Wanaka Helicopters
Wanaka Helicopters
5
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Wanaka Helicopters has operated since the mid 1990s in the Southern Lakes region and into the World Heritage Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks. Experience stunning scenery with our flights including Wanaka, Mount Aspiring, Glaciers, and Milford Sound. Trips range from 25 minutes - to all-day adventures that encompass more dramatic land, sea and alpine vistas than anywhere else in New Zealand. Wanaka Helicopters is a Safety Award Winning company. Our pilots are highly experienced scenic pilots and helicopter flight instructors. We fly 7 days a week (weather permitting) from Wanaka Airport. We are genuinely passionate about what we do and love to share our special part of the world with those who fly with us. On every flight you can expect a safe, highly professional and reliable service that will be memorable, educational and totally personal.
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Wanaka Helicopters
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5.0
427 reviews
Excellent
414
Very good
12
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
topplan
Whakatāne, New Zealand88 contributions
Sept 2020
It really is very difficult to select any one particular thing that made Wanaka Helicopters stand out above all the others. The very friendly, welcoming service from the moment we walked through the door, the very real desire to go above and beyond in the service offered in order to try and offer what I was hoping for, the welcome when we arrived for the flight and the list goes on.
In just minutes, we were made to feel like family and old friends rather than new clients. As a family run business, the true values certainly showed through.
In the air, we were given a grand run down on all the region as we flew and Simon (our pilot) give us excellent viewing and landing opportunities. We all came back buzzing with excitement from our thrills and experience. I cannot recommend Wanaka Helicopters highly enough and would not consider flying with anyone else from Wanaka.
Thank you team.
Rod Topperwien
Ohope Beach
New Zealand
In just minutes, we were made to feel like family and old friends rather than new clients. As a family run business, the true values certainly showed through.
In the air, we were given a grand run down on all the region as we flew and Simon (our pilot) give us excellent viewing and landing opportunities. We all came back buzzing with excitement from our thrills and experience. I cannot recommend Wanaka Helicopters highly enough and would not consider flying with anyone else from Wanaka.
Thank you team.
Rod Topperwien
Ohope Beach
New Zealand
Written 22 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review Rod! We are so pleased you had wonderful experience, it was our pleasure to host you!
Written 28 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lara F
Upper Hutt, New Zealand171 contributions
Oct 2020
As stated by Wanaka Helicopters this tour was definitely The World in a Day and it was certainly the trip of a lifetime for us. I’m pretty sure we are never going to do anything that compares to this experience.
On this five hour helicopter tour you get numerous landings in remote locations, most of which are only accessible by helicopter. The striking and vastly different types of scenery is what makes it feel like you’ve visited the world in a day. From landing on an ice covered glacier, to a coastal beach, to inside Milford Sound for a coffee stop, to landing on the remote shore of a lake and having a picnic lunch.
Pete our pilot was great providing us with informative and interesting commentary, his knowledge comes from his personal experiences of the area. We got to experience something pretty special and it was definitely worth it.
On this five hour helicopter tour you get numerous landings in remote locations, most of which are only accessible by helicopter. The striking and vastly different types of scenery is what makes it feel like you’ve visited the world in a day. From landing on an ice covered glacier, to a coastal beach, to inside Milford Sound for a coffee stop, to landing on the remote shore of a lake and having a picnic lunch.
Pete our pilot was great providing us with informative and interesting commentary, his knowledge comes from his personal experiences of the area. We got to experience something pretty special and it was definitely worth it.
Written 22 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lance
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Couples
I was recommended Wanaka helicopters by a friend, I had an idea of proposing to my partner on a mountain. They had a engagement package, and man did they go all out!
I wanted to surprise my partner so she had no idea, and the staff were incredible with going through with a fake story to get her on the mountain- she really was blindsided.
These guys are LEGENDS.
Thank you for helping me make the best day ever. It couldn’t have gone smoother and the staff were just lovely, helpful and such a cool bunch of people.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
I wanted to surprise my partner so she had no idea, and the staff were incredible with going through with a fake story to get her on the mountain- she really was blindsided.
These guys are LEGENDS.
