We did parasailing and tubing with this company! Such great staff! They were very knowledgable and friendly. We scheduled parasailing at 9am and tubing at 12:15pm. Since we did parasailing with them, they gave EACH of us (there were 5 of us) $10 off on tubing! I was surprised because I didn't think they would give EACH of us $10 off. We thought it was a great deal! They were also not hesitant and cool about giving me a refund because I accidentally booked the 800ft online when we wanted the 600ft. Doug informed me that I just need to show up and explain to them and that was exactly what I did with ease! I highly recommend doing parasailing and tubing with this company! read more

Professional, good work ethic, super friendly! A+ service. I called the day before and secured a reservation for a Friday. Was great to go out early (10:30am). We all had an amazing experience. I highly recommend getting your feet splashed and the photo package. Thanks Island Water Charters for a memorable occasion! read more

I was surprising my boyfriend with a parasailing trip in Avalon. After reading all of the reviews I decided to book our trip with Island Water Charters. From the beginning everyone was so nice and welcoming. Our deckhands were so fun and upbeat. Once we were up in the air they did a few things to make the experience even better by letting us fall close to the water only to pull us back up before we touched. Before pulling us in they dipped our toes in the water. We bought the photo package and received our sim card with over a 100 pictures on it! Definitely worth every penny. I HIGHLY recommend them for your next parasailing trip!! read more

I was hopeful as this one has such good reviews but they don't honor the free birthday parasailing. I was annoyed because I wanted to take my sister parasailing on her birthday with my parents riding along and you need to call to make reservations. I was told it would only work if we took the Catalina Express ferry on her birthday (!) even though we are here on her birthday. We traveled on Dad's birthday today and staying through her birthday on Tuesday. It's not like there was another way onto this island aside from Catalina Express. At least the other birthday deals work as long as you are celebrating your birthday here. Not this one. Apparently only my 70-year-old dad would be allowed to use the parasailing deal. read more

These guys are right on yhe green pier and everybody we dealt with was great. Bought the tickets before 11:00 for a 2:30 ride, @2:10 my wife decided she wants to ride too. When I asked the gals if it was possible, they remembered my name from my first encounter in the a.m.! They said it would work and we were off. The guys on the boat were great, fun ride all around. Great toe dip too! read more

Awesome parasailing experience. These guys know what they're doing. The boat ride itself is fun and the blue ocean view is just amazing. While at the top, we even spotted 5 dolphins (or were they sharks???). Here's a tip: avoid buying the photo package if there will be other people in the boat with you. Simply ask them to take photos of you with your camera and you'll return the favor when it's your turn. Trust me! read more

Went parasailing here a while back on vacation and had such an amazing time! If you have never done this and have an adventurous streak, you will love it. We had a blast and met some great new friends while taking in Catalina from above. The picture package they offer is amazing and worth every penny for what you get! I really can't say enough good things about the deals and the experience. Highly recommend! read more

Great experience!!!! Super friendly staff and boat crew. A bit expensive for the length of the experience, 50 minutes total 10 minutes in the air. read more

I got to ride for free because it was my birthday! I am terrified of heights and was very scared (even after I had already done the zip line and rock climbing earlier that day). However, Mark and Frank made us very comfortable. We did not want to get wet and they made sure we stayed completely dry. The boat ride itself was awesome and being up in the air with the parachute was amazing. At 600 feet we could see spectacular views of the island and the harbor. I was amazed at how quiet and peaceful is was up there. We also bought the photo package. We received over 60 wonderful photos for only $20. I am so glad we did it and I will never forget this once in a life time experience. If I could, I would definitely go again next time I visit the island. read more

We paid $65, in advance through Groupon, for Parasailing for 2, The Groupon states there is a waiver to sign. There is no wording of the waiver to view in advance. The waiver removed any liability from Island Charters for harm, injury, or death, resulting from negligence, including INTENTIONAL negligence. Needless to say, we did not sign, or go parasailing. We have signed many waivers in the past, but none, ever allowed for intentional negligence, resulting in death. They still have our $65. They thought our concerns were amusing. Apparently most people don't read the waiver. Hopefully they have modified it. Beware! read more

First time parasailing and it was awesome and peaceful! I highly recommend the 800 ft flight and an extra dip in the ocean! Plus! Always get the SD card. Carlos was able to shoot about 120 photos! Thanks man!! The trip was fun, the captain and crew were great and friendly, would highly do it again! read more

