These helicopter tour destinations were our worldwide wish list in May 2016. From Kauaʻi’s Nā Pali Coast to mountain ranges and city harbors, the appeal was a bird’s-eye view of Earth’s dramatic scenery.

Routes, operators, access rules and landscapes can change. Check current official information before making travel plans.

Helicopter tour destinations

The original selections weren’t ranked. Some described broad destinations rather than a specific tour. The scenery explains why they caught our attention, but inclusion here doesn’t establish that a flight operates over every named landmark today.

Zion National Park, Utah

The original selection described scenery around Zion. It doesn’t confirm a current flight over the park itself. The National Park Service air-tour program explains why protected-area routes require specific checks.

Massive precipitous cliffs characterize this red-hued splendor in southwest Utah, a national park world-renowned for the depth, immensity, and uniqueness of its jaw-dropping canyon. Stretching fifteen miles long and half a mile deep, this chasm at the intersection of the Mojave Desert, the Great Basin, and the Colorado Plateau is famous for the sultry shades of its Navajo Sandstone. The Virgin River cuts through its captivating center, while coniferous forests, sagebrush, and prickly pear skirt the water’s edge. Soar above its shimmering depths and you’ll have a chance to see Horse Ranch Mountain (the highest peak in the park at 8,726 feet), the Three Patriarchs, and the Kolob Canyons in Mormon country, a series of vivid finger canyons sculpted into sandstone plateau.

Napali Coast, Kaua’i, Hawaii

Lush, vertiginous mountains, isolated beaches, and valleys deeper than one could possibly imagine: This is Kauai’s enticing, emerald-toned Na Pali Coast. Spanning fifteen miles that’s best accessed by sea or air, “The Cliffs” comprise some of the steepest and most arresting bluffs in the West. Helicopter tours often include views of “The Spires”, a series of steepled crags above Kalalau Valley, and the cascading waterfalls of Hanakoa. From the sea to the center, many scenic flights glide above Waimea Canyon State Park in the west, a 3,000-foot deep chasm noted for its luminous red and green hues. Known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, viewing its landscape is a startling reminder of our planet’s spellbinding divineness.

Whistler, Canada

Consider it a skier’s powdery paradise: This British Columbia beauty in the southern Pacific Ranges, a sequence of peaks that extends from the Yukon through the coast of Canada, boasts 8,000 acres over two mountains (the eponymous summit and Blackcomb) and is known around the world for its prominence as a major North American ski region. Host of the 2010 Winter Olympics, this resort town is home to a charming chalet village and a tremendous expanse of epic wilderness, including dense coniferous forests filled with wildflowers and western red cedar, glacial waterfalls, and Arctic tundra. Fly above this immaculate beauty and your breath will be taken away in more ways than one.

Victoria Falls, Africa

Plummeting nearly 350 feet and spanning 5,600, Victoria Falls presents the largest sheet of falling water in the world. Known as “the Smoke that Thunders,” this theatrical display of Mother Nature’s power is located at the intersection between Zambia and Zimbabwe in southern Africa. Lined by sandstone banks and possessing tree-studded islands, water from the Zambezi River spills in a spectacular vertical drop. With two national parks comprised of woodland savannah, the outer acreage of Victoria Falls provides riveted riders with views of wildlife down below, from zebras and cheetahs to leopards and antelopes. Glide above the falls’ booming spray, which, during flood season, extends up to 1,300 feet into the sky, and understand just what staggering actually means.

Sydney, Australia

The capital of New South Wales, Sydney combines a recognizable harbor skyline with coastal scenery. Its opera house and Harbour Bridge were central to the appeal of our original selection.

The Blue Mountains lie west of the city, while beaches line the coast. A particular city flight won’t necessarily include the wider region. Confirm the route rather than assuming every landmark in the earlier description is on one itinerary.

San Francisco, California

Arguably the Golden State’s most seductive city, San Francisco’s cultural eminence is rivaled only by its own natural, and absolutely entrancing, beauty. From the fog-kissed cables of the Golden Gate Bridge to the dense, dark forest of Golden Gate Park, this is a cityscape of incredible dimension, complexity, and sparkle. Glide above Alcatraz in the Bay, nip towards the world-acclaimed Embarcadero, and gaze towards the saw-toothed skyline of the Financial District downtown. Baseball fans, take note: Some tours include aerial views of the Giants’ famed waterfront park.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

From granite monoliths to Copacabana, from one of the world’s largest football stadiums to the serrated range of Serra do Mar, Rio de Janeiro is a kingdom unto itself. To soar about this World Heritage Site is to see a timeworn-meets-contemporary, nature-meets-manufactured sensibility, where high rises are flanked by the Tijuca Forest and Christ the Redeemer, one of the most iconic and evocative statues in the world, reigns above it all.

