Panhandle Helicopter
Panhandle Helicopter
5
Helicopter ToursSightseeing ToursPrivate ToursAir Tours
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Full view
About
Since 2008, Panhandle Helicopter has offered scenic helicopter tours over the "world's most beautiful beaches" in Panama City Beach, FL. We are proud to provide a bird's eye view of our beautiful emerald coast and local marine life. Safety is our #1 priority, but our goal is to provide you with an experience of a lifetime. We look forward to flying with you!
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Panhandle Helicopter
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
152 reviews
Excellent
140
Very good
4
Average
2
Poor
3
Terrible
3
fdlfan
Fond du Lac, WI237 contributions
May 2021 • Family
On our trip to Panama City Beach we kept seeing the helicopters go over our rental home but thought rides would be crazy expensive. I saw a billboard that showed the low starting price of $40 so I checked their website. My husband and daughter went first and their pilot (who was from Philadelphia) was great! Gave my husband a lot of good information about PCB and what to look for. They saw sharks, turtles and dolphins. My son and I went later and our pilot was Grace. She was fantastic! I’m a bigger girl and was worried about meeting the weight requirement but they treated me with respect and dignity which I greatly appreciated. The scale is on the floor but only the person checking you in sees your weight. They have a few items for purchase including a souvenir photograph of you in front of the airplane with your pilot.
Written May 18, 2021
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.
Bilbo
Milton Keynes, UK123 contributions
Mar 2020
Arrived at Panhandle Helicopter and able to book Helicopter Ride at short notice (i.e. in the Sky within 15 minutes). Would like to thank Sadie who helped us into the Helicopter and Chynna (Pilot) for making the sightseeing so special and informative. The Robinson R44 Helicopter was comfortable with unhindered views and I would like to have stayed in the Sky longer. Greg met us on our return and I rate this activity a must when in Panama City. Availability 10AM - Sunset, 7 Days a Week (Weather Permitting) and minimum 2 people required and maximum 3 people.
Written March 21, 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.
JKK123
Sugar Land, TX246 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
First time doing a helicopter tour!
Is definitely worth seeing PCB by air!
Did Shell Island run & even though weather moving in kept us from going all the way pilot did a little coast run so we got full flight time regardless.
No reservations accepted & for 3 persons was 3.5 hour wait (you can leave & come back) but as weather was coming in I opted to pay for 4 seats and we were in the air within 30 minutes on the 4 person chopper. Not cheap but worth it for a very memorable flight!
Very cool experience!!!
Is definitely worth seeing PCB by air!
Did Shell Island run & even though weather moving in kept us from going all the way pilot did a little coast run so we got full flight time regardless.
No reservations accepted & for 3 persons was 3.5 hour wait (you can leave & come back) but as weather was coming in I opted to pay for 4 seats and we were in the air within 30 minutes on the 4 person chopper. Not cheap but worth it for a very memorable flight!
Very cool experience!!!
Written August 16, 2021
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.
Olivia T
4 contributions
Jul 2023
Originally booked a flight for 3 people at the $95 price, didn't know 3 was the maximum for a flight so I paid a little extra ($5 per person) to make it "private", for 3 of us the charge was $333 after taxes. I booked the flight about a week before we arrived. The day we arrived into town, I sent a message asking if it was possible to change our reservation to 2 people and do the $150 ride instead of 3 people at $100. I received a phone call instead of a response. We were driving when the call came in. The girl was very nice and said no problem, just make sure that they knew the last 4 of the credit card that the reservation was booked on. So, now we are arriving into town and I am happy knowing my daughter can take a longer flight (she loves helicopters, and I fly all the time, so not so exciting for me). Well, the next day, my card is hit for another $177. (They never asked for the card when my group arrived) then I get a credit for $111. So I was charged $66 and didn't know why. I called and explained the situation. The manager wasn't available so she said she would have to call me back. They day went by, no call back. The next day, a girl called me and again told me that they would get it straightened out and agreed I shouldn't have been charged extra, and she would call me back. They never called back. My last day in town, I called again and this time it took some time on the phone, but the finally reached the manager that never seems to be at work and ended up refunded my money that didn't go back onto my card until a week after they charged it. Everyone was very nice, but no one did anything to fix the situation without me taking my vacation time to call and lean on them to fix the issue. I recommend that if you use this company, watch your credit card statement, because the changes I made to the reservation shouldn't have made one change on my credit card statement. They actually had written down we took an even longer trip and charge for that, which wasn't the trip my daughter went on. I feel there organization and follow up need some work. It did all get straightened out, but no one wants to have to continually follow up with someone to do their job while they are on vacation. I will add that my boyfriend gave the pilot a $50 tip because the pilot eluded that he liked shorter trips better than long ones because he makes more tip money. I don't think paying $333 for a 25 minute flight should come with guilt to tip 'extra".
Written July 10, 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.
Kat M
14 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
My husband and I were looking forward to booking a helicopter ride since we are in PCB for our anniversary last weekend, 3/13. We walked in with our masks on in compliance with the local ordinances. There were 16 people inside an incredibly small space including at least 8 children. Not only were none of them wearing masks but neither where any of the employees. We were incredibly disappointed and chose to leave as we did not feel like our safety was a priority despite verbiage on the website saying that they are practicing Covid-19 safety protocols.
Written March 19, 2021
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.
