What is a Doors Off helicopter tour?
THINGS TO DO IN HAWAII
Doors Off is the helicopter tour industry’s way of saying “We’ll remove the doors so you can really experience the sights.”
You may wonder as I did, why would someone want to choose a doors off helicopter flight as opposed to a doors on helicopter tour for sightseeing in Hawaii? How does a doors off tour differ and compare to a doors on tour? I’ll share common questions and what I’ve learned from my helicopter flights.
Some of the most common questions:
— Why take the doors off?
— Can I have my door on and someone else have their door off?
— Are doors off helicopter tours windy?
— Is it safe to fly a helicopter tour with the doors removed?
— Is it scary to fly with the doors on or doors off?
— Can I get clearer photos if I fly with the doors off?
It’s really exciting to fly with the Doors Off!
Helicopter tours are fun, safe, and exciting with the doors on or off. More safety information will be described in great detail by the ground crew and in a pre-flight safety briefing the day of the sightseeing helicopter tour. The instructions are simple to follow and it’s reassuring to know what to do to keep things safe and fun. I personally found the helicopter tour with the doors off more exciting than with the doors on. Helicopters are extremely high performance machines, not unlike a supercar! So imagine a ride in one of those with the top up or the top down. Either way it’s going to fun, but with the top down or the doors off there will be some more wind, less between you and the sights, a boost to the senses and excitement.
↳ Smiling woman on a doors-off helicopter tour of Oahu.
Totally worth the excitement when you get in the air
Personally I found both doors on and doors off to be equally intimidating as the helicopter began to speed up for take off and right at takeoff. It was an exciting kind of scary and not terrifying sort of scary for sure. Overall I think roller coasters are much more more scary and adrenaline pumping than a helicopter tour because the pilots are extremely skilled in maneuvering the helicopter in a way that is comfortable, smooth and fun. Within a few minutes all fears were forgotten as the amazing beauty of the sights below were all I could think about.
OAHU
60-minute doors off helicopter tour – Royal Crown of Oahu
Experience Oahu’s most popular doors-off helicopter tour and get away from the tourist crowds on this unforgettable Waikiki helicopter tour. Soar above Oahu on a thrilling Honolulu helicopter tour that takes you over Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Sacred Falls, and more. Discover Oahu’s hidden valleys and dramatic coastlines on a shared or private doors off helicopter ride. Enjoy breathtaking views of city, coastline, and mountains on one of the best doors-off helicopter tours in Hawaii. Add doors-off option at no extra charge at checkout.
BIG ISLAND
90-minute doors-off helicopter tour – Kohala Coast Volcanoes Waterfalls
Soar out above the sparkling crystal clear waters of Kailua Bay with its vibrant reefs on a Kona doors off helicopter tour, and discover the tremendous power of the world’s largest active volcano, Mauna Loa. Explore the remarkable landscapes of Ka’upulehu Crater and the famous Hualalai volcano on a breathtaking Big Island doors off helicopter tour. Experience the lush, tropical valleys of this Hawaii Island paradise and see the pristine towering waterfalls of the Kohala Coast. Add doors-off option at no extra charge at checkout.
Yes, it’s safe
It’s immediately apparent upon sitting in the helicopter that the flights are kept very safe by the professionalism of the ground crew and the pilots. They do all sorts of pre checks before takeoff and you can see they take it all very seriously, which helped me to feel confidant in the safety of helicopter tours and not to worry. Helicopter rides are generally quite smooth and soaring toward Waikiki shoreline and Diamond Head was such a joy! Pearl Harbor is amazing from the air and I could imagine the events and appreciate the memorial in a special way from above that I couldn’t from touring it on the ground and ferry.
Photography is awesome with the Doors Off
With the doors off photography is enhanced because you are not taking pictures through a window. If you wear dark colors, reflections in your photographs can be minimized. Your pictures will capture great memories even if you choose to have your door on. But for the optimal photographs a taking the doors off is a must. With the doors off, wind outside the helicopter is very strong so having a strap on the camera is a must. Some wind comes inside, noticeable for sure, but it isn’t too strong.
Oahu doors off helicopter tour — @nataliefylstraphotography (IG)
Shooting video and the wind
Most of the videos I took were super shakey. I was glad to discover that you could purchase a video of the flight as an upgrade when booking online. This let me focus on just capturing photos and be in the moment! Having the doors on blocks all the wind. For longer flights, some people may find this more comfortable and enjoyable. Helicopters are noisy so special headsets are available for every passenger doors are on or off. Not only do they block the noise but they allow two way communication with all on board.
↳ Open door Hawaii helicopter tours offer a uniqe perspective and opportunity for great pictures with Rainbow Helicopters
What to wear
On my hour long flight with the doors off, I wore a light jacket and still felt a little cold so could have used an additional layer or two underneath. The air temperature is cooler at flight altitude than on the ground by many degrees, so even though it’s Hawaii I still recommend dressing warm. Rainbow Helicopters requires a jacket or sweatshirt on all doors off flights as well as closed toed shoes. I also definitely recommend wearing your hair up or braided so that it doesn’t blow everywhere. If you want photos with your hair down before the flight, that’s not a problem, just bring a hair tie so you can put it up before you board the helicopter.
↳ Image: Doors off helicopter tour of Oahu with Rainbow Helicopters
Combo Doors-on and Doors-off option
One last thing that is special about Oahu Rainbow Helicopter Tours and their doors-off tours is that you can have a combo of a doors-on and doors-off. In fact, in their larger Astar helicopter, the front doors are always on in order to help with the wind so that the flight is enjoyable for all the passengers. You can actually fly with a group and some people can have their doors off and some people can have their doors on, at no extra cost! How? After you book, just email or call with your preference and they will do their best to seat you accordingly (*It’s my understanding that all seating is based on weight and balance per FAA rules, however my experience was that they were able to accommodate almost any request). Staff is available anytime to answer questions. Simply reply to your order email, easy!
