Exploring Hawaii: Helicopter Rides At Turtle Bay

Turtle Bay Resort in Hawaii offers helicopter tours, with Paradise Helicopters as the exclusive operator in the area. The helicopter tours are conducted in a replica Magnum P.I. MD500 chopper, accommodating four passengers. The four tour options include the Magnum Experience, the Valleys & Waterfall Explorer, the North Shore Sunset Spectacular, and the North Shore Adventure. The prices for these tours range from $199 to $359, with upgrades available for doors off, landing, or preferred seating. The tours offer breathtaking views of the North Shore, including the coastline, rainforests, waterfalls, and towns.

Paradise Helicopters offer a range of tours

The Open-Door Helicopter Tour over Oahu is another option, where you can snap photos and feel the wind in your hair as you fly over Pearl Harbor, Honolulu Harbor, Hanauma Bay, and the Halona Blowhole.

The 45-minute Isle Sights Unseen tour offers a unique perspective of the island, flying over Sacred Falls, Diamond Head, Maunalua Bay, the Ko'olau Mountains, Ka'a'awa Valley, and Pearl Harbor.

For a shorter tour, the Path to Pali Passage is a 30-minute trip that gets up close to Diamond Head, Mt. Olomana, and Nu'uanu Pali, as well as offering a spectacular view of the USS Arizona Monument.

The City-by-the-Sea tour is the shortest option at 20 minutes, giving you a bird's-eye view of Waikiki and the Honolulu skyline, with the option of removing the doors for better photo opportunities.

The Magnum Experience tour is a unique opportunity to fly in a replica of the aircraft used in the Magnum P.I. TV series, with the option to add on a landing at a secluded spot for an additional cost.

The North Shore Adventure Tour is another short but sweet option, taking in Oahu's North Shore, including the Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Sharks Cove, Waimea Bay, Ko'olau Mountains, and Sacred Falls, all in just 20 minutes.

Paradise Helicopters also offer a Valleys & Waterfall Explorer tour, which includes a flight over Sacred Falls, the Ko'olau Mountains, Kāneʻohe Bay, the North Shore surf breaks, and Pearl Harbor.

With a range of tour durations and sights to see, Paradise Helicopters provide an unforgettable way to experience the beauty of Oahu from above.

Tours depart from Turtle Bay Resort

If you're staying at the Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu, you're in luck! The helicopter tour departure point is just a short walk across the car park. Paradise Helicopters operate exclusively from this resort, so there's no chance of mix-ups. Their full address is: Turtle Bay Resort 57-091 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, HI 96731, USA.

Before your flight, you can visit the nearby rocky shores of Turtle Bay or the sandy Turtle Beach. When it's time to depart, you'll be welcomed to tour the area and check in at the heliport offices. You can even view the choppers on the helipad, including the replica Hughes 500 or the Bell 407.

The helicopters

Paradise Helicopters offer tours in their quick and tough Hughes 500 or Bell 407 choppers, which seat up to four or six passengers respectively. The Hughes 500 is a replica of the helicopter from the Magnum P.I. series, an iconic black helicopter trimmed with yellow and orange. For an extra fee, you can upgrade to a doors-off experience in either helicopter, giving you unobstructed views.

The tours

There are four tour options, all of which can be upgraded to include doors-off and a landing excursion on a hilltop. The common flight routes include views of the coastline, rainforests, waterfalls, towns, and activity at the Turtle Bay Resort. Here are the details of each tour:

Magnum Experience Tour

This tour lasts 60 minutes and costs $359. You'll fly over the North Shore, the east coastline, Honolulu, and Pearl Harbor. You'll also see Kaliuwa‘a (Sacred Falls), Ka’a’awa Valley, Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head), and Waikiki Beach, with a low-level flight off the shores of Waikīkī. For an extra $100, you can land at a secluded spot and exit the helicopter to take pictures.

Valleys & Waterfall Explorer Tour

This tour also lasts 60 minutes and costs $299. You'll fly over Kaliuwa‘a, Ko‘olau Mountains, Kāne‘ohe Bay, the famous North Shore surf breaks, and Pearl Harbor, with Honolulu in sight. Again, you can upgrade to a doors-off experience for the best views.

North Shore Sunset Spectacular

This tour lasts 30 minutes and costs $289. You'll fly over the North Shore, Ko‘olau Mountains, Haleiwa Town, and Remote Kaena Point, watching the sunset over the horizon. You can upgrade to a doors-off experience for this tour as well.

North Shore Adventure Tour

This is the shortest tour at 20 minutes, and it costs $199. You'll fly over Oahu’s North Shore, including the Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Sharks Cove, Waimea Bay, Ko‘olau Mountains, and Kaliuwa‘a (Sacred Falls). You can also upgrade to a doors-off experience on this tour.

