There’s a new way to see the best of the island, take one of the many helicopter tours here in Bali. It’s an aerial adventure that ensures you see everything from a bird’s eye view.
However, before we introduce you to the options for an unforgettable flight and the best sky tours here in Bali, we need to stress that a helicopter flight can be a dangerous undertaking.
While, the operators on the island use experienced pilots and have a decent safety record, in July 2024, two helicopters crashed on the same day, not due to mechanical failures or pilot error, but because they ran into kite strings!
Bali has a long tradition of kite flying and the highest kites use cables that can disengage a helicopter’s rotor.
In these two crashes, all the people in the helicopters survived though some were injured. Despite talk of new safety protocols for kites and helicopters, no actual changes have been made to the way that these flights are managed nor to how kites are flown here on the island.
If you understand the risk that aerial tours present and decide to go ahead and have a great flight above the breathtaking scenery of this paradise island, we’ve got a list of the best helicopter tours in Bali for you.
Our Top 4 Helicopter Tours Of Bali
FINNS doesn’t currently run any helicopter tours of its own and this list is presented as a complete list of helicopter tour operators on the island, it’s not in any order of preference.
We cannot be held responsible for any decisions you make regarding a tour and would recommend that you research your flight company carefully, you’re unlikely to get a full refund if you pay for a flight and then change your mind.
SGI Air Bali
SGI has been offering helicopter flight services in Bali for more than two decades. In addition to helicopter tours, they also offer full helicopter charter services.
So, if you want your flight to be tailored to you, or you need a medical evac or a coastal cruise, you might want to talk to SGI.
They are rated Gold by the Basic Aviation Risk Standard, which means that this company has a high level of commitment to safety in a way that adds value to the end user of the service.
The helicopter they offer is a Bell 206.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Pelabuhan Benoa, Pedungan, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80222, Indonesia
Online: Air Bali
Balicopter
This is a luxury company for helicopter tours in Bali and a helicopter flight with Balicopter will use a Robinson R66 Turbine Marine.
These are snazzy aircraft with reinforced glass, an engine that was built by the legendary Rolls Royce and they have some awesome Bose Headphones to keep your ears safe while aboard.
This company also has one of the largest ranges of helicopter flight options and if you want a big range of itineraries to choose from, Balicopter has you covered.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, Lot iii, Sawangan, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80363, Indonesia
Online: Balicopter
Bali Helitour
Bali Helitour is one of the few helicopter flight operators on the island that accepts a per-seat booking option on each flight – this means if you don’t have a group to fly with Bali Helitour might be for you.
Their pricing is quite flexible and we’ve found that they’re willing to go the extra mile to tailor a flight to your needs, as long as you’re willing to pay for it.
You can also charter bespoke rides from Bali Helitour.
Where Is It? Bali Helitour Heliport @GWK Parking B Area, Jl. Kw. Garuda Wisnu Kencana, Ungasan, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Online: Bali Helitour
Mason Sky Tours
Mason Sky Tours is part of the Mason Adventures group here in Bali and that means you know they’re well-established and reliable.
They own and operate a trio of helipads in Bali (one in Sanur, one at their Elephant Lodge and the other in Ubud) and you can combine a flight itinerary with other Mason experiences such as ATV rides and or white water rafting.
They also offer an excellent range of charter services.
Where Is It? Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Pesanggaran, Pemogan, Denpasar Selatan, Bali 80221, Indonesia
Online: Mason
Note: Urban Air Bali has permanently closed their doors now and you cannot book a helicopter flight with this company any more.
Some Of The Best Things To See When Booking An Air Package
If you’re wondering what to include on your flight when you book a helicopter tour of the island, we’ve got some suggestions.
Of course, unless you’re prepared to spend a lot of money, you’re unlikely to fit in everything on the island – so you’ve got to cut things down a little.
There are over 20,000 temples in Bali, for example, so we’re going to pick things that look amazing from the air rather than provide exhaustive lists of things to see in Bali here.
Tanah Lot Temple: One Of The Coastal Wonders Of The Island
Tanah Lot Temple sits on a small island off the coast of Bali and it’s a really spectacular sight from above.
Given that foreigners are not allowed in the temple grounds at Tanah Lot Temple, this is as close to the temple as you will ever get.
If you can fly by at sunset, you will enjoy the pleasure of an amazing light show above the ocean while you appreciate the beauty of this stunning spot.