Doors off FAQ
A: Flying a doors off helicopter tour gives you unobstructed views of Hawaii’s breathtaking landscapes. Without doors, you’ll enjoy a clear, immersive experience perfect for capturing incredible photos of Oahu’s coastlines, mountains, waterfalls, and iconic landmarks like Diamond Head.
A: In some cases, the entire aircraft must fly either doors on or doors off for safety and weight balance. However, certain flight configurations may allow one side of the helicopter to remain closed while the others fly doors off. Please check availability of per-passenger doors-off options as you configure and select your tour and aircraft options in the cart.
A: Yes — doors off helicopter rides create strong wind flow inside the cabin. We recommend wearing secure clothing, removing loose items, and tying back long hair. The open-air experience adds excitement while keeping you safely secured with a professional harness system.
A: Yes — doors off helicopter tours are completely safe when operated by trained pilots and reputable tour operators. Rainbow Helicopters follows strict FAA regulations and uses specialized safety harnesses to ensure all guests are securely fastened throughout the flight.
A: While the idea can feel intimidating for some, most guests find the doors off experience thrilling and exhilarating. With proper harnesses and safety protocols, you’ll feel secure while enjoying unobstructed views that are often impossible to experience with doors on.
A: Absolutely. Without window glare or reflection, doors off helicopter rides allow photographers to capture crystal-clear aerial shots of Hawaii’s landscapes, ocean, and volcanoes. This is one of the biggest reasons many guests choose the doors off experience.
Rainbow Helicopters - Hawaii Helicopter Tours
Hawaii Helicopter Tours with Rainbow Helicopters offer spectacular Big Island helicopter tours and Oahu helicopter tours. Fly doors-off free with Rainbow!
GIFT CARDS: Give the gift of a Rainbow Helicopter Tour!
Give the gift of a lifetime with a Hawaii helicopter gift card, allowing the recipient to choose their dream adventure with Rainbow Helicopters.
Flying with the doors off was absolutely incredible! The views were completely unobstructed, and being able to feel the wind while soaring over Oahu was like nothing we’ve ever experienced. Our pilot made us feel totally safe and was super knowledgeable. Huge thanks to Rainbow for making our doors-off helicopter tour unforgettable!
JEAN • 2025
Oahu Doors Off 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. Get great photos with the doors-off, free.
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. Get great photos with the doors-off, free.
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. Get great photos with the doors-off, free.
Departure: Oahu, Honolulu
City by the Sea
20 minute Oahu helicopter tour. See the beautiful skylines of Honolulu and Waikiki as your Rainbow helicopter tours the pristine beaches of a tropical paradise above a world-class city. Discover Hawaii from above with the Island's best city sightseeing including the Waikiki shoreline, Diamond Head, Punchbowl Crater, Pearl Harbor and more. A fun helicopter tour Oahu visitors love and remember. Get great photographs and fly doors-off, free.
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
Big Island Doors Off helicopter tours
Kona Coast Hualalai Volcano
60 minute Big Island helicopter tour. This Hawaii volcano helicopter tour explores the stunning Kona Coastline and the majestic Hualalai Volcano and Ka’upulehu Crater from above. See ancient Kaloko Fish Ponds, pristine Magic Sands Beach, and the Island's famous Kona Coffee farms. Get great photos, fly doors-off free.
Departure: Hawaii Island, Kona
Kohala Coast Volcanoes Waterfalls
90 minute Big Island helicopter tour. Experience an epic Hawaii helicopter tour showcasing four volcanoes and see the cascading Laupahoehoe Nui and Wai’ilikahi waterfalls from above. Get great photos, fly doors-off free.
Departure: Hawaii Island, Kona
New: Kilauea Volcano Eruption
1 hour 45 minutes Big Island helicopter tour. Experience Kilauea Volcano in it's current state of eruption! Witness and explore the awe-inspiring volcanic landscapes shaped by Pele, the goddess of fire with a front row seat! Get great photos, fly doors-off free.
Departure: Hawaii Island, Kona
Luxury Picnic Volcanoes & Waterfalls
90 min. + landing, private Big Island helicopter tour. Discover the awe-inspiring beauty of Hawaii by private helicopter as you soar over volcanic peaks, deep waterfalls, and the stunning Kohala Coast. Enjoy a scenic landing with a chef-catered local picnic.
Departure: Hawaii Island, Kona
Coastal Sights Unseen
45 minute Big Island helicopter tour. Discover a unique side of Hawaii Island. Experience majestic Hualalai Volcano, Magic Sands Beach, Kailua Bay, Alii Drive and fly over the famous Kona Coffee farms on this stunning Hawaii helicopter tour of scenic and historic sites. Get great photos, fly doors-off free.
Departure: Hawaii Island, Kona
Kona Coast Scenic
30 minute Big Island helicopter tour. Experience the rich history and breathtaking beauty of the Kona coastline by air on this exclusive coastal helicopter tour. Discover Captain Cook Monument, Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve and Hawaii's historic sights. Get great photos, fly doors-off free.
Departure: Hawaii Island, Kona
Romantic Kona Coffee & Landing
1 hr 45 min. with landing, private Big Island helicopter tour. Embark on an unparalleled helicopter excursion along the prestigious Kona Coast, crowned by an exclusive landing at a lush coffee farm. Indulge in a romantic Kona coffee tasting experience amidst the island's natural splendor.
Departure: Hawaii Island, Kona
