Experience the thrills and beauty from the sky with our guide to the best parasailing on the Gold Coast
From whale watching to various kinds of watersports, beachside activities sort of became the unofficial addendum to the Gold Coast’s title.
One of the more popular activities is parasailing, thanks to its accessibility for thrill seekers and regular visitors alike.
Over the years, companies have sprouted up across several beaches to cash in on the hype. This is where we come in—to help you choose the best experience for your parasailing adventure on the Gold Coast.
In fact, it has become one of our team’s favorite pastimes. And who better to trust than locals who live and breathe the lifestyle?
We didn’t just include where to parasail; we also included other exciting insider tips, such as what to prepare and where to find the best views to ensure you have nothing but an exceptional time!
Why you should add parasailing to your Gold Coast to-do list
Before everything else, we must make a few things clear first: why choose parasailing?
The Gold Coast offers a lot of water-related activities, so it’s highly unlikely that anyone won’t find something that resonates with them.
Despite the other activities being more engaging, parasailing sets itself apart as the perfect way to view the city without much preparation or practice.
Visitors can easily see the scenic sights of the urban coastline, specifically Surfers Paradise, South Stradbroke Island, and the Gold Coast hinterland.
Since the activity is fairly common around here, you’ll likely find special packages and discounts to make the experience more affordable.
Great parasailing companies on the Gold Coast you should look out for
Convinced now? Here are some of our best picks if you plan to hire a service for your parasailing adventures on the Gold Coast.
GC Jet Boat & Parasail
– Media credit: gcjetboatandparasail
Address: Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach
Contact details: [email protected], 0404 184 616
Operating hours: Everyday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Despite stiff competition at Main Beach, GC Jet Boat & Parasail reigns supreme as the best parasailing company in the area for the quality of its services alone.
For $97, customers can already avail of the solo parasailing package. Couples and groups of three can also ride together for $130 and $193, respectively.
And don’t worry—children aged six and older are allowed to go parasailing as long as an adult guardian accompanies them. The only other requirement is that the riders must at least weigh around 25 to 30 kilograms for the safety harnesses to function properly.
The journey usually starts at Main Beach’s Marina Mirage, where parasailers are tourned around the leeward side of the breakwater beach for at least 8 to 10 minutes.
During the ride, parasailers are given a GoPro to record their experience. This is in addition to the pictures taken by the guide/boat driver from below.
Purchasing the $40 photo and video package is completely optional, although we really recommend that you avail it as a commemoration for the event.
Don’t worry, the staff is trained to capture Instagram-worthy shots of their patrons.
If you want to continue the fun, the company offers a one-hour special package of parasailing and jet skiing for around $240. It’s just an additional $50 for the triple parasail package.
Pro tip:
Don’t be late your planned parasailing might just get delayed or, worse, canceled. Always check up on the company’s office staff about your schedule to avoid any issues later.
Surfers Parasailing
– Media credit: surfersparasailing
Address: JW Marriott Resort, 158 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise
Contact details: [email protected], 0410 222 888
Operating hours: Everyday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If you’re looking for a more affordable experience, just drive south from Main Beach and head to Surfers Parasailing.
Compared to GC Jet Boat & Parasail, this parasailing company in Surfers Paradise offers customers a better view of the Pacific Ocean, as it operates out in the open sea.
This means that customers have a higher chance of encountering some of the local marine life, including dolphins and whales, during the ride. If you aren’t as lucky, the local mansions dotted across the beach are still there to admire.
Best of all, all the pictures taken during the ride are free. Just head to the company’s official social media pages to find your shots.
While Surfers Parasailing doesn’t usually have packages, its parasailing services are only $95 per head. The parasail itself can only accommodate three people per ride, but other people can join the boat ride for only $50 each.
Pro tip:
Be sure to check your parasailing photos on Surfer Parasailing’s Facebook page. The company receives several customers each day, causing the images they post to get instantly buried by other people’s pictures.
Gold Coast Watersports
– Media credit: goldcoastwatersports
Address: 58 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
Contact details: [email protected], 0404 445 000
Operating hours: Everyday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Gold Coast Watersports differentiates itself from other parasailing companies in the city by the sheer number of water activities it offers to customers.
Many visitors to the city often consider parasailing as only the start of the water activities the city has to offer. Gold Coast Watersports capitalizes on this by providing not only parasailing and jet ski tours but also flyboarding and even jet ski training.
Since the company is partnered with GCTIX, customers can experience more watersports through its special package offers. This includes jet boat rides, surfing lessons, and snorkeling.
Gold Coast Watersports isn’t a slouch when it comes to its parasailing services either. Solo parasails start at $91, while tandem and triple packages are priced at $128 and $193.