Niagara Falls, Ontario and New York

Spanning the border between Ontario and New York, Niagara’s three falls are Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. The scale of the water and the river’s vivid color made it an obvious inclusion in our list.

We’ve removed the original worldwide flow-rate ranking and fixed-volume claim. Niagara Parks explains how regulated flow and seasonal requirements affect the water passing over the falls. Aerial sightseeing is one perspective on the landscape, with current routes to be checked with the operator.

New York City, New York

I Heart New York takes on a whole new meaning after you’ve danced through its world-famous architecture in a helicopter. From the Statue of Liberty to the Brooklyn Bridge to the vast and vibrant expanse of Central Park, this cosmopolitan city has an incredible collection of must-see, completely memorable attractions. Think of the thrills you find on its lively, much-pounded pavement, and then times it by three.

Moloka’i, Hawaii

Hawaii’s friendliest island is also one of its most lush and unspoiled: At 260 square miles, with the eastern half a fertile garden of forests averaging 300 inches of rain per year, it’s home to less than 8,000 people and a scenic flight from Maui, Hawaii. And yet it’s also home to some of the most stunning scenery in the Pacific, from the peak of Kamakou to miles of secluded beaches. Maui to Molokai helicopter tours are a choice way to relish its majesty, where some of the island’s most mystifying areas are accessible only by air, including its hair-raising sea cliffs and dramatic waterfalls.

Juneau, Alaska

Juneau, Alaska’s capital, sits beside Gastineau Channel in the southeastern panhandle. Its surrounding mountains, forests and icefields were what drew our attention to this destination.

The old article’s “3,255 square foot city” was a unit error. Juneau’s municipal area is measured in thousands of square miles. More useful for a visitor is the landscape: steep mountains meet the water, with the Juneau Icefield beyond. Glacier routes, landing options and conditions need current confirmation.

Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong’s harbor, dense skyline and mountain backdrop made a striking contrast in our original selection. Ferry-filled waters sit beside high-rise neighborhoods, while outlying islands add a different perspective.

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. The earlier “Republic of China” heading was incorrect. We’ve also removed its inaccurate area comparison and old population count. The Hong Kong Lands Department provides current geographic information.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef’s island-dotted waters and coral patterns were the appeal of this Australian destination. Seen from the sky, the relationship between reef, sea and shoreline can be easier to appreciate.

The original description called it a single living thing and claimed it was the only one visible from space. Those statements oversimplified a vast reef ecosystem. Today’s reef conditions and the exact flight area need checking rather than relying on an unchanging picture of pristine water and coral.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Part of the allure of scenic flights is a sense of scale, and the Grand Canyon was an obvious fit for that theme. Its layered rock and immense branching landscape have a different impact when seen from above.

The old text confused the Painted Desert with a petrified forest inside the canyon. The Painted Desert is a broader region to the east. Different air-tour routes cover different areas, so don’t assume one trip includes every distant landmark.

Fox Glacier, New Zealand

Alpine mountains aren’t always the first image that comes to mind when thinking of New Zealand, but its South Island has a remarkable mountain landscape. Fox Glacier’s setting near temperate rainforest was the contrast that caught our attention.

We’ve removed the old fixed glacier-length description. Ice changes over time, and current conditions determine flight routes and whether a glacier landing can take place. Check the actual itinerary and cancellation terms for the date you’re considering.

Fiji

Honeymooners swoon over this remote South Pacific haven, where 332 islands make up the republic’s iconic archipelago. Dense tropical forests edge into crystalline waters, while notched peaks stretching up to 4,000 feet carve into the sky. Viewed from afar and you can’t help but appreciate the loveliness of its pristine, sugary beaches and widespread coral reefs. Rainfall affects waterfalls and flying conditions, so check seasonal expectations with the operator.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago’s skyline on Lake Michigan, Northerly Island and waterfront parks made it our Midwestern selection. From above, the relationship between the city’s buildings and its immense lake becomes part of the experience.

