Magnum Helicopters — Local services in Honolulu

We booked the tour as two groups traveling together—one group of two and another of three. The only specific activity the two men in our group had requested for our vacation was this helicopter ride, and while my friend and I were initially okay with sitting out, our significant others really wanted us to join them to share the experience. Since we were aware that each helicopter only accommodates four passengers, we booked two separate groups and received confirmation accordingly.

When we arrived, everyone was excited for the adventure—until we checked in. At that point, we were told that our groups would be split, and my significant other would have to ride alone with strangers. We were shocked and disappointed. We explained that we had booked two confirmed groups precisely to avoid this issue, but the staff simply repeated that the helicopter only seats four.

While we fully understood the seating limitations, what was frustrating was that our confirmed groupings had been changed due to another booking made after ours. Instead of honoring the original groups, the staff chose to prioritize the later group. When we asked for alternatives, including my friend offering to sit out for a refund, we were told there were no refunds at that point. Only after repeated requests—and frankly, after I became visibly upset—did the manager agree to ask the other group if they would be willing to split, which they thankfully did.

This situation could and should have been handled better. It's understandable that the company wants to fill every seat, but the burden of adjustment should not fall on those who booked first. Had we booked individually, there’s no way a couple would have been split without prior notice.

While the flight itself offered breathtaking views of the island and was truly beautiful, the poor handling of our booking and the stress it caused cast a shadow over what should have been a highlight of our trip. I recommend doing this tour early in your vacation to enjoy the views, but I also strongly advise the company to improve how they manage and prioritize group bookings and...

Awesome, bring a good phone case with a lanyard and close toed shoes.

I essentially planned our trip to Honolulu in order to be able to take this tour. Tours available in the MD500 are hard to find in 2019 and this one adds the thrill of a doors off experience. This was the first time my 5yo son got to go up in a helicopter and I think he loved it as much as I did. We were running late the morning of our flight, I apologize for this, and truly appreciate the crew and the other two passengers holding back a couple of minutes for us to arrive. Unfortunately I do not recall the name of our pilot, but he was great at explaining the equipment and how to work it (this was the first time I've flown having to operate a mic switch) And he had a great rapport in his explanation of all that we saw and some of the weather that we experienced. This is a 50 minute tour and I purchased the two front seats for myself and my son, and I feel like it was a good deal for the time (other tours that I have taken have been more like 15-20min). Kids under a certain age are only allowed in the inboard seats (and up to the pilots discretion if they are allowed at all) This meant that my wife and I with our two kids would have had to fly in separate helicopters since I think they would only be allowed in the center front seat with the pilot on one side and the parent on the other. I assume if I had a third adult to go on the other side of the second child in the back we may have been allowed to all fly together. I know this is all confusing but you should be aware that a family of four may not be able to all fly together, and the flights are spaced out enough that you probably won't see the other ship in flight. They will be happy to let you borrow a waterproof phone bag/case with a lanyard for your phone and I don't believe you will be allowed to take your phone without a lanyard. It's great that they offer this but most of my photos look like they were taken in 1975 because of the somewhat hazy case shifting and throwing off the focus, bring a nice case with you that...

If there were 10 stars, my family would give Magnum 10 stars.

After booking, our first encounter was a reschedule due to scheduled maintenance. While that might have been an inconvenience, PLEASE service this helicopter. Know what I mean?

Did I mention I have an irrational fear of falling. Like, night sweats dream is me waking up on the edge of something very high about to fall. Climbing peaks, flying in planes, rooftops - not a problem. It's the open air falling. Why in the tarnation would I be doing a helicopter tour without doors??? Love, baby:) Face your fears, ya know?

While I didn't take a single photo because I was white knuckled, cold sweating in the back seat praying for my sweet life - it was truly SPECTACULAR. Magnum runs a top notch shop and I would refer them over and over again.

Expectations: Go ahead and get your phone lanyard from Magnum - it's got to be one of the plastic ones that you put your phone IN TO. Sorry ladies, your cute accessorized lanyard form Amazon won't cut it. Anyone with long hair - TIGHT bun that business. It's windy up there. While I had on pants and sneakers, I wish I had a sweatshirt too - it was overcast on parts of the ride and it got really chilly. They do weigh you prior to boarding in order to weight the helicopter properly. you don't have to look at the number - but be prepared to maybe not be right next to your sweetheart.

Our pilot, Herb, was fantastic. He gave us all kinds of information about what we were seeing along the way. He would turn the helicopter so not just one side was seeing all the good stuff.

My 11-year-old daughter LOVED it. My husband hasn't stopped talking about it and I lived to write...