Yes, kids can go parasailing in Turks and Caicos, and with Captain Marvin’s Watersports there’s no minimum age. If your child fits comfortably in a life jacket and harness, they can fly tandem with a parent or another adult. Our youngest flyer so far was just 13 months old.
We’ve been flying families over Grace Bay since 1991, with more than 400,000 safe flights. Here’s what parents usually want to know before booking a first flight with little ones.
Is there a minimum age for parasailing?
No. We don’t go by age. We go by fit and weight. The rule is simple: if they fit comfortably in a life jacket and harness, they can fly tandem with an adult. Our crew checks the fit on the boat before anyone goes up, and the captain always makes the final call.
To fly solo, guests need to weigh about 100 lbs. That’s why most young children fly with a parent instead. They’re better off that way anyway, because they get to share the view with you.
How flying tandem with a child works
On a tandem flight, you and your child are clipped in side by side under the same parasail. Families can also fly as a triple, with three people together. What matters is the combined weight, which can be up to 450 lbs depending on wind and water conditions that day.
A few things make it easy for small flyers:
- No jumping and no running. You take off and land right on the back of the boat using a smooth hydraulic winch.
- You can stay completely dry. A dip in the water on the way down is optional.
- The whole family can come along. Anyone who doesn’t want to fly can ride on the boat as an observer and watch.
- A USCG-certified crew fits every harness and life jacket and runs every flight.
Why morning flights are best for kids
For young children, we recommend booking a morning trip. Winds are usually calmer and the water is smoother in the morning, so the boat ride is easier on little tummies. The light is also better for photos, and you’re more likely to spot dolphins, turtles and rays from the air. Kids also tend to have more energy and patience before the afternoon heat. See the best time to go parasailing in Turks and Caicos for more on timing.
The full trip takes about 1.5 hours including the boat ride, with roughly 12 minutes in the air per flyer. That’s a good length for kids: long enough to feel like a real adventure, short enough that nobody gets restless.
What to pack for a family parasailing trip
- Swimsuits or light beach clothes, so a splash doesn’t matter
- Reef-safe sunscreen, put on before you leave
- A small towel and a dry change of clothes for the kids
- Drinking water for the boat ride
- Sunglasses with a strap, or leave them with an observer
- A phone in a waterproof pouch if you want your own photos
Our guide to what to wear parasailing has more detail.
Getting there with kids
Every trip leaves from Turtle Cove Marina in Providenciales. Free pickup is included from resorts and beach access points along Grace Bay Beach, so there’s no need to pack everyone into a taxi. Just tell us where you’re staying when you book. If you’d like the boat to yourselves, a private parasailing charter is a relaxed option for families with very young children.
Who shouldn’t fly
For safety reasons, guests who are pregnant or have certain back or spinal conditions shouldn’t parasail or ride along. If you’re unsure, get in touch before booking and we’ll talk it through.
Quick answers for parents
Can a toddler go parasailing?
Yes. If they fit comfortably in a life jacket and harness, they can fly tandem with an adult. Our youngest flyer so far was 13 months old.
How much does a child need to weigh to fly alone?
About 100 lbs. Lighter children fly tandem or triple with an adult.
What’s the weight limit for a family flight?
Tandem and triple flights can carry up to 450 lbs combined, depending on conditions on the day.
Will my child get wet?
Only if you want them to. Takeoff and landing are dry, and the dip on the way down is optional.
Ready to plan your family’s first flight? See our parasailing prices and trip options, or check the FAQs for more answers.