Honolulu: Private Helicopter Tour Oahu Landmarks & 1hr Flight

Oahu’s icons from above on a private helicopter flight

You’ll feel your heart race as you lift off from Honolulu for an hour-long private helicopter tour circling Oahu’s famous landmarks—Waikiki’s beaches, Diamond Head’s jagged rim, Hanauma Bay’s wild blues, and the solemn USS Arizona Memorial. With a local pilot guiding you and your camera secure on its lanyard, expect moments that stick with you long after landing.

What’s included

Your experience includes a 60-minute private helicopter flight around Oahu with a friendly local pilot sharing stories along the way; plus they hand out cell phone lanyards at check-in so your phone stays safe while snapping photos out over Waikiki or Sacred Falls before returning to land at HNL airport.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

96 verified traveler reviews

Ratings come from travelers who booked this exact experience. We never edit or filter them.

Read all the reviews ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Scenic 60-minute helicopter tour

• Start and stop at Honolulu Airport
• Fly over Sand Island and Honolulu Harbor
• View Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island
• See Ala Wai Harbor and Waikiki
• Pass Diamond Head and Ala Wai Golf Course
• Fly over Waialae Golf Course and Honolulu Downtown
• View Punch Bowl Cemetery and H201 Interchange
• See Moanalua Gardens and H3 Highway
• Pass Aloha Stadium and Pearl Harbor Memorial
• Fly over Navy-Marine Golf Course and USS Missouri
• View Navy ship retired fleet and Hanauma Bay
• See famous blow hole and Sandy’s beach
• Pass Makapuu Point and Makapuu Light House
• View Pele’s chair and Rabbit Island
• Fly over OloMana and Pali Lookout
• See Gilligan’s Island and China Man’s Hat
• Pass Marine Corp Base Hawaii and Kaneohe Bay
• View Jurassic Park and Sacred Falls
• Fly over Laie Arch and Mormon Temple
• See Turtle Bay and Sunset Beach
• Pass Bonsai Pipeline and Waimea Bay
• View Haleiwa Town and Oahu Central Valley
• Fly over Dole Pineapple Plantation and Dole Maze
• See Arizona Memorial and USS Utah
• Pass Federal Penitentiary and Tripler’s pink Hospital

The Experience

I’ll admit I was a little nervous when we got to the helipad at Honolulu Airport—my hands kept fiddling with the cell phone lanyard they gave us (which turned out to be more useful than I thought). Our pilot, Kaleo, had this calm way about him—he joked about how even locals never get tired of seeing Waikiki from above. The rotors started up and honestly, my stomach did a flip. Then we lifted off and suddenly Honolulu looked like a model city under glass, all those tiny cars and surf breaks curling in slow motion.

We circled over Diamond Head and I could see the ridges so clearly—like someone had drawn them in with charcoal. Kaleo pointed out Hanauma Bay, which was this wild shade of blue I’d never seen before (I tried to say it in Hawaiian and he just grinned). The wind through the open doors felt sharp on my arms but not cold, more like standing near the ocean after a rain. At one point we passed over the Dole Plantation—rows of pineapple plants neat as stitches—and then swung wide toward the North Shore. He told us stories about each spot; some were funny, some kind of sad. I still think about that view over Sacred Falls—so green it almost hurt my eyes.

The whole flight lasted an hour but it felt weirdly timeless up there. We hovered above the USS Arizona Memorial for a moment, and it got quiet in our headsets. Even though you’re flying fast, there are these pockets of silence where you just watch Oahu slide by underneath. By the time we landed back at HNL I realized my cheeks hurt from grinning so much. If you’re thinking about a private helicopter tour in Honolulu—even if you’re a little scared—it’s worth it just for that feeling when you first see the island open up below you.

Top questions

How long is the private helicopter tour in Honolulu?

The full flight lasts 60 minutes around Oahu.

Which landmarks do you see on this Oahu helicopter tour?

You’ll fly over Waikiki, Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Dole Plantation, and USS Arizona Memorial among others.

Where does the helicopter tour start and end?

The tour starts and ends at Honolulu International Airport (HNL).

Are doors optional on this helicopter tour?

Yes, you can choose to fly with or without doors.

How many people can join each flight?

Each private flight has two to three seats available.

Is pickup included for this tour?

No hotel pickup is included; tours depart from HNL airport.

What should I bring for photos during the flight?

A cell phone lanyard is provided so your phone stays secure while taking pictures.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.