Additional menu

Parasail in Hawaii – Adventure of a Lifetime

Adrenaline junkies are always in search of the next great adventure. They tend to constantly harbor an innate sense of adventure until their emotions are too difficult to contain. This endless search may include something like the chance to fulfill a dream of flying up to 300 feet through the clear blue skies. The feeling of flying like a bird is unmatched by any activity in the world. That’s why going on one of these great Oahu parasailing tours at Waikiki Beach (Honolulu), Ala Moana, and Diamond Head is one of the most amazing activities that first time travelers can do on a trip to Hawaii. We certainly highly recommend it!

Let’s face it, there aren’t many great activities that let you soar through the skies while taking in amazing sights of the island and sea. Sure, you can ride on a boat, but it’ll take you more than 1 hour to tour the coastline after you meet up with your group at the harbor. A boat tour only offers a limited view of the mysteriously alluring land beyond the tropical coastline. Plus, I know you’ve seen that ubiquitous photo of a parasailer having the time of her life and you wished it was you instead.

The truth is, there probably isn’t anyone in the world who wouldn’t consider taking a vacation trip to Hawaii. The islands of Hawaii are cherished for their gorgeous weather, fascinating culture, and plethora of fun activities that travelers can experience. However, if you’re trying to search for a thrill-seeking activity that may be a little bit out of the ordinary, certain activities that red-line your adrenaline level and provide an unforgettable experience, then your search is over! Save yourself from the bane of listlessness and consider parasailing in Hawaii at Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Oahu (near Ala Moana). You don’t need to harbor your desire to do something new and exciting anymore because you can completely shape your adventurous future in less than 1 hour.

Here’s a brief overview (with quick links) of a couple of the best parasailing tours that we highly recommend to first time travelers and experienced thrill-seekers:

IMAGE

TOUR

DETAILS

BUDGET FRIENDLY

fun parasailing on Oahu and Waikiki

PARASAILING ADVENTURE (SOUTH OAHU)

  • Length: 5 – 13 Minutes
  • Hight Options: 500 – 1000 ft
  • Highlight: Fly up to 1000ft with views of Diamond Head, Waikiki, Honolulu
  • Transportation: free
  • Price: $

ADRENALINE JUNKIES

a couple parasailing in hawaii

PARASAILING ADVENTURE (EAST OAHU)

  • Length: 10 – 15 Minutes
  • Hight Options: 600 – 800 ft
  • Highlight: Fly high above Maunalua Bay with views of Hawai’i Kai, Koko Crater, Koko Head
  • Transportation: free
  • Price: $$

TOUR 

DETAILS

BUDGET FRIENDLY

fun parasailing on Oahu and Waikiki

PARASAILING ADVENTURE (SOUTH OAHU)

  • Length: 5 – 13 Minutes
  • Hight Options: 500 – 1000 ft
  • Highlight: Fly up to 1000ft with views of Diamond Head, Waikiki, Honolulu
  • Transportation: free
  • Price: $

ADRENALINE JUNKIES

a couple parasailing in hawaii

PARASAILING ADVENTURE (EAST OAHU)

  • Length: 10 – 15 Minutes
  • Hight Options: 600 – 800 ft
  • Highlight: Fly high above Maunalua Bay with views of Hawai’i Kai, Koko Crater, Koko Head
  • Transportation: free
  • Price: $$

Sure there’s shark diving in Oahu, but that takes you to the depths below the sea. If you want to get your thrills where only the birds can go, then a great Hawaiian parasail escapade is your ticket to a fun time.

Why Go Parasailing in Hawaii?

One of the best tours in Oahu, Hawaii that allow you to witness the stunning imagery of the natural landscape is a tour that provides the maximum parasailing experience for first time travelers! A fun parasail tour will offer you great views of the clear blue ocean, coastline, and other parts of the island. Not only will parasailing Hawaii allow you to enjoy one of the most fun and unique viewing experiences in your life, you also get to save yourself from the trouble of flying in an expensive helicopter (which always comes with safety risks).

