We have been asked many questions about parasailing in Hawaii since we began our business in Hawaii in 1985. Here are some of the questions we hear the most.
🪂 PARASAILING
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Yes, Parasailing with UFO Parasail in Hawaii is safe and easy. Since 1985, we have safely flown nearly 1 million passengers. We utilize state-of-the-art, USCG-certified vessels with specialized hydraulic launch and recovery winch systems. You take off and land directly from the flat back deck of the boat—no running on beaches or jumping off cliffs required. Our captains are fully licensed USCG masters who review safety procedures in detail with every group.
We review the safety procedures and equipment in detail at the beginning of your flight. We also have videos online which illustrate take-offs and landings and show you where the safety equipment is. Watch our parasailing safety videos before your adventure!
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Each flying guest goes up one time per charter. You can book flights as a Solo (single flyer), Tandem (2 people side-by-side), or Triple (3 people side-by-side). We offer two distinct altitude experiences:
- Express Soaring (800 ft line): Roughly 6 minutes of quiet, panoramic airtime.
- Out of This World (1,200 ft line): Our signature flight, offering maximum altitude, stunning horizon views, and roughly 9 minutes of airtime.
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We highly recommend booking early morning slots (starting at 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM). The tropical trade winds generally pick up in the afternoon, making the ocean a bit choppier. Morning flights offer the smoothest boat rides and the calmest, clearest flights—ideal for kids, first-timers, or anyone prone to motion sickness.
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No. For safety reasons, expectant mothers are not permitted to parasail or ride along as boat passengers on any of our excursions. Our high-speed boats navigate ocean swells and can experience sudden thumps or acceleration shifts that are unsafe during pregnancy.
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Age Limits: The minimum age to parasail—or to ride along on the boat as a paying observer—is 5 years old. For safety reasons, children under 5 cannot be permitted on the vessel.
Weight Limits: To fly solo, a guest must weigh a minimum of 160 lbs (73 kilograms). The maximum combined weight limit for multi-passenger flights (Tandem/Triple) fluctuates between 450 and 550 lbs (204 kilograms to 250 kilograms) depending on real-time wind and sea conditions. Please note that UFO Parasail does not pair guests from different booking parties together to meet weight minimums.
- If you are under weight 160lbs (73 kg) we recommend finding someone to come parasailing with you or checking out one of our Maui fishing trips!
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Swimming skills are not required because you wear a secure life vest and take off/land directly on a dry platform. You can stay completely dry if you wish! However, if you are looking for fun, ask your captain for a “UFO Dip”. The captain will gently slow the boat to let your feet and legs splash into the Pacific before reeling you back up. Dips are completely optional and subject to wind safety.
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We offer a professional, high-resolution Digital Photo Package onboard. Our crew utilizes DSLR cameras equipped with 50-300mm zoom lenses to capture up to 30 stunning shots of your flight. A secure download link is sent straight to your phone after the trip.
⚠️ Note: You may bring your own camera or GoPro at your own risk, but we strictly require secure wrist straps. Items dropped into the Pacific Ocean cannot be recovered!
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A text message will be sent to the phone number on file within 24 hours of your trip. Visit our trip photos page to access your parasailing tour images.
🎣 FISHING CHARTERS (MAUI ONLY)
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- Inshore Fishing: Operates closer to the West Maui shoreline in calmer, protected waters using lighter tackle. It focuses on steady, fast-paced action. This is the top choice for families with kids, beginners, or those wanting a comfortable boat ride with consistent bites.
- Sport Fishing: A deep-sea, offshore excursion targeting massive pelagic game fish. These trips head far into deep ocean channels, can involve rougher sea conditions, and use heavy-duty trolling gear. It is ideal for the dedicated angler looking for a trophy-sized battle.
Check out UFO Parasail’s Maui Fishing Charters and for additional options visit UFO Fishing.
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Our inshore bottom fishing trips most commonly catch Gray Snapper (Uku), Papio, Nabeta, Kanpachi and occasionally also Wahoo (Ono), Mahi-Mahi (Dorado), and Goatfish.
Our deep sea sport fishing trips most commonly catch Snapper (Uku), Amberjack (Kahala), Giant Trevally (Ulua), Dorado (Mahi-Mahi), Wahoo (Ono), Yellowfin or Skipjack Tuna (Ahi), A’u (Marlin), Hebi (Spearfish), and Billfish.
Fish Policy: Yes! Our captains will clean and filet up enough of the daily catch for you to enjoy while on vacation. We even partner with local restaurants that will happily Cook Your Catch for you. On shared charters, the overall catch is divided evenly among all anglers
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We provide top-tier rods, reels, live bait, and cooler ice. Guests are responsible for bringing their own snacks, meals, and favorite drinks (reusable water bottles are highly encouraged; please avoid glass containers).
