Parasailing Frequently Asked Questions

What is Parasailing?

When parasailing, one rides under a parachute that is being towed by a speedboat.  There is very little physical effort involved – you mostly need to enjoy the incredible views from up to 800 feet in the air!  Both the launch and landing are done from the back of the specialized parasailing boat so there’s no need to take a swim (though you may get a little wet from spray)!

Is parasailing dangerous?

Hundreds of thousands of parasailing flights are done all around the country every year safely. The biggest risks come from operating in unsafe weather or sea conditions combined with poorly maintained equipment. Like all parasailing operators, we monitor weather and sea conditions hourly by both Internet and radar and have strict rules about when to suspend operations, and all of our equipment is fully inspected and logged at the start of each day.  Chris, our captain, has 5 years and over 75,000 parasailing flights under his belt without a single injury.

How much does Parasailing cost?

Parasailing rates are as follows:

• 800ft flyer: 95$ per person (single or tandem cost is the same per person!)
• Non-flyer ride along: 40$ per person pending available space

How long are trip times and flight times?

A trip will last no longer than one hour from the time the boat leaves the dock until it returns. Parasailing flights themselves are about 10 minutes.

Do I need prior Parasailing Experience?

No prior parasailing experience is needed, The Captain and crew do ALL the work for you. you just need to come prepared to have a great time.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No. since all takeoffs and landings will be from the back deck of the boat you do not even have to get wet. In the extremely unlikely event of a malfunction with the boat or the line winch, the parasailors slowly drift back to the water and the mandatory lifejackets will hold you afloat.

Do I have to get wet?

No, you don’t have to get wet if you don’t want to! Towards the end of the ride the Captain will give you the option to dip your feet in the water if you choose, but this is optional. Either way, after the trip the Captain will land you back on the rear deck of the boat safely. Please inform crew if you would like to stay completely dry!

Can I go if I am pregnant?

For safety reasons, pregnant women are not allowed to go parasailing or on the boat, but please come back and fly with us next year!

Can I go if I have suffered spinal, back or neck injuries in the past?

Because the boat ride can be a bit bumpy at times we ask that if you have suffered from these types of injuries you refrain from going parasailing or even on the boat so long as they are active concerns.

How old do I need to be to fly?

Parasailors must be at least 5 years old! Guests under 18 years old must have an adult sign them in. On the other hand there is no maximum age restriction!

Can I go up with someone else?

Yes, we offer tandem and triple flights (2 or 3 people in the same chute). All multi-passenger flights are side-by-side offering great views and comfortable flights. If the combined weight of the passengers is over 450 lbs. then it’s up to the Captain to determine if the riders can all go simultaneously. His decision is based on weather conditions and your safety.

Is there a weight restriction?

The minimum combined weight requirement is 190 lbs, and the maximum combined weight is 450 lbs. It will be up to the captain to determine specific cut-offs on any given day, as these can vary according to winds and sea conditions. At all times passenger safety is our number one priority. Common sense should be applied as to whether being suspended from a parachute high above the Pacific Ocean is an appropriate activity for the potential rider!

Can a minor go up by themselves?

Yes, if the minor weighs at least 125 lbs. then it should be okay, but an adult needs to be present to check in anyone under 18 years of age. If the minor weighs under 125 lbs. then they will have to fly with someone else to make up for the weight. Again, this can vary according to weather conditions.

What if I change my mind while already on the boat?

You can change your mind while on the boat, but unfortunately you will not be refunded once the boat has left the dock. That being said, this rarely happens. On the contrary, far more often we’ve had folks who were coming along just for the boat ride ask if they could also go parasailing after seeing how fun and gentle it was.

Can I go on the boat to watch but not go up?

Unfortunately, we do not take observer reservations in advance. Right before the boat departs, IF there is room on the boat we will welcome you on the boat as an observer. The cost for that is $40. If you change your mind while on the boat and decide to fly, the $40 charge is then applied to the cost of parasailing.

How does parasailing work?

