Soaring 400 feet above Wildwood’s pristine coastline with nothing but ocean breeze and breathtaking views — parasailing offers the ultimate bird’s-eye perspective of our beloved Jersey Shore. If you’ve been watching those colorful parachutes drift across the sky and wondering what it’s like up there, here’s everything you need to know for your first parasailing adventure.
What Actually Happens During Parasailing
Contrary to what many first-timers imagine, you don’t run off a cliff or jump from a platform. Parasailing in Wildwood is entirely boat-based — you’ll launch and land right on the vessel’s deck. The experienced crew handles all the technical work while you simply sit back in a specially designed harness and enjoy the ride.
Most Wildwood parasailing operations run from the back bay waters behind the island, launching from marinas near Schellenger’s Landing or Sunset Lake. The entire experience typically lasts 1.5 to 2 hours, though your actual flight time is usually 8-12 minutes at heights ranging from 400 to 800 feet.
Local Tip: Book morning flights when possible — the air is typically calmer, and you’ll avoid afternoon thunderstorms that can cancel trips during summer months.
Safety and Age Requirements
Most Wildwood parasailing companies welcome participants as young as 6 years old, though children under 12 must typically fly tandem with an adult. The weight requirements usually range from 90 to 450 pounds, and tandem flights can accommodate up to 500 pounds combined.
You don’t need any special skills or experience — the crew handles everything. The modern winch systems used by local operators are incredibly safe, with multiple backup systems and Coast Guard-approved equipment. Weather conditions are monitored constantly, and trips are cancelled if winds exceed safe limits.
What You’ll See from Above
The aerial views of Wildwood are simply spectacular. Looking east, you’ll see the entire five-mile stretch of free beaches dotted with colorful umbrellas and busy with families enjoying the surf. The famous boardwalk appears as a wooden ribbon lined with amusement piers, while the distinctive red rooftops of classic Wildwood motels create a nostalgic patchwork below.
To the west, the back bay reveals a maze of channels, wetlands, and small islands that most visitors never see from ground level. On clear days, you can spot Cape Henlopen across Delaware Bay and even catch glimpses of the Delaware Memorial Bridge in the distance.
What to Bring: Sunglasses with a strap, reef-safe sunscreen, a waterproof phone case, and comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting slightly damp. Most operators provide life jackets and safety equipment.
Pricing and Booking Tips
Expect to pay around $80-$120 per person for single flights, with tandem rides typically costing $140-$180 total. Many companies offer package deals that include multiple activities or group discounts for families. Advance reservations are essential during peak summer weeks, especially for sunset flights that book up quickly.
Several reputable operators work out of Wildwood’s marinas, including businesses that have been safely flying visitors for decades. Most offer online booking and will provide detailed safety briefings before your flight.
Local Tip: Staying at one of Coastal Collection’s five locally-owned properties puts you within walking distance of the boardwalk and just a short drive to the back bay marinas where parasailing adventures begin.
Making the Most of Your Experience
The key to enjoying your first parasailing flight is relaxation. Once you’re airborne, the sensation is surprisingly peaceful — more like floating than flying. Many first-timers are amazed by how quiet it is up there, with only the sound of wind and distant ocean waves below.
Don’t forget to look around during your entire flight, not just straight down. The 360-degree views change constantly as the boat moves, offering different perspectives of Wildwood’s coastline, the Victorian charm of Cape May to the south, and the vast Atlantic stretching to the horizon.
Stay Steps from the Action.
Five locally-owned Wildwood hotels plus private cottages — all within walking distance of the boardwalk, beach, and Morey’s Piers.