Oahu
Helicopter Tours
The
island of Oahu offers a unique environment for helicopter tours,
combining stunning ocean vistas, lush emerald green valleys, waterfalls, as well as vistas of the historic
city of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor. Makani Kai
Helicopters invites you to see the "hidden faces of paradise" in a way
that you will never forget.
Makani
Kai operates from the general aviation area of Honolulu Airport,
and they provide complimentary transportation to their location from
Waikiki hotels or the cruise ship dock.
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.
Makani Kai is offering "first class" seating for an additional charge. This guarantees the front seats (2 per flight) on the helicopter. First class seating has certain weight restrictions; if guests request up front seating and they are too heavy to ensure safe weight and balance of the aircraft, they will be booked for open seating instead. Only 2 first class seats are available per flight and they must be sold together (they do not sell first class seats to parties of 1). If you have more than two people in your party and you request first class seating, you will not be flying in the same helicopter. Parties of 5 or 6 should not request first class seating since some of your party will get to sit up front by paying the lesser "open seating" rate.
All
prices on this page include taxes.
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 any two passengers exceeds 430 pounds.
MKH / V
Pali
Makani Tour - 30 minutes $155.25pp for open seating, $175.25pp for first class seating
This tour begins with a beautiful view of placid Keehi Lagoon and continues over historic Honolulu Harbor. Here you will see Aloha Tower, once the tallest structure on the island, as well cruise ships from distant ports. Next is downtown Honolulu, featuring the only royal palace in the country. Above the city stands Punchbowl, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. The tour continues above Ala Moana Beach Park, Magic Island, the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor and Waikiki Beach. Beyond, you’ll see Diamond Head crater from a dramatic perspective, the “Gold Coast” where multi-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. Your tour winds up with a great view of Pearl Harbor, the Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri.
Hidden
Oahu Tour - 45 minutes $199.00pp for open seating, $248.50 for first class seating
This spectacular tour shows you all the “must see” attractions and scenic vistas of Oahu, 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 $276.00pp for open seating, $316.00pp for first class seating
This tour is our finest offering and is our most popular tour. This grand adventure includes everything in our other tours but continues on past Sacred Falls, over the Polynesian Cultural Center, one of Hawaii’s most popular visitor attractions, and the Mormon Temple in Laie. You’ll also see  Turtle Bay, the aquaculture farms and Kahuku Point. Don’t be surprised if you see humpback whales offshore here during the winter months.
The tour continues along the storied North Shore, with a dramatic view of world-renowned surfing spots including Sunset Beach, Pipeline and Waimea Bay. On your way over Oahu’s Central Plain, you’ll see the Dole Pineapple maze and the “birthing stones” of Hawaiian royalty. Your tour concludes with a panoramic vista of Pearl Harbor.
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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. They 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 430 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.
The exact 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. For those who REALLY want to sit up front and don't mind paying extra to guarantee it, FIRST CLASS seating is now offered by Makani Kai. Because of the weight and balance issues with the aircraft, not everyone can be accommodated in first class seating. When making a reservation using the form on the right side of this page, include a note in the form field where the passenger weights are listed that says "first class seating please." If you are a party of three or four, indicate which two people would like the first class seats. If you are a party of five or six, you shouldn't request first class seating since some people in your party will sit up front anyway ... without having to pay the extra charge. If you are a party of more than two and request first class seating for everyone, you will be split up between multiple flights. In our opinion that isn't worth it. It's nicer to fly together. |