Harbors, piers and celebrated architecture were the focus of our original description. We’ve removed the dated population figure and unsupported claim about the city first coining “jazz.” Confirm which landmarks a current flight actually covers.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is flanked by distinctive geography, from flat-topped Table Mountain to peaks giving way to golden-sand beaches. The city was World Design Capital in 2014, a dated distinction that formed part of our 2016 introduction.

The Twelve Apostles, Atlantic coastline and Robben Island were among the sights that made this a compelling aerial destination. They aren’t a promise that a single tour includes every landmark or both surrounding ocean regions.

Circle of Fire, Big Island, Hawaii

This was the tour name linked in our 2016 edition. Its original route and departure details need fresh confirmation. Visible lava is never guaranteed; check Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park eruption information for current conditions.

There’s viewing the poignant beauty of an ancient, timeworn landscape, and then there’s seeing a portion of the world being shaped right before your eyes. Experience the latter from the skies above aboard a tour of Kilauea, an active shield volcano on the southern edge of Hawaii’s Big Island. With trips that glide over fields of barren lava and smoke-hazed craters, not to mention tropical rainforests and pockets of the Pacific, you’ll feel like a part of history in the making.

Banff National Park, Canada

Located in the northern sprawl of the massive Rocky Mountains, Alberta’s crown jewel is the oldest national park in Canada and the third oldest in North America. Covering a large area of the Canadian Rockies, this is some seriously dazzling, and diverse, terrain, comprised of seemingly-impenetrable forests, ice fields, glaciers, and cathedral mountains perpetually capped with bright-white snow. The former coal mining hub and World War I internment camp is also home to Moraine Lake, a brilliant blue-green beauty that’s glacially-sustained and situated in the Valley of Ten Peaks. What better way to comprehend its immenseness than from the clouds above? Bonus tip: Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, including elks, wolves, and white-tailed deer.

Amalfi Coast, Italy

The Amalfi Coast’s appeal is its shoreline: mountains meet the Mediterranean and villages perch above the water. Seen from above, the curves of the coast and the relationship between settlements and sea become especially striking.

Positano and the wider region were part of our original travel inspiration. We’ve removed the misleading George Clooney reference, which confused this coastline with his better-known Lake Como association. A flight’s exact coverage, including any visit toward Capri, needs direct confirmation.

Þórisjökull Glacier, Iceland

Iceland’s glacial landscapes, volcanic terrain and broad skies made it a natural fit for our original list. Þórisjökull was the glacier named in that edition.

The old claim that it was Iceland’s second-largest glacier was incorrect, so we’ve removed it along with the uncertain folklore detail. Glacier conditions and landing sites change. Treat this as a remembered destination, then check the operator’s current route and weather policy.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

A safari on the ground and a flight above a delta offer very different perspectives. Botswana’s Okavango Delta caught our attention for the meeting of waterways, islands and grasslands.

Our original description emphasized the region’s wildlife, including elephants and giraffes. We’ve removed the unsupported animal total and any suggestion that particular species are guaranteed from a helicopter. Sightings depend on the place, season and conditions.

The Fjords, Norway

With water so pure and glassy it reflects the clouds in the sky, and precipitous cliffs a deep, stunning green, it’s no wonder that the fjords of Norway are often associated with the Garden of Eden. From the vantage point of a helicopter, you can delight in views of snow-capped mountains, glacial waterfalls, and acres of unspoiled farmland. Soaring above it all is a captivating experience you’ll savor long after you’ve departed Scandinavia’s shores.

Mount Everest, Nepal

Mount Everest made the list for its Himalayan scale: snow-covered peaks, deep valleys and a landscape that has drawn climbers for generations. The appeal of seeing the region from the air is easy to understand.

A scenic helicopter trip in the Everest region doesn’t mean hovering beside the summit. Routes, altitude limits, landing sites, health requirements and weather policies need careful current confirmation with a qualified operator.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai rises from the desert beside the Persian Gulf, with a skyline that was already a major attraction when we wrote this list. Palm Jumeirah and Burj Khalifa were among the features that caught our attention.

Modern architecture, coastline and the contrast with the surrounding desert explain its place in the original roundup. Don’t assume an urban sightseeing flight includes the distant Hajar Mountains or every landmark mentioned in older promotional copy.

Using this helicopter tour destinations archive

These helicopter tour destinations capture what interested us in 2016. For a new trip, check current routes, flight restrictions, accessibility, weather cancellation terms and the operator’s booking conditions. Respect local communities and protected places, and choose plans that fit the conditions rather than a promised photograph.