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Admiring Hawaii from above provides you a brand new perspective on these stunning islands. Our Kauai helicopter journey was so spectacular that we couldn’t resist taking one other helicopter journey over Oahu.
Although Oahu is a way more populated island (house to the capital Honolulu and the favored seashore resort, Waikiki), the pure surroundings continues to be beautiful.
We flew over volcanic craters, jagged inexperienced mountains, hidden waterfalls, and golden seashores.
The artifical sights have been additionally fascinating—the high-rise resorts of Waikiki, limitless Dole pineapple fields, and the long-lasting Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial.
In this put up, I’ll share what to anticipate on an Oahu helicopter tour, which one you must select (doorways on or off?), and all the pieces else it is advisable know.
Contents
Choosing a Honolulu Helicopter Tour
Various corporations supply Oahu helicopter rides and most of them take off from Honolulu Airport, a 20-30 minute drive from Waikiki Beach (the place you’ll possible be staying).
We selected to go together with Rainbow Helicopters as a result of they’ve wonderful opinions and supply the choice to journey with doorways on or off (for a similar worth).
While it might sound scary to journey doorways off (we have been actually nervous our first time on our Kauai doors-off helicopter tour), I extremely advocate it.
The views are much more unbelievable with out glass between you and the surroundings and it’s by far the most suitable choice for photographers.
If you’re in a bunch that may’t agree, it’s attainable to have the doorways on within the entrance row (subsequent to the pilot) and off within the again row.
Rainbow Helicopters supply flights from 30 to 60 minutes. Trust me, go for the 60-minute choice, which loops round nearly all the island. It goes quick and you’ll not need the flight to finish.
We took this actual 60-minute Oahu Helicopter Tour with Rainbow Helicopters and cherished it.
Seating within the Helicopter
The helicopters seat six folks—two folks within the entrance (subsequent to the pilot) and 4 within the again. This is unquestionably cosy and fortuitously, there have been solely 4 of us on our flight (one within the entrance and three within the again).
If you’re with one different individual, the chances are solely considered one of you can be seated subsequent to the door.
You additionally haven’t any selection on which aspect of the helicopter you sit, and the views are higher on the left aspect as you journey counterclockwise across the island. Unfortunately, we have been on the proper aspect (within the again), dealing with out to the ocean.
We have been apprehensive at first, and there have been some picture alternatives I missed, however the pilot did job of circling round on the main sights so all of us obtained view.
If this bothers you, you may e-book a personal tour as an alternative (select your date then choose the non-public choice). I might positively contemplate this for subsequent time, however it’s a splurge.
What to Expect on a Doors Off Helicopter Oahu Tour
Getting Onboard
Rainbow Helicopters require you to verify in a single hour earlier than your flight, so we arrived at 4pm for our 5pm flight. We got complete directions on precisely the place to park and go.
When checking in, they discreetly weigh you (this determines the place you’ll be seated), after which take you to a small room the place you watch a security video.
You should go away all of your belongings in a drawer on this room—solely telephones, cameras (no luggage), and sun shades are allowed on the flight. I share extra tips about getting ready for the journey under.
You’ll be given a lifejacket, which is worn round your waist, a neck case to your cellphone, and, in case you are sitting subsequent to an open door, goggles to guard your eyes.
There are restrooms on this constructing.
With the one-hour check-in, we have been apprehensive we’d find yourself ready round, however after our briefing, we have been taken by golf cart to the helicopter and ended up flying half-hour early.
Before you get within the helicopter, the crew take images of you in entrance of it.
Take Off
The crew helped us into the helicopter and buckled us up in our strong harnesses.
We had two-way headphones, which enabled us to speak to our pilot and listen to his commentary as we flew over the island.
Soon we took off gracefully straight up. It was unnerving at first to be subsequent to an open door, however I quickly obtained used to it and started having fun with the views under.
We headed in direction of Waikiki over the calm Ke’ehi Lagoon close to Sand Island, and nearly instantly, I noticed a turtle swimming under!
