Best Helicopter Rides in Miami

A helicopter ride over the skies of Miami offers you a different way to experience the city. It is a very popular activity among travelers and I consider it one of the best things to see and do in Miami during a nice vacation.

However, there are many aspects related to this type of adventure that must be taken into consideration and today I will give you all the information you need to know to make a smart purchase, because when hiring this type of experience it is important to make a detailed research in order to invest in a company that offers a good experience and above all safety.

The most complete option

Miami Helicopter Tour

Experience a trip around the city of Miami aboard a modern helicopter.

You and a companion can enjoy the experience of a tour through the skies to see from the heights all that this beautiful city has to offer.

From $310 at Hellotickets

Hire this tour to enjoy a safe and comfortable ride through the skies of Miami. During the tour you will have the opportunity to visit some of the most emblematic places of the city, such as Biscayne Bay, Fisher Island Center, the port of Miami, the homes of celebrities and many other attractions.

This tour is conducted aboard a state-of-the-art Robinson R44 helicopter for added safety. In addition, it includes the accompaniment of an expert guide and pilot who communicates to travelers the main points of interest during the tour.

Recommended if... You are looking for a safe, reliable alternative with good references to enjoy the experience of a helicopter flight over the city of Miami; the best part is that you can take a companion with you without incurring additional costs.

Miami is a city with incredible mixed landscapes, going from white sandy beaches to lush green spaces of copious vegetation and in between, the most modern architecture that the past and the present century were able to offer.

This is complemented by many exclusive areas that conventional tourists do not have access to, such as the residences of the rich and famous, but from the heights anything is possible.

If you are planning your Miami vacation activities and among the possible experiences is a tour to see the city from the skies, don't hesitate for a second!

A helicopter ride over Miami gives you the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and charm of the city from a totally different and, let's face it, more exciting and interesting perspective.

By this I don't mean that you should rule out activities like exploring the city on the tour bus, but rather that you should appreciate how the two experiences complement each other.

The bus will allow you to see the life of the city while a tour from the heights will allow you to appreciate from a distance aspects such as its design and architecture, the skyscrapers that compose it and also the luxurious mansions.

There are a few points of interest that are very likely to be included in your helicopter ride over the skies of Miami.

These are: the beautiful Sunny Isles apartment buildings located along Miami Beach; flying over the Miami Center area and the great South Beach area; seeing the Miami Dolphins Stadium (official baseball team) from the air; seeing the Miami harbor, the Palm Islands, numerous luxury mansions and much more!

When booking this type of experience it is important to keep in mind that different operating companies offer the traveler different routes with different attractions depending on the tour. Before booking your excursion, the most important thing to do is to read in detail the experience and determine if it is the right one for you.

Miami helicopter tours can last from 16 minutes to just over 30 minutes. Keep in mind that when talking about the time and duration of your trip we are talking about an aspect that can vary a lot, being adjusted depending on the company you choose to experience, the itinerary of the tour that the company manages and whether or not it is a traditional tour for small groups or a private ride of long duration.

When making your reservation you should know that a short duration tour will generally be more economical but at the same time it will have a reduced route that will prevent you from seeing only a part of the city.

In the city of Miami you can find exclusive helicopter tour operators whose prices start at $150 and, depending on the experience you choose, can cost up to $500 approximately.

Although all the experiences have the same objective: to see Miami from the heights, aspects such as: the duration of the tour, whether or not it is a shared ride or a private ride, the route that is contemplated and also the type of aircraft used for the experience are characteristics to take into account and that considerably increase the cost that you must pay.

Miami helicopter tours vary slightly from company to company. However, most companies group their tours into one or more of the following routes.

• Beach Breeze Tour: This tour provides views of Hollywood Beach, Sunny Isles, Miami Beach and the surrounding area.
• South Beach Tour: On this tour you get many of the views of the previous tour adding in South Beach the Venetian Islands, the skyscrapers of North Beach and the Miami Dolphins stadium.
• Fort Lauderdale Tour: You get views of Hollywood Beach, Miami Beach and surroundings, you can also see the Fort Lauderdale area to complement the trip flying over the Everglades Harbor, a tour to Everglades is one of the most fun experiences to do in Miami.

I consider the last hours of the day, when the sun begins to set and the first lights of the night emerge, to be one of the best times to take this tour.

Miami at night is a spectacular city especially with the neon lights on its Art Deco buildings that illuminate the entire South Beach area and appreciating it from the heights is another level of enjoyment.

However, keep in mind that the best time to enjoy a helicopter ride is a somewhat subjective aspect and can vary greatly from one traveler to another, so I invite you to apply your own criteria when deciding.

Certainly many tourists prefer daylight tours to enjoy unlimited views. In this sense, my recommendation is to try to book the tour during the less hot hours, especially if you visit Miami during the summer.

Most companies start the tours from 09h in the morning so it will be easy to find space during your visit.

Below, I will inform you about some basic and general aspects that you will have to take into consideration when carrying out this type of experience.

Helicopter model:

This feature may be modified depending on the company you hire for the experience. Many companies in Miami, however, use modern models of the Robinson R44 helicopter; a panoramic helicopter model with large glass windows that allow you to better appreciate the tour.

The capacity of this model is 3 to 4 people including the pilot. In your research you will see that other companies use small planes with capacity for 6 or 7 people, however the visibility in this type of transport is not as good.

Weight limit:

When it comes to helicopter travel, there is a weight limit that, for safety reasons, should not be exceeded under any circumstances.

This is an aspect that varies depending on the type of transportation used by the company you hire. In general terms, many of the helicopters used in Miami have a structural limitation of around 125 kg per passenger or seat. Travelers who exceed the pre-established weight limit can take the trip but must reserve two seats.

Where Miami helicopter rides depart from:

Most helicopter rides in the city of Miami depart from North Perry Airport, located at 603 SW 77th Way.

Most hotels in the Miami metropolitan area, Miami Beach and the Fort Lauderdale area are only 30 minutes away from the takeoff location.

Arrival time and documentation:

Most companies will ask you to bring with you some documentation proving your identity in order to validate your reservation; it can be your passport, license or official national identity card in your country of origin (DNI in case of Spain).

Regarding the arrival time, you should be at the airport of departure about 20 to 30 minutes before the flight time.

If you are already decided to book your helicopter ride in the city, take a minute to read the following recommendations, aimed at making your Miami adventure experience more fun and hassle-free.

Children and helicopter tours:

If you are visiting Miami with children and want to enjoy this adventure, you should keep in mind that children, regardless of age, occupy the seat of an adult and will have to pay the same price.

For safety reasons, no child can ride on an adult's lap, which is why this type of experience is not recommended for children under two years of age.

Book in advance

When it comes to helicopter tours, my recommendation is to book the experience as far in advance as possible, especially if your stay in the city is short, such as 3 days in Miami or less. Completing the booking early will allow you to secure the most suitable time slot.

Clothing

As general advice for outdoor excursions, I recommend my traveler friends to dress as comfortably and simply as possible.

However, I recognize that the experience of a helicopter flight is a very exciting adventure that most of us don't do every day, so if you want to dress up a little more than usual, do it and enjoy it! Take nice pictures with the helicopter before you leave, the tour operators will be happy to help you with the shots.