Oahu Helicopter Tour: Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head & North Shore

Lifting off over Oahu: Pearl Harbor, waterfalls, and the North Shore from above

You rise from the heliport and spend the flight looking straight down at Oahu's most significant landmarks: Pearl Harbor's nine historic sites, Diamond Head's volcanic cone, Kualoa Ranch's 4,000 acres, a forbidden 1,100-foot waterfall, and the North Shore's famous reef formations. The Eco-Star helicopter has a full glass bubble, Bose noise-cancelling headsets, and a pilot who's also a certified tour guide providing live narration. You arrive 45 minutes early for safety briefing and weight check, then fly the route in one continuous loop that covers what would take days to see from the ground.

Step-by-step itinerary

Oahu aerial highlights tour

• Buckle up in Eco-Star helicopter
• View Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial
• See Pearl Harbor National Memorial
• Fly over Honolulu city and Waikiki
• Admire Diamond Head volcanic cone
• Spot marine wildlife at reef preserve
• Pass Lanikai Beach white sands
• Fly over Kualoa Ranch and mountain range
• View forbidden 1,100ft waterfall
• See North Shore surf coast and historic town

The experience

The helicopter lifts off and the island spreads below you all at once. Waikiki's high-rises drop away, and then you're looking straight down at Pearl Harbor: the USS Arizona Memorial visible from above, the water still and dark where it sits. The pilot's voice comes through the Bose headsets, calm and clear, pointing out the nine historic sites that make up the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. You've got a full glass bubble around you, so there's nowhere to hide from the view. This is the Oahu helicopter tour that lets you see what most visitors never do: the scale of the island, the way the valleys fold into each other, the waterfalls that only exist if you're looking from the air.

After Pearl Harbor, the helicopter banks toward Diamond Head. You see it from the side now, the volcanic cone sharp and sudden against the coast, and then Honolulu spreads out below: the grid of streets, the curve of Waikiki Beach with its golden line of sand. The pilot narrates as you go, a State of Hawaii Certified Tour Guide who knows what you're looking at and why it matters. You pass over Lanikai Beach next, the water so clear you can see the reef formations beneath it, and then the helicopter turns north toward Kualoa Ranch. The 4,000-acre private reserve sprawls below, the same landscape where they filmed movies you've probably seen. The Ko'olau mountain range rises up sharp and green, the remnants of an old volcano, and somewhere in that range is a 1,100-foot waterfall that's forbidden to reach any other way. The helicopter gets you there.

The North Shore comes into view last: the "7-mile miracle" of reef and surf that makes it world-famous. You can see the waves breaking in lines, the way the reef formations shape the water, the small surf town with its shops and laid-back vibe tucked into the coast. The whole flight is narrated, but it's not overwhelming. The 2-way microphone lets you ask the pilot questions if something catches your eye. Check-in is 45 minutes before takeoff, which gives time for a safety briefing and weight check: the aircraft balances carefully, and if you're over 240 pounds, you'll need an adjacent empty seat (charged at half price). Hats, bags, and iPads stay behind. The glass needs to stay clear. Weather calls happen up to 15 minutes before departure, and the sights can shift depending on conditions, but the route covers the same landmarks every time: Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, the waterfalls, Kualoa Ranch, and the North Shore all in one flight.

What’s included

• Use of Bose Aviation-grade noise-cancelling headsets with 2-way microphone communication to the pilot.
• live narration in English from a State of Hawaii Certified Tour Guide.
• all fees and taxes.
• views of Pearl Harbor National Memorial and USS Arizona Memorial, Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, Lanikai Beach, Kualoa Ranch, the Ko'olau mountain range, a 1,100-foot waterfall, and the North Shore's famous surf breaks.
• 45-minute pre-flight check-in for safety briefing and weight verification.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to Friday5 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 15:45

Book up to12h before

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

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

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 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Blue Hawaiian Helicopters - Turtle Bay

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Oahu's major landmarks (Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, the waterfalls, and the North Shore) in one flight without spending days driving between them. The helicopter and glass bubble do the work of getting you to places you can't reach from the ground.

Top questions

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.

Can children fly on this tour?

Yes. Children 23 months and younger ride free as lap children. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. All other children pay regular price.

What do I need to bring or wear?

Wear dark clothing to reduce reflections in photos. The aircraft is temperature-controlled. Leave behind hats, scarves, bandanas, iPads, tablets, selfie sticks, and bags: only essentials fit on board. Bring a credit card if you want to purchase video or photo packages at the heliport.

What if I'm over 240 pounds?

You'll need to purchase an adjacent empty seat to safely balance the aircraft. The second seat costs half the regular tour price. Arrange this after booking.

Can I scuba dive before or after the tour?

Do not scuba dive within 24 hours of flying. Plan your diving for at least a day before or after the helicopter tour.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Weather is monitored constantly. A weather call may be made up to 15 minutes before takeoff. If conditions aren't safe, the tour will be rescheduled or refunded. Tour sights may vary depending on weather on the day you fly.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes use of Bose noise-cancelling headsets, 2-way communication with the pilot, live narration in English, the pilot guide (who is state-certified), and all fees and taxes. Gratuity is not included and is optional.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the aircraft.