Big Island Parasailing: Fly 800 or 1200 feet over Kona Coast

Rise 1,200 feet into silence, then splash down in clear coastal water.

Parasailing on the Big Island takes you up to 1,200 feet or 800 feet over the Kona Coast in your choice of solo, tandem or triple flight, with all equipment included and dry takeoff and landing safe for ages 5 and up. The activity runs up to an hour on a shared charter with a maximum of 8 passengers, and weather cancellations get a full refund or rescheduled date. Weight minimums apply: 160 pounds to fly alone, up to 450–550 pounds for tandem or triple flights, with the captain able to adjust based on conditions.

The experience

You'll board a USCG-certified boat at Kailua-Kona and spend roughly 40 minutes to an hour on the water before your flight. The takeoff happens right off the boat and requires no swimming or special skill. You stay dry the whole way up and come down the same way. Once airborne, you get 6 minutes at 800 feet or 9 minutes at 1,200 feet to take in the Big Island's coastline and open ocean below. The silence at altitude is the part most people don't expect. The views are what they came for, but the quiet is what stays with them.

Your flight configuration is your call: solo if you weigh at least 160 pounds, or tandem and triple options if you want to share the harness. The boat holds up to 10 passengers, but UFO caps shared charters at 8 to keep the experience comfortable: no crowding, no rush between flights. All parasailing gear comes with you. You bring only a valid ID and a willingness to get wet on the way back down if you choose the water landing option.

Weather runs the show here. If conditions turn unsafe, you get offered another date or your money back. The captain has final say on weight limits and flight configuration based on wind and sea state on the day you fly. Contact the operator after booking to lock in your exact departure time. Boarding happens 30 minutes before you leave the dock.

What’s included

• All parasailing equipment including harness and parachute.
• one parasailing flight at your chosen altitude (800 or 1,200 feet).
• dry takeoff and landing.
• time on a USCG-certified boat with a live English-speaking guide.
• choice of solo, tandem or triple flight configuration.

Options for this experience

2 options

800ft Express SoaringGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 13:30800 ft ride

1200ft Extreme LineGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 13:301200 ft Extreme line ride: check in 30 minutes before departure

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 1h, runs every day, 6 start times, from US$ 137.79 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 8 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day except Tuesday: 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:30 and 13:30Tuesday: 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:30 and 13:30

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by UFO Parasail - Big Island

Is this one for you?Book the 800-foot option if you want a quick, affordable introduction to parasailing with solid views. Choose 1,200 feet if you have the time and want to climb higher and stay airborne longer. Either way, the small group size (8 passengers max) and dry landing mean you're not fighting crowds or struggling with a water entry, so the focus stays on the flight itself.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I parasail on the Big Island if I've never done it before?

Yes. The takeoff and landing are completely dry and safe for all skill levels, and children as young as 5 can fly or ride along as observers. No prior experience is needed.

What's the difference between the 800-foot and 1,200-foot flights?

The 800-foot option gives you 6 minutes in the air with views of the Kona Coast. The 1,200-foot option extends that to 9 minutes and takes you higher for a wider perspective of the Big Island.

How much time will I actually spend parasailing versus on the boat?

You'll be on the boat for 40 minutes to an hour total, but your actual airtime is 6 minutes at 800 feet or 9 minutes at 1,200 feet. The rest of the hour covers boarding, positioning, and the other passengers' flights.

What if I don't meet the 160-pound minimum to fly alone?

Tandem and triple flights let you share a harness with others, with combined weight limits of 450–550 pounds. The captain can adjust these limits based on weather and sea conditions on the day of your flight.

What happens if the weather is bad on my scheduled day?

If conditions are unsafe, you'll be offered either a full refund or the option to reschedule for another date.

Do I need to know how to swim to parasail on the Big Island?

No. The takeoff and landing are both dry, so you stay in the harness and never enter the water unless you specifically choose a water landing at the end of your flight.