Flying above Florianópolis feels surprisingly calm. This dual paragliding experience is run by OVNI Escola de Parapente with 30+ years of dual-flight experience, and the flight is guided by a CBVL-qualified instructor. I like that the setup feels organized and safety-first, and I also like that you’re not just getting one pretty view—you get a run of shoreline views across the island. The main thing to consider is that the flight depends on wind and good weather, so you may wait a bit for conditions to be right.

You’ll meet at the OVNI school at Servidão Novas Palmeiras, 1414, in São João do Rio Vermelho, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. This is a private activity for your group, and it’s designed for people of any age, with the actual time in the air around 10 to 15 minutes (the total experience is about 1 hour 30 minutes). It also has a strong satisfaction signal, with a 4.7 rating and 94% of people recommending it.

Key things to know before you fly

• Dual-flight training focus: CBVL-qualified instructor in a double-flight parachute setup
• Short time in the air, big payoff: about 10–15 minutes of flying inside roughly 1.5 hours total
• A route built for variety: Praia Brava, Praia dos Ingleses, Ponta das Canas, Cachoeira do Bom Jesus, and Canasvieiras
• Wind decides timing: you’ll wait when conditions aren’t ready yet
• Safety and confidence come up often: many people describe it as easy, organized, and not scary
• Strong approval track record: 4.7 average rating with 94% recommendation

OVNI Parapente: 30+ years of dual-flight experience in Florianópolis

OVNI Escola de Parapente has more than 30 years of experience doing dual paragliding flights, both in Brazil and around the world. That matters because dual flights are a very specific skill set: you’re not just handling a pilot chute in your own system—you’re managing a passenger’s nerves, posture, and comfort while flying as one unit.

The flights here are done with a parachute developed for double flight. In practice, that means your whole experience is designed from the start around having an instructor with you, not a last-minute scramble to make things work. You’re also flying with an instructor qualified by CBVL (Brazilian Confederation of Free Flight), which is a helpful marker that the team operates inside a recognized training framework.

The vibe you want for something like this is simple: clear guidance, repeatable process, and a crew that stays serious right when it counts. Based on what people consistently describe, OVNI’s team balances calm energy with serious attention during the jump and takeoff.

The real schedule: 1.5 hours total for a 10 to 15 minute flight

The total experience is about 1 hour 30 minutes, but the time you’ll actually be flying is roughly 10 to 15 minutes. That ratio is normal for paragliding, and it’s worth planning your day around it. The longer portion is usually about meeting, setup, and then waiting for wind conditions that allow a smooth launch.

The school’s operating window is listed as Monday through Sunday, 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. So if you’re building a day in Florianópolis, treat this as an afternoon activity rather than something you’ll casually tack onto a morning plan.

One practical upside: because you’re with a private group (only your group participates), you’re not competing with other parties for the same instructor time at the same moment. That can reduce the feeling of being rushed.

Over five beaches: what the route over Praia Brava to Canasvieiras means

This flight is built around flying over a sequence of beaches, in this order:

1) Praia Brava

2) Praia dos Ingleses

3) Ponta das Canas Beach

4) Praia Cachoeira do Bom Jesus

5) Canasvieiras

Even if you’re not a geography nerd, that route design is a big deal. A coastal flight changes fast: the shoreline shape, the angle of light, and the way the coastline curves all shift as you move along the island. With this route, you’re not locked into one view the whole time. You get the feeling of Florianópolis as a place with multiple faces—rather than a single postcard angle.

Here’s how to think about each stop without overhyping it:

• Praia Brava: early in the flight, often best for soaking in the initial takeoff-to-glide moment.
• Praia dos Ingleses: a chance to look at the wider coastal context while you’re still getting your bearings.
• Ponta das Canas Beach: the coastline’s shape matters here; points and bends tend to make the view feel more “sweeping.”
• Praia Cachoeira do Bom Jesus: a different shoreline texture gives your eyes something new to track from above.
• Canasvieiras: a satisfying end stretch that helps the final minutes feel like part of a planned route, not just a random drift.

The drawback to consider is that the exact “feel” of each beach view can vary with wind and conditions on the day. The route is listed, but weather is the final editor.

Safety and instruction you can feel, even with vertigo worries

Paragliding can trigger height anxiety, even when you want to do it. What I like about this operation is how strongly the experience emphasizes trust-building: people describe the team as organized, safe, and professional, and they often say it feels manageable rather than scary.

There are also specific signals in the way people talk about the process. One experience included a person with vertigo at height who reported feeling no panic. That tells you the instruction approach likely focuses on controlling the moment—how you sit, what you look at, and how you move attention during the flight.

