City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On in Honolulu
Honolulu, United States

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

Outty Ranking 62 4.9 · 33 traveler reviews0.3 hoursFrom $405

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$405
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Outty Ranking

62/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 33 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On worth booking?

City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On is a 0.3-hour experience in Honolulu, United States, from $405 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 33 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
62 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (33)
Duration
0.3 hours
From
$405 per person

Soar over the Honolulu skyline and Waikiki's white-sand beaches as you discover the seaside city of Oahu. Enjoy views of Diamond Head, Punchbowl Crater, and the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Choose our excitin

What you get

    About this experience

    Soar over the Honolulu skyline and Waikiki's white-sand beaches as you discover the seaside city of Oahu. Enjoy views of Diamond Head, Punchbowl Crater, and the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Choose our exciting doors-off option and get crystal clear photographs of this beautiful city.

    What's included

    Included

    • Phone Strap
    • Parking fees

    Not included

    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Rainbow Helicopters

      Fly high above the world famous city of Honolulu on our City-By-The-Sea helicopter tour. Your helicopter takes off from Honolulu International Airport and takes you over Honolulu Harbor and Oahu’s beautiful South Shore.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Honolulu

      Flying past Honolulu's skyline, you can see the busy shops of the Ala Moana Center and the popular picnic grounds of Magic Island.

      Pass by without stopping

    3. Waikiki Beach

      As you near the white-sand beaches of Waikiki marvel at the multitude of surfers, beachgoers, sailboats, and swimmers savoring the beauty and joy of the island affectionately known as The Gathering Place.

      Pass by without stopping

    4. Diamond Head State Monument

      Rising from Waikiki's beaches is mighty Diamond Head. Your bird's eye view will let you peer directly into the crater and wave to the hikers on the ridge beneath you.

      Pass by without stopping

    5. Pearl Harbor National Memorial

      After flying over Punchbowl Crater and the U.S. National Military Cemetery of the Pacific, you head for Pearl Harbor.

      Pass by without stopping

    6. USS Arizona Memorial

      At the famous port, you will pass over the USS Arizona memorial and the famous Battleship Missouri. At the end of your tour, you will understand why so many people fall in love with this city-by-the-sea.

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Honolulu

    We are located in the Caste and Cooke Aviation building. Please park in the lot to the left across the street.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    We are located in the Caste and Cooke Aviation building. Please park in the lot to the left across the street.

    Options you can book

    • Doors OFF Private Tour

      Private Tour: Make your tour private with just your party!

    • Doors ON Tour

      Doors On Helicopter

    • Doors OFF Tour

      Doors Off Helicopter

    • Doors On Private Tour

      Doors ON Private Tour: Make your tour private with just your party!

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Rainbow Helicopters

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Safety of flight is our primary concern. The operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or appear to be intoxicated. Intoxicated passengers will not fly and they will be charged in full.
    • For doors off tours, jackets and/or sweatshirts, closed toe shoes, and hair ties are required. Long pants are recommended.
    • When booking the doors off experience, your seat may or may not be directly adjacent to an open door.
    • Only passengers weighing 80 lbs or more may fly with the door off in our Robinson R44 helicopter. Only passengers weighing 100 lbs or more may fly with the door off in our Airbus Astar helicopter.
    • All passengers 24 months and older must purchase a full fare seat.
    • For each guest weighing 250 pounds or more, a weight and balance fee is required to safely balance the aircraft. For guests weighing between 250-275 lbs, a fee in the amount of 50% of the seat price will be assessed after booking. For guests weighing 275 lbs or higher, an additional seat purchase will be assessed after booking.

    Photos

    City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On in Honolulu, photo 2City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On in Honolulu, photo 3City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On in Honolulu, photo 4City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On in Honolulu, photo 5City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On in Honolulu, photo 6City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On in Honolulu, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 33 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Photo opportunities

    5 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Organization

    2 mentions

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Traveler reviews

    33 verified traveler reviews for City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    31
    4 star
    2
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Tatev_D · July 2025

    Amazing experience

    I recently had the opportunity to take a helicopter flight, and it was absolutely unforgettable! From start to finish, the experience was smooth, professional, and exhilarating.

    Response from the operator: Aloha Tatev, We’re so glad to hear your City By The Sea tour was such an amazing experience! We take great pride in creating one‑of‑a‑kind journeys that are safe, memorable, and truly exhilarating, and it’s wonderful to know your flight reflected that from start to finish. Thank you for sharing your kind words; we’d be delighted to welcome you back for another incredible adventure! Mahalo, The Rainbow Helicopters Team

    via Viator

    William B · January 2025

    Wonderful experience

    Great views, knowledgeable friendly staff, and pilot was incredible. Worth every penny we spent. Would love to do it again

    Response from the operator: Aloha William, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're so happy to hear that you had such a great experience with us. It’s fantastic to know that you enjoyed the views, and we’re glad our friendly staff and pilot made your time even more special. We truly appreciate you finding it worth every penny! We’d love to have you back for another incredible flight over Oahu anytime. Mahalo, The Rainbow Team

    via Tripadvisor

    beingmikameans · December 2024

    Hawaii From Above

    Emma was our pilot and she really made us feel comfortable with our decision to fly with the doors off. We were able to get so many wonderful pictures and I was able to cross this off my bucket list.

    via Tripadvisor

    Lorraine_B · November 2024

    Excellent experience

    Absolutely fantastic, I cant rate highly enough, the staff were all very attentive and extremely helpful and knowledgeable of the experience, and attention was paid to safety. Would 100% recommend.

    via Viator

    Troy_T · April 2024

    Excellent customer service

    Due to weather we were not able to complete our tour but the staff remained in continuous contact with us. The trip was canceled and rescheduled twice and once we had to completely cancel due to our travel plans the refund process was extremely was easy. When I return to Hawaii they are first on my list.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    0.3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $405 to $1215
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    12
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 62

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)86
    Review evidence (18% weight)54
    Booking momentum (14% weight)47
    Value for money (12% weight)0
    Listing quality (10% weight)63
    Local standing (8% weight)69
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Honolulu.

    How much does City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On cost?

    +

    Prices start at $405 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Honolulu usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On take?

    +

    Plan for about 0.3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Honolulu is not rushed.

    Is City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 33 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Honolulu, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On?

    +

    Around 12 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Honolulu can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Honolulu and add a light layer if any part of the 0.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does City By The Sea - 20 Min Helicopter Tour - Doors Off or On start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Honolulu within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Honolulu?

    +

    Honolulu and greater Oahu run on early starts. Pearl Harbor memorial tickets release on a fixed schedule, the North Shore circle-island loop needs a full day, and the catamaran and snorkel runs off Waikiki fill fast in season. We rank on whether the operator secures Pearl Harbor entry themselves and how tight the circle-island itinerary really is. On Outty we rank every Honolulu experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Kevo's Beach Bus Paddleboard Snorkel Adventure North Shore Oahu, Pearl Harbor City Tour, Ultimate Pearl Harbor Circle Island. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Honolulu?

    +

    April to June and September to November, between the wet season and peak crowds. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Honolulu?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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