Harris Vacations Staff Writer | August 30, 2024
The Alabama Gulf Coast blesses us with remarkable sunrises, sunsets, and picturesque views of the horizon. But parasailing in Orange Beach elevates those views to a majestic perspective that you’ll remember forever.
Here at Harris Vacations, we welcome travelers from all over the US and beyond to our sleek, beachfront vacation rentals in Orange Beach. These include sky-high condos with unbeatable views and amenities, as well as beachfront villas and cottages for larger groups.
One way to enjoy your Orange Beach vacation? Channeling your inner eagle and parasailing across the ocean and coastline. We’ll walk you through our favorite companies to parasail with and general tips for safety and making the most of your experience.
Photo Credit: Silmy Maul
The good news? You can parasail nearly all year long (except during Winter). Spring, Summer, and Autumn are all safe to parasail, though you might consider going during temperature highs as you get deeper into autumn.
As for the time of day, most experts and parasailing companies recommend a morning trip for gentler waters and calmer skies. Sunrise with minimal winds is one of our favorite weather conditions for this sport. You might consider a parasailing trip an hour or so after or before breakfast in Gulf Shores.
A quick stroll on the beach might overwhelm you with water sports options. Which marina offers the best experience? Here’s a roundup of our favorite parasailing providers.
This company has been in the water sports and parasailing businesses since 2004 — and those 20 years of experience have resulted in some incredible experiences from many of our guests here at Harris Vacations.
Their trips bring you up to 800 feet into the air to take in gorgeous views of Alabama’s scenery. Rest assured that the staff and boats here are all U.S. Coast Guard approved. And if some of your group is afraid of heights? You can enjoy other water sports with Southern Rose, including banana boat rides, boat rentals, dolphin cruises, and jet skiing.
Photo Credit: meatbull
Located beside the Sportsman Marina and Tiki Bar, Orange Beach Parasail offers 1-hour parasailing trips for parasailers themselves, along with anyone they want to bring along as an observer on the boat. A couple runs the company, which gives it a family-business vibe that delivers on stellar customer service and an overall positive experience. The two couples have operated their parasailing business for nearly 20 years.
Our advice? Add a photo package to your experience — trust us, it’s worth it. You’ll receive professionally taken photos to remember your parasailing adventure forever. OB Parasail offers packages of 1-4 photos, ranging from $35 to $65.
Photo Credit: ad-foto
With a 100% safety rating, Chute for the Sky Parasail is one of the most reputable in the region. The owners are parents themselves, and they highlight that they fly both parents and children in their activities.
They offer double and triple parasail rides as long as the weight doesn’t exceed the limit of their canopies (450 to 500 pounds).
First time parasailing? Maybe you’ve never even heard of it before planning this trip. While typically considered a water sport, you don’t actually do parasailing on the ocean — you physically parasail while in the air.
In parasailing, a speedboat coasts into the ocean while a parasail wing or canopy (looks like a parachute) is tethered to that boat. The canopy has descending lines that attach to a thick bar, with straps to hold onto and thigh straps to sit in.
Photo Credit: CHUYKO SERGEY
As the motorboat gets moving, the canopy opens and ascends into the air, taking whoever is attached to it. Sounds pretty surreal, right? We can’t begin to explain the freedom and thrill of parasailing — you simply have to experience it. It’s like transforming into a bird as you glide across the ocean and see an unparalleled view of the coastline. At the end, you could dip into the water or land back on the boat without getting wet.
You can enjoy parasailing with the entire family. Age limits usually allow kids over three years old to participate, though each company might have unique weight restrictions, depending on the canopy and boat.
Photo Credit: zefart
We’ve been in the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach area for decades, and every single one of our guests has had positive experiences with parasailing. That said, it’s important to recognize that being 800 feet in the air isn’t something to take lightly, and safety precautions are in order.
Most of the companies we listed above will brief you on all their safety protocols both when you book as well as when you arrive on-scene. Still, here are some general safety pointers to consider before your parasailing adventure:
If you seek an unforgettable vacation experience this year, parasailing is the water sport for you. You’ll feel an unparalleled thrill while interacting with the ocean and coastline in a completely different way than you’ve ever experienced.
Parasailing is an exhilarating activity that we encourage all our guests to consider. Lucky for us, we’re only a stone’s throw away from Orange Beach’s most popular and credible parasailing providers.
Our vacation rentals vary in size (from 20-person cottages to cozy yet sleek condos), but most have one thing in common: they’re walking distance from the beach and have incredible views of the horizon.
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