Dubai offers some of the best beaches and skyscrapers in the world. They are a feast for the eyes, and you can gaze at them with pleasure through an exciting aerial-aquatic activity: parasailing.
Parasailing in Dubai is one of the many exciting aerial-aquatic activities you can add to your itinerary, but its defining characteristic is this: it allows you to float hundreds of feet above the water and see some of the best landmarks in the city. So, take the chance and glide through the air with our first-timer’s guide to parasailing in Dubai.
Things to Know Before You Go Parasailing in Dubai
Parasailing is a thrilling water and aerial activity. To enjoy the ride, you must feel comfortable and confident as you glide through the air. And to achieve that, you must come prepared. Here’s everything you need to know before you book your first parasailing adventure in Dubai.
What is Parasailing?
Parasailing is a recreational activity that uses an open parachute and a moving vehicle—usually a speedboat. The person riding the parachute can glide through the air while being towed by the vehicle. A special harness is attached between the pilot and the parachute to control movements.
Who Can Parasail in Dubai?
Parasailing is one of the most accessible and family-friendly activities in Dubai. It’s a relaxing activity that allows riders to glide through the air at a steady, gradual pace. Hence, there are limited restrictions for this activity.
Parasailing Age Restrictions
Most tour companies in Dubai set a minimum age requirement for children. The average minimum age to parasail in Dubai is six years old. Minor participants must have a parent or guardian sign their liability forms.
Parasailing Weight Restrictions
Parasailing in Dubai can accommodate one to three persons per ride. For single riders, the average minimum weight limit is 40 kilograms. For group riders, the tour company applies total weight restrictions. The average total weight limit of all passengers in one ride should not exceed 200 to 250 kilograms. The limit depends on the parachute’s size, which can go from 80 to 200 square feet.
Parasailing Health Restrictions
If you suffer from a severe medical condition such as epilepsy, high blood pressure, or a heart condition, it’s best to coordinate with your doctor and the tour company regarding participation. This activity is also not recommended for pregnant women and persons with disabilities. Parasailing, however, is a safe and moderate physical activity. As long as you look and feel healthy, you can participate.
Does Parasailing Requires Skills and Experience?
Parasailing may be a thrilling activity, but all you need to do during the ride is sit back and enjoy the view. The driver or pilot of the vehicle will guide the parachute. Considering that, you don’t need to have skills or experience to participate in this activity.
Is Parasailing Safe and Regulated in Dubai?
Parasailing is a low-risk recreational activity. Commercial parasailing operations around the world are safe for children and adults. According to the Parasail Safety Council, the world’s premier source of parasailing data and information, parasailing accidents resulting in minor and major injuries only happen when there are faulty equipment and poor passenger support systems. Parasailing activities that didn’t pass the government’s safety requirements are, of course, unsafe.
But don’t fret, parasailing activities from reputable companies in Dubai follow safety standards. The activity begins with an explanation of safety and flying procedures. The ground staff, which consists of experts and professionals, will give the parasailing safety briefing fundamentals. They will also check the functionality of all gear and equipment. During the flight, the pilot and other assistants will be with you until landing to ensure your safety.
COVID-19 Restrictions
All travel and tour companies in Dubai follow special health and safety measures to combat COVID-19. Parasailing operators in Dubai must ensure social distancing among passengers, sanitize seats, vehicles, and equipment regularly, conduct temperature checks for staff and guests, and promote contactless payments.
Guests, too, are required to follow individual safety protocols. Guests should wear face masks during the activity, avoid physical contact among staff and other guests, and submit basic personal information for contact tracing purposes.
Some parasailing operators may deny group rides to promote social distancing. For crowd management, the number of activities a day may also be reduced to discourage crowded waiting areas.
When Is the Best Time to Parasail in Dubai?
The weather is obviously the biggest concern when it comes to parasailing. However, you wouldn’t have to worry about the time of the day. You can parasail from early morning to late afternoon and still enjoy the feel of warm and calm winds. Morning rides offer gentle breeze and fogs, while afternoon rides may come with warm and strong winds.
How Long Does a Parasailing Ride Last?
Parasailing in Dubai can last from 8 to 15 minutes, but the entire activity can last 45 minutes to an hour. It’s a tour package that includes aquatic and aerial activities. Standard activities include sightseeing boat rides, safety briefing, and actual flight preparations. Some operators may include banana boat rides, island hopping, and snorkeling to the itinerary.
What are the Best Parasailing Locations in Dubai?
Travel and tour companies host parasailing activities on some of the most popular beaches in Dubai. When choosing a parasailing tour package, consider the actual location and the sightseeing opportunities.
Parasailing activities are usually hosted at Marina Beach, Jumeirah Beach, Al Sufouh Beach, Sunset Beach, and other commercial beaches in Dubai. These beaches are located on the coast of Dubai, easily accessible from the city center.
Preparation Tips And Booking Procedures
We’ve finally established some of the basic things you should expect in a parasailing activity in Dubai. Let’s now head to the actual preparations and procedures involved in booking the activity.
How to Get to the Best Parasailing Locations in Dubai
You can easily reach the best beaches and artificial islands in Dubai from the city center. If you want a complete and hassle-free itinerary for your first parasailing activity, you can look for tour companies that offer whole-day aerial and aquatic adventures with hotel pick-up and drop-off services, meals, and tour guides.
To get to the best places we’ve mentioned earlier, here’s a guide:
How to Get to Dubai Marina
Dubai Marina is centrally located in the city. Travelers with private or rented vehicles can easily reach Dubai Marina from the city center in approximately 30 minutes through Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11 or Al Khail Rd/E44.