You should also expect the crew to be playful and relaxed between steps, then more serious when it’s time to jump. That rhythm is important: you want comfort without losing focus. If you’re someone who needs reassurance, this kind of consistent seriousness can help.

One more name you might hear from the team is Mosquito. That was mentioned as part of an instructor-and-crew experience, and it reflects the local, human feel you get when the staff are comfortable operating in the moment with you.

Bottom line: the instructor qualification (CBVL) and the dual-flight gear are the technical backbone, while the crew’s calm, structured approach is what makes it feel safe in your head as well as your harness.

Price and value: what $107.82 buys you

At $107.82 per person, this isn’t a budget activity, but it also isn’t priced like a luxury “only if you feel fancy” experience. For that cost, you’re getting:

• a professional instructor (CBVL-qualified)
• a double-flight parachute setup
• time dedicated to getting weather and winds right
• flying over multiple beaches rather than a single quick launch-and-drift

That combination is where the value comes from. If you only got one quick view, you’d be paying for minutes in the air. Here, you’re paying for an entire controlled experience that includes preparation, safety procedures, and a planned coastal route.

The total time is about 1 hour 30 minutes, so you’re also paying for the crew’s time and decision-making while the day’s conditions evolve. In paragliding, that part can matter as much as the flight itself.

If you’re deciding between doing one high-impact activity in Florianópolis versus several smaller ones, this is a strong “one-and-done” option. It’s intense, memorable, and short enough to still leave room for beach time the same day.

Wind waiting: how the day really works in practice

Good weather is required for the flight. If conditions aren’t right, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s the right kind of policy for this activity, because paragliding isn’t a “run it no matter what” sport.

What you’ll actually feel on the day is the wait. One experience described having to wait until the winds were correct, and it turned into a non-issue because the waiting time was spent on a beautiful beach. That matters for your planning mindset: don’t schedule something tight right before or right after.

Also, embrace the fact that the flight window is weather-driven, not clock-driven. You might think your day will be perfectly timed, but winds decide the schedule more than your watch does.

A small bonus that came up: the crew went the extra mile and drove the person further down the road so they could get lunch on the beach instead of being left at the drop-off point. It’s not something you should assume every time, but it’s a good sign of how they think about your day, not just the flight.

Meeting point and timing: getting there smoothly in Florianópolis

Start here: OVNI Escola de Parapente, Servidão Novas Palmeiras, 1414 – São João do Rio Vermelho, Florianópolis – SC, 88060-208, Brazil. End back at the same meeting point.

The school is listed as near public transportation, which is helpful if you don’t want to rely entirely on taxis or a private car. That said, you’ll still want to arrive with enough cushion for the check-in and setup portion, since the wind window can move.

Because the operating window is 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, you’ll have a better experience if you treat it like the centerpiece of your afternoon. Pair it with a relaxed meal afterward rather than a hard-to-reach dinner reservation.

If you’re nervous, give yourself mental buffer time too. Watching the team coordinate and explain steps tends to reduce stress fast, especially when you can see the process is repeatable and calm.

Who should book this paragliding flight with OVNI Parapente?

This experience is designed for people of any age and is described as suitable for most people. So if you’re fit enough to sit and follow an instructor’s guidance, you’re likely a good candidate.

It’s a great fit if you want:

• a safety-forward introduction to flying
• a short, focused flight time rather than a long multi-hour outing
• scenic variety over multiple beaches in one go
• the chance to do something bold without needing prior experience

It may be less ideal if you hate waiting for natural conditions. Even though the wait isn’t usually the main event, you’re still dependent on winds and good weather.

Also, if you’re someone who gets anxious about height, treat this as a trust exercise: use the instructor’s guidance and focus. The most encouraging accounts here are from people who were worried at first and still felt in control once the process started.

Should you book this paragliding flight in Florianópolis?

If you want one memorable experience that combines real safety structure with a short, high-impact flight, I’d say this is worth booking. OVNI’s long-running dual-flight experience and CBVL-qualified instruction are strong anchors, and the route over five beaches makes the time in the air feel more substantial than just a single view.

Book it if you:

• want a planned coastline flight rather than an improvised hang-glide moment
• can be flexible with timing due to wind
• value a team that feels both professional and human

Think twice if you:

• cannot tolerate any waiting tied to weather
• need a perfectly rigid schedule down to the minute

FAQ

How long is the paragliding experience in total?

The total experience is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

How long is the actual time spent flying?

The flight is approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Where do I meet the instructor, and do we return there?

You meet at OVNI Escola de Parapente at Servidão Novas Palmeiras, 1414 – São João do Rio Vermelho, Florianópolis – SC, 88060-208. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Can kids or older adults participate?

Yes. The flight can be carried out by people of any age.

What beaches will we fly over?

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

What happens if weather conditions are not good?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is there a cancellation window for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.