malibu tandem paragliding with instructor safe booking

Summary

Soaring above malibu’s hills with a local paragliding guide

You’ll fly tandem with an expert instructor above Malibu’s coastline, taking off from one of several mountain launch sites for the best conditions that day. After a quick safety briefing and gear check, you’ll soar quietly over hills and ocean before landing softly back on solid ground—an experience you’ll remember every time you see the California sky.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed wasn’t the view — it was the hush. You’d think paragliding over Malibu would be loud or wild, but honestly, it felt like floating in slow motion. My instructor, Mark (he’s been doing this for decades), clipped me in and cracked a joke about my shoelaces before we even left the ground. I laughed, but my hands were sweating a bit. The harness was snug and the nylon wing looked almost too light to hold us both.

We took off from one of those Santa Monica mountain sites — apparently they have ten different spots so you get the safest wind each day. It was late morning, maybe just after 10am, and the sun was already warming up the rocks underfoot. When we finally ran and lifted off, there was this cool rush of air and then everything went quiet except for Mark pointing out dolphins way down in the Pacific (I squinted; maybe they were just shadows). The main keyword here is “tandem paragliding Malibu” but honestly, I barely thought about anything except how small everything looked below.

I tried to ask Mark how long he’d been flying these routes but got distracted by the smell of sagebrush drifting up from the hills. He said something about 30 years and over 20,000 passengers — which made me feel weirdly safe up there. We drifted for what felt like forever but was probably less than half an hour. At one point I tried to take a photo but gave up because my hands were shaking (not from fear — just adrenaline or maybe excitement?).

Landing was softer than I expected — just a couple steps on dry grass and then we were back on earth. My legs wobbled for a minute. Mark grinned and said most people feel that way after their first flight. I still think about that silence above Malibu sometimes, especially when traffic gets noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tandem Paragliding Flight

• Paragliding flight with expert pilot

Top questions

How long does a tandem paragliding flight in Malibu last?

The flight can last up to 30 minutes depending on weather conditions.

Is all equipment provided for Malibu paragliding?

Yes, all necessary equipment is included in your booking.

Are there age or weight limits for tandem paragliding?

No age limit but minors need a parent present; maximum passenger weight is 285 lbs (122 kg).

Where do flights take off in Malibu?

Flights use one of ten mountain launch sites in the Santa Monica mountains near Malibu.

Is it safe to paraglide in Malibu?

The operator has over 30 years’ experience and a perfect safety record.

What time are flights available?

The best flights are between 9am and 3pm; book early for best conditions.

Can I bring a camera during my flight?

You may bring a compact camera or small day pack if you wish.

Is this activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, wheelchair users can participate in this activity.

What’s included

Your experience includes all certified paragliding equipment, a tandem flight with an expert instructor from one of several mountain sites near Malibu, plus a short safety briefing before takeoff—so you only need to show up ready for adventure.