Bay of Islands: Parasailing Flight 1300ft & Scenic Boat Ride

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Free cancellation

1/7

Duration1h 30m

GroupUp to 30

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Parasailing high over Bay of Islands with wild views and laughter

You’ll feel your heart race as you lift off for New Zealand’s highest parasailing flight over Bay of Islands — with wild views toward Russell and Hole in the Rock. Tandem or triple flights mean sharing those laughs (and nerves) with friends while a local guide keeps things lighthearted and safe. Includes all gear plus a scenic boat ride before you touch back down.

1h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Parasailing over Bay of Islands

Arrive at Paihia, Bay of Islands
Board the boat for scenic ride
Parasail in tandem or triple flight
Enjoy views of Russell and outer islands
See the "hole in the Rock"
Optional Go Pro photo package
Return to shore

The Experience

I’ll be honest — my stomach did a weird flip when they clipped us in. We’d just motored out from Paihia, sun bouncing off the water, and our guide (I think his name was Jamie?) grinned like he’d seen this nervous face a thousand times. The harness felt snug but not tight, and I could smell sunscreen and salt. Suddenly we were up — way higher than I expected — and the boat below looked like a toy. My friend yelled something about “1300 feet!” but her voice just kind of drifted away in the wind.

It’s quiet up there. Not silent, but the kind of hush you only get above everything else — gulls somewhere below, distant engine noise, then nothing except your own heartbeat. You can see Russell across the bay, tiny white houses along the shore, and that crazy blue stretch all the way to Hole in the Rock. Jamie had said we might spot dolphins if we looked hard enough (we didn’t), but honestly I was too busy trying to take it all in — hands sweaty on the straps, legs dangling free. There’s this moment where you realize how small you are over all that water. It’s weirdly peaceful.

The whole parasailing thing lasted maybe ten minutes? Hard to say; time gets strange when you’re floating that high. Coming down felt faster than going up — sudden gusts made us swing a bit and my friend shriek-laughed so loud even Jamie heard it from the boat. He waved as we landed back on deck, both of us grinning like idiots. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic at home. If you’re anywhere near Bay of Islands and want something that’ll stick with you longer than your tan lines… well, yeah.

What’s included

Your day includes a scenic boat ride out into Bay of Islands with all safety equipment—helmets and life jackets—provided before your tandem or triple parasailing flight at up to 1300ft above the water, always with an experienced local guide looking after everyone from start to finish.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bay of Islands Parasail