Paragliding flight with instructor in Florianópolis

Florianópolis is at its best from above, where a tandem paraglider gives you a broad look at the island’s beaches without the noise of an engine. You’ll fly with an instructor from OVNI Escola de Parapente, a school with more than 30 years of tandem-flight experience in Brazil and abroad.

I like the careful setup and the fact that each flight is private to your group. I also like the flexible pace: if the wind is not right, the team waits rather than forcing the launch. The main drawback is that the actual flight lasts only about 10 to 15 minutes, even though the full outing takes around 90 minutes.

Key points to know before booking

• Certified tandem flying: Your instructor is qualified by the CBVL, Brazil’s Confederation of Free Flight.
• A beach-filled view: The flight area includes Praia Brava, Ingleses, Ponta das Canas, Cachoeira do Bom Jesus, and Canasvieiras.
• Weather controls the schedule: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.
• Private activity: Only your group takes part, rather than joining a large shared party.
• Simple meeting point: You return to OVNI Escola de Parapente in São João do Rio Vermelho at the end.
• Strong safety feedback: The most praised parts are the professional crew, clear preparation, and calm handling of nervous fliers.

What the 90-minute outing is really like

The meeting point is OVNI Escola de Parapente at Servidão Novas Palmeiras, 1414, in São João do Rio Vermelho. The activity runs daily from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., within the stated operating period.

You should allow the full 1 hour and 30 minutes, not just the flight time. The staff needs to prepare the tandem equipment, check conditions, explain the process, and choose the right moment for takeoff. The flight itself is listed at approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

That difference matters. If you are booking this between beach plans, do not treat it as a quick ten-minute stop. You may spend part of the session waiting for the wind, which is not wasted time. The team’s priority is to fly when conditions are suitable, and one particularly positive account describes waiting on a beautiful beach until the wind was right.

The activity is private to your group. That gives the outing a more personal feel and avoids being placed with a large crowd of strangers. It also means the pace can be handled around your group, although the exact launch and flight timing still depend on weather.

Meeting the OVNI Parapente team

OVNI Escola de Parapente has more than 30 years of experience with tandem flights. The school uses a parachute developed for two-person flying, with you seated or attached in front of the instructor as part of the tandem setup.

Your instructor is qualified by the CBVL. That credential is important because you are not simply being taken up by someone who knows the beach well. The instructor is responsible for the preparation, launch, flight, and landing process.

The public information does not provide a fixed instructor name. One review refers to a pilot called Mosquito and his crew, so you may hear that name during the operation, but you should not assume he will personally fly every booking.

The crew’s most praised traits are practical ones: professional preparation, a serious approach at launch, and a friendly manner before and after the flight. One person who has vertigo said the preparation helped them feel calm, while another described the flight as breathtaking without feeling frightening.

That is useful if you are nervous. You do not need to arrive as an experienced athlete or an adventure-sports regular. The flight is made for a passenger and instructor team, and the supplied information says people of any age can take part. Still, normal participation requirements apply, and the operator makes the final call on conditions and suitability.

From Praia Brava to Canasvieiras

The listed beach stops describe the broad area connected with the flight: Praia Brava, Praia dos Ingleses, Ponta das Canas, Praia Cachoeira do Bom Jesus, and Canasvieiras. You should think of these as the beaches and coastline you may see from the air, rather than five separate landings.

Praia Brava

Praia Brava is the first named point in the route. From above, its value is the sense of open coast and height. The beach gives you an immediate visual reference as the ground falls away beneath the wing.

This is also the point where the flight feels most real. You may have a few seconds of concentration during takeoff, following the instructor’s directions and getting used to the sensation of being airborne. The team’s careful approach matters most here.

Praia dos Ingleses

Praia dos Ingleses brings a longer stretch of shoreline into view. Looking down from a paraglider gives you time to notice the shape of the beach, the waterline, and the way the built-up area meets the coast.

Do not expect a narrated sightseeing tour with a long explanation at every beach. The main attraction is the changing view and the quiet sensation of moving through the air. Your instructor may manage the flight more than talk constantly, which is sensible when safety and control come first.

Ponta das Canas Beach

Ponta das Canas adds another coastal angle to the route. A beach viewed from ground level is usually a single scene. From above, you can take in the curve of the shore and the surrounding water in one glance.

This is one reason a tandem flight can add something to a Florianópolis visit. You are not just looking at a beach from a promenade or sand. You are seeing how the beaches relate to one another across the island.

Praia Cachoeira do Bom Jesus

Praia Cachoeira do Bom Jesus is another named section of the northern beach area. The sequence of beaches gives the flight a sense of movement, even though the airborne portion is short.

The practical point is that the views are not limited to the launch spot. You may see several coastal areas during a single flight, depending on the wind and the pilot’s route. The exact view is not guaranteed because paragliding is weather-led, not a fixed bus tour.

