5 Awesome Things You Can See on Sarasota Helicopter Rides

There is truly no better way to explore the city of Sarasota from a totally new perspective than through helicopter rides. You’ll get a closer birds-eye view than you can from a plane, and you can see tons of incredible landmarks in a short amount of time! 

The city of Sarasota is about 25 square miles and is home to some of the most beautiful and famous beaches in the country. The county of Sarasota extends to 725 square miles and includes well-known towns like Siesta Key, Osprey, and Venice.

There are countless fun activities to try out in Sarasota. And since this beautiful city boasts of warm, sunny weather 251 days out of the year, it’s the perfect place to explore in a helicopter ride! Here’s what you can expect to see on a helicopter tour:

1. Six Islands of Sarasota

One of the only ways you can see all six of the islands in Sarasota in a day is with helicopter rides. The six islands that your tour guide will show you are:

• Siesta Key
• Casey Key
• Anna Maria Island
• Bird Key
• Lido Key
• Longboat Key

Each of these islands boasts soft, white sands and crystal-clear waters. You may even spot some spectacular mansions and beach homes scattered on the islands. You can get a unique perspective and see every inch of these beautiful beaches from above, whether you book a shorter 20 min tour or a full hour!

2. Famous Sarasota Landmarks

Sarasota is home to some pretty unique landmarks. Of course, if you’re only here for a short amount of time, you might not be able to visit them all. But you can get a great view of them in a short time with helicopter rides!

Sarasota is famously the home of the Ringling Circus. You can see the John and Mable Ringling Art Museum from above, home to some incredible memorabilia during a tour. You’ll also fly over Ca D’Zan, the famous mansion home to the Ringling family modeled after Venetian architecture. 

You’ll also pass over some natural landmarks, such as the Marie Shelby Botanical Gardens, Myakka Canopy Walkway, and the Sarasota Jungle Gardens.

3. Marine Life

Even though you’ll be hundreds of feet up in the air, you can spot some of the marine wildlife below. You may have to look carefully, but many of the guests on our helicopter rides have spotted pods of dolphins jumping in the waters below!

If you’ve visiting between November or April, there’s also a high chance of seeing manatees. This is when the highest population flock to Sarasota to mate and escape the colder waters.

4. Downtown Views

If you like to see high rises and city architecture, be sure to book a Downtown Tour. The downtown area of Sarasota is built right on the water and is quite a sight to see. You’ll also fly over some famous beautiful buildings like: 

• Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
• Ritz Carlton
• Ringling Bridge
• St. Armand’s Circle
• The Marina
• Tower One

You can also ask your aircraft pilot to point out these buildings and give you a brief synopsis of the history of this amazing city. So no matter where you fly, you’ll always learn something on helicopter rides!

5. Sunset Views

Helicopter rides are incredible at any time of the day – but perhaps one of the best times to take one is at sunset. There is nothing quite like watching the color of the sky change as the sun sets over the beautiful ocean.

Ready to Book?

Make your next trip to Sarasota, FL, one to remember by seeing the city through helicopter rides. With Sarasota Helicopter Tours, you can choose to book a 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60-minute ride and see this beautiful beach town from a whole new perspective. 

If you have any questions about our helicopter tour offerings and want to learn more, please give us a call at 941-800-1515 or send us a message online. Our team will get back to you right away to answer any questions and help you book your next tour!