Wright Brothers Helicopter Tour: Outer Banks from the air

See Kill Devil Hill and the Outer Banks from the helicopter where aviation history began

A helicopter tour of the Outer Banks takes you over the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Roanoke Sound, Nags Head Beach and Jockey's Ridge State Park in an 18-20 minute flight with live narration from an experienced pilot. Groups are small, two to three passengers per flight, and everyone gets a window seat. You'll fly low enough to spot dolphins and turtles along the coastline, and the headsets let you hear the guide over the engine noise.

Step-by-step itinerary

Helicopter tour over Outer Banks

• Board helicopter
• Fly over Wright Brothers Memorial
• See Kill Devil Hill from air
• View Roanoke Sound
• Fly over Nags Head Beach
• See Jockey's Ridge State Park
• Spot dolphins and turtles
• Return to landing

The experience

The tour departs with a maximum of three passengers in the helicopter, which means no middle seat and no waiting for someone else's view. The pilot narrates the flight in English, pointing out the landmarks below: the Wright Brothers National Memorial where the first powered flight took off, Kill Devil Hill where it happened, and the curve of Nags Head Beach and Jockey's Ridge State Park as they appear from above. The whole experience, from check-in to landing, runs about 30 minutes, with the actual flight time at 18-20 minutes.

All seats face the windows, and you'll wear noise-cancelling headsets so the live narration cuts through the rotor noise. The helicopter is air-conditioned, and the pilot is experienced enough to know where dolphins and turtles surface in Roanoke Sound. The weight limit is 300 pounds per person, with a 540-pound maximum per flight, so confirm your weight when you book if it's close to that threshold.

What’s included

• 18-20 minute helicopter flight.
• live narration from an experienced pilot.
• all window seats.
• noise-cancelling headsets.
• air-conditioned cockpit.
• small groups of two to three passengers.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day11 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 19:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by obx helicopter tours

Is this one for you?Small groups of two or three work well here because everyone gets a window and the pilot can answer questions during the flight. If you're traveling with one other person or a child, you'll have the whole side of the helicopter to yourselves.

Traveler reviews

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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.

What will I actually see on the Wright Brothers helicopter tour?

You'll see the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hill where the first powered flight happened, Roanoke Sound, Nags Head Beach, and Jockey's Ridge State Park from the air. The pilot points out these landmarks during the flight and watches for dolphins and turtles in the water below.

How long is the helicopter flight over the Outer Banks?

The flight itself runs 18-20 minutes, and the total experience from arrival to landing is about 30 minutes.

Will I have a window seat on this tour?

Yes, all seats on the helicopter face the windows, so everyone gets an unobstructed view throughout the flight.

How many people fly together on this helicopter tour?

The helicopter holds a minimum of two and a maximum of three passengers per flight, so you're never in a crowd.

Do I need to worry about hearing the pilot's narration over the helicopter noise?

No, you'll wear noise-cancelling headsets that let you hear the live narration clearly during the flight.