Helicopter Tour Oahu, Hawaii | Paradise Helicopters Valleys & Waterfall Explorer Tour NO DOORS!!

Overview of This Oahu Helicopter Tour

This video captures an Oahu helicopter tour flown with Paradise Helicopters' Valleys & Waterfall Explorer tour, departing from Turtle Bay Resort on the north shore. The flight is conducted in a Magnum P.I. replica helicopter operated with open doors—a distinctive feature that gives unobstructed aerial views throughout the journey. The tour circles several of Oahu's most iconic landmarks and natural features, making it ideal for travelers seeking dramatic landscape photography and a bird's-eye perspective of the island's valleys, waterfalls, and historic sites.

The video documents what appears to be roughly a 20-minute flight experience, capturing both the airborne sights and a brief ground landing at one of the tour's highlights. This experience suits honeymoon couples, adventure travelers, and anyone wanting to see Oahu's interior and coastal landmarks from the air without the time commitment of a full-day activity. If you're drawn to aerial views and don't mind the thrill of flying in an open-door helicopter, this tour offers a compact but comprehensive sampling of the island's most photogenic locations.

Highlights of the Valleys & Waterfall Explorer Route

• Sacred Falls—a stunning waterfall viewed from the air early in the flight
• Gallimimus Valley from Jurassic World—the film's iconic valley location, seen both from above and experienced during a ground landing where you can stand and take photos
• Stairway to Heaven—a famous hiking trail landmark visible from the helicopter
• Pearl Harbor—the historic naval site viewed from the air, including nearby battleship and memorial locations
• Battleship Missouri and USS Arizona Memorial—key historical monuments seen as part of the Pearl Harbor viewing
• Dole Plantation Pineapple Garden Maze—the plantation's distinctive garden layout visible from above

What to Know Before Booking Your Flight

• The tour operates with open doors, providing unobstructed photography but requiring comfort with exposure to wind and altitude
• Flights depart from and return to Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's north shore
• The complete experience, from takeoff to landing, spans approximately 20 minutes of flight time plus ground time at the landing point
• The helicopter is a smaller aircraft (the Magnum P.I. replica model), which affects seating capacity and intimacy of the experience
• A ground stop at Gallimimus Valley allows time to exit the helicopter and explore the location on foot
• Bring a secure camera or GoPro mount if you plan to photograph; the open-door design and wind make handheld shooting challenging but rewarding
• Wear layers, as altitude and wind speed create cooler conditions than ground level, even in warm Hawaii weather

Frequently Asked Questions About This Oahu Helicopter Tour

Is this tour suitable for first-time helicopter flyers?

Yes, but only if you're comfortable with heights and open-door flight. The video shows a stable, scenic experience rather than an aerobatic one, making it approachable for nervous flyers—though the open doors do add a psychological element that some may find intense on a first flight.

Can you bring a camera on the open-door helicopter?

The video clearly shows photography is both possible and encouraged, but the open-door design and wind speed make handheld cameras tricky to manage. A camera with a secure strap or a mounted action camera (like a GoPro) would be more practical than a standard DSLR or phone.

How long is the actual flight time?

Based on the video's timeline, the flight appears to last roughly 20 minutes from takeoff to landing, with an additional ground stop at Gallimimus Valley for photos and exploration before returning to Turtle Bay Resort.

What is the best time of year to book this tour?

The video was filmed in June during a honeymoon, suggesting the tour operates year-round. However, time of day and season affect cloud cover and visibility; early morning flights typically offer clearer skies and better photography conditions than midday or afternoon slots.

What landmarks are included in this specific Paradise Helicopters tour?

The Valleys & Waterfall Explorer covers Sacred Falls, Gallimimus Valley (with a ground landing), Stairway to Heaven, Pearl Harbor, the Battleship Missouri, USS Arizona Memorial, and the Dole Plantation Pineapple Garden Maze—a well-rounded mix of natural and historical sites across Oahu.