Oahu Helicopter ToursI

Makani Kai flies their tours in a 6-passenger Eurocopter A-star, which is the industry standard in touring helicopters in Hawaii. They feature Bose noise-canceling headsets, two-way communication with the pilot, air conditioning, 180 degree visibity, and they produce a video of your actual flight which is available for purchase. 

Pali Makani Tour - 30 minutes  $135pp 

This tour features everything on the Historic Honolulu Tour and continues on along the southern shore of the island, past Waikiki Beach, where you’ll see Diamond Head crater from a dramatic perspective, the “Gold Coast” where millionaires make their homes, and spectacular Hanauma Bay.  Rounding the east end of the island, you’ll see rugged coastline, inviting Sandy Beach and Makapuu Point and lighthouse. Your aerial tour continues over Sea Life Park, the estate where TV’s Magnum P.I. was filmed and miles of white sand beach. You’ll be treated to a stunning view of Mount Olomana and, later, the Nuuanu Pali where King Kamehameha’s warriors won a decisive battle to unite the islands.

Hidden Oahu Tour - 45 minutes  $190pp 

This spectacular tour shows you the very best of the island. Depending on weather conditions, the pilot will select the most suitable route to show passengers all the “must see” attractions and scenic vistas, from serene Keehi Lagoon and historic Honolulu Harbor, to Aloha Tower, Ala Moana Beach Park, Magic Island and world famous Waikiki Beach. On the eastern end of the island is Hanauma Bay, the remnants of a volcanic crater that is now a marine sanctuary and popular snorkel spot. Up next come the Halona Blowhole, Sandy Beach, Makapuu Point and lighthouse, and colorful Sea Life Park. After cruising above the powdery white sands of Waimanalo Beach, the tour continues over the gorgeous coral formations of Kaneohe Bay, distinctive Chinaman’s Hat, and then up into “Jurassic Park” valley, where a dozen major motion pictures have been filmed. The highlight of the tour is Sacred Falls, a shear and splendid 1,000-foot cascade. On your way over Oahu’s Central Plain, you’ll see the world’s largest agricultural maze at the Dole Pineapple Plantation and the “birthing stones” of Hawaiian royalty. Your tour concludes with a panoramic vista of Pearl Harbor.

Ali'i Tour - 60 minutes  $240pp 

This spectacular tour shows you the very best of the island. Depending on weather conditions, the pilot will select the most suitable route to show passengers all the “must see” attractions and scenic vistas, from serene Keehi Lagoon and historic Honolulu Harbor, to Aloha Tower, Ala Moana Beach Park, Magic Island and world famous Waikiki Beach. On the eastern end of the island is Hanauma Bay, the remnants of a volcanic crater that is now a marine sanctuary and popular snorkel spot. Up next come the Halona Blowhole, Sandy Beach, Makapuu Point and lighthouse, and colorful Sea Life Park. After cruising above the powdery white sands of Waimanalo Beach, the tour continues over the gorgeous coral formations of Kaneohe Bay, distinctive Chinaman’s Hat, and then up into “Jurassic Park” valley, where a dozen major motion pictures have been filmed. The highlight of the tour is Sacred Falls, a shear and splendid 1,000-foot cascade. On your way over Oahu’s Central Plain, you’ll see the world’s largest agricultural maze at the Dole Pineapple Plantation and the “birthing stones” of Hawaiian royalty. Your tour concludes with a panoramic vista of Pearl Harbor.

All prices on this page include taxes and fuel surcharges.

Please read the notes regarding passenger weights found in the activity tips section below if anyone in your party weighs over 250 pounds, or if the combined weight of two passengers exceeds 420 pounds.

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS

Makani Kai Helicopters provides complimentary transportation from the cruise ship dock. We also recommend that you consider a helicopter tour of Kauai if your cruise ship includes Kauai in its ports of call. See the following link for more information on Kauai helicopter tours. 

ACTIVITY TIPS

It never ceases to amaze us that people spend thousands of dollars to come to Hawaii, but think it is too expensive to spend another $200 to REALLY see the islands from a helicopter. There is so much beauty that you cannot see any other way. Do yourself a favor and SPLURGE! You will thank us. 

Best time of day to fly? Mid-morning provides the best lighting and least cloud cover. These times are the most popular and sell out in advance; you have an advantage over most people if you are reading these words before you come to Hawaii. Get your reservation made now so that you can get the best flight time available. 

Wear dark shirts when you fly in a helicopter. It cuts down on glare on the windows and improves the quality of pictures that you might take. GET YOURSELF A POLARIZING FILTER ... it will help remove those little ghostly glares on the windows so your camera can focus on the waterfall. One of these filters will also improve pictures that you take of the ocean and sky. You'll see a lot more blue.

A word about body weights ... almost all helicopter companies in Hawaii charge extra for passengers who weigh over 250 pounds, and Makani Kai is no exception. The charge 50% of the cost of a second seat for passengers who weigh over 250 pounds, and they charge 100% of the cost of a second seat for passengers who weigh over 300 pounds.In addition, if any two passengers have a combined weight over 420 pounds they must pay 50% of the cost of a third seat. PLEASE be VERY ACCURATE when you state your body weight ... this information is required by the FAA for the weight and balance of the aircraft. Understating one's body weight can cause real problems at flight time, and in extreme cases can cause someone to be bumped from the flight without a refund.

Lots of people ask about sitting up front. There is no way to reserve the front seats, or to pay extra for the front seats. The seating in the aircraft is determined at flight time based upon safely balancing the aircraft. While it is a bonus to sit up front, visibility in A-star helicopters is excellent and you'll have a great flight no matter where you sit in the aircraft.

Oahu Helicopter Reservations

Upon submitting your activity reservation for processing, we will make reservations for you and send an e-mail confirming all of the details. These confirmations are often sent a few minutes after your reservation, but some activities take longer to confirm than others. You will receive an e-mail confirmation by the end of the next business day at the latest. There are no tickets that you need to pick up prior to your event. Your e-mail confirmation will have all the details you need to check in and enjoy your selected activity. This saves you precious time when you arrive in Hawaii. 

Please be sure that you have typed your email address perfectly; an incorrect address will prevent you from getting your confirmation details, and we will have no way of knowing that you never received your confirmation. We cannot be responsible for errors that clients make which causes them to miss their tour. If you do not see your email confirmation within 24 hours please call us right away to check on the status of your order.

A credit card is required to guarantee payment for your reservations, but the activities on this page ARE NOT CHARGED when your order is placed. These activities are operated by vendors who charge you at the time of check-in for your activity. Adventureinhawaii.com will provide this vendor with your billing information so that your space is reserved. Even though your credit card is not charged in advance, it is import to realize that you are making a confirmed reservation. No-shows will be charged in full by the activity provider on the credit card used to secure the reservation .

After making reservations, you may reschedule or cancel your activity up until 48 hours prior to its start (a few activities have 72 hour cancellation policies ... see your confirmation e-mail for details). Within 48 hours of the start of your activity all reservations are final and non-refundable (unless the event is cancelled by the vendor due to weather or other factors ... in which case you are refunded in full). Due to our incredible climate here, weather cancellations are rare.  No-shows and cancellations without adequate notice are charged in full on the credit card used to secure the reservation and are non-refundable.