Top South Island Helicopter Tours

Add a bit of mystery to your day when you opt for the pilot’s choice glacier tour. Fly deep into the Southern Alps and over Franz Josef Glacier, admiring views that you can’t get from the ground. Then, depending on the day’s conditions and your pilot’s judgment, fly over Fox Glacier or Tasman Glacier, and into the Southern Alps for a snow landing and special photo opportunity.

*WORLD EXCLUSIVE FLIGHT* Join this tour for the unique opportunity to fly in both a Ski Plane and Helicopter, the only flight like it in the world! Fly up in either a ski plane or helicopter on this incredible 45 minute flight which includes a Tasman glacier landing (10-15 minutes) we switch aircraft for the flight home! Flying through the remarkable Tasman Valley and landing on the snow covered peaks with this scenic option is an unforgettable experience and a WORLD EXCLUSIVE FLIGHT with both the ski plane and helicopter! Get your camera ready!! Check in closes 30 minutes prior to the flight time

Land atop Fox Glacier during a 30-minute helicopter tour, narrated by an experienced alpine pilot. Watch snowfields and ice formations come into view as you hover above the glacier, then land in the snow above the icefalls at the top. Your scenic aerial tour takes in the majestic Southern Alps, with impressive views of Aoraki Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain.

See the Franz Josef Glacier from the air on a helicopter flight above ice falls, snowfields, and crevasses. Touch down on a snowfield to see the icy landscape up close, and take in sweeping views across the maritime glacier. This helicopter tour departs from a helipad in Franz Josef township.

Get unrivaled views of Queenstown from 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) in the air during a 25-minute helicopter tour. Look down upon vast Lake Wakatipu and make an Alpine landing in the Remarkables Range, with Coronet Peak and Cecil Peak in the distance. Enjoy sensational photo opportunities from the flight and the landing. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included and save you time and hassle.

Experience the thrill of a helicopter flight and alpine landing on a 20-minute scenic helicopter tour, departing from Aoraki/Mt. Cook Village. You’ll get sweeping views over the Ben Ohau Range before touching down on a landing site in the mountains (snow is seasonal). Enjoy this South Island alpine setting as your professional pilot narrates the vista from above.

The Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are New Zealand’s most accessible glaciers, and many visitors find it hard to choose between them. This helicopter tour takes in both with a thrilling flight over snowy peaks and frozen waterfalls, and an unforgettable snow landing overlooking one of the glaciers. You’ll enjoy views of the mountainous landscape that you can’t get any other way.

On this Franz Josef Glacier helicopter tour and hike, land atop the glacier and explore ice caves and pinnacles with a small group. Soar above New Zealand’s Southern Alps during a scenic flight, then grab your crampons and make your way through dramatic ice formations during a moderately difficult hike. Numbers are limited to 11 to ensure personalized attention from your expert guide.

The rugged peaks, wild glacial valleys, and frozen rivers of the Fox Glacier are even more impressive from above and a helicopter flight offers an unbeatable viewpoint. Hop aboard for a scenic helicopter ride, gaze out over the magnificent landscapes, then enjoy a thrilling snow landing overlooking the glacier.

Take a helicopter flight above New Zealand’s pristine Southern Alps and make a snow landing atop Fox Glacier. This 40-minute aerial tour offers commentary by the professional pilot and provides stunning views of Aoraki Mt. Cook, Tasman Glacier, and the Tasman Sea from above. Appreciate the South Island’s imposing vistas, from alpine snowfields to the lush rainforests at the coast.

Hover above the Southern Alps on a spectacular helicopter ride that lets you see places you couldn’t otherwise access without expert mountaineering skills. Glide over Aoraki Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, and down the Tasman Glacier, then over to the West Coast for a glimpse of the famous Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier. Learn more about the mountains via helpful commentary from your pilot.

A thrilling jet boat ride and a scenic helicopter tour are both must-do activities in New Zealand. Save yourself time and hassle by combining them in one easy trip. Departing from Christchurch, you’ll fly over the scenic Canterbury countryside, admiring the pristine braided rivers as you go. Soon you’ll be zipping over them in a jet boat navigated by an expert driver who will keep you safe while you’re having fun.