So, do you love sightseeing? Are you yearning to search for that next great tropical island adventure? Do you regret missing out on some of the amazing activities that the world has to offer?

If you answered with a resounding “yes” to one of these questions, then you’re going to love Hawaiian parasailing. We are presenting you with the flight plans for a couple of great tours, which we highly recommend. Having said that, maybe one thing that’s holding you back is a natural fear of flying. Well, you may be able to conquer that fear of flight by choosing one of these Oahu parasail tours that provide less scary options of flying as low as 500 feet. Although flight heights can range up to 1000 feet, safety is the absolute #1 priority of the crew for any Hawaii parasailing company in Oahu (especially at Ala Moana, Waikiki Beach, Honolulu and Diamond Head).

In fact, an often overlooked reality of parasailing in Hawaii is that it’s a statistically very safe activity. Millions of people go parasailing around the world every year and less than .01% of them get injured (probably safer than a boat ride!). Yes, accidents rarely happen (even when the boat is docked at harbor), but the crew of any reputable Oahu parasailing company (hint: the ones listed below) always adhere to every possible safety measure in order to ensure that you, and your group of friends and family, get the most fun out of their parasail journey in Hawaii. You can even take flight in tandem with a professional crew member to give you that extra layer of security.

All of these facts make parasailing in Hawaii a truly fun and thrilling activity that anyone can partake in during a trip to Oahu. Parasail flights are definitely worth the price of any amount of tickets you may decide to purchase.

Where to Book Your Parasailing Trip

Now that you’ve realized that parasailing in Hawaii is an activity that you’ve been missing out on your entire life, it’s time to jet on over to the best places to book your Hawaii parasail adventure. Parasailing is a thrilling experience, but the fastest way to a bad time is booking your excursion with the wrong company at the wrong price.

Safety is obviously a concern for most parasailers (despite parasailing being an extremely safe outdoor activity, statistically speaking). Any first time traveler is going to want the best company with the most professional and reliable crew members that prioritize safety over everything. Such concerns as ensuring the line doesn’t break and being able to forecast dangerous weather (we’ve got you covered). If you experience anxiety from the thought of flying, but don’t want to disappoint your friends and family, then you may consider going on a tandem flight with an experienced crew member for reassurance (we’ve got you covered).

So to enhance your travel experience, we’ve done all the research for you and compiled the two best tours on the island of Oahu, which are safe and affordable. They will undeniably provide you and your family with a great time. You should be able to reach a conclusion in less than 1 hour, so search no further (and don’t forget to check out the quick links)!

TOUR #1 – PARASAILING ADVENTURE (SOUTH OAHU)

If you’re looking for the ultimate rush, you’ve discovered it! With the ability to go flying up to 1,000 feet in the air from a boat, this Hawaiian parasail trip is one that we highly recommend. At a great price of $41 per person, and flying duration lasting up to 13 minutes (but at least 1 hour out to sea), this parasail flight adventure is a bargain.

You don’t need to search for that ultimate rush anymore. Maybe it’s the first activity you want to do when you arrive in Oahu. Or maybe it’ll be a great way to end your trip. Well, because tickets are so cheap, you may have the urge to parasail more than once during your first time in Honolulu, Hawaii or Ala Moana (double or even triple excursions are common). We recommend that you bring along a group of great friends to save money and post a photo on social media! You can take turns flying and chilling on a boat. This is one of those memorable activities that should be cherished forever.

