Kathisma Beach turns into your runway for a tandem paragliding ride over Western Greece, with an instructor who brings real experience and a clear plan. What I like most is that you don’t need any previous paragliding experience, because you’ll be set up and guided from the first minute. One key consideration: this isn’t for everyone, with limits including pregnancy, heart problems, vertigo, weight over 220 lbs (100 kg), pre-existing medical conditions, and recent surgeries.

I also like that you get a free GoPro recording of your flight, so you can relive the moment without needing to remember every angle while you’re flying. At a duration of about 15 minutes, it’s a big-adrenaline experience that stays practical, not a whole day commitment.

Key highlights to know before you go

• No experience required: it’s tandem flight, with instructions before take-off.
• Certified long-time instructor: over 30 years experience and 7000+ tandem flights.
• GoPro video included: you’ll get a recording of the flight.
• 15-minute session at Kathisma Beach: short, focused, and built for quick thrills.
• Private group setup: you’ll be flying as a private group rather than a crowd.
• Helmet + fast briefing: gear and take-off guidance are handled on site.

Lefkada Tandem Paragliding at Kathisma Beach: the simple setup

This tandem flight is all about turning one coastline view into a real flight. Kathisma Beach is the launch area, and the whole experience is designed so you can go from walking on sand to floating in the sky with minimal fuss. You won’t be asked to “figure it out.” Your job is to follow directions and get ready for the run.

The operator is Greece paragliding – Fly & Fun, run by Stavros Kostoulas. That matters because the program leans hard on safety and process: a certified instructor with 30+ years of experience and 7000+ tandem flights. In plain terms, you’re not relying on chance or improvisation; you’re riding with someone who’s done this thousands of times.

You’ll also be flying in a private group format. That usually means less waiting around in a pack and more personal attention during the pre-flight portion (even if the total flight time stays the same).

Where you meet on the beach (and why it matters)

You’ll start at a well-known summer club right on Kathisma Beach. The meeting point is in front of the entrance of the copla. The end point is back at the same place.

This is one of those details that can quietly make or break your day. If you’re arriving by bus, taxi, or on foot, save yourself stress by getting there with enough buffer time to find the right entrance and check in before your slot.

Also, since the total duration is 15 minutes, you’ll feel the time pressure if you’re late. Paragliding is not the type of activity where you can stroll in at the last second.

Before take-off: helmet, seating, and a quick tutorial

Once you arrive at the take-off site, the instructor helps you get ready. You’ll be helped to wear a helmet and get seated, which is comforting if you’re not used to adventure sports gear.

Then comes the short tutorial. The instructor will explain what you should do during take-off. The wording is important here: it’s a brief coaching moment, not a classroom lecture. You’ll get the essentials you need for the only part where you have an active role: the few steps/run at launch.

After the briefing, the instructor fastens you on him. That’s the key tandem rhythm: you’re secured before lift-off, and the instructor runs the system while you focus on following cues.

One practical tip: bring charged smartphone and plan where you’ll keep it during prep. You’ll want it ready after the flight, not buried somewhere in a beach bag while your GoPro moment happens.

The take-off run at Kathisma: what you’ll actually feel

Take-off is simple and physical. At the right moment, the instructor lifts the wing and asks you to run for a few meters. That’s it. You’re not doing complex control moves—just matching the motion and momentum for launch.

This is the moment where first-timers tend to wonder: Will it feel scary? Will I be clumsy? In a tandem setup like this, the answer is usually about confidence in the process. You’ve been briefed, you’re harnessed, and you’re running a short distance. The instructor is handling the wing, timing, and flight mechanics.

Expect the transition from sand to air to happen fast. Even though the flight is about 15 minutes total, the take-off itself is the spark that makes the whole experience click. One second you’re thinking about the run. The next second you’re looking outward.

In the air for 15 minutes: freedom with a built-in partner

Once you’re airborne, the experience becomes all about sensation and perspective. The goal isn’t just speed. It’s that feeling of freedom, with the added bonus of views from above Kathisma Beach and the coastline around Lefkada.

Because it’s a tandem flight, you’re not fighting for balance or worrying about steering. Your instructor is directly attached to the flight system, so you can concentrate on what you’re seeing. If you’ve ever watched airplanes and thought, I want that viewpoint without the airport stress, this scratches that itch.

The emotional rhythm is usually similar for first-timers: a burst of adrenaline during take-off, then a more relaxed scan of the horizon once you’re stable. The supplied info describes it as joy and relaxation after lift-off—and that tracks with the logic of tandem flight: the most demanding part is the setup and short run.

If you’re the type who gets nervous about heights, pay attention to the fitness restrictions. This activity explicitly isn’t suitable for people with vertigo. Don’t try to “tough it out.” If vertigo is in your history, skip this one.

The video and memories: GoPro recording plus included flight video

This is a real value point. The activity includes a free recording by a GoPro camera, and the “video of the flight” is also listed as included. That means you’ll get footage of the moment you’re up there—without needing to fumble with a phone while flying.