We additionally flew over the tiny Mokauea Island, house to Oahu’s final Hawaiian fishing village.
Waikiki and Diamond Head
Soon we reached the towers of Waikiki, the place quite a few resorts overlook its beautiful (and crowded) seashore.
Next was Diamond Head, considered one of Oahu’s most iconic sights. Seen from Waikiki, it seems to be like a mountain, however from above, you may see that it’s a volcanic crater.
The day earlier than, we’d hiked to the highest of Diamond Head, which is among the hottest issues to do in Oahu, and it was fascinating to see it from a unique perspective.
We hadn’t realised that the customer centre (the place we began the stroll) was proper in the course of the crater.
Southeast Coast of Oahu
Continuing on the southeast coast, we reached one other spectacular volcanic crater, Koko Crater.
It overlooks Hanauma Bay, the place we loved a few of the greatest snorkelling on Oahu (notice you should e-book 48 hours prematurely). Again, it was fascinating to see a few of our favorite spots from a brand new perspective.
We’d pushed alongside this arid coast simply that morning and recognised locations just like the Lanai Lookout, Halona Blowhole, and Sandy Beach.
At the very finish of the south coast is the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse, the place we’d walked for beautiful views.
It was even higher from above trying down on the uninhabited islets, Mānana Island (also called Rabbit Island) and Kāohikaipu Island.
Windward Coast
Turning the nook up the Windward Coast, the surroundings obtained much more spectacular.
This aspect of the island is lush and inexperienced, with the dramatic Koʻolau mountain vary working the size of the east coast.
First, we flew over the lengthy white stretch of Waimānalo Beach, considered one of my favorite seashores on Oahu, with its beautiful mountain backdrop.
Olomana or the Three Peaks overlook Kailua city. There’s a difficult path you are able to do alongside these mountains.
We additionally flew over the Stairway to Heaven path that leads up a slim ridge. It’s now closed because it’s so harmful, and it actually did look scary.
The Kaneohe Sandbar seems to be beautiful from above.
As does Mokoli’i Island (often called Chinaman’s Hat) off the coast of the Kualoa Regional Park.
We obtained up near the jagged mountains and flew over the well-known Kualoa Ranch, the place many motion pictures, together with Jurassic Park, have been filmed.
Further north, the waves obtained larger and we handed extra verdant peaks.
One of one of the best sights on an Oahu helicopter tour is Sacred Falls.
These tall waterfalls in a lush valley can solely be seen from above. The climbing path to the falls was closed after eight folks have been killed by falling rocks in 1999.
North Shore
The North Shore is a quieter, much less developed a part of Oahu that’s well-known for its big surf breaks in winter.
Instantly, we noticed how a lot wilder the surf seemed (even in October) as we flew over Sunset Beach.
Waimea Bay is one other beautiful North Shore seashore. The valley behind it’s recognized for its botanical gardens and the most effective swimmable waterfalls on Oahu.
Climbing larger, we obtained view of this part of the North Shore, stretching from Turtle Bay Resort (which we completely cherished after we later stayed right here) on the far left, previous Sunset Beach and Shark’s Cove (a rocky snorkelling spot) to Waimea Bay.
Dole Plantation
Although we noticed the western tip of Oahu within the distance, we didn’t journey all the best way across the island. Instead, we reduce inland by means of the flatter center of Oahu.
The main sight right here is the Dole Plantation, with its geometric fields of pineapples that appear to stretch on for miles.
Pearl Harbor
Back on the south coast, we flew over the Pearl Harbor naval base, together with the USS Arizona Memorial, which commemorates the lives misplaced within the 1941 assault.
Is an Oahu Doors Off Helicopter Tour Worth It?
Our Honolulu helicopter journey was our most costly exercise on Oahu, but it surely was additionally probably the most memorable, and for us, it was properly price it.
The surroundings is really spectacular, and seeing Oahu from above provides you a singular perspective. You additionally get to see locations like Sacred Falls and Stairway to Heaven that you would be able to’t go to another manner.
