Mike Keller likes a bird’s eye view of the world. It allows him to see and envision more.
He also loves giving visitors and locals alike the chance to see our turquoise seas and tropical islands from that perspective too as the owner of Parasail Virgin Islands.
Mike came to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2007 to work for a parasail company. A decade later, Mike has his own popular excursion with two 35-foot Ocean Pro boats purpose-built for parasailing.
“It’s something a lot people know is fun and want to do,” said Mike. “For many it’s a bucket list thing.”
He and his PVI team enjoy taking folks out over the water – leaving from Sapphire Marina and Havensight behind Port of Sale mall on St. Thomas and the Christiansted boardwalk on St. Croix. If you opt for this adventure, you’ll head out to open water where the safety-minded crew will explain the process, strap you into harnesses attached to the parachute, which will gently lift you off the deck.You will ascend to 400 feet where you will have spectacular aerial views of St. Thomas over the Charlotte Amalie Harbor or the East End’s Pillsbury Sound, where the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean meet, or Christiansted Harbor. From your perch you can see St. Thomas’ or St. Croix’s downtown waterfronts or Sapphire Bay and its popular beach and St. John.
If you’re so inclined, they bring you down to dip your toes in the water before lifting you back up into blue skies over blue waters.
“It’s a nice to have a job where everyone leaves happy,” says Mike. He says his oldest parasailing customer was 101 and his youngest just 4.
“It’s such a unique experience … a peaceful one,” he adds. One of his favorite memories was a gentleman with ALS who could barely walk, but he could sit in the harness and enjoy the experience and then be gently seated right back on the stern deck of the boat. “It you can sit in a swing, you can do this.”
At first Mike was captain of a single boat, working seven days a week, but now has expanded to two boats with fellow captains Jason and Hunter and crew members Brennan, Kevin and Matt.
They stand ready to take you on this soaring adventure that will no doubt be a favorite memory from your time here in the USVI.
For more information or to book your experience with Parasail Virgin Islands, visit the website at parasailvirginislands.com
For more information or to book your experience with Parasail Virgin Islands, visit the website at parasailvirginislands.com