Whale Watching From a Helicopter? Oh Yes!Whether you are a veteran whale watcher or out for the first time, little can match the exhilaration of encountering these glorious marine mammals from the air! CiHeli is the only helicopter-based whale watching outfit in North America and the sole tour company authorized to fly over the Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary. Unlike traditional boat-based tours where passengers catch the occasional glimpse of a whale as they surface; CiHeli customers get to see the entire whale while circling from above-- along with the entire pod if present. CiHeli works diligently to record all marine mammal spotting encounters to the Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary Database. Your sightings can help protect this fragile resource!

Private helicopter for up to 3 passengers - $350 (Add $25 for Champaign package)

Sites & Attractions: Even in summer months, regional boat-based tours are cold, wet and often involve a multi-hour expedition to the migration/feeding routes...all in the hopes of glimpsing a whale. Fall and winter tours can be downright miserable! Leave the heavy jacket and rain gear at home and climb into the climate controlled comfort of a CiHeli R-44 airship! Santa Barbara Channel offers year-round whale watching opportunities with majestic Blue Whales and Humpbacks more prevalent in fall and winter months, transitioning to migratory Gray Whales and Sperm Whales in the winter and spring months. Orcas (Killer Whales) are possible any time of year but are infrequent in this area while dolphin encounters are almost a guarantee! With the coastal beaches and Channel Islands as a backdrop, this favorite tour is a show-stopper!

Tour Length 20min.