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Explore Oahu’s best helicopter tour companies: customer reviews, ratings and locations.

Soaring above Oahu in a helicopter is a once in a lifetime experience, and not all tours and helicopter companies are the same. So which one should you go with? Each one has different helicopters, departure locations, tours, add-on options and price points.  The most popular operators offer doors-off options for free. To get the most out of your experience, you’ll want to check out customer reviews and ratings for the different helicopter companies.

With so many different options available, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best and highest rated helicopter operators on Oahu and put them all in one page below:

01. Rainbow Helicopters — (8 tours from Daniel K Inouye Intl. Airport)
02. Magnum Helicopters — (3 tours from Daniel K Inouye Intl. Airport)
03. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters — (3 tours from Daniel K Inouye Intl. Airport)
04. Paradise Helicopters — (15 tours from Kapolei and Kahuku)
05. Mauna Loa Helicopters — (4 tours from Daniel K Inouye Intl. Airport )

Rainbow Oahu helicopter tours flying above coastlines

Rainbow Helicopter tours flying Airbus Astar above Oahu’s iconic coastlines

01. — Rainbow Helicopters

Departure Location: Honolulu International Airport | Driving Directions
Helicopters: Airbus Astar, Robinson R44
Website: rainbowhelicopters.com

The largest and most popular helicopter tour operator on Oahu, Rainbow Helicopters excels at delivering outstanding air tour sightseeing experiences and offers a wide variety of Oahu helicopter tour adventures. Guests can choose to fly with their the popular “Doors off” at no extra charge in the Robinson R44 helicopters.

Rainbow offers the islands most popular daytime helicopter tour, as well as the Oahu’s legendary romantic proposal flights and premium luxury picnic helicopter experiences.

Experience the best of Oahu with iconic landmarks and epic views from above. See the Waikiki Skyline, Diamond Head, Makapu’u Lighthouse, Ko’olau Mountains, Ka’a’awa Valley, Sacred Falls, Pearl Harbor and more. The Waikiki Sunset helicopter tour is not to be missed!

Outstanding personalized service. The diverse and friendly multicultural staff take the Aloha to the next level and ensure that every aspect of your trip is amazing. Entire operation runs smoothly and efficiently.

In the Robinson R-44 helicopters (3 passengers), every guest has a window seat. The spacious Airbus Astar helicopters (6 passengers) are known for their luxurious, comfortable cabins as well as for the excellent panoramic views they provide from all seats.

Pssst! Sales are available often

Reviews: latest customer reviews.

Barbara BlanckJul 2022

Excellent experience. Conveniently located next to the airport, easy parking, comfortable waiting area, friendly staff to greet you and get you ready, amazing pilot, incredible sights all around the island - perfect trip all around!

JodyJul 2022

Amazing tour. Our pilot Oliver was fantastic and would highly recommend.

JimmyJul 2022

Best way to tour the island of Oahu. I recommend doors on after the doors off tour. You will be able to hold your camera without shaking from wind. The doors off is a once and a lifetime thrill and completely safe. The staff is incredible and very attentive to your needs...

KateJun 2022

It was an absolutely amazing experience! The best part of our trip for sure. Excellent customer service, very safe and super interesting! Thank you very much!

Magnum Oahu Helicopter Tour

Magnum Helicopters – doors off Oahu helicopter tour

02. — Magnum Helicopters

Departure Location: Honolulu International Airport | Driving Directions
Helicopter: Hughes Md 500
Website: magnumhelicopters.com

Magnum Helicopters offers a Doors-Off Helicopter Flight from Honolulu Airport in an aircraft modeled after the helicopter in the TV series, Magnum PI!

Experience an aerial tour of the island of Oahu, accompanied by great pilots that make you feel at ease. Treat yourself to some of Oahu’s best views from above.

  • Air-conditioned cabin
  • Bose noise cancelling headsets
  • Two-way communication allowing for conversation between passengers and the pilot
  • A 5-camera DVD recording system
  • First Class Seating with a wider view up front next to the pilot is available for couples.
  • Open Seating for up to 4 passengers is a bench seat in the back row.

Reviews:  latest customer reviews

Donna o.Golden, CO

“We recommend taking the doors-off helicopter tour of the island as soon as you can during your trip to Oahu!”

Steve S.Denver, CO

Found Magnum from performing a google search. Was a great tour.

Siaga E.Fremont, CA

My husband & I visited Oahu for vacation, Family recommended we do this helicopter tour.

Ruth Ann M.Scottsdale, AZ

Did you know Oahu looks just like the postcards and the opener of both Hawaii 5-0 series? You will when you take a Magnum ride!

Blue Hawaiian Helicopter above Kualoa Ranch

Blue Hawaiian Helicopter above Kualoa Ranch

03. — Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

Departure Location: Honolulu International Airport | Driving Directions
Helicopters: Airbus EC130
Website: bluehawaiian.com

Experience the magic of Oahu’s most historical sights and breathtaking views on a guided aerial tour with this Hawaii helicopter tour company.

Range of tours including the famed Complete Island tour of Oahu, you’ll experience all the spectacular sights that make Oahu so unique.

Daily flights take you above Oahu panoramic sights such as the sprawling Dole Plantation and the Waianae mountain range as well as the powerful historic sights of Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial.

Spacious Airbus EC130 “Eco-Star” and Airbus AS350 Astar helicopters offering excellent panoramic views and comfort.

