8 Must-See Scenic Helicopter Tours Over Stunning Landscapes

Embarking on scenic helicopter tours offers a distinct opportunity to behold breathtaking landscapes from a bird's-eye perspective, transforming your sightseeing experience into an unforgettable adventure. Whether it's the majestic National Parks, the serene Great Smoky Mountains, or the vibrant urban landscapes, aerial views provided by helicopter rides grant you panoramic vistas that ground-level sightseeing can’t match. The advent of such aerial photography and scenic flights enables you to capture the grandeur of these locations in a way that is both unique and profound, ensuring that your travel by helicopter becomes a memorable experience marked by the unparalleled scenery below.

This article will guide you through 8 must-see scenic helicopter tours over stunning landscapes around the globe, from the iconic Grand Canyon in Arizona to the picturesque shores of Santorini, Greece. Each destination offers a unique set of vistas, whether it’s the sprawling reefs of Australia's Great Barrier Reef or the urban skyline of New York City, USA. Highlighting the flight duration, FAA-approved experienced pilots, and even the helicopter tours' TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, you'll find useful tips for planning your next helicopter flight near me. So, prepare for an aerial adventure that promises not only spectacular views but also the convenience and safety ensured by scenic helicopter tours.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour Overview

Experience the majestic Grand Canyon like never before with a helicopter tour that offers you panoramic views of one of the world's most iconic natural wonders. Fly over the deepest and widest parts of the Canyon, following the path of the mighty Colorado River from the South Rim to the North Rim. With tours departing from locations like Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon itself, you can select the perfect flight to match your travel plans and witness the breathtaking landscapes that can only be fully appreciated from above.

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour Highlights

Your helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon is not just a flight; it's an adventure that provides a unique perspective of the canyon’s vast expanse. Highlights of the tour include:

Soaring over key landmarks like Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Grand Wash Cliffs.
Experiencing the South Rim, North Rim, and the remote reaches of the East Rim, showcasing 1.7 million-year-old rock formations.
Opportunities for stunning aerial photography, capturing the rugged beauty of the canyon and the surrounding Kaibab Forest.
Opting for exclusive landing sites on Hualapai and Navajo Nation lands, where you can enjoy a champagne toast and refreshments right on the Canyon floor.

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour Pricing

The cost of a Grand Canyon helicopter tour varies based on several factors including the length of the flight, the specific route taken, and any additional experiences included such as Champagne landings or combined tours with ground excursions. Prices generally range from $200 to $500 per person, making it a flexible option for different budgets. Whether you’re looking for a quick overview or an extended exploration, there’s a helicopter tour to meet your needs and provide you with an unforgettable experience of the Grand Canyon.

Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai Helicopter Tour Overview

Explore the lush, tropical landscapes of Kauai from a unique vantage point. A helicopter tour over Kauai offers breathtaking views of dramatic cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and hidden valleys. Experience the island's natural wonders like the Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon, all from the comfort of a helicopter .

Kauai Helicopter Tour Highlights

Your aerial adventure will include:

Soaring over the colorful Waimea Canyon and the jagged cliffs of the Napali Coast.
Flying into the Waialeale Crater, surrounded by stunning waterfalls.
The opportunity to see remote valleys and the rugged interiors of Kauai, which are otherwise inaccessible .
Options for doors-off flights, providing unobstructed views ideal for photography and a more immersive experience .

Kauai Helicopter Tour Pricing

Helicopter tours in Kauai are priced between $200 to $400 per person, varying by tour length and passenger count. Some operators offer discounts for children, seniors, and military personnel. For an exclusive experience, private tours are available, ensuring the best seats and views .

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour Overview

Experience the Great Barrier Reef in a truly unique way with a helicopter tour that combines aerial views and underwater exploration. You'll appreciate the majesty of this World Heritage listed location both from above and below the water's surface. Choose from a variety of helicopter scenic flights and Great Barrier Reef combo packages that allow you to dive and snorkel in this spectacular setting .

Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour Highlights

Your helicopter tour will offer unforgettable sights and experiences:

Soar over the iconic Heart Reef, a naturally occurring heart-shaped coral formation.
Witness marine life such as sea turtles, manta rays, and vibrant schools of fish from above.
Enjoy the contrast of lush green vegetation on uninhabited islands against the backdrop of turquoise waters.
Embrace the vastness of the reef, stretching over 2,300 kilometers and comprising over 2,900 individual reefs .

Great Barrier Reef Helicopter Tour Pricing

Pricing for a Great Barrier Reef helicopter tour varies, typically ranging from $200 to $500 AUD per person for a 30-60 minute flight. Factors influencing cost include the departure location, tour duration, and the number of passengers .

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe & Zambia

Victoria Falls Helicopter Tour Overview

Embark on an aerial journey over Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. This helicopter tour gives you a unique aerial perspective as you soar over the mighty Zambezi River and witness the thundering waters cascading over the basalt cliffs. The flight provides a panoramic view of the surrounding rainforest and the expansive Zambezi National Park, making it a truly awe-inspiring experience.

Victoria Falls Helicopter Tour Highlights

During your helicopter flight, expect to:

Glide over Victoria Falls, experiencing the full majesty of its width and height, which is twice that of Niagara Falls.
Enjoy views of the Zambezi River and the Batoka Gorge, observing the natural beauty and wildlife that inhabit these areas.
Spot some of Africa's iconic wildlife, including elephants, Cape buffalo, and possibly even leopards or lions, from above.
Choose between standard tours lasting 12-15 minutes or opt for extended flights that include additional landmarks and experiences.

Victoria Falls Helicopter Tour Pricing

The cost of experiencing Victoria Falls from the sky varies:

Standard tours typically range from $150 to $200 per person, offering a comprehensive 12-15 minute flight.
Longer tours, which can include additional sights like the Batoka Gorge or a landing on Livingstone Island, range around $300 for a more in-depth exploration.
Ensure to check for additional fees such as fuel levies or government fees which may not be included in the base price.

Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers, New Zealand

New Zealand Glaciers Helicopter Tour Overview

Experience the majestic Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers on New Zealand's South Island with a helicopter tour that offers a bird's-eye view of these stunning ice formations. These tours not only provide a unique perspective of the glaciers but also include a landing, allowing you to explore the icy landscape up close .

New Zealand Glaciers Helicopter Tour Highlights

Your helicopter adventure will include:

Aerial views of the ice formations, crevasses, and seracs that characterize these glaciers.
A landing on the glacier, providing an opportunity to walk on and interact with the ancient ice.
The chance to witness the glaciers' dynamic nature and the sheer scale of their beauty .

New Zealand Glaciers Helicopter Tour Pricing

Helicopter tours vary in price depending on the duration and specific route. Options include:

A 20-minute Snow Landing tour, priced at $330 for adults.
The 30-minute Twin Glacier or Fox Glacier and Mount Cook tours, costing $425 per adult.
The 40-minute Mount Cook Spectacular, available for $580 per adult .

New York City, USA

New York City Helicopter Tour Overview

Embark on a breathtaking journey over New York City, one of the most iconic and vibrant cities in the world. A helicopter tour here offers you a unique perspective of the city's grandeur, soaring over landmarks like the Empire State Building and Central Park. During your flight, you'll witness the city's dynamic skyline, the winding rivers, and the bustling neighborhoods that define this metropolis.

New York City Helicopter Tour Highlights

Your aerial adventure will provide you with unforgettable views and experiences:

Marvel at the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge.
Fly over the poignant 9/11 Memorial and the historic Ellis Island.
Enjoy a bird's-eye view of diverse neighborhoods from Wall Street to Greenwich Village.
Experience the city's iconic landmarks including the Chrysler Building and One World Trade Center.

New York City Helicopter Tour Pricing

The cost of a New York City helicopter tour varies, typically ranging from $200 to $400 per person depending on the tour's length and features. Some tours offer enhancements like champagne toasts or guided landmark tours, adding to the experience .

Santorini, Greece

Santorini Helicopter Tour Overview

Experience Santorini from a spectacular vantage point with a helicopter tour that takes you over the island's famous caldera, volcanic islands, and stunning white-washed villages. Your journey begins at the heliport where you meet your private pilot, ready for a low-altitude flight that combines sightseeing with ultimate safety and comfort .

