Planning a trip to Horizontal Falls usually comes with one big decision: helicopter or seaplane? Both offer spectacular aerial views of this extraordinary Kimberley icon, but they are very different experiences. Keep reading to see which option ticks your Kimberley wish list!
Helicopter | Seaplane | |
Horizontal Falls flyover | Yes | Yes |
Montgomery Reef | Flyover available on selected helicopter tours | Not available as part of the seaplane tour |
Pontoon landing & water activities | Available on selected helicopter tours | Included on seaplane tours |
Individual weight limit | Up to 136kg* | Up to 120kg |
Passenger numbers | Small group (up to 3 passengers) | Larger group (up to 14 passengers) |
Viewing experience | Panoramic sightseeing with front doors off and a guaranteed window seat | Scenic aerial views through seaplane window |
Price | Higher price point | Lower price point |
Best suited to | Couples and groups up to 3 people, keen photographers, travellers wanting to include Montgomery Reef, and passengers requiring a higher weight allowance. | Budget-conscious travellers and those wanting to experience a water take off/landing. |
*136kg is the maximum individual passenger weight on Frontier Tours helicopter flights. Combined passenger weight limits also apply and vary by flight. All bookings are subject to aircraft weight and balance requirements.
How much does it cost to experience Horizontal Falls?
The cost of experiencing Horizontal Falls varies depending on whether you travel by helicopter or seaplane, your departure point and the type of tour you choose. Both helicopter and seaplane tours offer options to experience Horizontal Falls from the air, with selected tours also including time at the Horizontal Falls pontoon and on-water activities.
Helicopter flyovers start from $1,619 per person from Derby, while the half-day Horizontal Falls Discoverer starts from $2,131 per person.*
Seaplane tours are available at a lower starting price, with the overall experience, aircraft type and passenger numbers differing between the two options. We’ll explore these differences in more detail below.
Prices are correct for 2026 and subject to change.
Is It Better to Visit Horizontal Falls from Broome or Derby?
Derby is the closest departure point to Horizontal Falls and offers the most direct helicopter experience. If you’re already travelling through Derby, departing from there can also reduce the cost of the experience considerably.
If you’re staying in Broome, there’s no need to make your own way to Derby. Our Broome tours are designed as an easy day trip, with complimentary pickup from your accommodation before a scenic fixed-wing flight to Derby, where you’ll transfer to the helicopter for your Horizontal Falls experience. You’ll then return to Broome the same day.
If you have some flexibility in your itinerary, another option is to drive to Derby the day before, stay overnight and depart from Derby the following morning. Derby is approximately a 2-hour 15-minute drive from Broome, so for travellers with the time to make the journey, this can be a more affordable way to experience Horizontal Falls by helicopter.
Why Choose a Helicopter Tour?
A More Intimate Experience
Helicopter tours to Horizontal Falls carry a maximum of three passengers per flight, creating a remarkably intimate way to experience the Kimberley from above. Couples often find they’re the only two passengers on board, although this isn’t guaranteed and a third passenger may join the flight. With so few people on board, there’s plenty of opportunity to take in the scenery, chat with your pilot and ask questions along the way.
Open-Air Panoramic Views
With the front doors removed, passengers in the front seats have nothing between them and the Kimberley landscape below. It creates an incredible open-air perspective as you fly over the Kimberley region and over Horizontal Falls. For photographers, there’s another major advantage: no aircraft window to shoot through and no glass reflections to contend with.
Can You Land at Horizontal Falls by Helicopter?
Yes! Frontier Tours partners with Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures to offer selected combined experiences that arrive by helicopter at the Horizontal Falls pontoon. From there, you’ll enjoy the on-water activities, including the iconic powerboat ride through the Falls, Cyclone Creek cruise, a marine viewing experience, morning tea and lunch. So, choosing to arrive by helicopter doesn’t mean missing out on the Horizontal Falls activities once you’re there.