Thank you for helping me make the best day ever. It couldn’t have gone smoother and the staff were just lovely, helpful and such a cool bunch of people.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your review and recommendation! We are so pleased your engagement was a surprise and it all went smoothly. Thanks for flying with us!
Written 13 April 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jacw
3 contributions
Jul 2020
It was on my bucket list to go up in helicopter, also my birthday, and the staff made it such a special experience. They did a special itinerary, looked after us, the pilot was very informative and the views spectacular. My kids and myself had the most amazing and special time which we'll talk about for years to come. Worth every cent.
Written 18 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review. Pleased to hear you enjoyed your special birthday flight and have some great memories to share with your kids!
Written 12 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andrew D
4 contributions
Mar 2023
I booked a proposal package with Wanaka Helicopters and cannot recommend their service highly enough. Having been initially booked on a 12.30pm flight for two in an R-44, bad weather meant it was put back to 3pm but conditions improved significantly and after regular updates via email and phone, we were moved forward again to 1pm. I was passing off our flight as a birthday present and staff went along with the cover story perfectly, wishing my partner a happy birthday when we arrived. Nicky from the front of house team was a big help in my advance planning while pilot Dean gave us a flight to remember and took several excellent photos of us on top of Coromandel Peak which we'll treasure forever. He struck the right balance between keeping us safe, staying on top of our timings and also allowing us space to enjoy our special moment together with the right degree of privacy. Thank you so much to Wanaka Helicopters, you ensured everything went as smoothly as possible and it was worth every last dollar!
Written 26 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lpender
2 contributions
Mar 2020
A clear early morning saw us calling Wanaka Helicopters last minute to try get on a helicopter flight that day. The staff were so lovely and managed to book us in straight away (with good time to get to the airport). They take safety seriously (not cowboys!) and left the option of circling Aspiring and exploring glaciers up to the pilot's read on conditions when in the air. The pilot was friendly, made sure we were comfortable and was really knowledgeable on the local area. The flight was amazing and we felt we were in the hands of true professionals the whole trip. We had two awesome landings and never felt like the pilot was hurrying to get us back. A real highlight of our NZ trip. Highly recommend Wanaka Helicopters!
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your review, we are delighted you enjoyed your flight with us and it was a highlight for you here in New Zealand!
Written 13 April 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vinay Kumar
6 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
The team at Wanaka Helicopters are awesome. We booked ride on special through i-site in wanaka and it was well worth it. amazing experience, great pilot was super friendly and very informative. Will come again for longer trip to the glaciers next time and highly recommended. 5 stars from me guys. you guys rock.
Written 10 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your feedback. Great to hear you enjoyed your flight with us and hope to see you back again for a Glacier flight next time.
Written 12 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Matt W
London, England, United Kingdom2 contributions
Feb 2020
We took three helicopters to Coromandel Peak for our wedding, and it was the most amazing experience of our life. We found Wanaka Helicopters so incredibly easy to deal with from start to finish. They booked us in months in advance, helped us change anything we wanted to as time went by, responded quickly, and were always friendly. Then the day came, and it was stormy, gloomy and grey. We were terrified we would not get to go, but they said that while safety comes first, they would do everything they could for us. We were back and forth on the phone with them throughout the day as the wild weather continued. They said they were happy to change the time and that their pilots were very flexible, also wanting to ensure our trip could go ahead. When the sun came out briefly, they called us straight to the airport and got us to the peak. While our stay was cut a bit short due to the wind picking up, we still got to have our wedding, and an unforgettable hour with our family, on top of the world. All thanks to this incredible company and their incredible, caring team. Cannot recommend enough and would give 10 stars if the limit wasn't 5!
Written 4 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review! We are so pleased we were able to get your wedding party up to Coromandel Peak on a rainy Wanaka day. We are stoked it all worked out for you, a special day you will always remember! Many thanks for flying with us!
