Now here are 10+1 helicopter rides you must do. Anyone who follows my Instagram can already guess what could be the plus one. But if not, stay with me and let’s fly together to these amazing places.
You can visit many parts of the world on a cruise ship. Onboard there is a shore excursion desk, where you choose the best activities for you, your friends or your family. Most of the options are water and land tours. But we can also find programs that take us to the sky. Almost literally. Sightseeing flight is one of the best ways to get to know your new or favourite place from a different perspective.
The pictures were taken from helicopters and seaplanes during my sailing years. The order does not show my favourite order but is by flight date. I couldn’t choose which was the most beautiful flight because each place is different. Everything is beautiful and each has a different story.
Table of Contents
North America
1. Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is one of the most visited islands in the Caribbean. You can find here the world-famous beach called 7 Mile Beach. Its name refers to the length of the coast, which is 6.3 miles (10.1 km) long. This part of the island is the most popular and most developed. Full of luxury villas, hotels, restaurants and wonderful sea views.
This was the first helicopter flight of my life. I found this opportunity in the port (Georgetown) and right away I made a booking for the next visit. To do the flight, I had to find three more people, because they had a limit for the take-off. It’s a good idea to encourage people to take some tours like this. And luckily everyone liked the trip. During the flight, we could see half of the island, along with the famous coastline and the Stingray City (where you can swim with stingrays and it’s all visible from above) and the coral reef along the island as well.
Website: Cayman Islands Helicopter
Tour: Stingray City Tour
Flight time: 15-20 minutes
2. Ketchikan, Alaska
Alaska stole my heart from the first moment. Its natural endowments are simply wonderful. I took sightseeing tours here three times. The first trip fell to Ketchikan (the salmon capital of the world). This part of Alaska has the largest rainforest. The flight was by seaplane and we landed on a lake at the top of the ‘Misty’ Fjords for a short time. This area is considered one of the last untouched landscapes on Earth.
Website: Misty Fjords Air
Tour: Misty Fjords
Flight time: 1,5 hours
3. Skagway, Alaska
A few weeks later, I boarded a helicopter again. I wanted to see the real snowy Alaska. Flying over the glaciers, then landing on the Meade Glacier, where we could take a small guided hike on the snowy mountain.
The flights are dependent on weather conditions. The best period for the program is from May to June when there is still heavy snow. Tours can be cancelled later due to melting and rain or wind. At least that’s what I experienced during my time there.
Website: Temsco Helicopters
Tour: Glacier Discovery by Helicopter, Skagway
Flight time: 2 hours
4. Kauai, Hawaii
We visited the island of Kauai for the first time by car. So we got to know the famous Waimea Canyon better. The island is a popular Hollywood movie scene. Plenty of movies have been shot here, including Jurassic Park. We rarely docked in Hawaii and I always tried to find some tour. After renting the car, my choice fell on a helicopter tour. The weather was not as good as I expected, mostly it was rainy and sometimes sunny. But anyway it is worth visiting this place! We flew over the Canyon and saw a lot of waterfalls, valleys, rainforests and the famous Na Pali beach along the way. The interesting thing about the flight is that there is also a video recording of the trip, which you can buy at the end. Don’t miss this opportunity. Best way to save this memory!
Website: Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
Tour: Kauai Eco Adventure
Flight time: 1 hour
5. Skagway, Alaska
My second trip with Temsco and my third in Alaska. Flights are operated from Skagway and Juneau. Since we always docked late in the latter town, I couldn’t go on longer trips, so Skagway was the best option for the flights. It was better because were in town from 7 am to 9 pm. The airport was a 15-minute walk from the boat (everything is really close here). I managed to complete the dog sledding tour for the second time. There are a lot of tourists for this, so I had to wait. But it’s really worth it! I loved it!
The program includes a half-hour sightseeing flight, while you can admire the Alaskan glaciers. Then landing at the dog camp on Denver Glacier, where we can get to know the dogs (half an hour). One by one they are friendly and adorable. And a half-hour sledding tour. Photos are taken on the tour that you can buy at the end. After all, I bought a frame in a souvenir shop that also has sledding dogs on it. So beautiful!
Website: Temsco Helicopters
Tour: Dog sledding and glacier flightseeing
Flight time: 1,5 hours
Australia and Oceania
6. Airlie Beach, Australia (Skydiving)
My most extreme flight I would do again and again. I think a lot of you know about tandem skydiving. The altitude was 15.000 feet and the location was the Whitsunday Islands in Australia. This place is considered to be the most beautiful point in Australia. The view is perfect if someone wants to jump out of a plane. There are more packages to choose from. During the jump, video and pictures are also taken on request. In the end, they are making a 3-5 minute short video. And at the very end, everyone gets a certificate for the jump.