There are four tour options

Magnum Experience Tour

This tour takes place in a replica of the aircraft used in the Magnum P.I. TV series, with the pilot flying segments of the show's opening credits. The tour lasts 60 minutes and costs $359.00.

North Shore Adventure Tour

The shortest of the four tours, this 20-minute flight will take you over Oahu's North Shore, including the Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Sharks Cove, Waimea Bay, Ko‘olau Mountains and Kaliuwa‘a (Sacred Falls). The tour costs $199.00.

Valleys & Waterfall Explorer Tour

This 60-minute tour will take you over Kaliuwa‘a (Sacred Falls), Ko‘olau Mountains, Kāne‘ohe Bay, the famous North Shore surf breaks, Pearl Harbor and Honolulu. The tour costs $299.00.

North Shore Sunset Spectacular

This 30-minute sunset-themed tour will show you the North Shore, Ko‘olau Mountains, Haleiwa Town, and Remote Kaena Point. The helicopter will then head back to Turtle Bay Resort as the sun sets. This tour costs $289.00.

Tours are 20-60 minutes long

The Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu, Hawaii, offers helicopter tours lasting 20 to 60 minutes. The resort is a short walk from the heliport, and the area boasts many beautiful beaches. The helicopter tours are operated by Paradise Helicopters, the exclusive operator in the area, and they offer four different tour options.

The first tour is the 'Magnum Experience', which lasts 60 minutes and costs $359. This tour takes place in a replica Magnum P.I. MD500 chopper, and you can pay extra to have the doors off and enjoy unobstructed views. The flight departs from the northernmost point of Oahu, and you will manoeuvre around the North Shore, passing along the east coastline before reaching Honolulu and Pearl Harbor. You will also see Kaliuwa‘a (known as Sacred Falls), Ka’a’awa Valley, Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head), and Waikiki Beach, with a low-level flight off the shores of Waikīkī.

The second tour is the 'Valleys & Waterfall Explorer', which also lasts 60 minutes and costs $299. This tour takes place in a Hughes 500, a replica Magnum P.I. helicopter. You will fly over Kaliuwa‘a, Ko‘olau Mountains, Kāne‘ohe Bay, the famous North Shore surf breaks, and Pearl Harbor, with Honolulu in sight. Again, you can pay extra to have the doors off, ensuring unrestricted views.

The third tour is the 'North Shore Sunset Spectacular', which lasts 30 minutes and costs $289. This tour offers a sunset theme as you take in the sights of the North Shore, Ko‘olau Mountains, Haleiwa Town, and Remote Kaena Point. You can choose to have the doors off for this tour, and as the sun sets, you will head back to the Turtle Bay Resort.

The fourth and final tour is the 'North Shore Adventure', a shorter 20-minute flight that costs $199. This tour covers many of Oahu's magical sights, including the North Shore's Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Sharks Cove, Waimea Bay, Ko‘olau Mountains, and Kaliuwa‘a (Sacred Falls). You can opt for the doors-off experience on this tour as well, and you will fly inland and over the ocean and coastline.

All tours depart from the Turtle Bay Resort, and Paradise Helicopters has its offices located on the other side of the car park, making it easily accessible. The helicopters used for these tours include the 4-seater MD500 or Hughes 500, and the 6-seater Bell 407. Upgrades are available for a small fee, including the option to have the doors off, a preferred seat, or a landing at a remote spot.

So, if you are looking for a thrilling and memorable experience during your stay in Oahu, the helicopter tours at Turtle Bay Resort are definitely worth considering!

Prices range from $199 to $415

The price of helicopter rides at Turtle Bay, Hawaii depends on the type of tour you choose and any upgrades you select. Prices range from $199 to $415.

Tour Options

The four helicopter tour options departing from Turtle Bay Resort are:

• North Shore Adventure Tour — The shortest flight time at 20 minutes, but you'll still get to see plenty of magical sights, including the Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Sharks Cove, Waimea Bay, Ko‘olau Mountains and Sacred Falls.
• Valleys & Waterfall Explorer Tour — This 60-minute tour takes you over Sacred Falls, Ko‘olau Mountains, Kāne‘ohe Bay, the famous North Shore surf breaks and Pearl Harbor.
• North Shore Sunset Spectacular — This 30-minute tour gives you sunset views of the North Shore, Ko‘olau Mountains, Haleiwa Town and Remote Kaena Point.
• Magnum Experience Tour — Fly over Oahu's best sights in a replica of the helicopter from the Magnum P.I. TV series. The flight time is 60 minutes.

Upgrades

Upgrades are available on all tours, including:

• Doors Off — Get unrestricted views for $50 per person.
• Landing — Pay $100 extra to land at a secluded spot and take photos.
• Preferred Seat — Window seats are available for an additional cost.

Frequently asked questions