Paragliding in Gran Canaria

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Gran Canaria is a lodestone for thrillseekers and adventurers, with the island offering up activities to match its uncompromising terrain. Bungee jumping, skydiving, ziplining, windsurfing or abseiling — you name it and the island has it covered, even when it comes to fully-fledged submarine tours! If you feel the call of the great expanse, you should consider paragliding in Gran Canaria — a great way to take in the isle’s unique landscape from an eagle-eyed view. With its lush pine forests, jagged cliffs, mysterious volcanoes and lunar-like landscape, Gran Canaria is a sight to behold from up high. Don’t fret if this will be the first time you glide through the air, there’s a tour for everyone, no matter your experience. And your qualified guide will be right there with you, ensuring everything goes to plan and you make your way back to firm ground.

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Authors

Jakus Eloff

Raul Guizzo

If you feel the call of the great expanse, you should consider paragliding in Gran Canaria — a great way to take in the isle’s unique landscape from an eagle-eyed view. With its lush pine forests, jagged cliffs, mysterious volcanoes and lunar-like landscape, Gran Canaria is a sight to behold from up high.

Don’t fret if this will be the first time you glide through the air, there’s a tour for everyone, no matter your experience. And your qualified guide will be right there with you, ensuring everything goes to plan and you make your way back to firm ground.

Here's all you need to know about paragliding, one of the most exhilarating outdoor activities in Gran Canaria.

What are the best paragliding tours in Gran Canaria?

With its unique micro-climates and relatively good year-round weather, Gran Canaria is a paradise for paragliders of all levels of experience — so finding the best paragliding tour comes down to how comfortable you are with free flight.

Beginner’s paragliding tour in Gran Canaria

This paragliding tour in Gran Canaria is a tandem flight, and one of the seats will be reserved for your pilot instructor. After familiarizing yourself with your gear and safety equipment, you’ll head to the take-off point. Here, you’ll wave Mother Earth goodbye as you soar into the azure sky.

If the weather conditions are good, you’ll get the chance to pilot the paraglider yourself, under the watchful tutelage of your instructor. Feast your eyes on the breathtaking views as you glide above Gran Canaria’s jagged coastline and stunning countryside. Then, make your way back to earth and return to your hotel with a day full of memories and your head still in the clouds.

Couple's paragliding tour in Gran Canaria

This paragliding tour is the best way for a couple or a group of friends to enjoy each other’s company while floating above Gran Canaria. Your group can be anything from two to eight people, and each of you will fly tandem with your own pilot.

Forge unforgettable memories as you fly high above the Atlantic Ocean before turning inland to glimpse the volcanoes that gave birth to this archipelago. Through this entire experience, your partner or group of friends will be a stone’s throw away — making the post-flight debrief almost as fun as the actual thing.

Paragliding tour for children in Gran Canaria

This paragliding experience believes that there is no need for your kids to stay grounded while you take to the air. If your children are between the ages of 9 and 14, they’ll be able to join you on your skyward adventure.

Your child will fly in tandem with a qualified pilot that will take care of all the technical aspects, like the safety gear, take off and landing. All that’s left for your young ones to do is thoroughly enjoy themselves as they fly through the air.

Motorized paraglider flight in Gran Canaria

Paragliding is heavily dependent on the right meteorological conditions meaning that one tour is never the same as another. Unfortunately, this also means that some of the island's best sights can’t be visited when the weather’s not right.

A motorized paraglider flight solves this issue by mounting a paramotor on the glider — allowing you to go wherever you want, no matter the weather conditions. Your pilot and instructor will take care of all the nitty gritty details, enabling you to sit back and marvel at the view.

Gran Canaria full-day paragliding course

If the paragliding bug has bitten you and you want to start taking to the sky on your own, we suggest this full-day paragliding course. You’ll spend the majority of the day undergoing theoretical instruction with your first solo flight at the end.

You’ll learn about all the basics of paragliding like unfolding your canopy, how the ropes function and how to connect your harnesses — all essential information if you want to explore the skies on your own.

How much do paragliding tours in Gran Canaria cost?

Paragliding tours in Gran Canaria are surprisingly well priced, falling into the same cost range as parasailing tours — and making them one of the most inexpensive ways of taking to the air.

The Gran Canaria paragliding tour for children will cost €45 per person, but participants need to be between the ages of 9 and 14.

The beginner’s paragliding tour in Gran Canaria will cost €60 per person, a great option to glide through the air without breaking the bank. A couple's paragliding tour in Gran Canaria will cost €130 per group of two.

The Gran Canaria full-day paragliding course will cost €150 per participant, and you will gain vital knowledge if you want to start solo paragliding. A motorized paraglider flight in Gran Canaria will cost €170 per person.

What is included?

A typical paragliding flight in Gran Canaria includes the guidance of a certified pilot, a brief safety instruction and all of your equipment. You’ll also enjoy transport from the tour office to the take-off area and from the landing zone back to the office. Unfortunately, transport to and from your place of residence is not included.

During the flight, the pilot will document your experience with a GoPro or similar type of camera, so you can check out the photos and footage after the flight. If you opt for the paragliding course, you’ll receive study material, in-depth instruction and a certificate of completion.

Where does it start?

Paragliding tours in Gran Canaria depart from the offices of the company conducting the flight. These are usually located in Las Palmas and are easily reached by car or public transport. From the tour company, you’ll head to the take-off sight in a vehicle, and you’ll return to the tour company after touching down again.

How long does it last?

A paragliding tour in Gran Canaria usually lasts for an hour, but only 20 or 30 minutes of that will be spent flying. While this might not sound like a lot, it’s plenty once you get up in the air and experience free flight for the first time. The rest of the tour is used for a safety briefing and checking and double-checking your equipment.

When is the best time for a paragliding tour in Gran Canaria?

The best time of day for a paragliding flight in Gran Canaria is from 10 AM to 5 PM. During these hours you’ll experience the best flight conditions and really soar.

The best time of year for paragliding in Gran Canaria is any time from September to the middle of April. Autumn and winter present especially good conditions — and many paragliding fundies will tell you that during the winter, the Canaries becomes the best place to paraglide in all of Europe.

Is it safe?

Paragliding is relatively safe, as long as you follow the necessary safety precautions. Bad weather is the most dangerous aspect of paragliding, which is why your tour will be canceled or postponed if there are any possible storms.

Are children allowed?

Yes, children from 9 to 14 years old can try paragliding in tandem with a flight instructor for a reduced price compared to adults and children 15 years and above.

What happens in case of bad weather?

In the case of bad weather, your tour will be canceled. In that case, you can either receive a full refund or reschedule your paragliding adventure for another day and time.

Which other activities allow you to fly high in Gran Canaria?

Travel tips

This activity is not suitable for people with underlying heart conditions or pregnant women.
This activity is subject to a weight limit that depends on the tour company’s equipment — if in doubt consider confirming when booking.
Do not partake if you suffer from a fear of heights.
Wear comfortable clothes.
You will need to bring your identification documents for insurance purposes.
Don’t take your phone or camera, photos are taken during the flight and you’ll receive them via email.
You may provide your instructor with an SD card, to capture the entire experience on film.