Unforgettable Parasailing Adventure in Boracay: A Surreal Experience with a Rare Dolphin Sighting

 

Being in an industry where I stay at home most of the time and spend long hours working in front of my computer, sometimes, getting out there and doing adrenaline-pumping activities feels like a luxury. Not because we can't afford it, but because we don't often have the time to go out and explore. While the introverted side of me is suited to this kind of setup, I can’t help but occasionally give in to my craving for thrilling adventures. There’s something inside me that wants to try terrifying things as long as I know I’ll survive and come out of it still kicking.

Let’s face it: no matter how introverted you are, there will come a time in your life when you just want to go out there and shout your heart out to the world, just like an extrovert would.

So when we went to Boracay, we were offered a chance to try parasailing. I knew about it because I’ve seen it a lot on social media. I even remember a news story from years ago about a family of three who went parasailing, but got detached from the speedboat, leaving them hanging midair before eventually dropping into the ocean. Thankfully, they had life vests on, so they were fine. That didn’t stop me from wanting to try it myself. Just because it happened to them doesn’t mean it would happen to me. I just wanted to experience it and see what kind of view awaits when you’re soaring through the sky.

Boracay wasn’t too crowded when we visited. It was different from what I’d seen on social media, where the beach is packed with people, celebrities, and tourists. I guess it wasn’t peak season, but I was glad to experience Boracay that way. I still couldn’t believe I was stepping on that fine white sand I’d only seen in postcards and books. I was finally living something I had only dreamed about. It felt surreal, and I couldn’t help but glorify everything—the sunset, the sand, and all the water activities. Parasailing seemed to be the most popular water activity there. We paid ₱3,500 for a 15-minute ride. It sounded expensive, but I thought, “I’m already here, I need to experience this.” So I did.

The speedboat took us to the waiting area, somewhere in the middle of the sea. I don’t know what got into the mind of our speedboat driver, but he really gave us a wild ride. He seemed to be showing off his skills, speeding across the waves. But we enjoyed the quick, bumpy ride, it made the experience even more thrilling.

In the waiting area, we transferred to another boat equipped with the parasailing gear. There were three of us, and we all chose to fly solo. I went first. After receiving instructions and ensuring all safety checks were in place, they finally let me fly.

Adrenaline started to kick in, and my heart was pounding. I kept rising, higher and higher, until everything below looked so small. That’s when I realized how high I was. It felt amazing to be up there, higher than anyone else at that moment. I saw everything, the vast ocean, our boat and the people in it, swimmers, the coastline, mountains, and sky. It was like being in a world of my own, completely alone and free. I thought of The Little Prince, alone on Asteroid B-612; maybe he felt the same way.

I prayed and thanked God for letting me experience this kind of adventure. It helped me see life from a new perspective. It was a refreshing breather looking at the world from above, seeing things differently, and gaining a sense of clarity. For that, I am truly grateful.

After my turn, I stayed on the boat, waiting for the others. Suddenly, a breathtaking sight appeared, dolphins swimming around our boat. First, I saw one, then two, then three... and in the blink of an eye, an entire pod was swimming with us, showing off their beauty and playfulness. We were all shouting with joy like kids, just soaking in the moment.

According to locals, dolphin sightings in Boracay are rare—they happen only once a year. We were in the right place at the right time. I don’t know what the universe was trying to tell me, but in that moment, I felt favored and deeply blessed. I had never seen real dolphins in the their natural habitat before and it happened right then and there. What a privilege. It’s something I’ll treasure and keep as a core memory forever.

I’m so happy with my parasailing experience in Boracay. Even now, I can still recall how it felt to be up there. The experience was absolutely worth it and definitely one for the books.