Best Time for Hawaii Helicopter Tours (2026 Guide)
NOV 2025
↳ Image: Rainbow Helicopters flying above an epic January waterfall on Hawaii’s Kohala Coast.
Is There a ‘Best’ Month for Helicopter Tours in Hawaii?
Yes — Hawaii is stunning year-round, but the “best” month for a helicopter tour really depends on what you want to experience. If you’re looking for crystal-clear skies and dramatic long-range visibility, December through April consistently delivers some of the cleanest air of the year. Winter is also peak waterfall season, with January through March bringing fuller, more powerful cascades across both islands. And if volcano activity is on your list, Kīlauea conditions can change week to week, making it worth checking current updates before you fly. Each season offers something different, which is why many travelers plan their tour around the specific sights they’re hoping to see.
— Best visibility: December–April
— Best waterfalls: Winter (Jan–March)
— Best volcano activity (if relevant): Kīlauea updates vary weekly
Helicopter Tours in December (Holiday Season)
— Clean air → incredible visibility
— Lowest wildfire haze
— Holiday demand → book early
— Kona & Oahu both stay warm
December is one of the best months of the year for a helicopter tour in Hawaii. The air is especially clean this time of year, offering incredible visibility and some of the clearest long-range views you’ll see all winter. Wildfire haze is at its lowest, the weather stays warm across both islands, and the landscapes are beginning to green up after early seasonal rains. Because December is also peak holiday travel season, flights book quickly—so it’s smart to reserve early if you’re hoping for a morning departure or a doors-off experience.
Oahu: December brings bright coastal conditions and spectacular clarity along the Koʻolau mountains. Rainfall begins to return to the valleys, creating more vibrant greens and early waterfall flow without impacting visibility.
Big Island: Kona’s dry-side weather stays beautifully stable in December, making morning flights especially smooth. Volcanic landscapes are crisp and photogenic this time of year, with excellent visibility along the coast, lava fields, and the slopes of Mauna Loa and Kīlauea.
↳ Rainbow Helicopters offers doors-off helicopter tours, free of charge.
Helicopter Tours in January (Peak Winter Views)
January is peak winter viewing season in Hawaii, and one of the best months of the year for a helicopter tour. This is prime waterfall season—valleys across both islands surge with fuller, more dramatic flow after consistent winter rain. Skies are typically cleaner, the lighting is softer and more cinematic, and the visibility in the morning hours is outstanding.
Because conditions are so ideal, morning flights are especially recommended in January, offering calm air and the best photography angles. For travelers who love capturing scenery, January is easily one of the top three months for helicopter photography, with crisp coastlines, lush mountain ridges, and powerful waterfalls all at their seasonal best.
Tour Highlights:
— Winter = waterfall season
— Cleaner skies, better lighting
— Morning flights recommended
— January is one of the top 3 months for photography
What Time of Day Is Best?
Morning departures—typically between 8am and 11am—are widely considered the best time of day for a helicopter tour in Hawaii. Early sunlight creates beautiful, even lighting across the mountains and coastline, making colors pop and shadows more dramatic without being harsh. The air is also at its most stable in the morning, with lower winds and fewer thermal bumps as the day begins to warm. Visibility tends to be the clearest during these hours, giving you the best chance for long-range views, crisp photography, and a smooth, comfortable flight.
— Best light
— Most stable air
— Lower winds
— Clearest visibility
↳ On Oahu, crystal-clear skies and dramatic long-range visibility are often found December through April with some of the cleanest air of the year.
Oahu vs. Big Island — Which Is Better in Winter?
Oahu becomes especially lush this time of year—its valleys deepen in color, the Koʻolau cliffs turn vibrant green, and seasonal rains bring more visible waterfall flow without sacrificing clarity along the coast.
The Big Island, on the other hand, delivers some of the cleanest, most stable flying conditions of the season, especially on the Kona side. Its volcanic landscapes look crisp and dramatic in winter light, and the cooler, drier mornings make for exceptionally smooth flights.
