Parasailing is the easiest way to get a few hundred feet above the water with no training at all. You're strapped into a harness under a parachute-style canopy that's tied to a boat by a long towline. As the boat picks up speed, the canopy lifts you into the air. The crew handles everything: the speed, the height, and the winch that lets you out and reels you back in.

Most boats launch and land you from a flat deck at the stern, so you can stay dry unless you ask the captain for a quick dip. Time in the air is fairly short, but the whole trip takes longer because everyone aboard gets a turn. You'll find parasailing at beach towns, lakes and resort areas, mostly in the warmer months.

The Date Activity

Parasailing is one of the few thrill rides you can do side by side. Most operators can fly two people at once, and some take three, so you go up together and come down together. It's surprisingly calm up there. The boat noise fades, your feet dangle over open water, and you get a long view of the coastline that you can't get from the sand.

Book a morning or late afternoon trip, when the water is often calmer and the light is softer. Then make a day of it: lunch somewhere on the waterfront, a lazy hour on the beach, or a slower trip across the water in a rented kayak. If you liked hanging under a canopy, paragliding is the next step up.

On Your Own / With Friends

Parasailing works well for a small group because everyone rides out on the boat and watches the others fly. Book together so you land on the same trip, and ask whether friends who don't want to fly can come along as observers, usually for a smaller fee. It's a popular vacation outing for families, and kids can often fly tandem with an adult if they meet the weight rules. Solo flyers are welcome too, though lighter riders may be paired with someone to make the weight work.

Good to Know

Choose an established operator with a licensed captain and well-kept gear, and ask how they decide when it's too windy to fly. A crew that cancels for weather is a good sign, not a letdown. Expect a waiver and weight limits, including a combined limit for tandem riders. Wear a swimsuit or clothes that can get wet, put on sunscreen before you board, and leave hats and anything loose on the boat. A strap for your sunglasses helps. Phones go up at your own risk, which is why many operators sell photo packages.