Both parasailing and paragliding are among the most thrilling and popular action sports in the world. While they have some similarities, parasailing and paragliding each have distinct traits that set them apart. So, what’s the difference between parasailing and paragliding?
You are attached to a boat via ropes and a winch system when parasailing, but you aren’t attached to anything when paragliding. Paragliding involves running until you receive an airlift and then you can fly freely for as long as possible. Parasailing is a comparably the shorter experience that lasts only 8-12 minutes.
Many people find paragliding more intimidating than parasailing because of the lack of attachment. Parasailing is safer than paragliding, but the paragliding injury rate is still below 1% which isn’t bad. Follow along as we compare parasailing and paragliding and explore their differences.
What’s the Difference Between Parasailing and Paragliding?
The key difference between parasailing and paragliding is that you aren’t tethered to anything while paragliding. This can result in a more intense experience from paragliding compared to parasailing. Parasailing is much more accessible than paragliding, however.
For example, you can’t go solo paragliding until you’ve taken classes and are certified. Anybody can go parasailing as long as they meet the height and weight restrictions. Both activities are quite popular, but parasailing is much more common because more people qualify for it.
What is Parasailing?
Parasailing is a classic watersport where you are towed behind a boat via a parachute and winch system. You can soar to heights up to 500 feet while parasailing, and the experience lasts for 8-12 minutes.
Parasailers depart from and return to a platform on the back of a boat without touching the water. You typically spend an hour on the boat, or as long as it takes for everyone to get their turn in the air. The winch system reels you back in when it’s time to return to the boat.
Read more about parasailing in our detailed guides here:
- How Dangerous Is Parasailing?
- How Long Does a Parasailing Tour Last?
- Do You Get Wet When Parasailing?
- Is Parasailing Safe for Non-Swimmers?
- What Is Tandem Parasailing? (The Ultimate Guide)
- How High Do You Go When Parasailing?
Parasailing History
Parasailing isn’t quite as old as you may think, and it dates back to 1962. It was initially created as a training exercise for parachutists, but it eventually evolved into a popular extreme sport. Parasailing didn’t become what we know it today until 1976 when Brian Gaskin revolutionized the sport.
The sport continues to evolve, but it still relies on the boat and winch recovery system that has been around since the 1970s.
What is Paragliding?
Paragliding is an action sport where you sit in a harness and take flight via a parachute. Unlike parasailing, you don’t rely on a boat or any other vehicle to send you into the air. Instead, you take off on foot and jump upon liftoff.
You can continue to fly for as long as the wind and airlift are on your side. The world of paragliding is smaller than parasailing because it is more extreme and less accessible for many people.
Read more about paragliding in our guides here:
- What Is Tandem Paragliding? (What to Know Before Going)
- How Much Does Paragliding Cost? (The Ultimate Guide)
- What to Wear Paragliding (The Ultimate Guide)
- Skydiving vs Paragliding | What’s the Difference?
- How Old Do You Have to Be to Paraglide?
- Can You Paraglide Off Mount Everest?
Paragliding History
Paragliding dates back to 1978 when skydivers used unique parachutes to get lift without jumping from a plane. Schools and paragliding lessons began to appear in 1979, and this extreme sport has gradually grown since then. By the mid-1980s, you could buy parachutes that were specifically designed for paragliding.
Competitive paragliding has become more popular than ever. Currently, the Professional Air Sports Association regulates paragliding and certifies instructors.
Is Parasailing or Paragliding Safer?
Parasailing is generally considered safer than paragliding. You are less secure when paragliding because you aren’t tethered to a boat that can pull you in. Even still, paragliding has an injury rate that is below 1%, so neither activity is considered extremely dangerous.
What’s the More Popular Action Sport?
While both are popular, parasailing is more popular than paragliding. This is primarily because parasailing is more accessible and you can find tours all over the world. Each year, 3-5 million people go parasailing. It is currently estimated that there are roughly 200,000 active paragliders.
Where is Parasailing Popular?
Florida is the most popular parasailing destination in the U.S., particularly in Key West and Miami. Maldives is considered one of the best places in the world for parasailing because of the gorgeous views. Bali, Copacabana, and Sydney Harbor offer some of the best foreign parasailing locations.
Where is Paragliding Popular?
Paragliding is most popular in U.S. states such as California, Arizona, and Hawaii. Colombia, Switzerland, and Nepal are among the most popular foreign paragliding destinations. Interlaken, Switzerland is considered the best paragliding location in the world by many seasoned enthusiasts.
Does Parasailing or Paragliding Cost More?
Parasailing is ultimately much cheaper than paragliding. It costs between $40 and $200 to go parasailing, but it can cost thousands of dollars to go paragliding. A paraglider itself costs up to $5,000, and lessons can cost $350 each.
It costs at least $200 per day to rent a paraglider, but you can only go solo paragliding if you are certified. You can expect to spend $1,000 or more on classes to receive solo paragliding certification.
Does Parasailing and Paragliding Feel Similar?
The sensations of parasailing and paragliding are similar, but paragliding can be more intense in my experience. While they feel similar, paragliding can be much more extreme because you aren’t connected to a boat. Because of that, you are more likely to feel bumps and dips in the air due to the lack of extra stability.
Which is a Longer Ride?
Paragliding offers a longer ride than parasailing in most cases. It’s rare for parasailing to last for more than 12 minutes, and it is often shorter than that. You can expect to spend at least 15 minutes in the air while paragliding, but it can last for as long as you have an airlift.
Are Parasailing Parachutes or Paragliding Parachutes Bigger?
Typically, parasailing parachutes are bigger than paragliding parachutes. Parasailing parachutes typically measure between 20 and 40 feet. Paragliding parachutes are slightly smaller in size and measure between 13 and 21 feet. However, it varies and you can find bigger and heavier parachutes for paragliding to increase speed and lift.
Final Thoughts
Parasailing is more popular than paragliding, and it is also considered safer. Paragliding is less common with roughly 200,000 active paragliders in the world right now. Both parasailing and paragliding are popular in U.S. states such as Florida, Nevada, and Hawaii.
You can ride for much longer when paragliding because your flight only ends when you lose your airlift. Parasailing lasts between 8 and 12 minutes in most cases. Paragliding is more expensive than parasailing because you have to spend at least $1,000 to get a certification alone before the cost of equipment.
Nick Durante is a professional writer that primarily focuses on extreme sports. Parasailing, paragliding, skydiving, and skateboarding are his particular areas of expertise. When he isn’t writing about extreme sports, he is catching up on the world of skateboarding and spending time outside.