Parasail over the Florida Keys.

Parasailing in Key Largo
Photo by Craig Zabransky

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As I floated on a rainbow parachute above the Florida Bay behind the Key Largo Hilton, I got a birds-eye view of the Florida Keys. My first few minutes parasailing were spent with a white-knuckled grip on the straps, but soon, I simply forgot to be scared. Small puffy clouds decorated the azure sky, and I could see 20 miles in each direction. To the west, the uninhabited islands and green mangrove nurseries dotted the Everglades National Park. To the east, I could see across the island of Key Largo to the expansive Atlantic Ocean. The skinny islands of the Keys were strung together in one long line. 

The shallow water below was a painting of abstract swirls, circles and stripes in a palette of aquamarine, indigo and powder blue. The water, lightly churned by the wind, had a soft opalescence, interrupted by the circular wake of the Caribbean Watersports boat. It was so peaceful and quiet floating up in the clouds. I relaxed into the seat, swinging my legs back and forth like a kid. I laughed each time a gust of wind tugged me up, as if being pushed on a swing. Then, I would hang there, seemingly weightless. On the way back down to earth, I had a refreshing toe-dip like a fish skimming across the surface of the water. Sliding gently back onto the boat, the only thing I didn’t like about my time in the sky was that it was over too quickly.

Ready to try it for yourself? Caribbean Watersports will have you floating over the water in Key West, Key Largo, Marathon or Islamorada...your pick! Group rates are available. 

Tags: adventure | Everglades | Florida Keys | Key Largo | water sports