  • Tour narration by pilots who are State of Hawaii Certified Tour Guides.
  • Air-conditioned cabin
  • Noise cancelling headsets
  • Two-way communication allowing for conversation between passengers and the pilot

Reviews: latest customer reviews.

Taylor W.Newport Beach, CA

I really just wanted to enjoy the scenery and good music playing during the ride and relax but the pilot spent the ENTIRE time talking and dropping foul language. F bombs every other sentence. Made a random comment about how complex the female anatomy was? ...

Daniel C.San Jose, CA

Amazing experience, very friendly pilot. I would recommend this tour. If you are in the area, price is worth it.

Samie L.Fairbanks, AK

One of the most memorable experiences you'll ever had in you're entire life. The team was really great and made things safe and easy!

Angela w.San Pedro, CA

The overall experience was good, just be aware that you should book direct to save money with a code from "airport". The flight was about 1 hour and we saw many beautiful mountain scenes...

Paradise Oahu helicopter tours landing in the valley

Paradise Helicopters – landing in a secluded valley tour on Oahu

04. — Paradise Helicopters

Departure Location: Honolulu International Airport | Driving Directions
Helicopters: Hughes MD 500Bell 407
Website: paradisecopters.com

Trace O’ahu’s carved ridges and fabled coastlines by air. Take flight with Paradise Helicopters and witness incredible views of Oahu’s top attractions

Enjoy an exciting doors-off flight over the top sights of the Oʻahu. See bustling Honolulu, the dramatic Koʻolau mountains, and the white sand beaches of Waikīkī.

Paradise Helicopters’ Diamond Head Scenic tour is a great way to see some of the most famous spots in Hawai‘i by air.

Veteran-owned helicopter business, received the high safety rating attainable from International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO™)

  • Narrated tour
  • Air-conditioned cabin
  • Noise cancelling headsets
  • Two-way communication allowing for conversation between passengers and the pilot

Reviews: latest customer reviews.

Jessica L.4 years ago

There's paid parking right in front of their office. Easy to get to and there were plenty of parking spots when we went.

Allyson D.Los Angeles, CA

Paige was an exceptional pilot and all the folks at Paradise Helicopters (those answering phones and greeting you upon check-in) were helpful and professional.

Christina D.West Palm Beach, FL

There was a location mixup and instead of making it right any day throughout our 18 day stay... they would only offer a 50% refund.
This was booked on the phone with their reservation center and confirmed 24 hours inaccurately in advance.

Holly S.The Tiffany, St. Louis, MO

Guys...seriously...if you could only pick ONE THING to do on the Big Island, you HAVE to do this tour. You must. Just Do it. (Don't write me letters, Nike) ‍

Top Oahu helicopter tour

Mauna Loa top helicopter tour flying above Oahu with the doors-off

05. — Mauna Loa Helicopters

Departure Location: Honolulu International Airport | Driving Directions
Helicopters: Robinson R44
Website: maunaloahelicoptertours.com

Experience Oahu’s ultimate helicopter tour in VIP luxury. Depart Honolulu airport and begin your helicopter adventure by flying over Waikiki’s shoreline, where the modern metropolis of Honolulu meets the white sands of Waikiki’s iconic beaches.

Enjoy an exciting doors-off flight over the top sights of the Oʻahu. See Diamond Head, Koko Head and the historic Makapu’u Point Lighthouse. Continuing north up the windward coast, you will pass over Kailua Beach, the famous landmark Chinaman’s hat and the pristine reefs of Kaneohe Bay

Iimpeccable safety record and Hawaii’s ONLY Private Helicopter Tour Company.

Make sure you look for promotion codes – Plus Free Pickup from Waikiki & Surrounding areas 🙂

  • Guaranteed window seats and your very own private pilot
  • Doors-on or doors-off option (at no extra cost)
  • Noise cancelling headsets
  • Two-way communication allowing for conversation between passengers and the pilot

Reviews: latest customer reviews.

Luis C.San Jose, CA

When it comes to social distancing (which is the proper thing to do in this covid era) there is no way to do it better than on a helicopter around one of the most beautiful places my eyes have ever seen...

Anna L.Walnut, CA

Surprised my husband during our trip to Oahu for our wedding anniversary. I bought the shared 60 minute doors off tour through our concierge at the hotel. Overall experience was amazing...

Mary F.Grafton, WI

We really enjoyed our 60 minute ride around Oahu. The pilot was professional and very safety focused which made this first time helicopter passenger feel comfortable...

Fay M.Honolulu, HI

Amazing experience! If you think Oahu is beautiful on the ground, the view from the air will take your breath away. Very thorough and professional driver and staff, and awesome pilot.

What kind of tour should I choose?

Go for a doors off helicopter tour if you have a sense of adventure and want to get the best unobstructed views. Soaring above Oahu in a helicopter is a once in a lifetime experience, and not all tours and helicopter operations are the same. Each operator has different tours, options and add-ons, so you’ll also want to check what kind of upgrades you can get for your flight. The most popular operators offer doors-off options for free.

 

2 Comments

  • Deborah H. says:

    Having all the heli tour operators in a list is really helpful – I chose Magnum because my son is a huge fan of of the show, but it’s great to see all the companies in one place for comparison.

    • Bobby Watanabe says:

      Thanks Deborah – this site is definitely a labor of love, I’m glad things worked out and you enjoyed your tour with Magnum!

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