If you want to commute, city buses can take you to Dubai Marina and its surrounding areas. Take Buses 8, 84, and F55A, depending on your location. If you want to take the metro, take the Red Line and alight at Damac Metro Station, then take a 5-minute walk to Dubai Marina.
How to Get to Jumeirah Beach
Jumeirah Beach is located on the Persian Gulf coast. It’s one of the best white-sand beaches in Dubai. Travelers with private or rented vehicles can easily reach the beach approximately 15 minutes through Al Athar Street or Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11.
If you want to commute, city buses can take you to Jumeirah Beach and its surrounding areas. Take Buses 8, 81, 88, and X28, depending on your location. If you want to take the metro, take the Red Line and alight at stop 23 or stop 24.
How to Get to Al Sufouh Beach
Al Sufouh Beach is a hidden gem in Dubai. Locals call it the ‘Secret Beach’. Despite its hidden location, you can locate it through various modes of transportation. Travelers with private or rented vehicles can easily reach the beach approximately 25 minutes through Al Khail Rd/E44 or Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11.
If you want to commute, city buses can take you to Jumeirah Beach and its surrounding areas. Take Buses 8 and 88, depending on your location. If you want to take the metro, take the Red Line and alight at the Dubai Internet City Metro Station. From there, you can take a 30-minute walk or hire a cab to reach Al Sufouh.
How to Get to Sunset Beach / Umm Suqeim Beach
Umm Suqeim Beach, also known as Sunset Beach, is a famous public beach located right next to Jumeirah Beach Hotel. It offers an excellent spot to have an unobstructed view of Burj Al Arab.
Travelers with private or rented vehicles can easily reach the beach approximately 23 minutes through Al Asayel St/D72 or Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11. If you want to commute, city buses can take you to Sunset Beach and its surrounding areas. Take Buses 8, 84, 88, F55A, depending on your location. If you want to take the metro, take the Red Line and alight at the Dubai Internet City Metro Station. From there, you can take a 16-minute walk to reach Sunset Beach.
What Are the Things Passengers Need to Prepare?
Parasailing in Dubai is a short activity, but you need to carefully plan the things you’ll bring and wear before the activity to make the most out of your short trip. Here are the things you should and shouldn’t bring in a parasailing tour:
Clothing
You’ll need clothes that could keep you comfortable, warm, and mobile during the ride. The weather in Dubai is usually warm, so you’re allowed to wear shorts, sleeveless shirts, and t-shirts. If you intend to get wet through other beach activities before or after parasailing, you can wear rash guards or bikinis. Water sports shoes are recommended but not required.
Documents
The parasailing operator will require passports or identification cards when you book a ride. Some tour companies may require passengers to sign and submit waivers and other documents before the flight. Parents and guardians should submit liability forms for minor participants.
Other Essentials
You don’t need to bring any special equipment to the ride, but you may prepare some essentials to improve your overall experience. On the boat ride, you can bring a water towel and other beverages. It’s best to ask the tour company if you can bring light snacks. During the flight, you can bring a small towel in case you get wet and a camera to record your experience.
Do Guests Need To Prebook?
Pre-COVID, walk-in tours are perfectly acceptable since parasailing operators in Dubai host activities on an hourly basis. Given the situation, it’s best to prebook to secure your preferred time slot, avoid large crowds, and save vacation time.
What Are the Best Parasailing Tours in Dubai?
Parasailing in Dubai, like other beach and aerial activities, always attracts the attention of tourists. It’s a pretty popular activity for families and big groups. You can easily find reputable tour companies offering parasailing activities in Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach, Sunset Beach, and other locations. The challenge is finding the best one that fits your budget, itinerary, and other tour preferences.
To help you with the selection, here are some of the most recommended parasailing tours in Dubai and their existing tour packages:
SeaWake Water Sports – 279 AED (75.96 USD) to 699 AED (190.31 USD) for 15-minute single and group rides. The tour includes a speedboat sightseeing trip.
Skyland Tourism – 420 AED (114.35) per person for a 10-15 minute tandem ride. The tour includes a speedboat sightseeing trip and pick-up and drop-off services.
Happy Desert Safari – 400 AED (108.90 USD) per person for a 10-15 minute parasailing adventure. The tour includes a speedboat sightseeing trip.
Beach Riders Dubai – 400 AED (108.90 USD) per person for a 10-15 minute parasailing adventure. The tour includes a 20-minute boat ride.
Sky and Sea Adventures Dubai – 420 AED (114.35 USD) per person for a 10-15 minute parasailing adventure. The tour includes a boat ride.
Splash Tours – 365 AED (99.37 USD) per person for a 90-minute speedboat tour and parasailing package.
Rayna Tours – 350 AED (95.29 USD) to 1,000 AED (272.26 USD) per person for 15-minute single and group rides. The tour includes a speedboat sightseeing trip and pick-up and drop-off services.
To learn more about the inclusions, terms, and conditions of each parasailing package listed here, you can visit the tour operator’s website or contact their customer service support.
Final Parasailing Tips For First-Timers
Parasailing may look like an intimidating, high-risk activity to first-timers. But if you’ll look at the facts and tips stated in this guide, parasailing is the opposite of what you’re thinking. For our final tips to first-timers parasailing in Dubai, come prepared, follow safety regulations, and choose the best tour company.
What to Do After Parasailing in Dubai
Parasailing is the best of both worlds. It combines aerial and water adventures. Parasailing, however, is just one of the many thrilling activities you can do in Dubai. Update your itinerary with more aerial and water adventures, such as skiing, ziplining, and skydiving.
