On Maui the flip side of whale watching is Parasailing - When whale season ends on May 15, parasail season begins and stays with us until the whale watching season picks up again on December 16.

All of our parasailing trips leave from the Lahaina side. The view of the Lahaina Roadstead, the harbor and the boats at anchor, the West Maui Mountains and cane fields, the clouds above and the ocean below.....well, it's absolutely stunning.

Parasailing comes with a few options:

For excitement, choose the "touch and go." On the way down, instead of just reeling you onto the boat they let you linger awhile above the ocean surface - just before they dunk you. Wet, wild, and screaming at the top of your lungs, you emerge, no worse off for the refreshing plunge.

Too exciting for you? Let the captain know before you go up and you'll have a safe, dry return to the boat.

Go up single, with a friend, or three together on the "chair" (which reminds me of a flying couch).

The most popular ride is still in the harness, leaving your legs free to dangle. People take a while to decide what to do with their hands. At first hands are clenched but after a few minutes they realize it makes absolutely no difference whether they're holding on or not and they begin to relax and appreciate the whole experience.

The parasail flight lasts about ten minutes (ten minutes up there is longer than you think) and different companies offer flights at different heights ranging from 400 feet to 800 feet. This varies depending on the wind and weather conditions, and on the weight of the parasailer. Late July and August seem to be the biggest months for parasailing and the Lahaina skyline is always filled with the graceful movement of the colorful chutes in flight. It's wise to book early because flight times can book up early.