Wanaka is a fantastic place for helicopter adventures. With its dramatic mountain peaks, pristine lakes, and remote wilderness areas, it’s a compact outdoor playground where flying offers both breathtaking views and unique experiences. Whether you’re after a quick scenic tour, an alpine landing, or a full-day adventure combining helicopter, hike, and jet boat, Wanaka delivers. We’re especially fond of the scenic flight that lands at 1,200 meters, offering a taste of alpine solitude with views over Roy Peak and Mount Aspiring. For those wanting more time in the air, the 45-minute Max scenic flight with two landings is a fantastic choice. If icy landscapes are your thing, the Glacier Experience guarantees a snow landing year-round. For thrill-seekers, the Hiking and jet boat combo takes wilderness exploration to the next level. Plus, the Milford Sound flight offers a spectacular journey into Fiordland with a land at Milford Sound. Whatever your style, Wanaka’s helicopter tours offer unforgettable vistas and adventures.
1. Wānaka: Helicopter Scenic Flight Wānaka Experience
At number 1, we highlight the Wānaka: Helicopter Scenic Flight Wānaka Experience, a perfect introduction to aerial sightseeing over this stunning region. For just $205 per person, you get 25 minutes of flying above the rugged landscape, culminating in an unforgettable alpine landing at 1,200 meters. This is the tour to pick if you want a quick but comprehensive taste of Wanaka’s natural beauty.
The flight offers sweeping views of Lake Wanaka, the charming town below, and prominent peaks like Roy Peak and Mount Aspiring. The alpine landing is the highlight, giving you a chance to step onto snow or rocky terrain, depending on the season. The small group size and personalized service ensure a memorable experience, especially useful if you’re short on time but want a high-impact adventure. Reviewers give it a perfect 5/5, praising the pilot’s friendly professionalism and stunning vistas. The value is excellent for those seeking a concise, high-quality flight that captures Wanaka’s essence.
Bottom Line: Ideal for travelers with limited time who want a beautiful, quick helicopter experience with a mountain landing.
2. Wānaka: Scenic Helicopter Flight Wānaka Max
Next up is the Wānaka: Scenic Helicopter Flight Wānaka Max, which offers a more extensive 45-minute tour for $293 per person. This flight is perfect if you want more time in the air and the chance to see additional highlights like Coromandel Peak (Mt Roy), Mou Waho (the island with a lake inside a lake), and the Matukituki River valley.
What makes this tour stand out is the two alpine landings, giving you a deeper connection to the landscape. You’ll marvel at the snow-capped peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park and fly over diverse scenery including Lake Hāwea and Stevensons Arm, which are often overlooked. The pilot’s commentary is insightful, sharing stories about the region’s geology and history. It’s a great choice for those wanting a comprehensive scenic experience with multiple landings in a compact timeframe.
Bottom Line: Best suited for travelers looking for a longer, more varied flight that includes multiple landings and sweeping views.
3. Wanaka: Scenic Helicopter Flight with Glacier Experience
For an adventure that combines scenery with a snow landing, the Wanaka: Scenic Helicopter Flight with Glacier Experience is ideal. Priced at $264 per person for 35 minutes, this tour guarantees a snow landing year-round—a highlight that many travelers find unforgettable.
The flight showcases the Southern Alps, with spectacular views of glaciers and mountain peaks. The glacier landing is a true highlight, offering a chance to step onto icy terrain, perfect for photos or just soaking in the silence of alpine snowfields. This experience is run by a family-owned company, adding a personal touch to your adventure. It’s well-suited for those who want a quick but intense taste of the glacial landscape, especially if snow scenes are a priority.
Reviewers mention that the glacier landing makes the trip well worth the price, and the views are “spectacular beyond words.” Keep in mind, flights confirm with a minimum of two adults, so it’s best suited for couples or small groups.
Bottom Line: Top pick for travelers wanting a snow-landed adventure with breathtaking mountain vistas.
4. Wānaka: Heli Siberia – Helicopter Flight, Hike & Jet Boat
Number 4 is the Wānaka: Heli Siberia – Helicopter Flight, Hike & Jet Boat, an all-day adventure for those who want to combine flying, hiking, and river thrills. At $407 per person for five hours, this tour offers a full immersion into remote wilderness.
