Between Downtown Miami and Miami Beach, a string of small man-made islands sits in Biscayne Bay. The Venetian Islands line one causeway, while Star Island and Palm Island sit off another, each lined with waterfront homes, gardens and private docks. On the causeways you only glimpse them between trees. From a helicopter you see the pattern: neat islands laid out in rows across the bay. Three private flights on the Miami hub include them.
For Star Island in particular, the Miami South Beach Sunset 30-Minute Helicopter Tour is the flight to book. It spends about 30 minutes in the air in the early evening, about 40 minutes in total, from US$349 per person with a minimum of 2, or from US$698 for two. Its route runs from Pinecrest over Biscayne Bay and Key Biscayne to Fisher Island, South Pointe Park and South Beach, then the Venetian Islands, Palm and Star Island, Brickell Key and the Port of Miami.
The South Beach, Downtown and Islands tour names the Venetian Islands and Palm Island but not Star Island. It is also about 30 minutes, from US$299 per person, minimum 2, and flies during the day. The Miami Ultimate tour includes Star, Palm, Hibiscus and the Venetian Islands in its 50 minutes, from US$499 per person, minimum 2, along with the coast north to Sunny Isles. The 20-minute South Miami flight does not reach these islands.
These are homes, not attractions, and the flights treat them that way. You see the islands as part of the bay, not up close, and no tour promises a view of any particular house. There is no landing and no hover. The sunset tour runs in the early evening, so light depends on the day and the weather. If bad weather cancels your flight, you can choose another date or a full refund. If you want the islands in daylight instead, the 30-minute day tour names the Venetian Islands and Palm Island, though not Star Island.
All flights are private for your group of 2 or 3, and each guest has a window seat. The price is per person with a minimum of 2, so a third guest adds one seat to the same helicopter. On the sunset tour, only handbags or camera bags are allowed on board, and passport details are asked when you book. The islands link naturally to the Downtown skyline at one end and South Beach at the other, so one short flight shows how the bay fits together.
All flights leave from CR Aviation at Miami Executive Airport (Kendall-Tamiami), 14359 SW 127th St, with free parking. Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in, the waiver and photo ID; the person who paid must show the card used. Arriving after departure time counts as a no-show with no refund. A US$19 per person airport fee, paid at check-in, is added to the tour price. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. For the islands in evening light, book the South Beach Sunset tour.
Venetian Islands and Star Island aus der Luft: Miami · Miami South Beach Sunset 30-Minute Helicopter Tour.