Written 13 April 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hayden
3 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Can't say enough good things about Wanaka Helicopters. It was a suprise proposal, Niki was extremely discrete and helpful with the booking. When we arrived on the day, there was no giving away what was about to happen. We met our Pilot Simon and we loved how easy going he was, and especially loved his Dad jokes, they were great and helped before the nerves set in for the Proposal. Simon doubled as a photographer and snapped some great shots on my phone. Coromandel peak, was incredible Simon gave us a brief history of the area, with Soft take off's flight time and landings (First time passengers neednt be afraid)
Nicki welcomed us back with smiles and we finished our champagne while watching their students learn how to pilot!
Ps. They pulled all of this off, while helping extinguish a bush fire nearby!!!
Thanks and we will be back!
Hayden and Bree
Nicki welcomed us back with smiles and we finished our champagne while watching their students learn how to pilot!
Ps. They pulled all of this off, while helping extinguish a bush fire nearby!!!
Thanks and we will be back!
Hayden and Bree
Written 8 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francoise L
4 contributions
Jul 2020
I went on a flight up to Coromandel Peak last week. The staff were friendly and easy to deal with and the pilot was competent and confident. They hadn't had a sunny day for awhile so we were treated to a little extra time at the top - which I was grateful for! The pilot was clearly passionate about his job which made the experience even better. The views from the top were primo. I have raved about this to all my friends and one has even booked in to go next week!
Thanks for helping me tick this off my bucket list.
Thanks for helping me tick this off my bucket list.
Written 12 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We appreciate your feedback. Our Pilots are extremely passionate about flying in this area and showing our visitors this very special part of NZ. The views from Coromandel Peak are just amazing and hope you got some great photos to look back on.
Written 12 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hello.
how much does it cost to plan proposal? I need about 30 minutes or less to record it by my drones.
Written 23 August 2018
Hi
Roughly, what did it cost you to hire a helicopter? My friend is looking to do it for her wedding but we have NO idea how much it is! Thank you!
Written 6 April 2015
Thank you for your question.
Our wedding prices vary from $599 to $2000 depending on numbers and location. Contact Wanaka Helicopters directly if you would like some more detailed information.
Regards,
Nicky.
Written 8 April 2015
All I want to know is how much it would cost me and the duration of the flight I'll be there in November Stan
Written 7 March 2015
Hey Stan! Thanks for your question!
We have a range of flights which you can take, all depending on your price and timeframe!
Have a look at our website which will give you an idea on our flights which may suit you!
We do have minimum numbers of x2 passengers for flights such as our mount Aspiring and Milford Sound flights, but in saying that we can put you in on a flight we have going if one of these are the option you're leaning towards (therefore you don't have to worry about minimum numbers!)
Do send us an email (which you will find on our website) or call us freephone on 0800 46 36 26 if you have any questions! :)
Kind Regards,
Charlotte
Written 7 March 2015
For a single guy how much would it cost and how long does it take.do you have any pacific timetable?or is it just when you got a full flight.
Written 7 March 2015
Hey Stan! Thanks for your question!
We have a range of flights which you can take, all depending on your price and timeframe!
Have a look at our website which will give you an idea on our flights which may suit you!
We do have minimum numbers of x2 passengers for flights such as our mount Aspiring and Milford Sound flights, but in saying that we can put you in on a flight we have going if one of these are the option you're leaning towards (therefore you don't have to worry about minimum numbers!)
Do send us an email (which you will find on our website) or call us freephone on 0800 46 36 26 if you have any questions! :)
Kind Regards,
Charlotte
Written 7 March 2015
What is the duration and cost of the helicopter flight. We will be 4 adults, do we need to book well in advance?
Written 2 February 2015
Sorry for the late reply Saar! I hadn't seen your message!
It's best to try book in advance if you can, but we can always accommodate you as best as we can if you can't give us a lot of notice!
Did you know which flight you were looking at taking with us? Please check out our website as we have lots of different options on there :)
Written 7 March 2015
How much is the cost to ride in your helicopter in wanaka?. I'll be visiting in late January and am interested.
Written 30 December 2014
Hi guys! Sorry for the late reply! All of you are spot on with your answers as all our flights vary!
We range trips from as little as $99 per person for a quick wee tour, right up to exclusive half day adventures for $1950 per person!
It all depends on what it is you wish to see, how much you are wanting to spend and how much time you have available!
Do visit our website if ever in doubt! :)
Written 7 March 2015
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