Safety: We checked the tour agency's safety protocols in place. We also assessed how these agencies maintain their fleet.
Tour Routes: We included tour agencies that offer different tour packages that cover skyline tours and mountain adventures.
Flexibility: We checked if the helicopter tour agencies are lenient with their cancellation policies, especially since helicopter tours are highly weather-dependent.
Contingency Plans: We assessed whether the helicopter tour agencies have contingency plans in place, especially with sudden weather changes during the flight.
We’ve always loved going around the city and joining group tours, whether on foot or by bus. After all, these guided tours allowed us to see familiar streets from a different perspective.
Until one day, we felt like we should see the city from a completely different level. And getting on the best helicopter tours to see Vancouver’s skyline, mountains, and coastline should do the trick.
So if you also want to explore the city from a whole new perspective (quite literally!), check out the best helicopter tours we’ve tried and loved here in the city.
How much does a helicopter tour cost in Vancouver?
A helicopter tour in Vancouver usually costs $379 per person. However, for those seeking a more exclusive experience, private tours start at approximately $1,550 per person, giving you personalized attention and a truly unforgettable journey above Vancouver.
Address: 18799 Airport Wy #170, Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2B4
Contact Details: +1 604-239-0760
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Consumer Rating: B+
Google review
4.8/5
Total reviews score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B
Safety
4.2/5
Good safety briefings & protocols
4.2/5
Good fleet maintenance
4.2/5
Tour routes
4.5/5
Flexibility
4/5
Allows booking changes
4/5
Lenient cancellation policy
4/5
Contingency plans
4/5
If you’re looking for a world-class helicopter tour service, one that would make sure your helicopter is clean and will arrange complimentary hotel pickups for you, then you should highly consider SKY Helicopters.
Well, we’re quite sure they gained their rank as one of the Top 10 Aerial Adventures in the World by Forbes Travel Magazine for the best reasons.
Before the tour, we loved how the staff took their time during the safety walkthrough. They will also accommodate all your questions, so don’t hesitate to ask them.
What’s great about this helicopter tour agency is that their pilots shared several insights about the surrounding mountains and lakes we flew over, which made the flight even more enjoyable.
We highly recommend that you choose a helicopter tour package with a landing. This will give you more time to appreciate the views and even take more photos.
One of our friends actually booked a helicopter tour with this agency for a romantic proposal, and they loved how the company even provided champagne to celebrate.
However, do note that their tours come with premium rates.
Pros
Top 10 Aerial Adventures in the World (Forbes Travel Magazine)
Comprehensive safety walkthrough briefing
Knowledgeable and insightful pilots
Top-notch helicopter package
Cons
Premium rates
Very organized team
“What a great experience! The staff were super kind and caring , and everything went down in a very organized manner. The flight was smooth and such a cool experience😃”
“Kyle was an amazing air tour guide. He gave us history of things we flew over. They have the best headphones to communicate also. We did the city but we’ll be back to do the mountains. Kyle was right on the minute for the time we paid for. I’d highly recommend it.”
Operating Hours: Sunday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Consumer Rating: B+
Google review
4.8/5
Total reviews score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B+
Safety
4.6/5
Good safety briefings & protocols
4.6/5
Good fleet maintenance
4.6/5
Tour routes
4.7/5
Flexibility
4.5/5
Allows booking changes
4.5/5
Lenient cancellation policy
4.5/5
Contingency plans
4.4/5
For the adventurous souls out there, you’ll probably love the hike that comes with the helicopter tours from BC Heli Tours. Just make sure you’re fit enough to join this tour, as you’ll be traversing very steep hillsides (with loose rocks on the side).
Meanwhile, if someone from your group isn’t too comfortable continuing with the hike, they can just stay in the drop-off zone and still enjoy the breathtaking views.
And what’s even better is that you can trust the pilots to provide you with more insights and history about the place you’re seeing. They will also make you feel comfortable and safe first, ensuring you’re happy to proceed with the tour.
What’s great about them is that you can rely on them for last-minute bookings. So don’t worry about securing bookings months ahead, as they will surely have a helicopter and a dedicated team ready for you.
And for sudden cancellations or multiple reschedules due to bad weather, you’ll love that they’re quick to update you. Even better, they’re very flexible with the new dates.
However, there have been a few reports about unclear pricing and credit card fees, so it’s best to double-check before booking.
Pros
Ideal for more adventurous helicopter tours
Offers crew transport
Offers aerial surveying services
Flexible in handling cancellations
Accommodates last-minute bookings
Cons
Reports of unclear pricing and credit card fees
Accommodates last-minute bookings
“Every part of the experience was seamless. From the booking (very last minute) to the safety demonstration, and the flight – absolutely a must-do. The pilot, Patrick, was very professional, and made us feel comfortable and safe. This is a must do in Vancouver! I highly recommend BC Heli Tours, and pilot Pat.”
“Hands down one of the coolest experiences I’ve had. Pat was an amazing tour guide, very knowledgeable with what he does. He made me feel safe throughout our flight. Highly recommended for anyone in the Vancouver area.”
If you want to see the Pacific Northwest coast area, Victoria, or the Gulf Islands, then Harbour Air should be on top of your list. This tour agency is one of the go-to choices for tourists, as it really covers all the tourist spots from a different perspective.
Here, you can see Vancouver’s city skyline, the famous Stanley Park, and even the harbor.
What’s great about Harbour Air is that you can sit next to the pilot. We highly recommend taking this option, as that spot will give you a different perspective while you’re up in the air.