Choosing between them depends on what excites you more: Oahu’s towering green ridges and waterfalls, or the Big Island’s expansive lava fields and powerful volcanic scenery. Either way, winter is a standout season on both islands.
↳ Rainbow Helicopters flying above epic waterfalls of the Kohala Coast on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Tips for Booking a Winter Helicopter Tour
Booking a winter helicopter tour in Hawaii is all about timing and preparation. Because December and January are two of the busiest travel months of the year, it’s wise to reserve your seats early—especially if you prefer morning departures or doors-off flights. Keep an eye on the weekly weather forecast, as winter can bring quick-changing conditions that affect visibility. Arriving a little early helps ensure a smooth check-in, and wearing dark clothing can reduce window reflections for better photos. Whether you’re flying over Oahu or the Big Island, planning ahead makes a big difference in getting the best experience possible during the winter travel season.
Ready to Choose Your Winter Tour?
Oahu: 60-minute Royal Crown of Oahu helicopter tour
Discover Oahu’s most picturesque sights as your Rainbow Helicopter soars above the South Shore, North Shore, Windward Coast, Ko’olau Mountains, Sacred Falls, and more. This royal ring Oahu helicopter ride offers a front-row seat to iconic landmarks and attractions for an unforgettable Hawaii helicopter adventure.
Big Island: 90-minute Kohala Coast Volcanoes Waterfalls helicopter tour + lava flyover
This Big Island helicopter tour includes stunning waterfalls, lush rainforests, and the breathtaking Kohala Coast. With the “lava flyover add-on” upgrade (add at checkout), you’ll also get an up-close view of the Kilauea Volcano.
↳ Rainbow Helicopter flying above turquoise waters of the Kona Coast.
Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience
Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Winter offers some of the most breathtaking conditions of the entire year, and helicopter tours often sell out quickly during the holiday and mid-winter travel seasons. Whether you want to witness towering waterfalls, fly above dramatic volcanic landscapes, or simply take in Hawaii’s unmatched coastline from the sky, this is the moment to make it happen. Secure your seats now and experience Hawaii from a perspective you’ll remember forever.
Rainbow Helicopters
Hawaii Helicopter Tours
Rainbow Helicopters offers spectacular Hawaii helicopter tours. We fly both Oahu helicopter tours and Big Island Helicopter Tours. We also provide luxe private charters and specialized flight services.
GIFT CARDS
Give the gift of a lifetime with a Rainbow Helicopters gift card, allowing the recipient to choose their dream Hawai helicopter tour adventure with Rainbow Helicopters.
What guests are saying:
- "Fantastic experience from start to finish. Excellent explanation and safety advice from ground crew. Nikki, our pilot, was amazing - educational, funny and kind - trifeta! - along with being an excellent pilot (with serious onshore winds prevailing). Highly recommend this experience to see the beautiful and historic sites of Hawai'i!""Ground crew and pilot Gavin were amazing. The views are incredible well worth doing to see the island from a new perspective. Highly recommend, would do again.""Amazing adventure! Kiana was such a great pilot!! She had wonderful information about the whole island and was great conversation in between! Would absolutely go again!!"
Read more latest customer reviews
“Our family had an unforgettable adventure with Rainbow Helicopters. We were lucky enough to witness a stunning lava display, and our pilot made the whole experience fun, safe, and exciting. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime Kīlauea helicopter tour—we’ll be talking about this trip for years.”
SUE & GRETA • 2025
Oahu helicopter tours
Royal Crown of Oahu
60 minute Oahu helicopter tour. Experience Oahu’s most picturesque sights as your Rainbow Helicopter soars above the South Shore, North Shore, Windward Coast, Ko’olau Mountains, Sacred Falls, and more. This royal ring Oahu helicopter ride offers a front-row seat to iconic landmarks and attractions for an unforgettable Hawaii helicopter adventure.
Departure: Oahu, Honolulu
Isle Sights Unseen
45 minute Oahu helicopter tour. A unique side of the island awaits when you take to the sky in this unforgettable helicopter tour Oahu visitors love. Fly above Diamond Head, the Ka’a’awa Valley, Sacred Falls, Maunalua Bay, Lanikai Beach, Makapu’u and more in this remarkable Honolulu helicopter tour of the islands best unseen sights. Perfect for photography and unobstructed island views.