Our 60 minutes flew by and everybody obtained off the helicopter with big grins on their faces.
If you may afford it, I extremely advocate an Oahu helicopter journey. Definitely select the doors-off choice for one of the best images and a extra immersive expertise.
Book your helicopter journey with Rainbow Helicopters right here.
The solely scenario the place I wouldn’t advocate it’s in case you are additionally visiting Kauai, the place the helicopter journeys are much more unbelievable. I’d reserve it for Kauai in the event you can’t afford each. See my put up on our Kauai doorways off helicopter journey for extra particulars.
The Best Time of Day for a Helicopter Tour of Oahu
I attempted to discover a definitive reply to one of the best time for an Oahu helicopter tour and couldn’t.
There are execs and cons to each time of day. The gentle is at all times going to be good in a single course and never so nice in one other.
We booked the final 5pm flight as a result of it was simpler to suit into our schedule, and we have been hoping for some beautiful golden hour gentle.
The gentle was stunning dealing with east however we have been heading into the solar when going west. Overall, I’m pleased with the time we selected.
I wouldn’t fear an excessive amount of about it—simply select a time that works for you.
One issue that we did consider was the site visitors between Waikiki (the place we have been staying) and Honolulu Airport. We did our journey on a Sunday, so site visitors was minimal and it was a straightforward 20-minute automotive journey.
On weekday rush hours (6.30am – 9am and 3pm – 6pm), you’ll want to permit 40 minutes for the journey as site visitors could be horrendous.
Ideally, schedule your flight for earlier in your journey in case of cancellation because of climate. That stated, it was enjoyable to see a few of the locations we’d already visited.
Doors Off Helicopter Oahu Tips
- Wear heat garments and closed-toe sneakers — I wore denims, a t-shirt, fleece, and trainers, and I used to be completely comfy. If you’re subsequent to the door, you should have lengthy sleeves.
- Don’t take free gadgets – You can go away them in your automotive or within the constructing the place you check-in. This contains wallets, keys, hats, luggage, and even lens caps.
- Sunglasses are OK to put on – But I left mine behind as I needed to put on goggles sitting subsequent to the open door (in addition they aren’t nice for images).
- Tie again lengthy hair – I additionally wished I’d worn a headscarf as a number of stray bits of hair got here free and went wild. It was annoying and a knotty mess afterwards.
- Phone circumstances are supplied – You can put on them round your neck to keep away from the chance of dropping your cellphone. Photos are respectable from telephones however might be higher from a digicam.
- If you’ve got a digicam – A large-angle lens is greatest, use steady taking pictures mode, and goal for a shutter velocity of 1/1000 to keep away from movement blur. For the images on this put up, I used a Sony A7III mirrorless digicam and Sony 16-35mm f4 lens.
- Travel illness isn’t a problem – I usually get journey sick however I didn’t have issues on both of my helicopter flights. If you’re apprehensive, take medicine like Dramamine an hour prematurely.
- Tipping the pilot is predicted – You can do that again on the check-in constructing after the flight. They present envelopes if you wish to go away money, or you may tip by card on the desk. $10-20 per individual is taken into account cheap.
Oahu Helicopter Trip Details
The 60-minute Royal Crown of Oahu tour with Rainbow Helicopters prices $375 per individual. We booked on Get Your Guide, which presents free cancellation as much as 48 hours prematurely.
It’s the identical worth for doorways on or off. Just choose the choice when reserving.
You can even go for a personal journey, which prices $1126 whole for 2 folks or $2252 for 4 folks. This is price contemplating if you would like a assured window seat.
Rainbow Helicopters run flights each day most hours between 9am and 5pm.
You must verify in a single hour earlier than your flight at their workplace contained in the Castle & Cooke Aviation constructing at Honolulu International Airport. They ship directions.
Book your Oahu helicopter journey right here.
More Hawaii Posts
We share extra of our Hawaii journey ideas in these posts:
General
Kauai
Maui
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