Honolulu: 30-Minute Helicopter Tour Diamond Head & Waikiki

See Oahu's Coastline in Half an Hour, From the Air

You board a shared helicopter with two to three passengers, wear a headset, and spend 30 minutes circling Oahu's south shore from Waikiki past Diamond Head, Koko Head, and Makapuʻu Lighthouse. Doors are optional for photos. Cell phone lanyard and headset included. Book online or call for same-day availability.

Step-by-step itinerary

30-minute shared helicopter tour

• Start and stop at Honolulu Airport
• Fly over Sand Island and Honolulu Harbor
• Pass Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island
• View Ala Wai Harbor and Waikiki
• See Diamond Head and Waialae Golf Course
• Fly over Honolulu Downtown and Punch Bowl Cemetery
• Pass H201 Interchange and Black Point Sea Pools
• View Moanalua Gardens and H3 Highway
• Fly over Aloha Stadium

The experience

What does Honolulu look like when you're not standing in it? That's the question a 30-minute helicopter tour answers. The flight starts over Waikiki's shoreline (the high-rises and beach you know from ground level shrink into a strip of sand and concrete), then banks toward Diamond Head, the volcanic cone that's been staring back at the city since 1927. From there the route traces Oahu's south shore, past Koko Head, Makapuʻu Lighthouse, and the black-sand beaches and tide pools that most visitors never reach on foot.

You're in a shared flight, which means two to three passengers total, so it's not a crowded cabin. The doors are optional: some people want them off for photos, others keep them on. Either way, you get a cell phone lanyard and an aviation headset so you can hear the pilot and each other over the rotor noise. The whole thing takes 30 minutes from takeoff to landing, which sounds short until you realize you've covered the stretch of coast that would take an hour or two to drive, and you've seen it from an angle that changes everything. Honolulu Harbor, Ala Moana Beach Park, Magic Island, the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor. They're all down there, arranged like a map you're reading from above.

Weight limits apply on shared flights: if your party of two combined weighs over 380 pounds, you'd need to upgrade to a private flight for an extra fee. For last-minute bookings within 12 hours, call or email directly: shorter, lower-cost flights might still be available. The helipad is accessible by public transportation, and the flight suits most fitness levels since you're sitting the whole time.

What’s included

• Your flight includes a cell phone lanyard to secure your device, an aviation headset so you can hear the pilot and fellow passengers, and 30 minutes in the air over Waikiki, Diamond Head, Koko Head, Makapuʻu Lighthouse, and Oahu's south shore.
• Doors are optional for photography.
• Public transportation access is available to the helipad.

Information

Lasts 30m, runs every day, 15 start times, from US$ 319 per person, with a live guide in English, German and Russian, in groups of up to 3 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to Thursday: 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00 and 16:30Friday: 08:00, 08:30, 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00 and 16:30Saturday and Sunday: 08:00, 08:30, 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00 and 16:30

GroupUp to 3

Live guideEnglish, German and Russian

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

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.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.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Honolulu Helicopter Tours

Is this one for you?Right for travelers with limited time in Honolulu who want to see Oahu's coastline without a full-day commitment. The 30 minutes is tight, but that's what keeps the cost down and fits into a morning or afternoon without eating your whole day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Russian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many people fit on the helicopter?

Two to three passengers per shared flight, plus the pilot.

Can I take photos with the doors off?

Yes, doors are optional. You can choose to remove them or keep them on.

What's included?

Cell phone lanyard, aviation headset, and the 30-minute flight over Waikiki, Diamond Head, Koko Head, and Makapuʻu Lighthouse.

Is there a weight limit?

On shared flights, a party of two cannot exceed 380 pounds combined. If you exceed this, you can upgrade to a private flight for an additional fee.

How do I book last-minute?

Call or email directly for availability within 12 hours. Shorter, lower-cost flights may also be available.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

No, it's suitable for all fitness levels since you're seated the entire flight.

Is public transportation available to the helipad?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby.

What if I want a private flight instead?

Private flights are available at a higher cost. Contact the operator for pricing and availability.