If you envy the water birds soaring over our lush Island and sparkling waters, parasailing is your ticket to a peaceful yet thrilling experience.

    Go solo or fly tandem.  Choose how high you soar, from 400 to 800 feet in the air.  Get wet or stay dry.  Whatever you choose, you’ll see the Lowcountry for miles in every direction.

    Parasailing is flying in a parachute, suspended by a harness and towed by a speedboat.  It is very safe and conducted under the watchful eye of a certified captain and the FAA and US Coast Guard.

    Once you have been oriented on shore by the captain, you are taken out into Calibogue Sound where your flight begins.  The ride itself lasts about ten minutes.  Take a camera – you’ll want a souvenir.

    As the boat tows you aloft, you’ll find the harness soft and comfortable, and that it allows you 360-degree view.  The ride is so gentle and quiet you won’t even hear the sound of the boat below.  If you want, the captain can carefully slow the boat and let you drift down until you skim the water’s surface.

    There are minimum and maximum weight restrictions, but the ride is designed for any age, regardless of skill or physical abilities or limitations.

    Island Water Sports (843-671-7007) offers parasailing from South Beach Marina, 232 South Sea Pines Drive in the Sea Pines Resort. 

    Sky Pirate Watersports (843-842-2566) operates mid-Island out of Broad Creek Marina, located at 18 Simmons Rd. off Marshland Rd..

    Palmetto Bay Parasail (843-785-7131), operating out of Palmetto Bay Marina, 86 Helmsman Road on Broad Creek, will book a high flying adventure worth remembering.

    From early spring into September, Hilton Head’s many parasail operators thrill people with the best natural high on the Island.  This might be your chance to see Savannah!

    For more information, see our Ad Directory under Parasailing.

    Also see “Things To Do” #25, #26 and #31.

Photo coutesy of Sky Pirate Watersports