Uluwatu Temple: The Clifftop Cracker
Uluwatu Temple is a great place to visit too, it’s near several of the other major sites on our list and thus, easy to fit into a tour that includes Nusa Dua, the GWK Statue, Melasti Beach, some rice fields, etc.
The temple is one of the larger temple sites in Bali, which makes it very easy to enjoy from an aerial perspective.
It’s also on a dramatic clifftop setting perched above the Indian Ocean which adds a lot of drama and excitement to your holiday photos at this spot.
Nusa Dua or Melasti Beach: A White Sand Beauty
Nusa Dua is a popular family beach and if you fly past this area, you can also visit Benoa Harbor which is one of the major ports into and out of Bali.
Melasti Beach is on the Southernmost coast of Bali and like Nusa Dua Beach, it’s a white sand wonder, the area is also full of new construction and you can see the changing face of the island easily from above here.
If you intend to use the tour to help plan your trip to an interesting beach, these two spots are worth including on the trip.
Mount Batur: The Second Largest Active Volcano In Bali
Mount Batur is an active volcano but it’s much less active than Mount Agung and it’s the ideal place for a dream flight over a volcano without putting you or any of your family and friends at risk.
GWK Statue: The Most Iconic Statue
You can see the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) statue as you land at the airport, it’s the tallest statue in Indonesia and it makes for a stunning sight during helicopter flights.
Rice Fields: The True Heart Of Bali
Who would arrange a trip to fly high above Bali without including some of the gorgeous rice fields on the island? They’re as an integral part of this paradise island as the sea and sky.
Go Off Shore: The Gili Islands, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida & Nusa Ceningan
If you have the funds, you could even go further ashore and visit Lombok with a trip to the Gili Islands (Gili T, Gili Meno and Gili Air) or to the Nusa Islands (Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan).
These islands are less busy than Bali and they add some extra adventure as you explore the aerial domain of the province.
FAQs
Are Helicopter Tours In Bali Safe?
No one can guarantee that any given helicopter flight will be safe. Billionaires such as Petr Kellner and Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, banking CEOs such as Herbert Wigwe, and Presidents such as Ebrahim Raisi, etc. have all died in helicopter crashes.
These people all had experienced pilots and the best machines to fly in. But a helicopter is much less safe than a plane if it runs into trouble and helicopter crashes regularly result in fatalities.
You must decide if you find the flight to be worth the risks before you board. The service will be as safe as possible is the best guarantee you can get for a trip in a helicopter.
How Much Does A Helicopter Flight In Bali Cost?
It depends on how many people are flying together and how far the helicopter will go. A flight from Bali to Lombok, for example, which passes over the Gili Islands and the Nusa Islands (Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan) will start at $3,333 USD ($5,000 AUD).
Whereas a 20-25 minute flight for 6 people above Bali is around $1,240 USD ($1,500 AUD).
To book an individual seat on a flight will normally cost more per person than a flight full of guests from the same party.
Are Helicopter Flights Good For Marriage Proposals?
While you can arrange for a dramatic proposal that your loved one will never forget as part of your day on these exciting aircraft, we don’t recommend proposing in-flight.
Firstly, you’d need to do it in writing as the noise of the rotors would make it hard to be understood while speaking.
Secondly, there’s the risk of dropping the ring when the door of the helicopter is open for you to take photographs, you can’t jump out to get it back.
Finally, the friendly staff on a tour, may not be able to make things right if the other person declines the proposal.
Final Thoughts On A Helicopter Tour Bali
We need to stress that listing a potential aerial adventure does not mean that we are providing any guarantee that a helicopter flight with any of these helicopter tours is going to be a safe experience.
You will, of course, be provided with a great pilot and a safety briefing which will help increase the odds of returning to the ground in one piece – but even world leaders and military leaders have been injured or perished when the world’s most experienced pilots have failed to keep control of a helicopter.
However, if you decide on a flight Bali air sky tours are a great way to make memories to treasure forever or to be used as part of a dream proposal for the one you love.
And we wish all passengers an amazing time full of excitement as they explore the island far above the ground and hope that you reach your destination safely and happily.
Read more:
White Water Rafting Bali: Your Guide To Having Fun, Staying Safe & The Best Rafting Spots
The Best ATV Tours Bali: 9 Amazing Bali Quad Bike Adventures