Go one step further taking our Milford Sound / Piopiotahi return scenic Helicopter flights and a wonderous 2 hour Milford Sound Cruise with our partners at Mitre Peak Cruises, to experience the Fiordland National Park from the sky, land and water. A remote alpine landing tops off this up close exploration of a UNESCO World Heritage wilderness. Spot wildlife such as seals, dolphins and the Fiordland Crested penguins roaming around Milford Sound. This is an experience you will never forget in the unofficial 8th wonder of the world.

Visit both the Franz Josef Glacier and the Fox Glacier on a single tour on this flight tour that includes a snow landing. Depart from either Franz Josef or Fox villages, to suit your plans. Get up close to the blue ice of these mammoth glaciers and snap unbelievable aerial and ground-level photos. Learn about the glaciology and environment of the area through your pilot's guided commentary.

Take in the truly magnificent views of Franz Josef Glacier and surrounds with this helicopter flight. See lush rainforest, the amazing glacier, and the impressive Southern Alps mountain range. Part of this flight time is a snow landing (approximately 10 minutes) where you get to land on top of a peak and pause to take in the dramatic scenery.

The best way to see Milford Sound is by helicopter and this aerial adventure from Queenstown takes you into the heart of Fiordland National Park. Soaring high above the cruise boats, fly the length of the stunning fiord all the way to the Tasman Sea, see the famed Mitre Peak, and then make a landing on a wild beach.

Join this 45-minute Helicopter scenic experience through Aoraki Mt Cook National Park for a helicopter tour like no other! Sit back, relax, and soak in the breathtaking views from the moment you’re airborne. Experience everything Mt Cook National Park has to offer. Glacier landing (10-15 minutes) on the Tasman Glacier, fly to the top of the Tasman Glacier Check in closes 45 minutes to the flight time

Take in views of Mt. Cook (Aoraki) and the Southern Alps from a vantage point that most travelers miss on this small-group helicopter tour. Fly above the snow-capped peaks, taking in Fox Glacier, the Franz Josef Glacier, and much more before landing for a quick opportunity to explore the pristine wilderness on foot.

Soar through the sky on this 55-minute scenic Helicopter experience through the Mt Cook and Westland National Parks flying over the Fox, Franz Josef and Tasman Glacier, included a glacier landing (10-15 minutes). The ultimate way to see the Southern Alps and a bucket list flight. Check in closes 45 minutes prior to the flight time.

Lift off from Kaikōura's beachfront helipad on a scenic helicopter tour over the deep-sea canyon and coastline. Look out for sperm whales, humpbacks, Hector's dolphins, and New Zealand fur seals in their natural habitat while enjoying panoramic views of the Seaward Kaikōura mountain range and Kaikōura Peninsula. Headsets with microphones provide live commentary and the chance to ask questions during this unforgettable aerial whale-watching experience.

The Tasman Glacier, in Mount Cook Aoraki National Park, is New Zealand's longest glacier. Take in glacier views from a helicopter on this half-day tour, then land 1,200 meters above sea level to explore the ice formations up close, with the towering Southern Alps in the distance.

Gain up-close access to the remote alpine landscapes of the South Island on a premier helicopter flight. This 40-minute aerial tour from Aoraki/Mt. Cook Village soars above the Southern Alps and makes a snow landing atop Tasman Glacier, where you’ll enjoy prime views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. Back in the air, fly through the Burnett Mountains and marvel at the expansive Mackenzie Basin below.

**For Guaranteed snow landings all year round, please book our Mt Cook: Ski Plane & Helicopter Glacier flight** Experience Mount Cook National Park from the sky. Enjoy a 25-minute scenic adventure that includes an alpine landing amongst the mountains. Have exceptional views of Aoraki (Mt Cook) and the surrounding snow-capped mountain ranges right from take off. Be captivated throughout the entire flight. Explore the valleys and peaks of the national park. Journey through the Tasman Valley and over a breathtaking blue glacier lake. Experience an alpine landing in the Southern Alps. Disembark the aircraft and enjoy the elevated alpine landscape before returning to the helicopter to fly back to Mount Cook Airport. Your expert pilot will offer informative and interesting commentary throughout the flight to ensure you receive the best possible experience. *Snow landings occur approx. 75% of the year, however due to seasonality, snow landings cannot be guaranteed all year round.