Santorini Helicopter Tour Highlights

During your 30-minute flight, you'll soar above Santorini's dramatic cliffs and the Aegean Sea, capturing views of the iconic villages of Oia and Fira with their distinctive blue-domed churches. Highlights include:

Hovering over the Red and Black sand beaches, observing their unique volcanic sand .
Flying over Nea Kameni, where you can see the young volcanic lands formed by the island's most recent eruptions .
Gliding past the vineyards that produce Santorini's famed wines, with a chance to see the traditional mansions of Megalochori .

Santorini Helicopter Tour Pricing

Helicopter tours in Santorini offer a range of options to accommodate different preferences and budgets. Prices start at approximately €150 per person for a shared tour, with private tours available up to €500 or more, providing an exclusive and intimate experience of the island's breathtaking scenery .

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour Overview

Experience the vibrant and iconic city of Rio de Janeiro from a unique vantage point with a helicopter tour. You'll be treated to panoramic views of famous landmarks like the Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the stunning beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. This tour offers a bird's-eye view of the city's diverse neighborhoods and lush, forested hills, making it a must-do activity for both tourists and locals.

Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour Highlights

During your helicopter tour, you'll soar over key attractions:

Marvel at the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Fly over the bustling downtown area and the scenic beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema.
Witness the contrast between the luxurious Beverly Hills of Rio and the vibrant favelas like Rocinha and Vidigal.
Enjoy views of the Maracanã Stadium, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, and the lush Tijuca Forest.

Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour Pricing

The cost of a helicopter tour in Rio de Janeiro varies, typically ranging from $100 to $300 per person, depending on the tour's duration and the package you choose. Some tours offer unique experiences such as doors-off flights for enhanced photography opportunities, providing an unforgettable way to experience the city's stunning natural beauty and iconic landmarks.

Conclusion

Through this exploration of the world's most breathtaking scenic helicopter tours, we've soared over iconic landscapes and witnessed the unparalleled beauty of our planet from a bird's-eye view. Whether over the expansive grandeur of the Grand Canyon, the lush rainforests of Kauai, the vivid hues of the Great Barrier Reef, or the dramatic falls of Victoria—each destination offers a unique perspective and an unforgettable experience. This guide has not only highlighted the essential details like tour highlights and pricing but has also aimed to ignite the spark of adventure in you, encouraging you to witness these wonders from the skies.

As we conclude our aerial journey, it's clear that the beauty of Earth's landscapes is boundless, offering myriad opportunities for exploration and appreciation. These helicopter tours promise not just a flight, but an adventure that stays with you long after you've landed. They remind us of the sheer majesty of nature and the many ways we can engage with our world. So, as you consider your next travel destination, remember the unparalleled views and unique experiences that await you in the clouds. Let the spirit of adventure guide you to your next spectacular aerial adventure, where the sky is not the limit but just the beginning.

FAQs

1. Which company is the largest provider of helicopter tours?
Papillon Helicopters holds the title of the largest helicopter sightseeing company. They offer a range of services including aerial tours and landing tours, primarily focusing on the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas areas. Additionally, they provide various combinations of helicopter, airplane, and bus tours, ranging from single-day to overnight experiences at the Grand Canyon.

2. What type of helicopter is most frequently used for tours?
The Bell 206L-3 helicopter is one of the most favored choices for charter tours due to its smooth flight and slightly larger cabin, making it comfortable and preferred by many.

3. How much time does a 6-mile helicopter ride typically take?
A 6-mile helicopter journey would typically last about 6 minutes, assuming a ground speed of 60 knots. However, this duration can vary significantly depending on several factors such as airport traffic patterns, the need for clearance, as well as current wind and weather conditions.

4. Is taking a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon a worthwhile experience?
Absolutely, especially if you are visiting from Las Vegas and have limited time. Opting for a helicopter tour to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is highly recommended as it offers a unique perspective and appreciation of the canyon's vastness and beauty, which is difficult to grasp from the ground alone.