The company is also the only one on our list that hosts corporate events, perfect for company outings and team-building activities.
This is on top of its exclusive video packages – the only one on the Gold Coast – to capture your best moments live. Just a heads-up: the pictures and videos are optional additional payments.
Pro tip:
If you’re coming to the venue by car, take note that the facility doesn’t have its own parking space.
One is a public parking space that charges $5, although it gets easily filled. The other is a private but less congested spot just 200 meters away. It charges $30 for the whole day.
Best parasailing views on the Gold Coast
When all is clear, it’s time to head out into the sea and enjoy your parasailing experience. We recommend that you look out for these scenic views during your trip.
Surfers Paradise
– Media credit: kirrablack
Surfers Paradise fully captures the cityscape by the bay with the pristine beach backdropped by the tall towers of the Gold Coast. For the same reason, parasailing is a popular water activity in the area for people looking for some picture-worthy angles of the city.
Some parasailers even claim to see glimpses of the Gold Coast hinterlands, primarily Tamborine Mountain and Springbrook, during clearer days.
This is also the usual parasailing area for many companies, including Gold Coast Watersports and Surfers Parasailing, so you’d have a lot of options to pick from.
Pro tip:
The best time to parasail on Surfers Beach is during sunset when the red glow from the sun reflects on the buildings’ glass. The temperature is also considerably cooler in the afternoon than in the early morning.
Wave Break Island
– Media credit: creedcorey
In contrast to the cityscape view of Surfers Paradise, Wave Break Island offers parasailers a chance to see the Gold Coast’s natural beauty.
From its clear emerald waters to its unique location between the city proper and the vast ocean, Wave Break Island is a picturesque destination visitors can easily visit when venturing to the Main Beach.
Parasailers usually avail themselves of GC Jet Boat & Parasail’s services as the company’s operations are the closest to the island.
Best of all, the island is known to be a favorite destination for some of the marine life in the city. Just add a snorkeling or a kayaking experience to your package to meet the island and its inhabitants up close.
Pro tip:
It’s best to schedule your parasailing trip on Wave Break Island before a storm. Heavy rainfall can cause the sand to stir up and make the island’s renowned clear waters become murky.
What to prepare for your parasailing adventures on the Gold Coast
Wait a second! Before you head out on your trip to the Gold Coast, here are some of the things you may need to prepare when parasailing out in the eastern Australian sea.
Breathable swimwear
Breathable swimwear or clothes are a top must-have when parasailing. We also recommend outfits that will reduce any chaffing when you equip the safety jacket and the parasail straps.
Secure footwear
We’d also like to advise parasailers to wear secure footwear, as the strong winds can easily sweep away most slippers and sandals.
If it’s not possible, you can always go barefoot. However, walking back might be a bit of a pain with the hot pavement and pathways during lunch and early afternoon.
Medical considerations
If you have any medical conditions, it’s best to bring any necessary medications. You can also advise the boat operator of your conditions to help assist in case of any emergency.
What to expect for your parasailing adventures on the Gold Coast
Trips and adventures don’t always go as smoothly as we planned.
The same can be said for parasailing on the Gold Coast, especially with all the risks involved in the activity. Add to that the city’s popularity that continues to test the limits of the companies.
We listed down some of the common troubles many visitors encounter during their time on the Gold Coast to help ease some of your concerns for later.
Long waiting lines
A big part of any popular activity, even in other places, is standing in waiting lines for hours before experiencing the attraction.
In most cases, you’d spend more hours watching other people’s backs than actually enjoying the activity. The same can be said of the parasailing lines on the Gold Coast.
The lines are particularly longer during summer and holidays when locals and tourists flock to the city and its beaches. So, if you still plan to experience parasailing during this season, bring a lot of patience.
Customer service issues
Another problem when visiting the Gold Coast during its busy seasons is the sheer number of people you have to compete with just to get certain services.
As a popular attraction, expect that the parasailing companies will be busy attending to other customers and might not be able to address your concerns immediately.
As such, it’s best to prepare all required documents and payments before talking with the parasailing company staff.
We also recommend that you regularly check in on your schedules with the companies to ensure minimal delays and hold-ups during the big day.
Group size planning
Many of the parasailing trips on the Gold Coast are set in small groups, typically with no more than eight people. This means you’ll need to plan your trip in advance, even before arriving in the city.
While most parasailing companies allow fewer parasailers per trip, it’s advisable to go in with other groups if applicable, to reduce wait time and any additional costs.
The whole parasailing trip usually only lasts eight to ten minutes, so make every second count.