Oahu Helicopter Tour 30 Minutes: Doors Off & Pearl Harbor

See all of Oahu's volcanic peaks without leaving the island?

You’ll fly above Oahu’s iconic sights: Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head crater, Hanauma Bay’s wild colors, Makapu’u Lighthouse, Mt. Olomana’s peaks, lush Nu’uanu Valley rain forest, and historic Pearl Harbor, with a local guide narrating every turn. Choose doors-off for pure adrenaline or keep them on if you prefer comfort. Either way you’ll remember that feeling of wind and wonder long after landing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Oahu Helicopter Tour Highlights

• Your helicopter sightseeing begins over South Shore, viewing Honolulu skyline and Diamond Head crater
• Fly over Hanauma Bay’s coral reefs and volcanic cliffs
• Pass Makapu’u Point and Windward Coast beaches
• See the three peaks of Mt. Olomana
• View lush Nu’uanu Valley rainforest
• Fly through Nu’uanu Pali cliffs and rainforests towards Pearl Harbor
• Pass over USS Arizona Memorial
• Get a bird's eye view of Waikiki Beach shoreline

The experience

Li, our pilot, grinned as he handed me the phone strap and checked my jacket. “You sure you want doors off?” I nodded, but honestly my hands were already cold just thinking about it. The rotors started up and suddenly Honolulu shrank beneath us. I could smell salt in the air and hear my heart thumping louder than the engine for a second. Flying over Waikiki Beach felt unreal: all those tiny umbrellas and surfers looked like toys. Li pointed out Diamond Head’s crater edge. It’s so much sharper from above than I’d ever guessed standing on the sand.

We curved along Hanauma Bay and the water was this weirdly clear green-blue: like someone had turned up the color by accident. The wind whipped at my sleeves (doors off is no joke), but I didn’t care because Makapu’u Lighthouse flashed white against the cliffs and then we were suddenly over Mt. Olomana. Li told us locals call it “divided hill”: three sharp peaks in a row, almost cartoonish. He laughed when I tried to say Olomana properly. Probably butchered it.

The clouds hung low over Nu’uanu Valley, making everything below look secretive and damp. For a minute there was just silence except for the headset crackle and that deep green everywhere. Then we swung past Pearl Harbor. You could see the USS Arizona Memorial like a pale scar on blue water. That part hit harder than I expected. We circled back toward Waikiki, sun already slipping behind the city towers, and I realized my face hurt from grinning so much. Still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home.

What’s included

Your flight includes a friendly local guide at the controls who narrates each landmark as you go along with parking fees covered and a phone strap provided to keep your device safe during those windy moments overhead.

Options for this experience

4 options

Private tour with doors offGuide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 17:00Private tour: keep your tour exclusive to just your own party

Doors Off TourGuide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 17:00Helicopter with doors off

Doors On TourGuide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 17:00Helicopter with doors on

Private tour with doors onGuide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 17:00Private tour: keep your tour exclusive to just your own party

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

Information

Lasts 30m, runs every day, 8 start times, from US$ 440 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00

GroupUp to 151 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

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

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (2 and older) · Infant (under 2): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Rainbow Helicopters

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 2): 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. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Oahu helicopter tour?

The helicopter tour lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Is there a doors-off option for this flight?

Yes, you can choose between doors-off or doors-on when booking.

What landmarks do you see during the tour?

You’ll see Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head crater, Hanauma Bay, Makapu’u Lighthouse, Mt. Olomana peaks, Nu’uanu Valley rain forest, Pearl Harbor, and USS Arizona Memorial.

Are there weight restrictions for flying doors off?

Yes. Passengers must weigh at least 80 lbs (Robinson R44) or 100 lbs (Airbus Astar) to fly with door off.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup. Parking fees are included instead.

Is the helicopter tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, this experience is wheelchair accessible.

What should I wear for a doors-off helicopter flight?

You’ll need jackets or sweatshirts, closed-toe shoes, long pants recommended. Hair ties required for long hair.