Anna Maria Island Parasailing and Jet Ski Tours

Five parasailing trips compared

Two trips leave from the Bradenton Beach Marina at 402 Church Avenue, next to the Cortez Bridge. The 90-minute trip at 89.99 USD provides all the parasailing equipment and has free marina parking; look for the red, white and blue boat by the Nautilus Bar. The 100 USD trip adds a briefing, a boat ride, a captain and crew, safety gear and 10 to 12 minutes in the air, and it covers marina and fuel fees, local taxes and parking.

Two trips use the docks on Bridge Street. The 109 USD trip lasts about an hour in total, with 8 to 10 minutes of flying under a Coast Guard captain and crew. The 95 USD trip lasts one hour and picks you up from the docks behind the Bridge Tender in an orange boat. Island parking is very limited, so arrive 15 minutes early.

The 119 USD trip starts at the 63rd Street boat ramp on Anna Maria Island, with a professional guide and a 90-minute outing. Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early to park and check in behind the tennis courts. Observer spots are limited, and in summer departures run from 8 a.m. every 90 minutes until sunset.

What it costs for your group

All prices are per person. Two people who both fly pay about 180 USD on the cheapest trip and 238 USD on the 63rd Street trip. The gap between trips comes from what is covered: the 100 USD trip includes fees and parking, the 119 USD trip a guide. Photo and video packages cost extra on the 100 and 109 USD trips, and on the Church Avenue trips people who come along only to watch need a ticket too.

Age, weight and health limits

The Church Avenue operator takes guests from age 5, with a minimum of 100 lb for a solo flight and a combined maximum of 475 lb per flight. The 63rd Street operator starts at age 6, with a parent or guardian signing for anyone under 18. Its flights usually allow a combined weight of 100 to 450 lb, and lighter guests fly tandem. Pregnancy is not recommended on either of these trips, and the one-hour flight from the Bridge Tender docks also lists spinal injuries and poor heart and circulation health.

Wind, lightning and cancellations

Florida law bars commercial parasailing in sustained winds above 20 mph, in gusts above 25 mph, and when lightning is known within 7 miles. The operator at the Bridge Tender docks refunds or rebooks a flight that weather stops. Spring and summer are the busiest weeks, so reserve one to three days ahead; our weather guide shows what to expect by month.