Got the two for one deal for my husband's birthday. Went out on the afternoon boat. Our Captain & crew were great. They are most concerned with your safety, which put us at ease and allowed us to enjoy the experience. The extension out is smooth and the flight/soaring is great; so peaceful and what a view! The dipping our toes in the water was just right, not so much that we dunked under the water, perfect. I'd give 5 stars but I have sent two messages and really want a response, if I get positive response I will change it to a 5 star rating. read more

my family and I were going to Ensenada and one of the stop was at Catalina island. What a fantastic experience we had with islandwatercharters parasailing. the two guys on the boat were very helpful and the coolest people I have met. They took so many amazing pictures. I highly recommend this company if you want to do parasailing read more

Thank you Island Water Charters for a wonderful parasailing experience! Making the reservation was quick and easy. Also, the SD photo card was totally worth it. We got over 40 photos. I would definitely go with Island Water Charters again. Thank you Captian Nate! read more

Holy cow! We had a blast from start to finish. The girls that checked us in were so friendly and accommodating, and our boat crew was fantastic!!! They told us exactly what to expect. We asked to have our feet dipped and they warned us that we'd get more than our feet wet...bring it on! The whole experience was memorable, and I cannot recommend Island Water Charters enough. We even got a special rate because we were on a cruise, and it was $20 cheaper than if we had booked it through the cruise line. Also, got the photo package, which was well worth it...great pictures! We would definitely do this again, with this company! Thanks for making our 30 anniversary vacation so exciting and special!!!! read more

Thank you guys for giving me the best experience and memory of my life. To experience this with my son on his birthday was the best gift ever. I got to tell my 20yr son happy birthday 800 ft in the sky and to see and hear him reply " thank you mom" with tears in his eyes of happiness was priceless. All thanks to you guys. Thank you, thank you, thank you. read more

This is the best place to go parasailing and they also have the best views of beautiful Catalina island i cant wait to go again

2 adults, 3 kids (our son was a ride along as he was too young to partake). First time for everyone but it was so well worth it! My daughter went up twice because there was a solo customer who needed another person to fly along. She loved it so much that she opted to be the fly along. The view from 600 ft above the water is incredible. It was breezy, calming and peaceful. Beautiful view of the water and the island from above. Honestly, if I could, I would stay up there flying a little longer. We all had a wonderful experience and will be back to do this each time we visit. We are hooked! Thank you for a safe and wonderful experience. We opted to not take the photo package but next time, we shall. read more

My two Kids and I went Para-sailing on July 26th, 2013. We had a really fun time. They were very good to talk about safety, and I felt safe the whole time. It was an amazing experience for us. And we will never forget it! Thank You! ~Crystal Mann read more

Wonderful crew who got my daughter and I up tandem, lickety split before she could change her mind or get nervous.

Everyone is so nice and accommodating! Even my 8 year old had a blast. Thank you so much for making our weekend in Catalina so awesome!! We got the photo package which I know will be better than this but here's what I had immediately. read more

Easy to make an appointment. Girls at counter very nice and easy to deal with. Guys on boat not so much so. They had our 13 year old girls go first. They did the 800'. We bought the photo package and when he went to take pics the camera was dead!!! So we didn't get any pictures and only a pathetic apology. read more

What a wonderful experience! Not wild and crazy, not noisy, not rushed and crowded, so special. I was fearful, so my girlfriend said she'd accompany me. The crew was very attentive. (Handsome young fellows who we labeled as "our cabana boys".) Gracefully we sailed into the sky, and returned dry to the boat. If you can walk at all you can do this. I felt very safe. Boarding on the green pier was convenient. Once in the sky we saw all of Avalon that we had visited. Watching dolphins play in the wake of our boat was great. It's the closest to being a bird that I've experienced. read more

My sister and I had such a great experience with these guys. The guy who sold use the tickets was super cool. The two guys on the boat were just as awesome! We were the only people on the boat so we got to stay up for an extra long time. I highly recommend this company. read more

My boyfriend and I went today and had an amazing experience. The people that work here are really nice and helpful. We had reservations for a later boat but we wanted to go earlier. They gave us a spot on an earlier boat. I can't rave enough about this experience. I loved everyone working for Island water charters. The woman who works on the pier booking appts and giving the paperwork was so helpful she gave me advice on things to do on the island and about parasailing. I'm terrified of heights but she put me at ease and explained that it's not like most heights and she was right! It's not at all. She also advised me to take a dramamine because I'm prone to seasickness. Overall great experience I don't have a single complaint! read more

I have parasailed with this company twice, once on July 4th of last year and just this past Saturday. I am never disappointed! Mike and Frank are amazing! I think the $20 package is worth it the first time (you have to prove that you did it!). I would definitely parasail again and use them again! read more

On your birthday, you ride free with a friend, great deal! We did an 800' ride and had a blast. $20 photo package well worth it for an SD card full of photos of our ride. The guys were super friendly and the whole thing was a blast. SO PEACEFUL up there. Loved it, will do again for sure. read more