You’ll take a helicopter ride over the Wilkin and Makarora rivers and Mount Aspiring National Park, then hike through Siberia Valley, a place of rugged beauty rarely seen by most visitors. The tour includes a jet boat ride with Wilkin River Jets, whizzing through native beech forests and river valleys. The highlight is the combination of aerial and ground experiences, giving you a real sense of untouched New Zealand wilderness. The reviews are glowing, emphasizing the “breathtaking scenery” and “adrenaline-pumping” river ride.
This tour is best suited for active travelers who want a varied, full-day experience. The only potential drawback is the higher price and the need for good weather; still, the adventure-packed nature makes it worth it.
Bottom Line: For those who want a full-day, multi-activity trip combining helicopter, hike, and jet boat.
5. Wānaka: Heli Jet Combo – Helicopter & Jet Boat Adventure
At number 5, the Heli Jet Combo offers a condensed but still thrilling version of wilderness exploration. For $407 per person, you get a helicopter flight over Mount Aspiring National Park and Siberia Valley combined with a jet boat ride on the Wilkin River.
This tour is ideal if you want the best of both worlds without a full-day commitment. You’ll soar above the peaks, then jump into a fast-moving boat that winds through native forests and river canyons. It’s a high-energy experience, perfect for adrenaline junkies or those short on time but craving an all-in-one adventure.
While reviews are limited, the combination of aerial and river excitement makes this a compelling choice. The scenic helicopter flight provides spectacular views, and the jet boat adds a splash of action.
Bottom Line: Good for travelers wanting a quick yet intense combo of helicopter and river thrills.
$407 per person
6. Wānaka: Milford Sound Scenic Helicopter Flight
Finally, the Milford Sound Scenic Helicopter Flight is a two-hour journey that’s well worth the price at $659 per person. This tour takes you from Wanaka all the way to Milford Sound, with a stop for a short walk and photos of Mitre Peak—some of New Zealand’s most iconic scenery.
What makes this trip special is the land in Milford Sound, allowing you to experience the fiord from the air and on the ground. You’ll enjoy spectacular views of glaciers, the Southern Alps, and fiord landscapes. The flight includes a guaranteed snow landing, adding to the experience’s exclusivity. This tour is perfect if you want to combine a scenic flight with a memorable stop in Fiordland, especially for wildlife and landscape enthusiasts.
Reviewers note that the scenery is “beyond breathtaking” and that the stop at Milford Sound allows for a quick walk and photos, making the most of the experience. It’s suited for travelers with a bit more time and a healthy budget.
Bottom Line: Best for those wanting a comprehensive, scenic journey into Milford Sound combined with stunning aerial views.
$659 per person
How to Choose Your Wanaka Helicopter Tour
Choosing the right helicopter experience in Wanaka depends largely on your travel style and interests. If your goal is a quick taste of alpine beauty, the Wānaka: Helicopter Scenic Flight Wānaka Experience offers excellent value. For more extensive sightseeing with multiple landings, the Max scenic flight is ideal. If icy landscapes are a priority, then the Glacier Experience provides guaranteed snow landings.
Adventurers looking for a full-day trip should consider the Heli Siberia, which combines helicopter, hike, and jet boat. For those seeking a classic fiord experience, the Milford Sound flight offers a scenic journey with a ground stop in one of New Zealand’s most famous fiords.
Remember to book early, especially in peak season, as these tours are popular and weather-dependent. Consider your budget, time availability, and what scenery or activities excite you most.
Final Thoughts
Wanaka’s helicopter tours offer a wide range of choices — from quick scenic flights to full-day wilderness adventures. For a short but spectacular peek, the Wānaka Scenic Experience hits the sweet spot. If you want a more immersive experience with mountain landings, the Max flight is a top contender. For icy landscapes, the glacier landings are unbeatable, and for a true wilderness thrill, the Hiking and jet boat trip delivers.
No matter which you choose, these tours promise some of the best aerial views New Zealand has to offer. Booking early and selecting based on your specific interests will ensure you get the most out of your Wanaka adventure. Prepare to be amazed at how much ground (and sky) you can cover in a helicopter.