Lefkada paragliding tandem flighs/ Kathisma beach

Kathisma Beach looks even better from above. This 15-minute tandem flight gives you a rare view of western Lefkada, with a certified pilot handling the wing while you enjoy the ride. I especially like the 30-plus years of instructor experience and more than 7,000 tandem flights, plus the free GoPro recording that lets you keep the memory.

The flight needs no previous experience, which removes much of the usual worry. I also like that it is a private group activity rather than a large outing. The main drawback is the short duration: at $147 per person, you are paying for a brief burst of flight, and people with vertigo, heart problems, recent surgery, certain medical conditions, or a body weight over 220 pounds cannot take part.

Key Points at a Glance

• Run from Kathisma Beach and you are airborne within moments: The takeoff involves a short run of a few meters after the pilot lifts the wing.
• Fly with an experienced certified instructor: The pilot has more than 30 years of experience and over 7,000 tandem flights.
• No training or past flying experience is needed: You receive a short briefing before takeoff, then the instructor manages the flight.
• Keep a free GoPro recording: A video of the activity is included in the price.
• Meet at a familiar beach club: The meeting point is in front of the entrance to the Copla summer club on Kathisma Beach.
• Plan around the medical limits: The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with vertigo or heart problems, people with recent surgery, or anyone over 100 kilograms.

What the Kathisma Flight Is Really Like

This is a tandem paragliding flight, so you are connected to the instructor throughout the activity. You do not need to know how to steer a paraglider, read the wind, or handle the equipment. Your job is mainly to listen, take a few steps when asked, and enjoy the view once the wing carries you upward.

The setting helps make the experience special. Kathisma Beach is one of Lefkada’s best-known coastal spots, and seeing it from the air gives you a completely different sense of its shape and position along the western coast. From above, you can greet the people on the beach from a bird’s-eye view, which is a playful detail but also one of the memorable parts of the flight.

The advertised flight time is 15 minutes. That is enough for a proper taste of free flight, but it is not a long aerial excursion. If you want a full-day adventure, this is not it. If you want one strong holiday memory that fits easily into a beach day, the compact timing works well.

Meeting at the Copla Summer Club

You meet in front of the entrance to the Copla summer club on Kathisma Beach. The location is described as a typical, well-known summer club on the beach, so you should look for the entrance rather than expect a separate office or large tour desk.

Because the activity begins and ends at the same meeting point, the arrangement is simple. You do not need to work out a separate return transfer after landing. That matters at a beach destination, where keeping your plans easy is often worth as much as saving a few minutes.

The exact starting time depends on availability. I would check the available time slots before building your beach day around the flight. You should also arrive ready to move, since the first practical step is getting fitted with safety equipment and preparing for takeoff.

Helmet, Harness, and the Short Takeoff

At the takeoff site, the instructor helps you put on a helmet and get seated in the flying harness. You then receive a short tutorial explaining what to do when the wing is raised.

The briefing is brief by design. You are not being trained to become a pilot. You are being shown how to respond during the few seconds that matter most, especially when the instructor asks you to run.

After fastening you to the harness, the instructor waits for the right moment to lift the wing. You run for a few meters, and the wing takes your weight. That transition from running on the beach to leaving the ground is likely to be the most intense part of the outing.

The short run is worth noting for practical reasons. You should bring sports shoes, not loose sandals or beach flip-flops. Your footwear needs to stay on while you move quickly over the takeoff area. A charged smartphone is also on the recommended packing list, although the flight video itself is provided through a GoPro camera.

Fifteen Minutes Above Lefkada

Once you are airborne, the instructor controls the paraglider and you can settle into the experience. The description focuses on freedom, relaxation, joy, and the wide coastal view. Those words fit the appeal of tandem paragliding: the activity begins with a small burst of effort, then turns into a calm aerial ride.

You will have time to take in Kathisma Beach from above rather than simply look at it from a beach chair. The height changes your sense of distance and makes familiar details look different. You may also be able to see people below and acknowledge them from the air, adding a fun human touch to the flight.

The 15-minute length makes this suitable for people who are curious but not ready to commit to a longer aerial activity. It is also a good option if one person in your group wants an adrenaline experience while the rest of the day remains open for swimming or relaxing.

Still, be realistic about the price. At $147 per person, this is not a cheap add-on to a beach afternoon. You are paying for specialized equipment, a certified instructor, the private group setup, the short flight, and the included video. The strongest value comes if you care about the memory and the footage, not if you are judging the experience by minutes alone.

Why the Instructor’s Experience Matters

The activity is operated by Greece Paragliding, Fly & Fun, with Stavros Kostoulas named as the experience provider. The instructor is described as certified, with more than 30 years of experience and over 7,000 tandem flights.

