Table of Contents
Introduction
Among several thrilling activities, parasailing is the most charming one. Initially, parasailing activity was limited within port Blair, North Bay and Corbyn’s Cove beach. Later this activity expanded to several beaches as well. Tourists can enjoy the scenic beauty of islands from a magnificent viewpoint. The sight of the islands from the parachute looks mesmerizing. Another charm in parasailing is soaring within the air which can be enjoyed only by parasailing like activities.
The most exciting part of the parasailing in Andaman starts after launching the parachute. People feel a heavy adrenaline rush at the beginning. Most people reported this as a magical experience they ever faced in a lifetime. From hundreds of feet above, people can see the creatures wandering underwater. If the water on the beach is clean enough, people can spot fish, dolphins moving into the sea. Suddenly, people can discover a new vision where they can see everything beyond the constructions, trees and a wide range of land at once. This vision makes the world bigger and a more magnificent place to enjoy.
The major portion of people fears height, but experts periodically check the safety measures to avoid an accident during parasailing activity. People can ultimately overcome the fear of height as there is always a safety net of water below and sailing in the air provides a pleasant gesture to the rider just after some moments.No predefined skill or experience is required from the participants’ end. In fact, there is no need to know about swimming for participating in parasailing events.
How parasailing in Andaman works
For parasailing, the journey begins from North Bay or Carbyns by boat with all the safety equipment therein. Parasailing happens in Elephant Beach Havelock Island as well. For economical purposes, boats have seats for twelve people at once; this includes support members as well. It takes at least two hours to return from the water after everyone gets the opportunity for parasail. Passengers are provided 10-minute oral training before the beginning of the parasailing session. As there is no mode of communication during parasailing activity, support members instruct some hand gestures to communicate during parasailing if anything goes wrong. Though there is very little probability of happening something wrong, tourists should learn these gestures properly for unfavourable conditions if any.
Before launching, tourists are provided with life vests as a precautionary measure. All the safety measures are tested before each ride. Parasailing companies in Andaman offers both landing and takeoff from the boat as well as from the water surface. Tourists can choose takeoff and landing mode according to their will. Traveller is harnessed in the seat for security at the time of taking off to the air. This harness is for tightening the passenger with the seat and has no role in steering the paragliding chute. Some parasailing companies offer this ride as a trio; in that case, two members may parasail at once.
Paragliding chutes are lifted in the air with the help of a winch in a smoothie manner. Launching paragliding chutes by winch system is regarded as the safest technique for parasailing and is also permitted by the government of India. No sensation of jerking or jolts
is felt during this lifting. At the time of landing, tourists can choose to land on water or boat. The level they want to go dip in water should be informed beforehand to the support members.
Though such entertaining activities include some degree of risk, parasailing in Andaman is regarded as the safest one and any person aged between 6 years to 90 years can have a ride in parasailing. For tourists having age less than 18 years requires a guardian for signing on the liability waiver. The combined weight of the tourists for a single trip of parasailing should not be less than 72 KG and not more than 204 KG. This weight limit also changes according to the speed of wind and weather conditions. Cell phones are not allowed during parasailing as per insurance guidelines declared by the government of India.People having neck or back injuries are not recommended for parasailing. Due to some insurance regulations, pregnant women are not allowed parasailing activities in Andaman.
Parasailing Prices in Andaman
The cost of parasailing in Andaman varies from INR 3000 to 4000 per person. The cost varies due to the quality of experience offered and the degree of protection provided by the parasail offering companies. Though services offered by the parasailing companies in Andaman such as Flyair, Sportlite do not vary to a huge extent. The best value a tourist can achieve for parasailing is INR 3480. These parasailing companies offer a ride from Elephant beach, Carbyn’s cove beach and from North Bay beach. In all the cases the journey begins by boat trip. This activity is one of the best water sports in Andaman Islands.
Most of the parasailing offering companies in Andaman maintain a 3 to 1 rule of distance from the coastal line. If the operator raises the paragliding chute above 600 feet, the traveller is kept more than 1800 feet away from the seashore. Tourists can choose the height of parasailing and the cost of the ride may vary accordingly. The height for parasailing is ultimately decided by the support members according to weather conditions and the weight of the tourist. Generally, requests for going more than 600 feet are denied by the operators and needs a special fit certificate to go above 600 feet. Communication with the boat becomes tough after the height of 600 feet and this is the main reason for disallowing parasailing above this mark. The maximum height of riding may vary as per the weather condition and equipment availability.
Different Locations of Parasailing in Andaman
Parasailing services are offered in North Bay Island, Port Blair, Havelock Island and Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex. The scenic beauty of the islands can be enjoyed from any one of these spots. Especially parasailing in Havelock Island is the most attractive one for its clear seawater and tourists can see the creatures wandering underwater.