New Perspective: Flying With 1000 Islands Helicopter Tours

Over the years, my curiosity has led to some epic adventures. From sailing in Santorini to snowmobiling in Haliburton, I’m always on the hunt for unique ways to experience this beautiful world of ours. And although all of the excursions have been spectacular, none have impacted me the way a recent helicopter tour did. In fact, I’m convinced that the 20 min flight with 1000 Islands Helicopter Tours has forever changed the way I travel. No, I’m not being hyperbolic. Ironically, I’ve never felt more connected to our planet; little did I know, I had to step back (or up in this case) to truly understand its scale and beauty…

Now, I know what you’re thinking — hasn’t this girl been on a gazillion planes?! The answer is yes. And although I always request a window seat and stare out hoping the catch a glimpse of the world from above, the few minutes (if I’m lucky) have never been enough. That’s where a helicopter tour comes in. Cruising at a lower altitude over a specific region slows down the experience just enough to be able to take it all in. And the more interesting the landscape, the more fascinating the ride. So when booking our very first helicopter flight, one Ontario destination came to mind: the 1000 Islands…

There’s just something so humbling and eye-opening about hovering over the St. Lawrence gem. I was almost immediately awestruck by the scenery as our helicopter slowly lifted off. My heart palpitated with excitement and my eyes darted from island to island as I eagerly tried to count them all (mission impossible: there are over 1800). And as our pilot (Rupert) shared some highlights about the region, I imagined what it would be like to live on each island — from the tiniest dot (which only had a few trees) to the larger islands (which are home to families on both the American and Canadian sides). However, none captured my imagination like Heart Island. Aww, how romantical. But in all seriousness, seeing Boldt Castle from above is nothing short of magnificent…

And if you opt for the Two Castle Tour, you’ll also get to see Singer Castle on Dark Island (another stunning estate built in the early 1900’s by Gilbert Bourne of the Singer Sewing Machine Co.) The 30 min flight will give you even more time to immerse yourself in the opulence and natural beauty of the region. Oh, and did I mention the heli tours run all year long? Yup! Each season offers its own character and breathtaking views.

In my opinion, this is an experience not to be missed. So get out your bucket lists and add 1000 Islands Helicopter Tours to the very top — you will NOT regret it. It certainly left us smiling from ear-to-ear…

And if you’ve never been on a helicopter or are afraid of heights like I am, I can assure you that you’ll be in great hands. The owner and pilots are incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and were the best guides we could’ve asked for on our first journey. Their instructions were clear, the flight was super smooth (and surprisingly quiet) and – most importantly – their passion for flying was evident. These guys are natural born explorers and will make you feel as excited about flying as they are. From now on, wherever we travel, a heli tour will be on our to-do list. I hope you guys give it a try too — I promise the experience will give you a whole new perspective!

Special thanks to 1000 Islands Helicopter Tours for hosting us. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own.