Those numbers are useful because tandem paragliding depends heavily on pilot judgment. Wind conditions, timing, takeoff technique, and landing all require decisions that a first-time passenger should not have to make. You are not buying a lesson in which you are expected to learn by trial and error. You are joining a flight managed by someone who has done this thousands of times.

The available languages are English, German, and Greek. That gives you a clear way to discuss the briefing and any concerns before takeoff. If you have questions about the run, harness, or flight itself, ask them before the wing is raised.

The private group format is another plus. You are not listed as part of a large crowd waiting for a turn on a busy boat or bus. The supplied information does not specify the exact number of people in each booking, so you should not assume that the whole beach activity is exclusive to you. It does mean the experience is organized as a private group rather than a shared public group.

The Free GoPro Video Adds Real Value

The video is included, and that is one of the better features of this activity. A tandem flight moves quickly. You may remember the takeoff clearly, but the view, the sensations, and the way the beach looked from above can blur together afterward.

A GoPro recording gives you something concrete to keep. It also means you do not have to spend the flight trying to hold a phone or worry about dropping it. Your attention can stay on the experience.

You should still bring a charged smartphone because it is listed among the things to bring. The information does not explain how the video is transferred, so ask the instructor how you will receive it. That small question can prevent confusion after landing.

Who Should Book This Flight

This experience suits you if you want an easy introduction to paragliding without taking a course. You will not need previous experience, and the instructor explains the basic takeoff instructions before handling the flight.

It is also a good match for:

• Couples looking for a shared holiday memory
• Friends who want a short adventure at the beach
• Solo visitors who want a guided activity with a strong visual payoff
• Anyone interested in aerial views but unsure about learning to pilot
• People who value having a video included

The private group setup may appeal to people who dislike large organized excursions. The language options also make the instructions easier to follow for many visitors.

This is not a good choice if you have vertigo, heart problems, a recent surgery, another pre-existing medical condition, or a body weight above 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms. Pregnant women should not book it. These limits are not minor footnotes, so take them seriously before paying.

If heights make you nervous, think carefully about what kind of nervousness you have. A little excitement before takeoff is normal for an adventure activity, but vertigo is specifically listed as a reason not to participate. You should not book on the hope that the feeling will disappear once you are in the air.

Practical Ways to Prepare

Wear sports shoes and comfortable clothing that lets you move for the short takeoff run. The information does not specify a dress code beyond suitable footwear, so avoid anything that could restrict your steps or become uncomfortable in the harness.

Bring your smartphone fully charged. The GoPro video is included, but your phone is still useful for meeting arrangements and receiving any instructions from the operator.

Plan for the activity to begin and end at the same beach meeting point. That makes it easy to continue with your day at Kathisma, though the exact flight time should be confirmed through the available booking slots.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans change. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms reduce some of the risk when your Lefkada schedule is still taking shape.

How the Cost Compares With the Experience

The $147 price is high for 15 minutes if you think of it as simple beach entertainment. It becomes easier to justify if you see it as a specialist activity with an experienced pilot, tandem equipment, a private group format, and a video included afterward.

The instructor’s long record is important here. You are paying for more than a seat in the air. You are paying for preparation, equipment, professional control, and the decision-making needed to get you airborne and back to the meeting point.

The video improves the value, especially if you are marking a special occasion or want a record of your first flight. Without it, the price would feel harder to defend for such a short duration. Even with it, I would book only if the flight itself is a priority, not as an impulse purchase added to an already expensive beach day.

The best approach is to decide before arriving at Kathisma. If the thought of seeing the beach from the air excites you, the cost may feel worthwhile. If you are only mildly curious, 15 minutes may pass too quickly to satisfy you.

Should You Book the Kathisma Tandem Flight?

Book it if you want a first paragliding experience with no training burden, a highly experienced instructor, and a free recording to take home. The takeoff is simple, the flight is short, and the activity returns you to the same beach meeting point.

Skip it if you have any of the listed medical restrictions, dislike heights, or want a longer flight for the price. For everyone else, this is a focused and memorable way to add real adventure to a Lefkada beach day. Check the starting time, wear sports shoes, charge your phone, and be ready to run a few meters before the coast opens up beneath you.

FAQ

Do I need previous paragliding experience?

No. Previous experience is not required. The instructor gives you a short tutorial before takeoff and manages the tandem flight.

How long does the flight last?

The activity duration is 15 minutes. Starting times depend on availability.

Where do I meet the instructor?

The meeting point is in front of the entrance to the Copla summer club on Kathisma Beach.

Does the activity return to the meeting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What languages does the instructor speak?

The available languages are English, German, and Greek.

Who cannot take part in the flight?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, vertigo, pre-existing medical conditions, recent surgeries, or anyone over 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms.