Paragliding flight with instructor in Florianópolis

The best part of this Florianópolis experience is simple: you leave the beach behind and see the island from a tandem paraglider, with a trained instructor handling the flight. The route can pass over Praia Brava, Praia dos Ingleses, Ponta das Canas, Cachoeira do Bom Jesus, and Canasvieiras.

I like two things right away. First, the school has more than 30 years of experience with tandem flights. Second, the flight uses a professional double-flight parachute and an instructor qualified by Brazil’s CBVL free-flight federation. The main drawback is that wind and weather control the schedule, so you may spend part of the 90-minute visit waiting before takeoff.

Key points at a glance

• A 10 to 15 minute flight: The full activity lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, but the actual time in the air is shorter.
• Five northern beaches in view: The route may include Praia Brava, Praia dos Ingleses, Ponta das Canas, Cachoeira do Bom Jesus, and Canasvieiras.
• A long-running local school: OVNI Escola de Parapente has more than 30 years of tandem-flight experience.
• A certified instructor beside you: Your flight is guided by an instructor qualified by CBVL, Brazil’s Confederation of Free Flight.
• Weather matters: Wind must be suitable, and a delay can mean waiting at the beach before launch.
• A private activity: Only your own group takes part, rather than joining a large shared tour.

Taking flight above northern Florianópolis

Florianópolis is a fine place to try paragliding because the northern part of the island gives you beaches, headlands, and bays in one broad sweep. From the air, you are not simply looking down at one strip of sand. You may see several coastal areas connected by water and forested slopes, with the shape of the island easier to understand from above.

The flight is tandem, so you sit with the instructor in a paraglider designed for two people. That matters if you are curious about the sport but do not want to learn launch procedures, steering, or landing on your first attempt. Your job is to follow the instructor’s directions and enjoy the view.

The actual flight lasts about 10 to 15 minutes. That may sound brief for the price, but the experience includes meeting the team, preparing the equipment, waiting for the right conditions, and completing the flight. Paragliding cannot be run on a rigid clock in the same way as a museum visit. The wind has the final say.

What your 90 minutes really include

The advertised duration is about 1 hour and 30 minutes, with operating hours listed from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM each day. Do not read that as 90 minutes in the air. Plan for a short flight and a wider window around it.

The process begins at OVNI Escola de Parapente in São João do Rio Vermelho. The supplied meeting address is Servidão Novas Palmeiras, 1414, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. From there, the team handles the practical side of the flight and decides when conditions are suitable.

A little patience is useful. One passenger described waiting for the wind to improve while staying at a beautiful beach, and the delay did not spoil the day. That is the right mindset for this activity. If you need to be somewhere else at a fixed time, leave a generous gap after the scheduled finish.

The private format is another useful detail. Only your group participates, so you are not being processed through a large crowd. That should make it easier to ask questions and receive direct instructions, though the exact pace can still depend on wind and the number of people in your booking.

The beach route, from Praia Brava to Canasvieiras

The listed route names five beaches. They may not function as five separate stops where you get out, walk around, and board again. Think of them as the coastal points that can form the view and flight area.

Praia Brava

Praia Brava is a strong setting for the experience because its name matches its character: this is a striking northern beach with an open coastal view. From a paraglider, the beach gives you a clear sense of the shoreline and the meeting point between sand, sea, and rising ground.

It can also be the place where wind conditions are assessed or where you wait for a safe launch window. That means you may spend more time on the beach than expected before leaving the ground. Bring a patient mood and treat the waiting as part of the activity, not as wasted time.

Praia dos Ingleses

Praia dos Ingleses is one of the best-known beach areas in northern Florianópolis. Seeing it from above gives you a different scale than you get at street level. The long sweep of coast is easier to read from the air, especially when the paraglider moves along the shoreline.

This part of the route should appeal if you want more than an isolated takeoff view. The attraction is the changing outlook as the flight passes across or near several beaches. Still, the exact path depends on the day’s conditions, so do not book expecting a guaranteed pass over every named beach.

Ponta das Canas Beach

Ponta das Canas brings another coastal angle to the route. It is part of the northern beach circuit, and its inclusion means your flight may show how the island’s bays and beach communities fit together.

Aerial activities are often strongest when you stop trying to identify every detail below and simply watch the coastline change shape. I would keep your phone away during the most active part of the flight unless the instructor permits it. Your hands and attention are better used following instructions and taking in the view.

Praia Cachoeira do Bom Jesus

Cachoeira do Bom Jesus adds another broad beach section to the possible route. From the air, the appeal is the continuity of the coast. You are likely to notice the contrast between a long beach and the tighter curves of nearby bays.

This is also a reminder that the tour is built around scenery, not a long lesson in paragliding technique. The instructor is responsible for the flight, and you are there for the sensation of free flight and the view. If you want a technical training session, this is not the right product. If you want a first tandem flight, the format is more approachable.

Canasvieiras

Canasvieiras completes the list of possible northern stops. Its inclusion gives the route a broad geographic reach, though the exact sequence and coverage can change with the weather.

You should see these beach names as a useful guide to the setting rather than a promise of five ground visits. The tour information describes a flight over this northern part of the island, and conditions can decide how much of the route is possible on a particular day.

The instructor makes the difference

A first flight feels much easier when someone beside you knows exactly what to do. OVNI uses instructors qualified by CBVL, the Brazilian Confederation of Free Flight. The school also has more than 30 years of experience with tandem flights in Brazil and internationally.

One instructor is referred to by the nickname Mosquito, and the team is described as both friendly and serious when it is time to prepare for flight. That combination is useful. You want clear, firm instructions before takeoff, not a casual approach to safety. At the same time, a relaxed team can help if you arrive nervous.

The most encouraging detail for nervous flyers is that one passenger with vertigo reported feeling calm throughout the flight. That does not mean paragliding will suit every person with a fear of heights, and you should be honest with the instructor about your concerns. It does show why tandem flying can be a manageable first step: the trained pilot controls the paraglider while you experience the open air.

The equipment is described as a parachute developed for double flight. In practical terms, that means the setup is intended for an instructor and passenger together, rather than a solo pilot taking someone along on improvised gear. You should still listen carefully to every launch and landing instruction.

Is $107.82 a fair price?

At $107.82 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend ten minutes. It is a specialist activity requiring equipment, an experienced pilot, site management, and the flexibility to wait for safe wind. The price makes more sense if you value a memorable view of Florianópolis and want a guided first flight without signing up for a multi-day course.

The value also depends on how you use the day. If you schedule this between other fixed bookings, a weather delay could create stress. If you leave the afternoon open, the experience has room to breathe. You may wait, fly, and return to the meeting point without constantly checking the clock.

The private format improves the value for a small group. You are not sharing the activity with a busload of people, and the experience can feel more personal. On the other hand, the flight itself remains short. If you want extended air time, ask before booking if any longer flight option is available. The supplied details only promise approximately 10 to 15 minutes in the air.

A useful extra is the team’s flexible attitude after the flight. One passenger received help getting farther along the road for lunch at the beach instead of being left at the original drop-off point. Treat that as a kind gesture rather than a guaranteed transfer service, but it suggests the crew may try to help when the day allows.

Comfort, nerves, and practical planning

The activity is presented as suitable for people of any age, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Those points make the experience easier to consider, but you should still contact the provider directly if you have a medical condition, mobility concern, or other special need not covered by the basic information.

Wear clothing that lets you move comfortably. You will need to follow the instructor’s directions during preparation and takeoff. The available details do not specify a required dress code, footwear policy, weight limit, or camera policy, so ask OVNI about those points before you arrive.

The main practical issue is weather. A clear beach day does not automatically mean suitable flying conditions. Wind direction and strength matter, and the school may delay or cancel the flight if conditions are poor.

If the provider cancels because of weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation made less than 24 hours ahead is not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this to a first-time flyer who wants a strong view of Florianópolis without committing to a technical course. The tandem setup removes much of the work, while the certified instructor gives you a clear point of contact from preparation through landing.

It is also a good match for couples, families, or a private small group looking for something beyond another beach afternoon. The activity is memorable because you are not only visiting the coast. You are seeing how several northern beaches relate to one another from the air.

You should think twice if you dislike waiting, need a guaranteed end time, or want a long flight. The 10 to 15 minute air time is the central limitation. You may spend a fair part of the 90-minute activity preparing or waiting for the wind.

I would also avoid treating the flight as a test of courage that you must force yourself through. The reviews describe a safe, calm experience, but fear of heights is personal. Tell the instructor if you are uneasy, and decide based on your own comfort rather than pressure from companions.

Should you book the OVNI tandem flight?

Book it if you want a short but memorable aerial view of northern Florianópolis, value an experienced local school, and can keep your schedule flexible. The combination of more than 30 years in tandem flying, CBVL-qualified instructors, private participation, and strong praise for safety gives the experience a solid foundation.

Skip it if you need a predictable timetable or expect a long flight for the price. The best approach is to reserve an open afternoon, accept that the wind may delay takeoff, and see the 10 to 15 minutes in the air as the highlight of a wider beach-based experience.

FAQ

How long is the paragliding experience?

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

Where does the activity begin and end?

You meet at OVNI Escola de Parapente, Servidão Novas Palmeiras, 1414, São João do Rio Vermelho, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Which beaches may I see during the flight?

The route may include Praia Brava, Praia dos Ingleses, Ponta das Canas Beach, Praia Cachoeira do Bom Jesus, and Canasvieiras.

Is the flight suitable for beginners?

Yes. The activity is a tandem flight with an instructor, and it is designed for people of any age. The instructor controls the flight while you participate as the passenger.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.