Lefkada paragliding tandem flighs/ Kathisma beach

Kathisma Beach gives you a quick route from beach day to bird’s-eye adventure. After a short briefing, you run a few steps with your instructor, the wing lifts, and the beach drops away. The flight lasts about 15 minutes, long enough to enjoy the freedom without turning the whole day into a major production.

I like two things right away: no previous experience is needed, and the instructor, Stavros Kostoulas, brings more than 30 years of experience and over 7,000 tandem flights. I also like the free GoPro recording, which lets you keep the view instead of relying on a shaky phone afterward.

The main consideration is the short flight time and strict suitability rules. At $147 per person, this is a special splurge rather than a casual beach add-on, and it is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, vertigo, recent surgery, certain medical conditions, or anyone over 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms.

Key points to know before booking

• A 15-minute flight over Kathisma Beach: You get a focused burst of airtime rather than a full-day outing.
• Stavros Kostoulas as your instructor: He has more than 30 years of experience and over 7,000 tandem flights.
• No training background required: The instructor handles the flight while you follow simple take-off instructions.
• Free GoPro video included: Bring a charged smartphone too, but the main flight recording is provided.
• Private group format: You are not placed in a large shared group.
• Sports shoes matter: You will need to run a few meters at take-off, so leave the flip-flops in your beach bag.

From Kathisma Beach to the take-off point

The meeting point is in front of the entrance to the Copla summer beach club at Kathisma Beach. It is described as a familiar beach club, so you are not heading to an obscure inland address. Still, check the exact meeting instructions and starting time before setting out, especially during a busy beach day.

This arrangement is useful because Kathisma Beach can be part of a larger day by the sea. You can arrive ready for the flight, then return to the same meeting point when the activity ends. There is no separate end location to arrange around.

The experience is offered as a private group. That matters if you prefer a calmer start or want the instructor’s attention focused on your party. It also means the pace is built around the actual flight rather than a large group moving through a long schedule.

The activity itself lasts 15 minutes. That time refers to the flight experience, not necessarily every moment spent meeting the instructor, putting on equipment, receiving instructions, and preparing for launch. Set aside some extra flexibility around your booked start time, even though the airborne portion is clearly defined.

Getting ready for a tandem flight

At the take-off site, the instructor helps you put on a helmet and get seated in the flying harness. You receive a short tutorial explaining what to do during take-off. This is not a lesson in solo paragliding. It is a tandem flight, so the instructor manages the wing and the overall flight while you follow the instructions given to you.

The briefing is especially important for first-time flyers. You do not need previous experience, but you do need to listen closely and respond when the instructor tells you what to do. The key physical task described for take-off is simple: run for a few meters at the right moment.

Wear sports shoes for this reason. Sandals and loose beach footwear are a poor match for a short running start. Bring a charged smartphone as well, though the supplied GoPro recording is the main way to preserve the activity.

The instructor then fastens you to him and prepares the wing. The launch depends on timing, so wait for his signal rather than moving early. The written instructions make the process sound brief: the wing lifts, you run a few steps, and you become airborne. That direct format should appeal to you if you want an adventure without a long classroom session.

The moment the wing lifts

The take-off is likely to be the most intense part for many first-time participants. You move from standing on the ground to being supported by the wing in a short sequence. The instructions emphasize that you will run only a few meters, but you still need to be ready for a burst of adrenaline.

Once airborne, you can enjoy the view of Kathisma Beach and the western Greek coastline from above. The experience is framed around freedom, relaxation, joy, and the change in viewpoint. You are not simply looking at the beach from your towel. You are greeting the people below from the air and seeing the coast from a completely different angle.

I like that the activity does not require you to operate equipment or make navigation decisions. That keeps the experience accessible to someone who wants the sensation of flight but does not want to learn the technical side of paragliding on the same day.

The trade-off is that your comfort depends on following the instructor’s directions and accepting the conditions at the time of launch. The available information does not promise a specific route, altitude, or exact view beyond the Kathisma Beach setting, so you should book for the flying experience itself rather than for a guaranteed photograph of one particular landmark.

Fifteen minutes in the air

A 15-minute flight is short, but it can be a good length for a first tandem experience. You get enough time to settle after take-off, look down at the beach, and enjoy the feeling of flight. You are also not committing to a half-day or full-day activity.

At $147 per person, the value depends on what you want from your time in Lefkada. If you are looking for the least expensive way to spend time at Kathisma Beach, this is not it. If you want a distinctive memory, an experienced instructor, a private group, and a recording of the flight, the package has more going for it than the number of airborne minutes alone.

