Rainbow Helicopters

Helicopter Tours on Oahu and the Big Island

Rainbow Helicopters flies its own helicopters and runs scenic tours, private charters and pilot experiences on 2 Hawaiian islands: Oahu, departing from Honolulu, and Hawaii Island (the Big Island), departing from Kona. The footer gives both bases: 155 Kapalulu Pl. in Honolulu and 73-4370 Pao'o Street in Kailua-Kona. The homepage describes "Oahu & Big Island Helicopter Tours & Private Charters" and says the fleet features "the spacious Airbus Astar (up to 6 guests) and the nimble Robinson R44 (up to 3 guests)." A news item on the homepage, dated July 13, 2026, celebrates 15 years of the company flying tours in Hawaii, and the menu links to an HAI Maintenance Award page. Prices are in US dollars.

The Oahu Tour Range

All Oahu tours list "Departure: Oahu, Honolulu." The Royal Crown of Oahu is a "60 minute Oahu helicopter tour from Honolulu" covering "Oahu's South Shore, North Shore, Windward Coast, Ko'olau Mountains, Sacred Falls, Pearl Harbor and more." The site calls it the "signature Oahu helicopter ride," lists it at $540 per person, and shows 464+ 5 Star reviews.

Isle Sights Unseen is a 45-minute flight that heads to "the windward side of Oahu most visitors never see," over Sacred Falls, Lanikai Beach, Kaʻaʻawa Valley and the Makapuʻu coastline. The site calls it "One of the most requested open-air doors-off helicopter tours on Oahu" and lists it at $490 per person, with 182+ 5 Star reviews.

Path to Pali Passage is 30 minutes over Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial and "deep into the Nu'uanu Pali cliffs," with an inland route through the Ko'olau Mountains, at $440 per person (68+ 5 Star reviews). City by the Sea is a "20 minute Pearl Harbor helicopter tour" over Pearl Harbor, downtown Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head and Punchbowl Crater, at $405 per person (11+ 5 Star reviews). Waikiki Sunset is a 50-minute "world-class twilight flight" over the Waikiki skyline, Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor, at $515 per person (20+ 5 Star reviews).

The Big Island Tour Range

The Big Island tours list "Departure: Hawaii Island, Kona." The Kilauea Volcano Eruption tour is "1 hour 45 minute" and promises a look at "the current state of the eruption," with lava fields, craters and volcanic landscapes seen from above, at $1180 per person (18+ 5 Star reviews). The homepage also carries a "Lava activity today" panel linked to this tour.

Kohala Coast Volcanoes Waterfalls is a 90-minute flight featuring "Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and Hualālai volcanoes as well as the Big Island's most dramatic waterfalls," at $895 per person (27+ 5 Star reviews). The newest listing, the Big Island Full Circle Expedition, runs "2 hours 30 minutes" and covers "the entire Island of Hawaiʻi" with "5 volcanoes, both coastlines, lush waterfalls and the majestic valleys of Kohala"; it "includes a 30 minute mid-adventure landing" and is listed at $1920 per person (9+ 5 Star reviews).

The Kona Coast Hualalai Volcano tour is 60 minutes over volcanic coastline, reefs, lava flows, Hualalai Volcano, Kaloko Fish Ponds and Kona coffee farms. Its card says "Doors-off included on this Kona helicopter tour," and it is listed at $640 per person (17+ 5 Star reviews). Coastal Sights Unseen is 45 minutes over Hualalai Volcano, Magic Sands Beach, Kaloko Fish Ponds, Kailua Bay, Alii Drive and the coffee farms, at $590 per person (9+ 5 Star reviews).

Private Charters and Pilot Experiences

The charters are priced per aircraft. On Oahu, Proposal Flight, Romantic Landing is a 60-minute charter with "an exclusive landing and ocean views" that "Includes chocolates, champagne, and flowers," at $3240 per private charter. The Romantic Proposal Flight is "Available in 30, 45, and 60-minute charters," from $1320, and the site says to "Add the 'Marry Me' banner flyover upgrade at checkout."

From Kona, Romantic Kona Coffee & Landing is a "1 hour 5 minute private Kona helicopter charter featuring a scenic coffee farm landing with a Kona coffee tasting," along the Kona Coast, Kailua Bay, Hualālai Volcano and Kīholo Bay, at $4340. Luxury Picnic Volcanoes & Waterfalls is a "2 hour 30 minute" charter with "a scenic landing and gourmet chef-catered picnic" over Mauna Loa, Waipiʻo Valley and the Kohala waterfalls, at $6750. The site also mentions "on-demand and inter-island flight services" as custom charters.

The Helicopter Pilot Experience is sold on both islands as a "Hands-on private helicopter piloting adventure" where guests "Take the controls and fly under the guidance of a certified instructor pilot. No experience required." It is listed from $1320 on Oahu and from $1620 on the Big Island.

How It Works on the Day

The FAQ explains doors-off flying: "the helicopter's doors are removed, providing unobstructed views for photography and sightseeing," and "Guests are securely harnessed." Doors-off is offered on both islands "depending on aircraft availability and weather conditions," and the homepage describes the company's doors-off tours as free. For clothing, the FAQ advises "comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes," dark colors to reduce window glare, a light jacket and sunglasses.

The reviews shown on the homepage are the company's selection, and they add practical detail. Devon writes that "The check-in process was flawless and the safety briefing was thorough." Nicholas recommends buying the flight video because "they have a camera in the helicopter and they record the whole flight from start to finish," and Ken and Rachel suggest "paying extra for the pictures AND video package." They also mention being "just over the weight limit" for a small private flight and being moved to a larger helicopter on another day.

Booking and Terms

Each tour has a "BOOK NOW" button feeding a site cart, and the menu includes Gift Cards and a SALE page. The FAQ says "Booking in advance is strongly recommended, especially during peak travel seasons," that "Last-minute availability is limited," and that "guests who book ahead may qualify for early booking discounts." On weather it says "If weather conditions are unsafe for flying, your tour will be rescheduled or refunded," and that pilots "monitor conditions up to the morning of your flight." Contact is by toll-free and local phone numbers and email, and the footer links to Terms & Conditions.

What the Site Leaves Open

The site does not state a cancellation window for a traveler who changes plans, since the refund line covers weather only, and it does not publish the weight limit a reviewer ran into. It does not say what the photo and video packages cost, how large a discount early booking earns, or which tours use the 6-guest Astar and which the 3-guest R44.

Rainbow Helicopters suits visitors who want to see Oahu or the Big Island from the air, from a 20-minute Pearl Harbor hop to a 2 hour 30 minute circuit of the Big Island, and photographers who want the doors off. The charters and pilot experience serve proposals and anyone who wants the controls for a while. Travelers who need firm change-of-plans terms should read the Terms & Conditions before paying.