Best Places To Go Parasailing

Sunny South Florida afternoons are just made for being outside. While lounging on the beach or taking a dip in the ocean are popular past-times for the summer tan set, some like to spend their afternoon soaring above the ocean on a parasail. If you haven't tried it, parasailing is a lot of fun. So where do you go to find a ride into the sky - check out our top five picks.

Caribbean Watersports

Key Largo Grande Resort and Beach Club (Hilton Hotel)
97000 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
(305) 852-4707
www.caribbeanwatersports.com

What a great operation tucked away behind the beautiful Key Largo Grande Resort. While the attitude is relaxed and friendly, their guest's safety is a priority while out on the water and in the air. Caribbean Watersports has been in operation for 26 years, 21 at the Key Largo Grande Resort. Guests can either choose to 'fly' up to 600 feet or 800 feet over Florida Bay; rides can either go single or tandem. Caribbean Watersports is this reviewer's personal favorite.

Ft. Lauderdale Parasail

1005 Seabreeze Blvd
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 33316
(954) 543-2938
www.ftlauderdaleparasail.com

If you live in Broward and don't really want to head all the way down to Key Largo, then just hop in your car and head east to Ft. Lauderdale Parasail. Open seven days a week, customers can choose to cool off and get dipped or stay dry as the soar 600, 800, 1000 feet above the ocean (altitude varies due to weather conditions) off Ft. Lauderdale's beach. Its not uncommon for riders to see all sorts of marine life including sharks, turtles and even dolphins from time to time.

Miami Beach Parasail

1601 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 266-4144
www.miamibeachparasail.com

Tucked away behind the Loews Hotel Miami Beach, Miami Beach Parasail takes riders up 600 feet over the waters off South Beach where they have spectacular views of the city and along with unique sandbars, sea turtles, manta rays and schools of tropical fish. A shuttle boat takes you directly from the beach to the parasail boat where you are informed of the safety procedures before your flight.

Neptune Parasail

Hyatt Pier 66
2301 SE 17th Street
Ft.lauderdale, Fl 33315
(954) 588-8588
www.neptuneparasailinc.com

Located at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Resort & Spa, Neptune Parasail is a relatively smooth operation. Like all set ups, riders are winched on and off the boat hydraulically for safe, dry takeoffs and landings. In the unlikely event of boat malfunction, the parasailors slowly drift down to the water wearing a life jacket.

Sunset Watersports

Smathers Beach
South Roosevelt Boulevard
Key West, FL
(305) 296-2554
www.sunsetwatersports.info

Feel the thrill of a bird's eye view with Sunset Watersports parasailing over the blue waters of Key West! Sunset Watersports also has some of the cheapest prices in Florida, $39 for morning flights and $49 for afternoon flights. Sunset Watersports has two locations to choose from: On Smathers beach on South Roosevelt Blvd. and at 201 William St. down town at the Key West Seaport.