SoCal Coastal Helicopter Tour from Long Beach — 30-Minute Aerial Flight Over Newport to Laguna

Long Beach•easy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

1.5 hours (includes check-in; 30-minute flight)

Fitness Level

Minimal fitness required—able to board/unboard with brief stair climb; must be able to sit upright for duration.

Overview

Rise above Long Beach and watch the Southern California coast unfold: Newport harbors, Huntington Pier, Laguna’s coves and Crystal Cove’s cliffs. This 30‑minute helicopter flight compresses a day of coastal driving into a cinematic aerial sweep.

SoCal Coastal Helicopter Tour from Long Beach — 30-Minute Aerial Flight Over Newport to Laguna

Other

Air Tour

Select participants and date

Date

Fri, Oct 31

Travelers

The helicopter lifts off from the Queen Mary terminal and Long Beach shrinks into a grid of piers and palms. Below, the Pacific stretches a cool blue, studded with surf breaks and the glint of luxury homes clinging to cliffs. In thirty minutes the coast unspools: Seal Beach’s calm curve, the bustle of Newport’s harbor, the wooden spine of Huntington Pier, and the scalloped coves of Laguna. The ocean seems to reach up, daring you to follow its line.

Adventure Photos

SoCal Coastal Helicopter Tour from Long Beach — 30-Minute Aerial Flight Over Newport to Laguna photo 1

Adventure Tips

Bring photo gear with straps

Use a wrist or neck strap and a UV filter to protect lenses from salt spray and rotor wash.

Arrive early for weight & ID checks

FAA rules require a photo ID and time to process seating for weight-and-balance—plan to arrive 40 minutes early.

Dress in layers

Helipads are windy and mornings can be cool—light windbreaker recommended even in summer.

Request window seating

Ask at booking or check-in for a window seat on the shoreline side to maximize coastal views and photos.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Pacific bottlenose dolphins
Seasonal gray whales (migration windows Nov–Apr)

History

The region’s coastline reflects Spanish exploration, 19th-century shipping, and 20th-century development; Long Beach’s port and nearby harbors shaped Orange County’s growth.

Conservation

Coastal flights must balance scenic access with wildlife disturbance; operators follow FAA and local guidelines to minimize noise over marine mammal habitats.