Parasailing in St Julian's: prices and what it's really like

What parasailing in Malta actually involves

Parasailing is simpler than it looks from the shore. You are harnessed to a parachute-style canopy attached by a long towrope to a speedboat. As the boat accelerates, you are lifted from the boat’s platform — cleanly, without running — and rise to height as the rope extends. The boat then drives at a steady speed, keeping you airborne. When the session ends, the boat slows and the operator winches you back down to the platform.

You do not need any prior experience. You do not steer or control anything. The only physical requirement is being able to hold yourself upright in the harness, which requires no particular strength. The experience is genuinely accessible to most adults and older teenagers.

What you get is 10-15 minutes of near-silence above St George’s Bay, St Julian’s. The view at 100-150 metres encompasses an extraordinary slice of Malta: the Sliema promenade and its limestone apartment blocks to the west, Valletta’s domed skyline in the distance, the Three Cities across the Grand Harbour, the open Mediterranean to the north, and on clear days the faint outline of Gozo and Comino. This is one of the best aerial views you can get in Malta without a helicopter or drone.

Where to parasail in Malta

The main parasailing base is St George’s Bay, St Julian’s — specifically the jetty area near the Westin Dragonara Casino. This location offers protected water conditions for takeoff and landing, open Mediterranean sea for the flight arc, and boat-access from multiple hotels along the Sliema-St Julian’s strip.

A secondary location operates near Sliema, offering similar conditions and views with a slightly different bay perspective.

Both locations are at their best on calm-sea days. Malta’s prevailing winds mean that summer (May-September) is the most reliable season. Parasailing operators generally cancel sessions in wind speeds above around 25 km/h or when wave heights make safe boat operation difficult.

Prices in 2026

Standard rates for a 10-15 minute tandem parasailing session run €55-75 per person in 2026.

Most operators offer:

• Solo flight (single harness, slightly cheaper in theory, but operationally many prefer to fly two at once)
• Tandem flight (two people in the same harness, same price or marginally more) — this is the most common format
• Photo/video package (GoPro footage of your session, typically +€10-15)

Check what is included in the quoted price. Some operators include the boat transfer to the parasailing platform; others charge separately for the tender ride from shore.

Parasailing in St Julian’s with photos and videos included Parasailing adventure with photos, St Julian’s

What happens during the session

Before takeoff. You arrive at the boat (either by boarding at the jetty or via a small tender). The operator fits your harness and explains the takeoff and landing procedure — typically: sit on the edge of the platform, hold the harness straps, do not grab the rope, straighten your legs when told. The briefing is short and clear.

Takeoff. As the boat accelerates, the canopy fills with air and you rise smoothly from the platform. There is no jump required. The transition from sitting to airborne takes 3-4 seconds and is surprisingly gentle. The rope unreels as you rise — most sessions reach 100-150 metres above the water.

In the air. Quiet. The boat engine is inaudible at height. You are suspended in a harness that is comfortable for a short duration — not luxurious but not painful either. The views are everything. This is the 10-15 minutes to look around systematically: identify Valletta’s dome (St Paul’s Co-Cathedral), the Sliema seafront, St Julian’s bay below you, Gozo on the northern horizon.

Landing. The operator signals you by radio to the boat crew. The rope is winched in gradually. Landing back on the platform is smooth — you are lowered onto your feet or seated gently. No rolling in sand, no wet landing unless you request a “dip” (some operators offer this — a brief moment where they let the rope slack enough for your feet to skim the water before lifting you again).

Who can parasail

Most operators set weight limits of 120-130 kg per person (for solo) and combined weight limits for tandem (typically 200 kg combined). Minimum age varies but is usually 8-10 years old with a guardian’s consent. Children under 12 typically fly tandem with an adult.

People who are pregnant, have recent back or neck injuries, or have severe heart conditions are generally advised not to parasail. Always disclose health conditions when booking.

Private parasailing cruise option

For couples or small groups who want a more exclusive experience, some operators offer a private boat charter with parasailing included — you get the boat to yourselves, can parasail multiple times, and have time for swimming or snorkelling in between. This format costs significantly more but eliminates the queue and schedule of the group operation.

