Soar Under a Parasail

You could say Maui is a neatly arranged pile of inhabited lava rock surrounded by a huge, churning playground of sapphire-blue water. That playground, Maui's wedge of the vast Pacific, offers a venue for all manner of activities, and has given rise to mini-adventures like parasailing.

This is not a complicated undertaking. You book a ride with a parasailing company that will take you out on a boat, from which you will be attached to a towline and a parachute. As the towline is released (most operators use tethers longer than 700 feet), you'll soar 400, 600, 800 feet into the sky. This is a quick thrill. You'll probably be back in the boat in five to 10 minutes. And because of the state-of-the-art equipment most parasailing companies employ, dry landings are the norm and safety is emphasized.

You can fly single or tandem, no experience is necessary, and people of all ages can enjoy the ride.

The best parasailing activity occurs on Maui's west side, off the coast of Lahaina to Kapalua. Soaring above it all, you'll take in the scenic beauty that is west Maui, Molokai and Lanai. The season runs from May 15 to Dec. 14. Parasailing is not allowed during the winter humpback whale season.