Paragliding vs Parasailing in Lanzarote: Understand the Difference
Lanzarote, the volcanic "island of a hundred volcanoes" in the Canary Islands, offers stunning aerial views of black lava fields, turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs, and white-washed villages. Two popular ways to experience these from above are paragliding and parasailing (also called parascending). While both let you soar through the air, they provide very different thrills, sensations, and settings.
Many visitors confuse the two activities, especially when searching for "flying" experiences on the island. This article breaks down the key differences, how each works in Lanzarote, what to expect, and which might suit you best.
What is Paragliding?
Paragliding is a free-flying adventure sport using a lightweight, inflatable wing (a paraglider) launched by foot from a slope or hill. In tandem paragliding—the most common option for tourists—a certified pilot handles takeoff, navigation, and landing while you sit harnessed in front, fully immersed in the experience.
- Launch method: From elevated terrain (hills or mountains), running a few steps downhill into the wind to inflate the wing—then the ground simply drops away beneath you.
- Flight style: You glide on invisible air currents (thermals) and ridge lift, just like the birds around you. The pilot can steer, turn, and climb to extend your flight.
- Duration: Tandem flights in Lanzarote typically last 15–40 minutes.
- Sensation: The engine noise? There is none. Just the wind, the view, and a profound sense of freedom. It's the closest humans get to flying like a bird.
- Requirements: No prior experience needed for tandem. Minimum weight around 40 kg, maximum often ~100–110 kg. Age limits vary, but children can often participate.
In Lanzarote: The island is one of the best spots in the Canaries for paragliding thanks to consistent trade winds, volcanic ridges that generate reliable lift, and wide-open landscapes with no visual clutter—just raw volcanic terrain meeting the Atlantic. You'll fly over scenery that most tourists only see from a car window.
What is Parasailing?
Parasailing (or parascending) is a recreational water-based activity where you're towed behind a speedboat by a long rope attached to a large, round parachute-like canopy (parasail).
- Launch method: From a boat in calm coastal waters; the boat accelerates, lifting you into the air.
- Flight style: The boat controls speed, direction, height, and duration. You have no steering control and follow a fixed path.
- Duration: Usually 5–10 minutes of actual flight time (total activity ~45–60 minutes including the boat ride and waiting for your turn).
- Sensation: A gentle, floating experience with the steady hum of the boat engine below. Available as solo, tandem, or triple rides.
- Requirements: Minimum age often 8+ (younger children with an adult). Life jacket provided; suitable for most fitness levels.
In Lanzarote: Parasailing is concentrated on the calmer southern and eastern coasts. Main locations are:
- Puerto del Carmen (Playa Chica harbor)
- Playa Blanca (Marina Rubicón)
Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Paragliding | Parasailing |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | From hills/mountains (foot launch) | From boat (towed takeoff) |
| Control | Pilot steers freely through the sky | Boat driver controls everything |
| Environment | Over volcanoes, cliffs, villages | Over the sea near the coast |
| Flight time | 15–40+ minutes | 5–10 minutes |
| Sensation | Silent, free, immersive | Gentle float, some engine noise |
| Adrenaline | High (true flying feel) | Moderate (recreational thrill) |
| Scenery | Volcanic landscapes, hidden valleys | Coastal/ocean panorama |
| Best for | Anyone who wants to truly fly | Families, groups, casual fun |
| Lanzarote spots | Famara ridge, Teguise area | Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca |
| Weather impact | Needs suitable wind/thermals | Needs calm seas, less wind-dependent |
Which One Should You Choose in Lanzarote?
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Choose paragliding if you want to know what it actually feels like to fly. No engine, no rope, no boat—just you, a wing, and Lanzarote's volcanic landscape unfolding beneath you for up to 40 minutes. It's the kind of experience people remember for years: the silence, the views over the Famara cliffs, the sensation of riding thermals alongside kestrels. If you have one "bucket list" activity on the island, this is it.
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Choose parasailing if you prefer a shorter, more relaxed activity close to the tourist resorts, want to go with a group of friends or family, or simply enjoy a gentle float over the ocean without leaving the beach area.
Whichever you pick, booking in advance is recommended—especially during peak season—as weather plays a big role and slots fill up quickly.
Ready to take off? Lanzarote's skies are waiting.