Best Helicopter Rides in Miami

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

However, there are many aspects linked 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 of the skies to see from above all that this beautiful city has to offer.

From £249 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 see some of the most emblematic places of the city, such as Biscayne Bay, Fisher Island Centre, 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, the tour includes the accompaniment of an expert guide and pilot who informs travellers of the main points of interest during the tour.

Recommended if... You are looking for a safe, reliable and reputable alternative 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 of incredible mixed landscapes, ranging from white sandy beaches to lush green spaces of lush vegetation and in between, the most modern architecture that the past and present century were able to offer.

This is complemented by many exclusive areas that conventional tourists don't 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 holiday activities and among the possible experiences is a tour to see the city from the skies, don't hesitate for a second!

A helicopter tour of 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 such as 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 make up the city as well as 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 include: the beautiful Sunny Isles apartment buildings 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 Port of Miami, the Palm Islands, numerous luxury mansions and so much more!

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

Helicopter tours of Miami 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 greatly, being adjusted depending on the company you choose to experience, the tour itinerary 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 booking you should be aware that a shorter tour will generally be cheaper but at the same time will have a reduced route that will prevent you from seeing only 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 or private tour, 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: This tour takes in many of the same views as the previous tour with the addition of the Venetian Islands, the skyscrapers of North Beach and the Miami Dolphins stadium in South Beach.
• Fort Lauderdale Tour: You get views of Hollywood Beach, Miami Beach and the surrounding area, you can also see the Fort Lauderdale area to complement the trip by flying over Everglades Harbor, an Everglades tour is one of the most fun experiences to do in Miami.

I consider the last hours of the day, as the sun begins to set and the first lights of 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 the Art Deco buildings that illuminate the entire South Beach area and appreciating it from above is another level of enjoyment.

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

Certainly many tourists prefer daylight excursions to enjoy unlimited views. In this regard, my recommendation is to try to book your tour during the cooler hours, especially if you are visiting Miami during the summer.

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

Here are some general and basic things you should consider when undertaking this type of experience.

Helicopter model:

This feature can 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 ride.

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 a capacity of 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 which, for safety reasons, must not be exceeded under any circumstances.

This is an aspect that varies depending on the type of transport used by the company you hire. Generally speaking, many of the helicopters used in Miami have a structural limitation of around 125 kg per passenger or seat. Travellers who exceed the pre-set weight limit can still 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 take-off location.

Arrival time and documentation:

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

You should be at the airport of departure about 20 to 30 minutes before your flight time.

If you've already made up your mind 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.

Kids 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 well in advance will allow you to secure the most suitable time slot.

Clothing

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

However, I recognise that the experience of a helicopter flight is a very exciting adventure that most of us don't get to 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.