Private parasailing cruise from St Julian’s

What the views actually look like

The view from 100 metres above St George’s Bay is one of Malta’s best kept visual secrets. From this height:

• North: Open Mediterranean. On very clear days (winter more than summer due to haze), Sicily is a faint presence 90 km away.
• East: Sliema promenade, the Marsamxett Harbour, and Valletta’s fortifications. The dome of the Mosta Rotunda is visible further inland.
• South: The St Julian’s hotel strip, Spinola Bay with its fishing boats, and the Portomaso marina tower.
• West: St George’s Bay below you, Paceville, and the coastline extending toward Bugibba and St Paul’s Bay.

For photography, you are typically facing into the wind (northeast or northwest in most conditions) and the light is best in the morning (east-facing) or late afternoon (west-facing). A GoPro package is worth adding if you have a specific panorama or memory objective.

Honest notes

It is not adrenaline sport. If you are looking for heart-rate acceleration and a physical challenge, this is not it. The experience is peaceful, visual, and surprisingly meditative for an “adventure” activity. Visitors expecting a thrill-ride are sometimes underwhelmed; visitors who treat it as a moving viewpoint are consistently delighted.

Weather dependency. Malta’s summer is reliably calm, but afternoon sea breezes can pick up from early afternoon. Morning sessions (9:00-12:00) tend to be the calmest. Check the operator’s cancellation policy before booking — most offer a full refund for weather cancellation or a rescheduling option.

The photo package is usually worth it. The GoPro footage gives you an unobstructed aerial view that your phone in your pocket cannot replicate. Fifteen euros for the memory of your Malta flight is money well spent.

Combining parasailing with other St Julian’s activities

St Julian’s is Malta’s most activity-dense resort town. Parasailing pairs naturally with:

• A morning at Spinola Bay (10-minute walk, excellent coffee at a bay-facing café)
• Paceville in the evening (Malta’s main nightlife zone, just behind St George’s Bay)
• A kayaking session along the St Paul’s Bay coastline on a separate morning
• The Paceville pub crawl as an evening contrast to the morning’s activity

For overall St Julian’s trip planning, see the Malta 5-day itinerary.

Sliema parasailing vs St Julian’s

The Sliema-based option is slightly more convenient if you are staying in Sliema and less convenient if you are in St Julian’s or Paceville. The views from Sliema’s position are broadly similar — slightly more Valletta in the foreground, slightly less of the open St George’s Bay. Both are worth doing if you are nearby; the Sliema option can also be combined with the Malta Sliema parasailing operator.

Sliema Go & Fun parasailing with free photos and videos

Frequently asked questions about parasailing in Malta

Is parasailing safe in Malta?

Yes. Malta’s parasailing operators are licensed under Maltese maritime safety regulations. The equipment is certified and regularly inspected. The main risk factors — weather and mechanical — are managed by experienced operators who cancel sessions in unsafe conditions. The activity has an excellent safety record in Malta.

Do you get wet during parasailing?

Not unless you request it. Some operators offer a “water dip” as part of the experience — they briefly lower you to skim the water with your feet before lifting you again. This is fun in summer and optional, not automatic.

Can I parasail if I am scared of heights?

Paradoxically, many people with a fear of heights find parasailing less distressing than they expected, because the height is gradual and there is no sudden drop. There are no fast movements and nothing below you is alarming. That said, if your fear is severe, talk to the operator beforehand.

What should I wear for parasailing?

Comfortable clothes you do not mind getting slightly wet. A swimsuit under your clothes is ideal. Leave jewellery in the hotel — small items can fall at height. Shoes are usually removed before getting in the harness.

How long does a parasailing session last including waiting time?

Allow 1.5-2 hours for the full experience including travel to the boat, briefing, waiting for conditions/other guests, the flight (10-15 minutes), and return. The aerial portion itself is short; the experience is the whole sequence.

When is parasailing season in Malta?

April to October is the core season. July-September is peak, with the most reliable calm conditions. Some operators run year-round during calm winter days, but availability is reduced November-March.

Last reviewed: 2026-04-20