Parasailing from Puerto Marina puts you 200 metres above the Costa del Sol on a tow rope, with views stretching from Gibraltar in the west to Málaga in the east. The boat pulls you up from the deck, you hang in the harness for 10–15 minutes, and you land back on the boat without getting wet. It is one of the most straightforward things to do in Benalmádena – no prior experience, no fitness requirement, and children from age 3 can fly tandem with an adult.
- 01Fly up to 200m (650ft) above the Mediterranean – views along the full Costa del Sol coastline
- 02Flight time: 10–15 minutes in the air. Total experience on the boat: 30–45 minutes
- 03Up to 3 people can fly together at the same time – popular with families and couples
- 04Children from age 3 can fly tandem with an adult. Solo from age 16 with parental consent
- 05Departs from Puerto Marina – same location as the dolphin watching boats
- 06Book in advance in July–August – morning slots fill first and give calmer sea conditions
What to Expect
The whole experience runs on the boat. You board at Puerto Marina, get a safety briefing and harness fitting (5–10 minutes), then take off from the deck as the boat accelerates. No running start, no jumping – the winch lifts you off the deck as you sit on the platform. At full height the rope goes slack, the engine noise fades, and you have 10–15 minutes of quiet above the coast.
Landing is back onto the deck – dry. You do not go in the water unless you specifically ask to (some operators offer a brief dip at the end for brave passengers).
What you see: the full Costa del Sol coastline in both directions, the mountains behind Benalmádena, Puerto Marina below and – on clear days – the outline of Morocco across the Strait.
Practical Information
Who can fly: children aged 3–11 must fly tandem with an adult. Children 12–15 can fly together without an adult but a responsible adult must remain on the boat. From age 16, solo flying is permitted with parental consent.
Weight: combined weight limit for tandem/group applies – confirm with the operator when booking.
What to bring: swimwear or light clothing, sunglasses (secured around your head), sunscreen. Leave bags and valuables on the boat.
Getting there: Puerto Marina is a 5-minute walk from Benalmádena Costa Cercanías station (C1 line from Málaga). By car, free parking at the marina.
Combining with Other Activities
Puerto Marina is also where the dolphin watching cruises depart. A morning dolphin trip (10:00) followed by afternoon parasailing works well as a full day on the water from the same location.
Puerto Marina has plenty besides the tow rope – the guide to Benalmádena rounds up the rest of it.
Images: AJ Garcia ajgarciaco / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons
