Island Helicopter Tour

Island Helicopter Tour

Soar high above the southernmost island of Key West Florida on board our basic Island Helicopter Tour. This tour is perfect for beginners and people who have never gone on a helicopter tour before. This short but unforgettable helicopter tour is one of the best ways to introduce yourself to the experience of helicopter riding. There is no better way to see the beauty and magic of this tiny island city than on board one of our luxurious Robinson R-44 helicopters. This tour is also great for families with small children who might not do too well on the longer rides.  

With our 20-mile Island Helicopter Tour, our experienced helicopter pilot will be your tour guide on your journey. You will be taken high above Key West to see how it is situated at the end of the long stretch of the Florida Keys. You will get to see some of the famous Key West historical landmarks from a birds eye view that you can only get on an aircraft such as this. You will pass by sights such as the Southernmost Point and the Truman Annex. You will be amazed at just how small and compact the city of Key West is! Considering how much this tiny island has to offer, you would think it was much larger!

The tour lasts approximately 10 minutes of actual helicopter time. Our tour guides are all FAA certified helicopter pilots, but they are also knowledgeable Key West locals who have a great passion for Key West and the rest of the Florida Keys. It’s almost impossible to find a local who isn’t passionate about Key West, but these pilots have the unique position of allowing you to experience Key West from a helicopter!

We have a variety of picture packages available where you yourself get to be the photographer! You get to choose between photo cam, video cam, and handheld cam to remember your experience and share it with all the friends and family back home.

What time and on what days do you fly?

We fly 7 days a week from 10am to sunset. To better serve our customers, we open earlier on days that cruise ships are in port. If you are interested in taking a tour outside of our normal business hours, please contact us and we will accommodate you the best we can!

 

How far ahead do I need to book?

We prefer at least 24 hours notice, but if you call, we'll do what we can to make it happen! 

 

What should we wear?

Wear comfortable clothing. T-shirts with shorts and sandals seem to be the most popular attire in Key West!

 

Can children come on the tour?

Absolutely! We are more than happy to accommodate children of all ages. We allow children under 24 months to sit on a parent’s lap, long as the maximum weight limit is not exceeded. Children 24 months and older will be given their own full seat for the duration of the tour.

 

Can we bring a camera?

Of course! We encourage all passengers to bring cameras. The helicopter cockpit provides a great photographic opportunity! In the Robinson R-44, every seat is a window seat! Cameras with wide-angle lenses tend to work the best within the cockpit. Tele-photo lenses are also great for taking close-up photos of the marine life below. We provide affordable photo packages with GoPro's and Video Cam.

 

Can I take bags with me in the helicopter?

Any loose articles in the cockpit create a potential risk, therefore, for your own safety, we have a strict no bag policy in the helicopter. Only small medically necessary bags are allowed. All other bags must be stored in our storage bins on the ground. This includes all camera bags. We find that it works better to have your camera out and at the ready from the start of your tour than to have it tucked away when that perfect picture moment comes along.

 

Do you have weight restrictions?

Yes. The maximum weight per seat or per person is 300 lbs. The maximum passenger weight per the entire flight is 550 lbs.

 

Can I fly by myself?

All flights require a two person minimum. Single riders are allowed, but require payment for two seats.

 

What time do I need to be at the airport? Is there parking?

Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your scheduled flight. Limited FREE parking is available at Landmark Aviation. 

 

What happens if I cancel or fail to show after I have booked a flight?

As our tour groups are small and our seating limited, we must implement a 24 hour cancellation policy. If for any reason you decide to change or cancel your reservation, you must notify us at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled flight. Cancellations and no-shows within 24 hours of scheduled flight are non-refundable.

 

What if the weather is bad on the day of my flight?

Weather in Florida is highly unpredictable, however, most afternoon showers don’t last more than 10-15 minutes at a time. In the event that weather disrupts your scheduled flight and we are not able to reschedule you for another time or day, we will, of course, issue you a 100% refund.

 

Do you have restrictions on consuming alcohol before the flight?

We recommend that our passengers limit their alcohol consumption to a minimum prior to their departure. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone based on our observance of any peculiar behaviors or attitude. Although Key West is one of the most alcohol-friendly towns in the nation, our first priority is the safety of our passengers and our pilots.

 

Will I get motion sickness?

This is a scenic tour, not a thrill ride. It is extremely rare for passengers to experience motion sickness from any of our tours. Flights are smooth, and turns are slow and gentle.

 

What kind of aircraft do you fly?

All of our tours are operated with a Robinson R-44. The R-44 is a four seat light helicopter produced by the Robinson Helicopter Company in California, USA. It is considered to be one of the safest helicopters in the industry, and, with its outstanding safety record, is the number one choice used for sightseeing operations around the world.

 

Are your pilots certified?

All of our pilots are FAA commercially rated and have passed rigorous FAA certifications, company testing, and recurrent training to be your tour pilot.

 

What is your safety record?

Our customer’s safety has always been our highest priority. We are proud to say we have a 100% perfect safety record and we take all possible precautions to ensure that it stays that way!

It is your responsibility to make sure you are aware of and understand all restrictions pertaining to this tour before booking online or over the phone. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are medically qualified and within any limits listed below in order to participate in this activity. No refunds will be given to those who reserve a spot and can not participate due to the restrictions listed below. For more information please read our cancellation policy and terms and conditions page or call our staff with any questions regarding your ability to participate.

Restrictions

  • Children 2 and under go for free and must be placed on the parent's lap.
  • Please note that no bags are allowed on the helicopter (only small medically necessary bags are allowed). Bags can be stored in our office on the ground
  • Maximum weight per person is 300 lbs; maximum weight for passengers (up to 3) for the entire flight is 550 lbs
  • All flights require a two person minimum; single riders are allowed but have to pay for two seats