It’s also great that we could hear the air traffic control while wearing the headphones.
They also have seaplanes available, perfect if you want to try taking off and landing on water. However, it’s a smaller aircraft, so if you’re more prone to motion sickness or claustrophobia, then take this as a fair warning.
There’s also a comfortable lounge where you can sit and enjoy free coffee or tea before your helicopter tour. You can also take advantage of their small gift shop if you want to buy a souvenir that will remind you of your heli tour.
Pros
Knowledgeable and accommodating pilots
Option to sit in the cockpit area
Offers seaplane rides
Cons
Small seaplanes
Smooth takeoff and landing
“WORTH EVERY PENNY. We took the 20 minute tour of the city, harbour, and mountains. Spectacular. Exhilarating. Excellent pilot. Smooth takeoff and landing.”
“We did the Vancouver scenic tour and it was a brilliant experience. The service was excellent and very accommodating in changing our flight due to a bad weather forecast. Would definitely recommend.”
Address: 455 W Waterfront Rd, Vancouver, BC V6B 5E8
Contact Details: +1 800-665-4354
Consumer Rating: B+
Google review
4.7/5
Total reviews score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B
Safety
4.5/5
Good safety briefings & protocols
4.5/5
Good fleet maintenance
4.5/5
Tour routes
4/5
Flexibility
4/5
Allows booking changes
4/5
Lenient cancellation policy
4/5
Contingency plans
4/5
If you want to avoid the ferries and prefer a faster way to travel from downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo, then consider Helijet’s helicopter tours.
Upon arrival, we appreciated how smooth the check-in was, and we even loved that we were offered freshly baked cookies and coffee.
We love that the lounge is complete with light snacks, refreshments, and even soup options. Even with sudden flight delays, you won’t have to worry about getting hungry.
They also handle shuttle transfers to and from hotels, so no need to arrange this separately.
Meanwhile, for those of you who have flexible schedules, we recommend getting their fare saver flights for a budget-friendly option. They’re also lenient with their baggage policy, and you don’t need to worry about additional fees.
During the flight, we didn’t just appreciate the pilot’s insights about the destinations; we also enjoyed his sense of humor, which made our tour even more enjoyable.
Lastly, Helijet’s not just about sightseeing; their helicopters are also equipped to support medical needs too.
However, there were reports of frequent cancellations during winter due to adverse weather conditions.
Pros
Utilized for air medical transport
Smooth check-in process
Provides lounge refreshments
Friendly and insightful pilots
Cons
Reports of frequent cancellations during winter
Keeps clients in the loop
“If you have to get over to Victoria and back in a day, this is the way to do it. The service is amazing from all involved – baggage handlers, crew, customer service – all first rate. The last time I flew to Victoria, I was on standby for the flight home. I didn’t get on the flight but the kind folks at Helijet still took great care of me…keeping me updated on the flight status as I sipped a cold complimentary beverage.”
“Very convenient location. Reasonable landing and parking fees and excellent line service. The waiting lounge is comfortable, has refreshments, wi-fi, and a quiet “business office” in which one may work.”
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Consumer Rating: B+
Google review
4.9/5
Total reviews score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B+
Safety
4.5/5
Good safety briefings & protocols
4.5/5
Good fleet maintenance
4.5/5
Tour routes
4.6/5
Flexibility
4.5/5
Allows booking changes
4.5/5
Lenient cancellation policy
4.5/5
Contingency plans
4.5/5
When we visited Whistler, one of the most recommended helicopter tour agencies was Blackcomb Helicopters. We conveniently booked a flight online, so no need to visit their office if you want to try their helicopter tours.
However, if some of you have existing medical conditions, we suggest calling them instead so you can relay your concerns directly before booking.
What we loved most about this agency is that their staff ensured their safety briefing wasn’t intimidating, especially for first-time helicopter riders. Our favorite part was when they briefed us on the best angles for taking photos during the ride.
During the flight, we loved that the pilot pointed out hidden valleys and even told us stories about the mountains. We also enjoyed when we landed on a glacier, giving us a better and one-of-a-kind experience.
Additionally, we appreciated how smooth the pilot made both the takeoff and landing, which made the entire flight feel safe.
However, since you’re traveling over the mountains by helicopter, you really need to keep a close eye on the weather. Just be ready to traverse a different route once the weather changes.
Pros
Smooth takeoff and landing
Can adjust to certain medical conditions
Non-intimidating safety briefing
Cons
Communication could still be improved
Premium rates
Convenient booking process
“We booked online. It worked out perfectly. We received a friendly welcome. The pilot explained to us during the flight what we were flying over. The view was fantastic and very impressive. The flight was absolutely worth the money. It was fantastic!”
“We had such a great experience! Our pilot was very knowledgeable & personable. The time went by so fast…we wished we could’ve kept going. Only thing that I would recommend would be for them to have a GoPro onboard so that customers could have a continuous video of the whole trip.”
While helicopter tours are highly dependent on weather, it’s highly recommended to fly during the morning as the skies are clearer during that time.
What is the dress code for helicopter rides?
It is highly encouraged to wear long pants such as jeans, cargo pants, or hiking trousers. You should also wear closed-toe shoes such as hiking boots or sneakers.
Is it ideal to eat before a helicopter ride?
You can eat a light meal before a helicopter ride. However, avoid heavy and greasy meals, as these can cause nausea during the ride, especially since helicopter rides can be bumpy.
How many people can fit on a helicopter?
While it depends on the helicopter model, most tour agencies seat between four to six passengers, including the pilot.
Robert Webb