The free GoPro video is a real practical benefit. A tandem flight moves quickly, and trying to film it yourself could distract you from the view or leave you worrying about holding a phone safely. Here, the recording is included, so you can focus on the run, the lift, and the coast below.

Do not assume the video replaces your smartphone. The instructions still ask you to bring a charged phone, which may be useful for meeting the team or handling your own photos before and after the flight. Keep it secure and follow the instructor’s directions about personal items.

Experience and safety with Stavros Kostoulas

The provider is Greece Paragliding, Fly & Fun, led by or associated with Stavros Kostoulas. His stated background includes more than 30 years of experience and over 7,000 tandem flights. Those numbers do not remove the need to listen carefully, but they provide useful context when you are choosing a first flight.

The activity is designed for beginners. You do not need a certificate, previous lesson, or special flying knowledge. The instructor handles the technical work, gives you the take-off tutorial, fastens you into the tandem setup, and directs the launch.

The safety limits are clear. The flight is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, people with vertigo, people with pre-existing medical conditions, people with recent surgeries, or people over 220 pounds, or 100 kilograms. Take these limits seriously rather than treating them as minor booking notes.

If you have any health concern not clearly covered by the list, the supplied information does not give a separate medical clearance process. Use your judgment and seek appropriate medical advice before booking. The activity is adventurous even though it is set up for beginners.

Instruction is available in English, German, and Greek. That is helpful for communicating during the briefing and the take-off. You should still pay close attention to the physical instructions, since the launch involves timing and a short run.

Who will enjoy this most

This flight suits you if you want a strong burst of adventure during a beach holiday. It is especially well matched to first-time participants who like the idea of paragliding but do not want to train before trying it.

It also suits couples, friends, or families who prefer a private group rather than joining a large party. The private format can make the preparation feel more personal, though each participant still needs to meet the health and weight requirements.

You should be comfortable with a short run and with being airborne. People with vertigo are specifically excluded, so this is not the right choice if heights regularly cause you distress. A person who wants a quiet beach day, dislikes sudden physical activity, or has a relevant medical condition should choose a different Kathisma Beach experience.

The activity is also a good fit if you care about having a record of the moment. The included GoPro video gives the experience a lasting element that many short activities lack.

Practical planning at Kathisma Beach

Check availability for the available starting times rather than assuming you can walk up at any hour. The activity returns to the meeting point, so it is easy to plan around the rest of your time at the beach once you know the start.

Wear sports shoes and bring a charged smartphone. You do not need previous paragliding experience, but you do need to arrive ready to listen, put on a helmet and harness, and run a few meters when instructed.

The cancellation policy gives you flexibility: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Lefkada schedule. These options are useful because beach and outdoor plans can be sensitive to changing conditions, though the supplied details do not specify how weather-related changes are handled.

The rating information provided for this experience is 5 out of 5 from nine ratings. That is a small sample, so I would treat it as encouraging rather than decisive. The strongest practical signals are the instructor’s stated experience, the private format, and the included video.

Is $147 a fair price?

The price is $147 per person. That is a meaningful charge for 15 minutes, and you should compare it with your wider holiday budget before booking.

The value improves if you place importance on three parts of the package: the experienced tandem instructor, the private group arrangement, and the free GoPro recording. You are paying for a managed first-flight experience, not just time in the air.

The price may feel high if you only want a quick thrill and do not care about the video or private setting. It makes more sense for a special day, a birthday, a couple’s activity, or a personal goal to try paragliding from a well-known beach setting.

I would also count the convenience of beginning and ending at Kathisma Beach. You do not need to arrange a separate return from a distant landing point based on the details provided. That keeps the activity easy to fit into a beach day.

Should you book the Kathisma Beach flight?

Book it if you want a first paragliding experience with clear beginner instructions, an instructor with extensive tandem experience, and a free recording to take home. The private group format and return to the same meeting point add practical value.

Skip it if $147 feels too steep for 15 minutes, if you dislike running at take-off, or if any of the listed medical restrictions apply to you. For the right person, this is a compact, memorable way to see Kathisma Beach from above. Just arrive in sports shoes, keep your schedule flexible around the start time, and let Stavros handle the flying.

FAQ

Do I need previous paragliding experience?

No. Previous experience is not needed. The instructor gives you a short take-off tutorial and manages the tandem flight.

How long is the flight?

The activity lasts 15 minutes. Check availability for the available starting times.

Where do I meet the instructor?

Meet in front of the entrance to the Copla summer beach club at Kathisma Beach.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is the group private?

Yes. The activity is offered as a private group.

Which languages are available?

Instruction is available in English, German, and Greek.

Is a video included?

Yes. A video of the flight is included, recorded with a GoPro camera.

What should I bring?

Bring sports shoes and a charged smartphone.

Who should not take part?

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.