Helicopter tours in Paihia: Land on Hole in the Rock

See the islands from above, then touch down on the landmark itself

You board a helicopter in Paihia and fly over the Bay of Islands' main islands, viewing the Hole in the Rock arch at Cape Brett, Russell, and the Waitangi Treaty grounds. The pilot provides commentary throughout. You have the option to land on top of the Hole in the Rock itself. The flight requires a minimum of two passengers and departs at a time you request when booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bay of Islands scenic helicopter tour

• Fly over Bay of Islands
• View Cape Brett and Hole in the Rock
• Pass over Russell, Paihia, and Waitangi
• See all islands from the air

The experience

The helicopter lifts off and the ground drops away. Below you, the Bay of Islands spreads out in fragments. Water the color of slate and jade, islands rising like broken teeth, and then it: the Hole in the Rock, that famous arch cut through Cape Brett, suddenly small and exact from the air. You're seeing what most people never do, the whole geography at once, the way it was shaped. The pilot talks you through what you're looking at: Russell's colonial rooflines, Paihia's curve of beach, the Waitangi Treaty grounds where New Zealand's founding document was signed. It's not a narration that stops. It's someone who knows the place pointing things out as they pass beneath the rotors.

The flight itself takes you over the main group of islands, each one distinct from above: pohutukawa trees clinging to cliffs, bays tucked between headlands, the water so clear you can see the seabed in the shallows. The Hole in the Rock sits at the northern tip of Cape Brett, and from the helicopter you see it the way it was meant to be seen, not squeezed into a boat window but open and whole. If you choose to land on top of it (and you can), the helicopter sets down on the plateau above the arch, and you step out onto stone that juts into the Tasman Sea. The wind is real there. The view doesn't diminish.

The whole thing runs on a minimum of two passengers, so you're not waiting for a full cabin to depart. You'll need to request your preferred departure time when you book. They'll work to match it as close as they can. Infants sit on an adult's lap. The flight suits any fitness level. You're sitting the whole time, and the helicopter does the work. By the time you land back in Paihia, you've crossed the Bay of Islands twice, seen the townships and the islands and that impossible arch, and you've done it from a vantage point that stays with you.

What’s included

Your flight includes helicopter transport over the Bay of Islands, pilot commentary identifying the islands, Cape Brett, the Hole in the Rock, and the townships of Russell, Paihia, and Waitangi. If you choose the landing option, you'll also step out on top of the Hole in the Rock itself before returning to Paihia.

Options for this experience

2 options

Scenic Helicopter FlightGuide in English · 00:00A 20-minute scenic flight over the Bay of Islands and the Hole in the Rock

Landing at Hole in the RockGuide in English · 00:00A scenic helicopter flight over the Bay of Islands, with a landing on the Hole in the Rock, where you can step out of the helicopter for 15 minutes to enjoy the views and take photos. Total duration: 35 minutes.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 5

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteNZ$ 20

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Salt Air Limited

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Bay of Islands' full geography and the Hole in the Rock from a perspective that ground-level tours can't offer. The helicopter does the traveling, so you only need to show up and look.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

Can I land on the Hole in the Rock?

Yes, landing on top of the Hole in the Rock is optional. The helicopter can set down on the plateau above the arch if you choose.

What's the minimum group size?

A minimum of 2 passengers is required to confirm a flight. Single passengers may be waitlisted pending further bookings.

Can infants fly on this tour?

Yes, infants are welcome and must sit on an adult's lap during the flight.

Do I need to be fit for this helicopter tour?

No, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You remain seated throughout the flight.

What time does the helicopter depart?

You can request your preferred departure time when booking. The operator will confirm a time as close to your request as possible.

What will I see on the Bay of Islands helicopter tour?

You'll see the main group of islands, the Hole in the Rock at Cape Brett, and fly over the historic townships of Russell, Paihia, and Waitangi.

Is commentary included?

Yes, the pilot provides scenic commentary throughout the flight.