Skip to content

Helicopters and jets

Helicopter tour in Phuket: routes, departure point and weather

From the air, Phuket looks like a different place. The limestone towers of Phang Nga Bay rise straight out of the water, and you can see sandbars and turquoise lagoons that a boat never shows you. Flights range from a short scenic loop to a transfer with an island landing. Here's how to pick a route, where you take off and what to wear.

· 5 min read

Where do helicopter tours in Phuket depart from?

Flights leave from a heliport in Sakhu, near Nai Yang beach, a few minutes from Phuket International Airport. That's the north of the island, so a flight fits neatly around your arrival or departure day.

Staying in Bang Tao, Layan or Nai Yang? The drive is short. From Kata, Nai Harn or Rawai, allow more time: the island is long and roads get busy in high season. Our Phuket villa rental guide explains the areas.

Which routes can you fly?

The classic is a scenic flight over the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay. Longer options land on Phi Phi or Koh Yao Noi, and private flights can follow a route you choose.

Scenic flight over Phang Nga Bay

The bay lies northeast of Phuket, close to the heliport. You see the karst islands, mangroves, James Bond Island and the stilt village of Koh Panyee in one sweep, without the crowd of longtails around them. A good first flight, and a good one if you're short on time.

Flight with a landing on Phi Phi

Phi Phi sits southeast of Phuket, in Krabi province. By boat the round trip eats most of a day; by helicopter it's a short hop with a sea view. People book this when they want time on the island, not time in transit.

Landing on Koh Yao Noi

Koh Yao Noi is in Phang Nga Bay, between Phuket and Krabi. Quiet, with rice fields, resorts and views of the karsts. It works well for lunch on the island or a hotel transfer.

Every option in our catalogue, with today's prices and flight times:

Private or shared helicopter tour?

On a private flight the helicopter is yours: you pick the time and sometimes the route. On a shared tour seats are sold one by one and you fly with strangers on a fixed programme.

For a couple, a proposal or a family with kids, private is easier, and nobody fights over the window seat. A Siam Luxury Adventure manager will tell you what's available on your dates, since formats and seats change.

How much does a helicopter tour in Phuket cost?

The price depends on flight time, the helicopter model and whether there's a landing. Current prices are in our helicopter flights catalogue.

Private flights are usually priced per helicopter, not per person, so a group pays much less each. How many passengers fit depends on the model; it's on the flight card or your manager can confirm.

When is the best time to fly?

Visibility is best in the dry season, roughly November to April. You can fly in the rainy season too, but clouds, haze and storms are more common and flights are sometimes rescheduled.

The pilot makes the go or no-go call on the day, based on the weather, and that's not up for debate. So don't book the flight for your last day: keep a spare day in case it moves. Mornings are often clearer than afternoons. Months and coasts are covered in our Phuket season guide.

What happens on the day

You arrive at the heliport a little early, get a short safety briefing and board with the pilot. The flight goes faster than you'd expect, so decide beforehand whether you want to film or just look.

The briefing covers how to approach the helicopter and where to sit. Listen even if you've flown before. You'll usually get a headset with a mic, because the rotors are loud and you can't talk to the pilot without one. Ask them to point things out on the way; pilots know the bay better than most guides. Your manager sends the arrival time and exact flight length with the booking confirmation.

What to wear and bring

Wear dark clothes, comfortable closed shoes and nothing that can blow away. A dark top reflects less in the window, so your photos come out cleaner.

  • Leave hats, scarves and loose items in the car. The rotor wash near the helicopter is strong.
  • Use a phone strap or keep a firm grip; it's easy to drop a phone in the cabin.
  • Sunglasses help, the cabin gets a lot of sun.
  • If you get carsick, take something beforehand and don't eat a big meal before the flight.
  • Documents: check with your manager whether you need your passport on the day.

Combining a flight with the rest of your trip

A helicopter pairs well with a boat. Fly over Phang Nga in the morning, then sail into the same bay in the afternoon and see the karsts from below. Our yacht charter guide covers choosing a boat, and the islands by yacht guide lists routes.

At Siam Luxury Adventure you book through a manager. There is no online payment: you send a request and the manager confirms the time and route on Telegram or WhatsApp. Message the concierge or pick a flight in the helicopters section.

FAQ

Where do helicopter flights in Phuket take off?

From a heliport in Sakhu near Nai Yang beach, a few minutes from Phuket airport.

Which route is best for a first flight?

The scenic flight over Phang Nga Bay. It is close to the heliport and shows the best-known karsts.

Can I fly to Phi Phi by helicopter?

Yes, our catalogue has flights with landings on Phi Phi and on Koh Yao Noi.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The pilot decides. In poor visibility or storms the flight is moved, so keep a spare day.

How do I book a flight?

Send a request on the site or message a Siam Luxury Adventure manager on Telegram or WhatsApp.

We'll match it to your dates

Message a Siam Luxury Adventure manager on Telegram or WhatsApp with your dates, group size and wishes. We'll send options with prices.

TelegramWhatsAppCatalogue: Helicopters and jets

Read next