Departure: Oahu, Honolulu
Path to Pali Passage
30 minute Oahu helicopter tour. Experience breathtaking views of Oahu as your helicopter tours Waikiki and Diamond Head crater. See the best of the Windward Coast and explore the inland passages of the Nu’uanu Pali cliffs and rainforests. Experience Hawaii as you’ve never seen it before in this stunning aerial adventure. A dramatic inland route through Oahu’s lush interior.”
Departure: Oahu, Honolulu
Waikiki Sunset
50 minute Oahu helicopter tour. Enjoy a world-class twilight flight as your helicopter tours over the Waikiki skyline, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor and more. Our renowned sunset helicopter tour gives you the best seat to see gorgeous hues of pink, orange, red, and yellow against the expansive skyline.
Departure: Oahu, Honolulu
City by the Sea
20 minute Oahu helicopter tour. Take in the stunning skylines of Honolulu and Waikiki as you soar above pristine beaches and a world-class city by the sea. This unforgettable flight showcases Oahu’s best city sights, including the Waikiki shoreline, Diamond Head, Punchbowl Crater, Pearl Harbor, and more. A fun, iconic helicopter tour Oahu visitors love and remember.
Departure: Oahu, Honolulu
Romantic Proposal Flight
30 to 60 minute private helicopter tour Oahu. Perfect for romantic or special occasions, this exclusive private helicopter adventure offers breathtaking views of Oahu’s South Shore, North Shore, and iconic landmarks. Say "I do" from the sky!
Departure: Oahu, Honolulu
Hawaii Island helicopter tours
Royal Crown of Oahu
60 minute Oahu helicopter tour. Experience Oahu’s most picturesque sights as your Rainbow Helicopter soars above the South Shore, North Shore, Windward Coast, Ko’olau Mountains, Sacred Falls, and more. This royal ring Oahu helicopter ride offers a front-row seat to iconic landmarks and attractions for an unforgettable Hawaii helicopter adventure.
Departure: Oahu, Honolulu
Isle Sights Unseen
45 minute Oahu helicopter tour. A unique side of the island awaits when you take to the sky in this unforgettable helicopter tour Oahu visitors love. Fly above Diamond Head, the Ka’a’awa Valley, Sacred Falls, Maunalua Bay, Lanikai Beach, Makapu’u and more in this remarkable Honolulu helicopter tour of the islands best unseen sights. Perfect for photography and unobstructed island views.
Departure: Oahu, Honolulu
Path to Pali Passage
30 minute Oahu helicopter tour. Experience breathtaking views of Oahu as your helicopter tours Waikiki and Diamond Head crater. See the best of the Windward Coast and explore the inland passages of the Nu’uanu Pali cliffs and rainforests. Experience Hawaii as you’ve never seen it before in this stunning aerial adventure. A dramatic inland route through Oahu’s lush interior.”
Departure: Oahu, Honolulu
Waikiki Sunset
50 minute Oahu helicopter tour. Enjoy a world-class twilight flight as your helicopter tours over the Waikiki skyline, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor and more. Our renowned sunset helicopter tour gives you the best seat to see gorgeous hues of pink, orange, red, and yellow against the expansive skyline.
Departure: Oahu, Honolulu
City by the Sea
20 minute Oahu helicopter tour. Take in the stunning skylines of Honolulu and Waikiki as you soar above pristine beaches and a world-class city by the sea. This unforgettable flight showcases Oahu’s best city sights, including the Waikiki shoreline, Diamond Head, Punchbowl Crater, Pearl Harbor, and more. A fun, iconic helicopter tour Oahu visitors love and remember.
Departure: Oahu, Honolulu
Romantic Proposal Flight
30 to 60 minute private helicopter tour Oahu. Perfect for romantic or special occasions, this exclusive private helicopter adventure offers breathtaking views of Oahu’s South Shore, North Shore, and iconic landmarks. Say "I do" from the sky!
Departure: Oahu, Honolulu