HAD A VERY GOOD EXPERIENCE!!! The employees here are very friendly and took very nice pictures (which we did pay $20) but it was very well worth it. I would defenitely recommend to parasail with them. We had alot of fun. read more

Visit date: Aug 11, 2013 This was our first experience with parasailing. I must say that while I was researching parasailing (because my daughter wanted to do it) I choose Island Water Charters because they announce on their website they are the only coast guard and papo certified (sounds good, right? Especially for someone who is afraid of heights). Using Island Water Charters was a great choice. They were friendly, efficient and knowledgeable - (and of course had to cover all the 'what-ifs'). We had a blast! It was peaceful up in the air. While we were up in the air, I told my daughter it reminded me of "Soaring Over California" (at Ca. Adventures / Disneyland),( then read that other people thought the same thing). Before take off, the boat operators asked if we wanted to get wet; we took the option of having our feet dipped in the water - for the additional experience. They did great doing the best they could at not soaking us in the ocean! Last, if you like photos, I would highly recommend the $20 photo package! This was a fantastic experience! I would absolutely use them again given the opportunity. read more

1200ft had great time and crew was lots of fun...even let 7 old assist in driving the boat.

I have to give these guys 2 thumbs up. We just got back from our first time parasailing. 2 adults & 2 kids, ages 7 & 10. I was nervous about how this was going to go. We all signed up & paid to parasail but I was concerned about my 7 year old following through because he seemed nervous although he said he was going to do it. Sure enough, after he got harnessed in, he chickened out. I ***REALLY*** appreciate how patient the guys were with us. I thought they were going to be in a hurry and hoist us up without giving it a second thought. I sat there with my boy for a few minutes, talking to him & trying to figure out what he really wanted to do, while the boat was driving around. They never rushed us to make a decision or pushed us to do anything we weren't comfortable doing. They just waited very patiently. My boy ultimately decided he wanted out of the thing. They unhooked him. The company does not offer refunds but they did suggest my older boy could go twice - once with me to take my little boy's place and once with my husband as planned. That was a really good suggestion. The guys got him hooked in and up we went. Even for a novice like me, it was a fun, easy event. They were very patient and gentle with us. Very nice people. They played some music during the boat ride which added to the "ambiance". We bought a photo package. The guy (sorry to keep calling them "the guys" but unfortunately I didn't get their names) took tons of photos which was really nice. The nice thing is you only need to purchase 1 package for your whole group (for all photos on 1 card that they give you afterwards.) He took good pics, too. Close-ups and wide views. If you enjoy your experience be prepared to tip them when you're done. They have a sign up asking for a tip and some $20's out in plain view strapped to the railing. I tipped them a $20 for our family. I DEFINITELY plan to sail with this company again on my next trip to Avalon!! read more

Parasailing was a blast! Carlos and Waylan were awesome, did their jobs well, friendly and professional. I felt really safe! Everything was smooth and easy. I highly recommend this experience and this company. Thanks, guys!! read more

We were very disappointed that they made us go up with a stranger after we had paid for pictures. We only wanted pictures of the two of us together. There was a miscommunication between the captain and us about what was supposed to happen. It was our understanding that we were supposed to go up alone the first time for our pictures and then one of us was supposed to volunteer to go up with the girl who was by herself. They did not communicate with us clearly and they had us only go up one time with the girl. We were very squished and uncomfortable. We felt tricked when we didn't get to go up by ourselves like we were supposed to. At least they refunded us for the pictures and that's why they get one star. However, now we are stuck with pictures with a random person. They should have given us a voucher so that we could come back and do it again another time. It ruined our experience. Disappointing! read more

we had a good time parasailing at catalina, the boat crew were extremely friendly, made the trip fun. but $20 photo doesn't worth it at all, the guy took like 75 photos, most of them shaken and not clear enough. very bad pics, disappointed((( read more

do NOT go parasailing with this company! waste of money and time. my friends and I went together and both bought the photo package. Keep in mind, i've gone parasailing many times and this time my boyfriend and I only went to get the professional pictures taken of us. we get on the boat and start, the photo man, Carson starts taking photos of others while parasailing and I ask him to get these certain pictures of my boyfriend and I. His response, " i've been doing this for years, don't doubt me." The WHOLE time we are in the air, he is flirting with a girl on the boat and did not get ANY good pictures of my boyfriend and i, all of which were blurry and could be taken by iphone quality rather than the professional quality. I asked him if he got pictures of us dipping in the ocean, and he replies no so i ask if they can just put us back to dip us really quick? would seem fair as it was my birthday AND we had bought the photo package however his answer was no. when i called this company to complain, the girl who answered provided no help nor compensation for the trouble, she said she would have the owner call me back however he never did. this shows the lack of care the owner has for his customers. i highly advise you to steer clear of this "establishment" that is lodged into a fish shack restaurant. read more