City By The Sea – 20 Min Helicopter Tour – Doors Off or On

Soaring over the vibrant skyline of Honolulu, the 20-minute City by the Sea helicopter tour offers an unparalleled aerial adventure. Passengers can customize their experience, choosing to fly with doors on or off, and witness the stunning landscapes of Oahu, from the iconic Waikiki beach to the dramatic Diamond Head crater. This tour provides an exhilarating and unique perspective, capturing the natural beauty that has made this island destination a beloved favorite among travelers. With convenient transportation and ample parking, the stage is set for an unforgettable aerial exploration – one that just might leave you wondering what other secrets the city by the sea holds.

This experience made our list of the 9 Best Helicopter Flights And Tours In Honolulu.

Key Points

• This 20-minute helicopter tour provides aerial views of Honolulu’s city skyline, Waikiki beach, Diamond Head crater, Punchbowl Crater, and Pearl Harbor.
• Passengers can choose to fly with doors on or off, with specific requirements for the doors-off experience.
• The tour departs from Rainbow Oahu Helicopter Tours in Honolulu, with ample parking available across the street.
• The tour has a 4.9-star rating, with 97% of passengers recommending the experience and 94% of reviews being 5 stars.
• Infants must sit on laps, and all passengers 24 months and older must purchase a full-fare seat.

Tour Overview

The tour offers a 20-minute helicopter flight over the island of Oahu, providing aerial views of Honolulu‘s city skyline, the iconic Waikiki beach, the distinctive Diamond Head crater, the historic Punchbowl Crater, and the solemn Pearl Harbor site.

Passengers can choose to fly with doors on or off, and an upgrade to a private flight is available.

The tour departs from Rainbow Oahu Helicopter Tours in Honolulu, with parking available across the street.

Safety is the primary concern, and the operator reserves the right to refuse service to intoxicated passengers.

Specific requirements apply for the doors-off experience, and weight restrictions are in place for those flights.

Itinerary Highlights

During the 20-minute helicopter tour, passengers get to witness an array of Oahu’s iconic landmarks and natural wonders. They’ll first fly over Honolulu Harbor and the South Shore, offering bird’s-eye views of the city skyline.

Then, they’ll circle around the distinctive Diamond Head crater and the historic Punchbowl Crater, home to the U.S. National Military Cemetery of the Pacific.

The tour also includes:

• A flyover of the Battleship Missouri and the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor
• A chance to see Oahu’s stunning natural landscapes from an unparalleled vantage point
• The opportunity to customize the experience with the doors-on or doors-off option

Meeting Point and Transportation

Rainbow Oahu Helicopter Tours, located at 155 Kapalulu Pl #197 in Honolulu, serves as the meeting point for this tour.

Ample parking is available in the lot across the street from the tour’s departure point.

Once the tour concludes, passengers will return to the same meeting location where they began.

Getting to the meeting point is straightforward, with the helicopter tour company conveniently situated. Drivers can easily park and then walk over to the tour check-in area.

After the 20-minute aerial adventure, guests will wrap up their experience right back where they started, making for a seamless and hassle-free transportation experience.

Booking and Policies

City By The Sea – 20 Min Helicopter Tour – Doors Off or On

Confirmation is received at the time of booking for this helicopter tour.

Safety is the primary concern, and the operator reserves the right to refuse service to intoxicated passengers.

Specific requirements apply for the doors-off experience, including the need for jackets, closed-toe shoes, hair ties, and long pants. Weight restrictions also apply for doors-off flights.

Infants must sit on laps, and all passengers 24 months and older must purchase a full-fare seat.

Reviews and Ratings

With a Badge of Excellence and 29 reviews, the helicopter tour over the City By The Sea has earned high marks from previous passengers. Guests have raved about the breathtaking views of Honolulu’s skyline, Diamond Head, and Pearl Harbor, with one reviewer calling it "the highlight of our trip." The tour has a 4.9-star rating, and 97% of passengers said they would recommend the experience to a friend.

Rating	Percentage
5 stars	94%
4 stars	6%
3 stars	0%

The overwhelming positive feedback suggests this helicopter tour is a must-do activity for anyone visiting Oahu.

Aerial Views and Photography

The helicopter tour offers unparalleled aerial perspectives of Oahu’s most iconic landmarks, allowing passengers to snap breathtaking photos from the sky.

Whether you choose the doors-on or doors-off experience, you’ll have ample opportunities to capture stunning images of:

• Honolulu’s gleaming skyscrapers and the vibrant Waikiki Beach
• The distinctive silhouette of Diamond Head and the verdant Punchbowl Crater
• The solemn memorial at Pearl Harbor and the majestic Battleship Missouri

With the pilot’s expert guidance, you’ll have a front-row seat to Oahu’s natural beauty and historical sites, making this helicopter tour a truly unforgettable photographic adventure.

Customizable Options

Passengers can customize their helicopter tour experience to suit their preferences, with the option to fly with the doors on or off.

Those looking for an unobstructed aerial adventure can choose the doors-off experience, which offers a thrilling, open-air panorama. It does come with some special requirements, like wearing a jacket, closed-toe shoes, and having long hair tied back.

Alternatively, passengers can opt for the doors-on option, which provides a more enclosed and stable ride. This choice is ideal for those seeking a comfortable sightseeing experience or who prefer to avoid the wind and noise of the open-air flight.

Regardless of the door configuration, the tour’s aerial perspectives of Honolulu, Diamond Head, and Pearl Harbor remain equally breathtaking.

Safety and Requirements

Maintaining safety is of paramount importance, and the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to any intoxicated passengers.

Specific requirements apply for the doors-off experience, including the need to wear a jacket, closed-toe shoes, and have long hair tied back. Weight restrictions also apply for this option, ensuring a secure and comfortable flight for all.

The tour offers the following safety and requirement details:

• Jackets, closed-toe shoes, and hair ties are required for the doors-off experience
• Weight restrictions are in place to maintain balance and stability during the flight
• All passengers 24 months and older must purchase a full fare seat, with infants required to sit on laps

These measures prioritize the well-being of all participants, creating an exceptional and safe helicopter tour experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Helicopter Pilot Licensed and Experienced?

The helicopter pilots operating this tour are licensed and experienced aviators. They undergo rigorous training to ensure passenger safety and provide knowledgeable commentary during the aerial sightseeing experience.

Can I Bring a Personal Camera/Video Equipment?

Yes, passengers are welcome to bring personal cameras and video equipment on the helicopter tour. However, operators may have restrictions on where and when equipment can be used to prioritize safety and the overall experience.

How Many People Can Fit in the Helicopter?

The helicopter can accommodate up to 6 passengers, depending on the model and weight restrictions. Specific seating capacity may vary, so it’s best to confirm the details with the tour operator when booking the tour.

Is There a Weight Limit per Passenger?

There are weight restrictions for the doors-off helicopter flights. Passengers must meet specific weight requirements to ensure the safety and balance of the aircraft. The exact weight limit per passenger is not explicitly stated in the provided information.

Do I Need to Sign Any Waivers Before the Flight?

Yes, passengers must sign a waiver before the helicopter flight. The waiver outlines the inherent risks of the experience and requires passengers to acknowledge and assume those risks. Signing the waiver is mandatory for all participants.

Recap

The City by the Sea helicopter tour provides an unparalleled aerial experience over Oahu’s stunning landscapes.

With the option to fly with doors on or off, passengers can customize their adventure and capture breathtaking photos of Honolulu’s skyline, Waikiki beach, and iconic landmarks.

Conveniently located in Honolulu, this tour offers a hassle-free transportation experience, ensuring a memorable and thrilling aerial exploration of the island.