For me, the smart part is not just having footage. It’s that it gives you something to anchor the memory. When you’re in the air, you can’t stop and fully process everything. A recording helps you revisit the details later: the angle, the route over the coastline area, and your reaction in the moment.

If you want to share quickly, keep your phone charged before you go. You’ll likely be taking it out right when you return to the meeting point so you can sort photos and videos right away.

Price and value: is $147 per person reasonable?

The price is $147 per person, for a 15-minute tandem flight.

Is that cheap? No. But it’s also not a long, hours-long tour with a lot of extra logistics. What you’re paying for is the instructor time, the specialized equipment setup, and the real guarantee of tandem guidance from a highly experienced pilot. The fact that the instructor has 30+ years and 7000+ tandem flights is a major value driver here, because sky sports don’t become “worth it” by being trendy. They’re worth it when safety and procedure are built into the experience.

You’re also getting the GoPro recording included. For many people, that turns the experience from a moment you forget into something you can keep. When you compare “pay for a flight” versus “pay for a flight plus a usable keepsake,” the price starts to make more sense.

Finally, the private group format can be good value for couples or small groups that want attention and a smooth flow rather than joining a big lineup. If you’re going with friends and the group stays private, this often feels less like a “ticket” and more like a booked activity that fits your day.

Who this tandem flight suits best (and who should skip it)

This experience is built for beginners in one big way: no previous experience is needed. If you’ve never flown anything before, you’re exactly the type this setup is meant for.

It may especially suit you if:

• You want a short activity with a clear start and end on the beach
• You’re comfortable following simple directions (helmet on, harness fastened, run a few meters)
• You value getting a video recording so you don’t have to capture everything live

But skip it if you fall into any of the provided “not suitable” categories:

• Pregnant women
• People with heart problems
• People with vertigo
• People over 220 lbs (100 kg)
• People with pre-existing medical conditions
• People who’ve had recent surgeries

That list is not there to be picky. It’s because paragliding is still physical, and the safety requirements are strict.

Also, treat the weight limit seriously even if you think you’re “close.” The activity explicitly states the 220 lbs / 100 kg limit.

Practical planning: what to bring and how to be ready

You only have two clear take-it-with-you items:

• Sports shoes
• Charged smartphone

Sports shoes matter because take-off involves a short run. Sand plus flip-flops is not a great combo for anyone, so wear something that grips and feels stable.

A charged smartphone matters because you’ll want to store photos, and the video experience includes GoPro footage. You’ll be happiest if you can immediately manage your files when you return.

If you’re packing for a beach day, keep things simple. You’re meeting at the beach club entrance, then you’ll be in the prep and flight zone, then back to the meeting point. You don’t need a complex plan—just the basics and a calm attitude.

Booking tips for your time window at Kathisma

The flight duration is 15 minutes, and starting times depend on availability. That means you should think of this as a specific slot, not something you can casually fit in when you feel like it.

Try to time it when you’re rested and ready to follow instructions. If you’re already exhausted from a long hike, you might not enjoy the short-run part as much. If you’re coming from a swim, allow yourself a moment to dry off and settle your footing.

Since the meeting and ending point are the same, you don’t need to plan complicated pickup or transportation from a different location. Just show up at the copla entrance area, get ready, fly, and return.

Should you book Lefkada tandem paragliding from Kathisma Beach?

If you want a beginner-friendly adventure with strong safety credentials and a built-in way to keep the memory, I think it’s an easy yes—within the limits.

Book it if:

• You’re excited by the idea of flying from Kathisma Beach
• You want tandem flight with a certified instructor (Stavros Kostoulas)
• You like the idea of a free GoPro recording so you can relive it later
• You’re okay with a short physical take-off run and you meet the restrictions

Skip it if:

• You have vertigo, heart issues, pregnancy, medical conditions, have had recent surgeries, or you’re over 220 lbs / 100 kg
• You want something where you can avoid tight safety rules

This isn’t a deep, technical sport session. It’s a well-run, short flight that trades planning time for sky time. If that’s your kind of trip, Kathisma delivers.

FAQ

How much does tandem paragliding over Kathisma Beach cost?

It costs $147 per person.

How long is the paragliding flight?

The flight duration is listed as 15 minutes (check availability for the starting times).

Do I need any previous paragliding experience?

No. No previous experience is needed from participants.

What is included with the activity?

The activity includes a video of the flight, and there is a free recording by a GoPro camera.

What languages does the instructor speak?

The instructor speaks English, German, and Greek.

Where do I meet at Kathisma Beach?

Meet in front of the entrance of the copla, at a well-known summer club on the beach. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Who shouldn’t book this tandem flight?

It’s not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, people with vertigo, people over 220 lbs (100 kg), people with pre-existing medical conditions, and people who have had recent surgeries.

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