Other Parties?

In many cases, if you are a group of 2 and booking a smaller aircraft, you will have a private tour because the helicopter has space for three guests. Helicopters that seat 6-8 people will tend to be shared between 2-3 other parties—the average booking size of is three guests.

Group Tours FAQ

For what type of group is this event best?

A helicopter tour is ideal for any group, whether that be a family, couple, travel group, or work team. It will provide a positive experience to do together, with documented memories to share with people back home.
Can I Customize The Routes Or Seating Of This Tour?

The general route of the helicopter tour is decided beforehand but if there are special requests, the pilot can make adjustments as you go. This would include getting closer to certain landscape features or doing adding “orbits” around a site. You will be assigned a seat based on your weight and height. On some of the larger helicopters, you will be able to reserve a window seat or a front seat for an extra fee.
What Are The Differences Between The Helicopters?

There are typically two styles of the helicopters we use for our tours. A smaller 4 passenger and a larger 6 to 8 passenger aircraft, depending on the local configuration. The smaller helicopters are normally slower with a more adventurous ride. They will typically offer a “doors on or off” option and will be private to your group.
Why Do Similar Looking Helicopter Tours Have Big Price Differences?

If one of our tours have the same route and the same flight time but have a big difference in price, it’s probably due to the size of the aircraft or the availability. Some of these tours are private but in most cases the cost difference has to do with the size, comfort and speed of the aircraft. A larger, more stable (less bumpy ride), and faster aircraft is more expensive, you will see more sights in the same amount of time, in more comfort.

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Helicopter Tours FAQ

General FAQ

Oahu FAQ

Maui FAQ

Kauai FAQ

Big Island FAQ

Private Tours FAQ

Group Tours FAQ

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