Website Skydive Australia
Tour: Airlie Beach 15.000ft Tandem Skydive
Flight time: 2 hours
7. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
I took part in this program the next day after the jump. My big dream came true by getting to the biggest coral reef in the world and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The flight was by seaplane here. We first stopped to dive at the coral reef and then rested on the beach called Whitehaven.
Attractions along the way included Hill Inlet, Bait Reef, Hook Reef, Hardy Reef and Heart Reef, which is the famous heart-shaped coral reef. This was discovered in 1975 by a local pilot.
Website: Air Whitsundays Seaplanes
Tour: Seaplane Panorama Tour
Tour time (together with flights): 5 hours
8. Port Vila, Vanuatu
Vanuatu is located on the Pacific Ocean, the capital is Port Vila and it is located on the island of Efate. We docked here several times with the cruise ship. The easiest way to get to the downtown was by water taxi, which was thus 5 minutes from the port.
This flight was just 7 minutes over the city. The minimum number for the take-off is two people. They don’t fly with only one. When I got to the office, someone was already waiting, but we wanted to take two different tours. After a little thinking, I decided that the shorter flight would also be perfect (I wanted to choose the 20 minutes). Because if I wait for longer, who knows if somebody else will come to take the same tour. And I really wanted to go. The weather was clear and sunny. And the colours were simply fabulous from above.
A little fun fact is that I worked until 1:15 pm that afternoon. 1:30 pm I was already out and I was sitting in the water taxi already. Around 2 pm I was done with the flight. Another thing on my bucket list is done. Woohoo! Well, that’s how I manage almost every single minute of my free time. Sometimes you don’t have time to think about things, you just have to do it, now or never. After the experience, I had lunch and headed back to the boat. Back on board was 4 pm and I started to work again at 5:15 pm. Do you believe I even had time to sleep before work?
Website: Vanuatu Helicopters
Tour: A taste of Vila
Flight time: 7 minutes
9. Sydney, Australia
I saw a very beautiful picture of Sydney on the internet and I decided I want to take a helicopter ride here as well. I need to mention that because of the distance I couldn’t go so far from the ship. So several times I only had time for the nearby attractions.
One day it came to my mind that I wish to change ship. I knew that it wasn’t going to be easy but I wanted to try it. Somehow I made it. One day I got the answer from the office. I found out that I would have two full days between my sign-off and my new sign-on. I started to plan all my tours. The first was a helicopter ride over my favourite city. For these things, it is worth working on a cruise ship.
During the 20-minute flight, attractions are the following: Bondi Beach, Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Manly Cove, the Darling Harbour and the downtown along with its skylines. These panoramic views will leave you breathless. And if you take a closer look at the little picture, you can spot the ship there.
Website: Sydney Heli Tours
Tour: Sydney Harbour Heli Flight
Flight time: 20 minutes
10. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
I don’t think I need to introduce Bora Bora to anyone! This island is a real paradise. Thanks to my job, I have been here several times. The last time I chose a helicopter tour. Because of the weather, I was thinking a lot about whether to take it or not. So I was hoping for a sunny day. In the end, there was rain, wind, sunshine and even a rainbow. Just perfect and breathtaking!
The flight took half an hour. There is a heart-shaped small island known as the Heart of Tupai to the north of Bora Bora. We flew there first because at that time it didn’t rain. In case of rain, we would miss it. This island, like the others in French Polynesia, can be reached by boat or plane. There are no hotels or restaurants in Tupai. And only six people can visit the lagoon a day.
The airport is only 10 minutes from the port but it was not easy to catch a taxi early in the morning. Everything opened around 9 – 10 am.
Website: Tahiti Nui Helicopters
Tour: Heart of Tupai
Flight time: 30 minutes
Europe
10 + 1. Lake Balaton, Hungary
On the way to several European destinations, we can see Lake Balaton from the plane. For example, Italy, Portugal or France just to mention some. But to see its real beauty I can recommend taking a sightseeing flight around the whole lake. We flew from Balatonkeresztúr in the direction of Siófok. The main attractions are the Tihany Peninsula, the Káli Basin, the Castle of Szigliget, the Festetics Castle and many more. Perfect and unforgettable gift for family and for friends as well.
Website: Lucia Air
Tour: Complete Balaton Tour
Flight time: 1 hour
More helicopter ride photos
10 + 1 Helicopter rides you must do – Map
Overall
Wherever you go, whatever program or excursion you take, you will definitely get a lifelong experience. If you look at an old picture later, you’ll remember the hours you spend there. With a sightseeing flight, we can get to know our favourite place from a completely different perspective. If you love flying, I can highly recommend this kind of experience. Wonderful pictures can be taken everywhere along the way.
Some of the listed flights are suspended until further notice due to the current situation.
Have you ever taken a sightseeing flight? If yes, where? If not, where would you go? Let me know in the comments!
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Love, Andi