Canasvieiras

Canasvieiras completes the listed route. It is a useful final reference point as the flight comes toward its end, with the coast continuing as the main subject below you.

The activity returns to the original meeting point after the session. That is convenient because you do not need to arrange a separate pickup from a distant landing area based on the information provided.

Why the short flight can still be worth $107.82

At $107.82 per person, this is not a low-cost beach activity. The right question is what you are paying for. The fee includes a private tandem experience, a qualified instructor, specialist equipment, preparation, and the chance to see a wide section of Florianópolis from the air.

The flight time is short, so the value depends on your priorities. If you want a long airborne session, the 10 to 15 minutes may feel limited. If you want a memorable first flight with an experienced school and do not plan to train in the sport, the price is easier to justify.

The private format helps. You are not paying for a crowded group excursion where your turn is one small part of a larger schedule. Your group is the only group participating in the activity.

The value also includes flexibility around weather. The team will not simply launch because your appointment is on the calendar. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund. That protects your money, though it can disrupt a tightly planned visit.

I would book this for a special day rather than as an ordinary transfer between beaches. The views are the point, and the experience works best when you can give it the time and attention it deserves.

Safety, nerves, and what to expect at takeoff

The strongest theme in the available feedback is safety. The crew is described as professional and organized, and the instructors are praised for being serious when it is time to launch.

That does not mean the activity is risk-free. Paragliding is an air sport, and wind conditions matter. It does mean the operator’s process is a central part of the product, not an afterthought.

If you are uneasy about heights, tell the instructor before takeoff. One person with vertigo found the experience manageable after seeing how much preparation the team made. That is encouraging, but you should still make your own decision based on your comfort and any personal medical concerns.

The launch may involve waiting. This is one of the few clear drawbacks, especially if you have a fixed lunch booking or another timed tour. The upside is that waiting for better wind is exactly what you want from a responsible operator.

Once airborne, the feedback points to a calm rather than frightening sensation. The instructor controls the tandem equipment, while you enjoy the views. Follow the crew’s directions closely, especially during the launch and landing stages.

Who will enjoy this Florianópolis flight most

I would recommend this activity to you if you want a first paragliding experience without committing to lessons or solo training. It is also a strong choice if you enjoy scenic viewpoints but want something more active than a lookout or beach walk.

It suits:

• Couples looking for a memorable shared activity
• Families with participants who meet the operator’s requirements
• Nervous beginners who want an instructor-led flight
• Repeat visitors who have already seen Florianópolis from the ground
• Anyone who values a private booking over a large group format

It may not suit you if you dislike waiting for weather, need a guaranteed end time, or want an extended flight. The actual airborne time is brief, and the schedule can shift if wind or other conditions are poor.

The supplied details say service animals are allowed and that the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the information does not give detailed rules about weight, clothing, footwear, or physical limitations. Ask OVNI directly about any personal concern before booking.

Timing, cancellation, and practical planning

The activity is available Monday through Sunday between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Confirmation is provided when you book, and this experience is often reserved about 20 days ahead. That advance pattern suggests you should not leave it until the last day of a short Florianópolis stay, especially if you need room for a weather reschedule.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

Weather is the important exception. If poor conditions force the operator to cancel, you receive a choice of a different date or a full refund. I would place this activity earlier in your trip rather than on your final afternoon, giving you a better chance to reschedule.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. That keeps the logistics simple, but you should still allow extra time after the listed 90-minute duration if your next plan is fixed.

Is this tandem flight worth booking?

Book it if you want a short, memorable flight with a professional school, a private group setup, and wide views over Florianópolis’s northern beaches. The 4.7 rating from 49 ratings and 94 percent recommendation figure support the practical strengths of the operation, especially its safety-minded crew and clear preparation.

I would hesitate only if $107.82 feels high for 10 to 15 minutes in the air, or if your schedule cannot handle a weather delay. For everyone else, this is a sensible way to see Praia Brava, Ingleses, Ponta das Canas, Cachoeira do Bom Jesus, and Canasvieiras from a new angle without needing prior paragliding experience.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding activity start?

It starts at OVNI Escola de Parapente, Servidão Novas Palmeiras, 1414, in São João do Rio Vermelho, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

How long does the full experience last?

The full activity lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The tandem flight itself lasts about 10 to 15 minutes.

Which beaches may I see during the flight?

The listed points are Praia Brava, Praia dos Ingleses, Ponta das Canas Beach, Praia Cachoeira do Bom Jesus, and Canasvieiras.

Who operates the paragliding flight?

The experience is operated by OVNI Escola de Parapente.

Is the instructor qualified?

The flight is led by an instructor qualified by CBVL, the Brazilian Confederation of Free Flight.

Can people of any age participate?

The activity information says it can be carried out by people of any age. Most participants can take part, though the operator should be contacted about any specific personal concern.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.