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Yes, the state of Hawai’i now requires a license for recreational ocean fishing for non-Hawai‘i residents. The license is easy to get at the (DLNR-DAR) website https://fishing.hawaii.gov/login
- The cost is $20 for a 1-day license, $40 for a 7-day license, and $70 for an annual license. Non-resident youth under 15 years of age and all active-duty military personnel and their families do not need a license.
- Note: If you need to change the date of your license the system will allow a one-time change to the effective date of 1-day and 7-day licenses, as long as the change is made before 11:59 PM HST the day prior to the license effective date.
🍌 BANANA BOAT RIDES (MAUI ONLY)
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Exclusive to Maui, banana boating is a fast, splash-filled adventure where your group sits astride a giant, multi-passenger inflatable tube towed by a high-speed watercraft. Expect plenty of bumps, high-speed turns, and lots of salt spray!
- Requirements: Participants must be at least 5 years old. Unlike parasailing, you will get 100% soaked, and there is a high likelihood of slipping off into the ocean. Basic swimming ability and a love for high-energy adventure are required. Life jackets are mandatory and provided.
📍 DIRECTIONS & CHECK-IN
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Please arrive 15 to 20 minutes prior to your scheduled time. Maui check-ins are divided by activity:
- Maui Parasailing & Banana Boats: We meet you directly on the sand of Ka’anapali Beach, right in front of Leilani’s on the Beach restaurant at Whalers Village (2435 Ka’anapali Pkwy). Look for our bright blue UFO Parasail umbrellas and beach staff.
- Maui Fishing Charters: * Vessels Mercury and Kimmy V depart from the Mala Wharf Boat Ramp (1211 Front St, Lahaina).
- Vessel Cooper V departs from Ka’anap
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Kona Parasailing: Meet us at our activity desk inside the main lobby of the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel (75-5660 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona). Enter the hotel, turn left and then right down a central hallway with artwork, and our store is indoors on the left next to the Atlantis Submarines desk.
🌩️ BOOKING & WEATHER CANCELLATION POLICIES
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- Standard Policy: We offer a full 100% refund for reservations cancelled or modified at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled departure time due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. No-shows or cancellations inside the 24-hour window are charged full price. Contact us or text 808-661-7836 to inquire about cancellations.
- Trip Protection Option: For maximum flexibility, you can add our optional Trip Protection during online booking. This protection allows you to cancel or change your reservation up to 3 hours prior to your departure time for a full refund—no questions asked.
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Guest safety dictates everything we do. If our captains determine that high winds, heavy swells, or storms make it unsafe to operate, UFO Parasail will cancel the trip. If your excursion is cancelled due to weather, we will prioritize rescheduling you for a later date in your vacation. If your travel itinerary cannot accommodate a reschedule, you will receive a 100% full refund.
🎒 WHAT TO BRING
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To ensure a comfortable trip, we recommend bringing:
- Clothing: Swimsuits, board shorts, and lightweight athletic wear that you don’t mind getting a little damp.
- Sun Protection: Reef-safe sunscreen (required by Hawaii law), a secure hat, and polarized sunglasses.
- Layers: A light windbreaker or long-sleeve sunshirt can be helpful for early morning ocean breezes.
- Footwear: Footwear isn’t worn while flying or on the banana boat, but simple sandals or water shoes are perfect for the beach check-in.
- For Fishing: A cooler with ice must be left in your rental car if you plan to transport fresh fish filets after your charter.
🛍️ UFO APPAREL & MERCHANDISE
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Want to take a piece of your cosmic adventure home? We offer a premier line of official UFO Parasail & Adventures apparel, including custom UV-protection sunshirts, branded hats, t-shirts, and logo wear.
- How to Buy: You can browse our inventory directly via the UFO Retail/Shop Page on our website, visit our physical activity desk inside the King Kamehameha Hotel in Kona, or ask your boat crew about purchasing merchandise directly on the water at the end of your tour!
🗺️ LOCATIONS & SEASONAL SCHEDULES
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We operate two premier locations across the Hawaiian Islands, each tailored to the unique spirit and landscape of the island:
- Maui (Ka’anapali Coast & Lahaina): Our Maui hub features seasonal Parasailing, heart-pumping Banana Boat Rides, and year-round Inshore & Sport Fishing Charters.
- Kona (The Big Island): Based along the sunny, sheltered Kona Coast, this location focuses exclusively on premium, year-round Parasailing.
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- Maui: Parasailing is strictly seasonal (May 16 – December 14). Hawaii State Law prohibits parasailing and jet skiing from December 15 to April 15 to protect the thousands of migrating Pacific Humpback Whales that use the shallow channels as a winter nursery. During these winter months, our Maui team transitions to world-class Whale Watching tours!
- Kona: Yes! Parasailing is available year-round on the Big Island due to the protective nature of the Kona coast.