Offering free transportation, insider knowledge of the Hawaiian Islands, and lasting around 3 hours from harbor departure to finish, the experienced crew of this fun parasail tour will make sure you receive triple the fun on your afternoon excursion! Based on tons of great customer reviews, the Parasailing Adventure tour has received nothing but high marks. On top of that, lots of reviewers mention that the staff and crew are extremely friendly and calming if you’re too afraid to fly. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons to see what you’ve been missing out during your search:

PROS 

CONS

  • Breathtaking views of Diamond Head, Waikiki and other islands
  • Heights range from 500 to 1,000 in the air
  • Ride time ranges from 5 – 13 minutes in the air
  • If you don’t enjoy heights can pay for an observer seat and go along for the ride
  • The crew and staff implement better than industry standard safety measures
  • Ocean vessels are factory designed and US patented exclusively for commercial parasailing which is the secret to their success
  • Free transportation to and from select Waikiki hotels
  • Daily availability
  • Weather can impact ability to go out
  • Books up quickly
  • Minimum age of 7 years old to ride
  • Pregnant women may not parasail

PROS 

  • Breathtaking views of Diamond Head, Waikiki and other islands
  • Heights range from 500 to 1,000 in the air
  • Ride time ranges from 5 – 13 minutes in the air
  • If you don’t enjoy heights can pay for an observer seat and go along for the ride
  • The crew and staff implement better than industry standard safety measures
  • Ocean vessels are factory designed and US patented exclusively for commercial parasailing which is the secret to their success
  • Free transportation to and from select Waikiki hotels
  • Daily availability

CONS 

  • Weather can impact ability to go out
  • Books up quickly
  • Minimum age of 7 years old to ride
  • Pregnant women may not parasail

Believe it or not, there aren’t any cons that we could find regarding this tour company. This tour is simply too great to pass up. Even if you’re afraid of heights and don’t want to parasail, you can still come along for a boat ride and cheer on your friends and family as they take flight and jet through the sky. Like we mentioned, you can ride in tandem with a professional crew member for an extra sense of safety. Weight limits for parasailing range from 110 – 425 lbs. to make sure the line doesn’t break. A parasail can easily withstand the weight of double or triple the average occupancy. To make sure you have all the facts before you book, here’s everything you need to know about this trip:

Additional Info:

  • Beginner 500ft (5-7 min ride) and Xtreme 1,000ft (11-13 min ride) version available
  • Cancellation must be at least 48 hour in advance for full refund (72 hours in advance for group tickets of 6 or more people)/li>
  • Pregnant women cannot parasail (but can observe by boat on location)
  • Activity schedule: 8am – 4pm daily (may change during summer/winter seasons)
  • Total duration is approximately 3.5 hour starting from harbor
  • Free transportation from hotel locations around Honolulu, Hawaii and Ala Moana
  • Things you’ll need on the boat – swim suit, towel, sunscreen
  • Pricing ranges from $41 to $77 depending on what height you choose or $23 as an observer if you just want to go along for the boat ride and take photos of your friends or family
Final Verdict

The Parasailing Adventure (South Oahu) is what you’ve been missing if you’ve been seeking adventure on the Hawaiian Islands. Able to take you higher than any other company on the island, this is perfect for the ultimate thrill seekers out there.

TOUR #2 – PARASAILING ADVENTURE (EAST OAHU)

Next up on our short list of great parasailing trips is the Parasailing Adventure tour, located just south of Tour #1, near the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (just east of Maunalua Bay). This great Hawaiian parasail trip is very similar to the first one but with a slight variation. This excursion takes all of the guess work out of it for you and lets you fly at 600ft, 800ft, or as an observer if you just want to go along for the ride and capture a photo of your friends and family.

This trip is a great option for first time parasailers who don’t want to get too crazy, but still want a fun flying experience that will let you see picturesque views as your soar above the island. Tandem flying with an experienced crew member is also available. Weight limits for parasailing range from 110 – 425 lbs. to ensure the line doesn’t snap.

With stellar reviews, world-class safety measures, free transportation, and a great crew, it’s no secret why this Hawaiian parasail tour is one that we highly recommend. You don’t need to search high and low for a great overall flight experience.

Here’s one reviewer who gave it five stars. While she was nervous of flying at first, she ended up loving the experience in less than 1 hour.

