If you want to see New Zealand’s wild West Coast from a whole new angle, a flight with Glacier Helicopters is something you’ll never forget. You’ll hop aboard a helicopter and lift off right above the Franz Josef Glacier. From up there, you get incredible views of the bright blue ice, deep crevasses, and jagged mountain peaks that surround this stunning area.

The pilots are friendly and love sharing cool facts about the glacier’s history and how it’s constantly changing. You can choose a short scenic flight or go for a longer trip that includes a landing on the ice itself. Standing on the glacier is a surreal feeling, you’re surrounded by shimmering ice and silence except for the crunch of your boots.

Try booking a morning or late afternoon flight for the best light. The soft sunlight makes the ice look even bluer and helps you capture that dramatic contrast between snow and rock. Bring a polarizing filter if you can, it helps reduce glare from the ice.

The Glacier Helicopters base is right in Franz Josef village, with free parking nearby. It’s best to book in advance, especially in summer (December to February), when the weather is more stable and flights fill up fast. Bring warm layers, sunglasses, and sturdy shoes if you plan to land on the glacier.