Tandem Paragliding

Tandem paragliding in Madeira is a passenger flight beneath a paraglider wing with an experienced pilot, launching from hillside sites around Funchal and the south coast of the island in Portugal. Fly Madeira is based at the Centro Comercial Centromar on Rua Ponta da Cruz in Funchal and offers tandem flights and pilot courses, while AltitudeX Madeira offers discovery tandem flights from about €160, bookable through manawa.com. Launch sites are 15 to 40 minutes from the city, with pickup arranged, and the full outing takes about two to three hours, of which the flight itself is typically 15 to 25 minutes. Passengers need no previous experience, because the pilot controls the wing, takeoff and landing. The main requirement is the ability to run a few steps on a slope at launch and to follow instructions, and operators set their own weight and age limits, so these should be checked before booking. Helmet and harness are provided, and visitors wear closed shoes, a warm layer and sunglasses with a strap. A briefing before launch covers the takeoff run, seating position and landing, and pilots carry a reserve parachute and radio contact with a ground team who can reach the landing area by vehicle if needed. Flights depend on wind and cloud, so they are cancelled in poor weather, and good operators decline to fly rather than take risks. Conditions are usually best from May to October, though the activity runs year-round when the weather allows. The views take in the coastline, terraced hillsides and the Atlantic, which is the main draw of the flight. Many pilots offer photos or video from a camera mounted on the wing or harness, sometimes for an extra fee, and passengers should ask whether this is available. Operators publish current prices and contact details, and it is wise to book early and keep a flexible day in the itinerary in case of postponement.