After getting outfitted with a life vest and harness, you’re seated on the flight deck of the boat. Once seated the crew clips your harness to the parachute. The Captain releases the winch line and you’re off, nice and smooth, just like sitting on a swing set that slowly elevates you for the experience of a lifetime. And yes, all take-offs and landings are done straight from the boat. Check out our videos to see how it works!

 Is parasailing scary?

Actually, it’s quite the opposite. Parasailing is very serene and peaceful. Because the take-offs and landings are slow and gradual from the back of the boat, you don’t have to worry about having a frightening experience. The obvious exception would be persons with a strong fear of heights, in which case flying from a parachute might not be recommended!

What happens if the tow line breaks?

We inspect, trim, and maintain the tow line daily in order to prevent breaks, and if operating in the recommended wind limits the tow line should be strong enough to support far more stress than it is subjected to. In more than five years Captain Chris has never had or seen a line break during parasailing. Nevertheless, in the unlikely event that this happens, the participants will slowly and safely descend into the water. The mandatory lifejackets will hold the participants up until which time they are pulled back onto the boat. The parasail will not sink or go over your head. Prior to your flight the captain will give all participants a full safety briefing.

What should I wear and leave behind?

Dress for the weather! If it is cool before your flight or you are sensitive to the sun, we recommend that you wear a long sleeved shirt/sweatshirt. Bathing suits and beach attire is always good on warm days, as are towels, bottled water and sun block. We recommend you leave behind anything that can be damaged by contact with water as well as anything that is expensive or hard to replace. We are not responsible for any damaged or lost items.

Can I take my camera or phone up with me?

You are allowed to take a camera or phone up at your own discretion, and should take into consideration the height and water risks. Disposable cameras are best. We also offer a digital photo package as another option to capture your good times.

what photo packages do we offer?

The digital photo package includes 30 photos of your adventure. The crew uses a high quality digital camera to document your entire flight and at the end of the trip you get the SD memory card with all your photos on it.

Do we need to make reservations?

Yes, because of parasailing’s popularity and the limited space we encourage reservations. There have been times when guests have shown up without a reservation only to have to wait for a couple of hours until there was a space open for them. If you’re feeling lucky, however, if there is room on the boat walk-up guests are welcome.

What are our options for making reservations?

You have three options when making reservations:

1. Online reservations are available by going to the reservation tab on our website.
2. Phone reservations are available 24/7. Call anytime.
3. Walk up reservations at our ticket offices in Dana Point Harbor.

What are your cancellation and refund policies?

• Any cancelations done 1 day prior to trip departure will receive a full refund.
• All cancellations done same day of scheduled departure will have a $25 per-person service charge.
• All no call no shows for reservations will be charged the full ticket price at time of trip departure.
• All cancellations due to poor weather conditions will receive a full refund.

What if it rains or is extremely windy?

A little sprinkle and we stay out, but high or gusty winds and heavy seas make parasailing unsafe. The Captain decides if we are going on stand-by or if we close down for the day. If you weren’t able to fly then you can either be refunded or rescheduled for another day. If you are unsure about the weather conditions, please give us a call the day of your flight and we can confirm whether we are operating or not!  That said, weather conditions may change abruptly and the possibility always exists that we may need to suspend operations on short notice if the weather takes a turn – safety always comes first.

What part of your vacation should you plan parasailing for?

We encourage you to plan for parasailing during the first part of your vacation. That way, if the weather does not cooperate at first you will still have other opportunities to fly!

What form of payment do you accept?

We accept debit cards, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express.

What are the days and times the boat departs?

Boats can depart every hour beginning at 7am or sunrise and may leave as late as sunlight allows. Our online reservation system shows availability for each day. Keep in mind that parasailing and any other outdoor beach-based activity is best planned for the first part of the day since the chances of winds increase throughout the afternoon!

Is it customary to tip the crew?

Just like others in the service industry, the crew works very hard to make sure all your needs aboard the boat are taken care of.  If you had a good time, the crew always appreciates a tip!