Combine Horizontal Falls and Montgomery Reef
If Montgomery Reef is also on your Kimberley wish list, a helicopter gives you the option to experience both in a single journey. Selected tours combine Horizontal Falls with a Montgomery Reef flyover, adding another remarkable Kimberley perspective to your flight.
Book a Horizontal Falls Helicopter Tour with Frontier Tours
Whether you’re looking for a scenic Horizontal Falls flyover, want to combine Horizontal Falls and Montgomery Reef, or want to include the pontoon and water activities, our team can help you find the right tour from Broome or Derby.
You can browse Horizontal Falls helicopter tours online or if you’re unsure which experience is right for you, our team is happy to talk through the options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a helicopter tour to Horizontal Falls worth it?
If you’re looking for the lowest-cost way to experience Horizontal Falls, a seaplane will generally be the more affordable choice. If the flight itself is an important part of the experience for you, the helicopter offers something very different: a maximum of three passengers, open-air views and a much more personal way to see the Kimberley from above. For many guests, that’s what makes the additional cost worthwhile.
Don’t just take our word for it, read what our guests have said:
“What a day!! I can’t thank Frontier Tours enough for our amazing Horizontal Falls flight from Derby with Hamish on August 11. Brilliant pilot and we thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated his expertise and insight into our tour. Landing on a pontoon and giving us the experience we had hoped for with plenty of opportunities for some amazing photos of this incredible phenomenon. His constant banter explaining things as we travelled to and from the horizontal falls was really appreciated and Frontier Tours is certainly blessed to have him on their staff. 10/10” – Jacqui, August 2026
“We were unable to do a seaplane trip to horizontal falls due to my husband’s weight being over 120kg so they referred us to Frontier tours who have a weight limit of 136kg. We were very happy that Frontier tours could accommodate us. We booked online and chose the Horizontal falls tour from Derby. 8am-230pm tour. Excellent communication from the pilot the day before and tour went smoothly. It was just us on the helicopter and the pilot gave informative information of the landmarks as we flew to and back from the falls. We thoroughly enjoyed the helicopter flights and speed boat ride through the fall before and after lunch. I did the swim with the Tawny Nurse sharks. Food was delicious and the tour guides and staff were great. Definitely recommend Frontier Tours” – Kathryn, June 2025
Can I see Horizontal Falls and Montgomery Reef on the same tour?
Yes! Selected Frontier Tours helicopter experiences combine Horizontal Falls and a Montgomery Reef flyover in the same journey, giving you the opportunity to see two of the Kimberley’s most remarkable natural attractions. The Montgomery Reef flyover isn’t available as part of the seaplane option, making the helicopter a great choice if both are on your Kimberley wish list.
Can I visit Horizontal Falls if I weigh over 120kg?
Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures has a maximum individual passenger weight of 120kg on its tours. Frontier Tours helicopter tours can accommodate individual passengers up to 136kg, subject to overall aircraft weight and balance requirements. If the seaplane individual weight limit isn’t suitable for you, please contact our team to discuss the helicopter options available.
Where do Horizontal Falls helicopter tours depart from?
Frontier Tours operates Horizontal Falls helicopter tours from both Broome and Derby. From Derby, you’ll board the helicopter and fly directly towards Horizontal Falls. Tours departing Broome begin with a scenic fixed-wing flight to Derby, where you’ll transfer to the helicopter for the Horizontal Falls experience.
When is the best time of year to see Horizontal Falls?
The Kimberley dry season, typically April to October, is the main season for scenic flying and visiting Horizontal Falls. The pontoon and water activities operate from March to September, with helicopter landing experiences available from late May. Tide strength also plays an important role, with larger spring tides generally creating the most dramatic flow through the gorges. Our team can help you choose the best date for your visit based on the tides. Please note that Frontier Tours’ Horizontal Falls flights, including flyover and landing experiences, do not operate during neap tides.