Additional Info:

  • Fly at 600ft to 800ft in the air for 8-12 minutes
  • Cancellation must be at least 48 hour in advance for full refund (72 hours in advance for group tickets of 6 or more people)
  • Pregnant women cannot parasail (but can observe on location)
  • Activity schedule: 8am – 4pm daily (may change during summer/winter seasons)
  • Total time is roughly 3.5 hour starting from harbor
  • Free transportation from a select Waikiki hotel location
  • Things you’ll need on the boat – swim suit, towel, sunscreen
  • Pricing ranges from $65 to $80 depending on what height you choose or $30 as an observer if you just want to go along for the ride and take photos for your friends or family
Final Verdict

While not as extreme as Tour #1, this is still a great parasailing trip for those first time adventurers. And let’s be honest, 600ft is still really freakin’ high! So, if you want to have a blast but not go overboard with it, this a Hawaii parasailing tour we highly recommend to you.

Taking a look at the pros and cons, you can see it’s very similar to above:

PROS 

CONS

  • Breathtaking views of the skyline, Diamond Head, and beaches
  • Heights range from 600ft to 800ft in the air
  • Ride time ranges from 8 – 12 minutes in the air
  • If you don’t enjoy heights can pay for an observer seat and go along for the ride
  • Over 1 hour of time on the water
  • Extremely high marks for safety
  • Free transportation to and from select Waikiki hotels
  • Daily availability
  • Top notch boats patented specifically for parasailing, so you know you’re in good hands

     

  • Weather can impact ability to go out
  • Books up quickly
  • Minimum age of 7 years old to ride
  • Pregnant women may not parasail

PROS 

  • Breathtaking views of the skyline, Diamond Head, and beaches
  • Heights range from 600ft to 800ft in the air
  • Ride time ranges from 8 – 12 minutes in the air
  • If you don’t enjoy heights can pay for an observer seat and go along for the ride
  • Over 1 hour of time on the water
  • Extremely high marks for safety
  • Free transportation to and from select Waikiki hotels
  • Daily availability
  • Top notch boats patented specifically for parasailing, so you know you’re in good hands

CONS 

  • Weather can impact ability to go out
  • Books up quickly
  • Minimum age of 7 years old to ride
  • Pregnant women may not parasail
As a first time traveler or seasoned adventurer, we hope that our guide to Parasailing in Hawaii has put your mind at ease. We wouldn’t highlight this unique activity if we didn’t feel it offered a truly amazing experience that can potentially elevate your spirit and enthusiasm for life. The great thing is the parasailing tours that we highly recommend are operated on one of the most beautiful and dynamic islands in Hawaii – the diamond-shaped natural wonder of Oahu, known to locals as “The Gathering Place”.

And Oahu, Hawaii is definitely a fantastic locale for you and your friends/family to gather. There are so many things to see and do in Oahu that parasailing doesn’t have to be the main highlight. Parasailing is an intense experience that doesn’t require much of your time during the day. It’s also a relatively affordable activity that can be repeated over and over (if your heart desires). There aren’t many better ways to observe the grandeur of Oahu’s natural landscape in a quick and exciting manner. You could go hiking if you wish to spend your entire day exercising. Or you can pay for an expensive helicopter tour, which will give you greater access to vistas around the island, but will certainly be riskier than a simple parasailing boat ride off the coast.

Ultimately, how you wish to plan your adventure is a choice that only you can make. We understand if you don’t think you’ll be able to overcome your fear of flying. Maybe you’ve already partook in similar thrill-seeking experience and want to try something totally different this time around. Regardless, we recommend these safe, affordable, and exciting tours to first time travelers or anyone who has never done anything remotely close to parasailing. Whatever you decide, we hope you have a great time in Hawaii. Aloha!

“Parasailing on Oahu is unlike any other experience out there. Truly an amazing time for anyone who loves adventure and amazing views!” – Review of the Parasailing Adventure

Author

  • Brian K

    Brian K has been a writer and publisher for 10+ years and has worked for LiveYourAloha as a freelance author and content manager for several of them. There's not much about Hawaii he can't tell you about!