Kacey75
Columbus, GA274 contributions
May 2020 • Friends
My brother and I wanted to take a ride and I said I’d pay. So after I pay and we are waiting outside with other people to get on a helicopter, we get asked if a kid can ride with us since he’s a single rider. I felt put on the spot and like I had to say yes. It wouldn’t have been a big deal but the kid talked so much and the pilot just catered to him which is not what I paid for. Add to make it better, the pilot refers to me as the mom. I don’t think I’m old enough to be the kid’s mom- but I guess that’s a matter of opinion. Either way I didn’t enjoy it.
I know this operation is about money and they want as many people on a ride as possible - but next time do the people you ask the courtesy of asking them in private. I couldn’t tell if the people we were waiting with were in the kid’s party and I felt like I didn’t have a choice and it ruined my $200+ experience. I didn’t enjoy it and won’t be back.
I know this operation is about money and they want as many people on a ride as possible - but next time do the people you ask the courtesy of asking them in private. I couldn’t tell if the people we were waiting with were in the kid’s party and I felt like I didn’t have a choice and it ruined my $200+ experience. I didn’t enjoy it and won’t be back.
Written May 17, 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.
Brittany B
Nashville, TN57 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We did the 7 mile trip for $55 each person with two young children (5 yo & 2.5 yo). The max per trip is 3 people, but the option for the kids to ride twice with each parent was great. The kids had a blast, and we saw a shark, manna ray, & beautiful beach views. Thank you for a great experience!
Written October 7, 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.
Adam J
2 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
I hope this place goes out of business. They single handedly ruin the beach atmosphere with their noisy helicopters that go back and forth ALL DAY LONG! Every 10 minutes one of these nuisances is flying by interrupting everything. I have no idea how they ever got permission to do this in such a crowded location. I will never stay in Panama city again due to this one business that ruins everything for everyone else. If you are tourist that is giving them money then I hope you spontaneously combust, because you are enabling them to continue being such a distraction.
Written August 28, 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.
SarahJean850
Fort Walton Beach, FL29 contributions
Apr 2021
I really love how detailed the website was before I booked this. Once booked, the place was easy to find and had free parking (just read your voucher). I really appreciated that there wasn't a set appt time and it's first come, first serve. Traffic has not been great while we have been here and we've almost missed a few tours, so this was AWESOME and the wait time was only about 20 mins when we got there at 10:15am. The guy at the desk, Will, was super friendly and easy to talk to about the tours and everything about PCB. You WILL be weighed when you check in, that's not a joke. Once we got walked out to the helio pad, we were able to take pics and our pilot, Wes was a doll. On our flight we saw a HUGE pod of dolphins (like 15 dolphins), some cow nosed rays, a shipwreck that had washed up, schools of fish, sea turtles and more! It was seriously the best tour I've ever been on and our pilot answered all our questions, even the dumb ones, with a smile! Do this tour! Don't even hesitate! And be flexible because the wind and weather play a huge factor. We actually rescheduled our trip a few different days because of the wind but it was worth the wait for sure! Thanks guys!!!
Written April 26, 2021
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.
Daydream50349348734
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Family
The views are amazing! We saw dolphins, sea turtles, and just felt giddy and happy the entire ride! The pilot even circled around to show my little girl even more. Best $55 you'll ever spend for a day of perma-smile, and the best pictures you'll ever get of Florida's turquoise water.
Written September 1, 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.
How much would it cost per adult ? And a 1 year old ??
C. J. & Jannifer - Newnan, Ga.
Newnan, GA11 contributions
Depends on your flight choice. They've a few to choose from. $55 and up. They do have a weight restriction on the individual. I believe it's 300 lbs. The prices are listed on their website.
donnab1974
Hopkinsville, KY387 contributions
We’ve got 3 adults and 3 children (ages 1, 3, and 4) would all the children be able to fly in the adults laps? The last time we took a tour with you guys there was only baby and he rode in his mother’s lap
Poohski
Portland, TN59 contributions
The helicopter only seats three people and the combined weight has to be under 550lbs
Do I need to purchase tickets in advance before we come there or can we buy on the spot?
john w
Mangham, LA83 contributions
You can purchase on the spot, no need to purchase in advance. You will really enjoy the ride, go ahead and do the longer ride it’s really worth it! Have fun!
Can 2 adults and 2 children age 4 and 11 fit in a helicopter and what would cost be?
Panhandle Helicopter
Panama City Beach, FL6 contributions
Hey Carol,
Thanks for contacting us here at Panhandle Helicopter! Unfortunately our helicopters can only hold a total of four people with one of those being the Pilot, which leaves three available seats for passengers. What we do with families of four is this, we load up both kids and a parent send them on the flight. When the helicopter gets back we swap out the parent and send the helicopter out again. You only pay for one flight but the kids get to fly twice. That's really the only way we can make it so the family gets to fly together. The total cost for all four will vary depending on which tour you choose. To see a description of all six tours we offer please visit our website at Panhandlehelicopter, or on Facebook by search Panhandle Helicopter. Thanks!
Felessia E
10 contributions
What is the price for a single (solo) trip?
Panhandle Helicopter
Panama City Beach, FL6 contributions
Hi Felessia, we actually have a 2 person minimum and our tours range in price from $5 per person (5 miles) all the way up to $150 per person (36 miles). So it really just depends on how far you want to fly!
Panhandle Helicopter - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Panhandle Helicopter Information
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