Phuket Paragliding

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Fly Above Phuket Beaches

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Phuket Paragliding runs tandem flights from the hills above Karon and Nai Harn. You don’t need any experience. A pilot handles everything while you hang in front and watch the coastline from 200-300 metres up. The season runs from November to April when winds are steady. Outside those months, flights happen when weather allows, but cancellations are common.

Flight Format

The whole thing takes about an hour including briefing and transport back up the hill. Actual flight time is 15-30 minutes depending on conditions. Take-off is the strangest part. You jog down a slope until your feet leave the ground, then you’re just floating. The pilot sits behind you and steers. Most people grip the harness straps for the first few minutes, then relax once they realise how stable it is. They’ll mount a camera on the wing if you want photos.

Equipment and Safety

The gear is European-certified, and pilots carry reserve parachutes. You wear a helmet and a harness with back protection. They check the equipment before each flight and won’t go up if the wind is too strong or gusty. If conditions change mid-morning, they’ll postpone rather than push it.

Eligibility and Physical Requirements

You need to be able to jog a few steps for take-off. The weight limit is around 110 kg. Kids can fly with parental consent. If you have heart problems or are pregnant, they’ll ask you not to go. No experience necessary, and you don’t need to be particularly fit.

Typical Costs and Inclusions

A flight costs 5,900 Baht including insurance, equipment, and transport back to the top. You’ll see cheaper options advertised around 2,500-3,500 Baht, but those operators often lack proper certification. The price difference isn’t worth the risk.

Weather Considerations

Morning flights (07:30–10:30) and late-afternoon slots (15:30–17:30) provide the smoothest air and softer sunlight for photography. Southwest-monsoon months (May–October) bring variable rain and stronger onshore winds; operations run on a day-by-day basis, with cancellations common after heavy squalls.

Environmental Impact

Launch zones are compact, and take-offs leave minimal ground disruption. Operators follow “leave no trace” guidelines, removing litter and avoiding vegetation damage. Flight paths stay clear of national-park bird-nesting areas and scheduled drone-photography corridors.

Local Regulations

Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority recognises paragliders as ultralight aircraft. Tandem pilots must hold a national or FAI licence, third-party liability insurance, and permission from local landowners or municipal offices for each site. Random checks occur during holiday peaks, especially around Patong Beach.

Summary

Phuket Paragliding offers a straightforward way to view the island’s coastline from 200 metres up, using pilot-controlled wings, standardised safety gear, and regulated launch sites. Clear dry-season mornings deliver the most reliable conditions, while strict weight limits, weather pauses, and equipment checks keep the activity within accepted international safety norms.