Bird's-eye view: Paradise Helicopters soars above Oahu's North Shore from Turtle Bay Resort
KAHUKU, Oahu -- Turtle Bay Resort is the only Oahu resort launching helicopter tours right on property, making a magical flight along the scenic North Shore a convenient attraction for guests.
Paradise Helicopters sells a handful of tours, ranging from a short $56 ride to a full-blown adventure, the Oahu Magnum Experience, for $314 that covers the entire island, including Diamond Head and Waikiki.
I was lucky enough to ride in "The Chopper," a four-person helicopter that's a replica from the TV show "Magnum P.I." My 45-minute adventure explored the North Shore's best scenery, soaring above Turtle Bay's hotel and its Palmer Course, the Polynesian Cultural Center, Goat Island and Sacred Falls, a stunning multi-tiered waterfall pouring down from the Ko'olau Mountains. The 1,000-foot falls are only visible by air. They're located inside The Sacred Falls State Park, closed since 1999 after a rock slide killed multiple hikers.
After hovering above the falls, our pilot skillfully landed on a narrow mountain ridge, where we could take pictures of a lush valley and enjoy a drink overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Our pilot finished with a few thrills, taking off into a fear-inducing nosedive off the cliff and later, cruising full speed just above the pounding surf near the resort.
A similar tour, without the mountain landing, will cost $142 per person, money well spent for such a cool experience.
For more information on Paradise Helicopters, see www.paradisecopters.com.