First Paragliding Club in Lebanon – Since 1992

From Ghosta’s 750-meter launch point, you glide above Harissa, Jounieh, and the Mediterranean with the coastline spread below you. This is not a quick amusement-park ride. It is a calm, open-air flight with a real sense of place, led by pilots from Lebanon’s first paragliding club, founded in 1992.

I like two things right away: the route gives you both mountain and sea views, and the private format means your group flies with its own pilot rather than being folded into a large sightseeing crowd. The team also has a practical touch: bags can be left at the base before you are taken up to the launch site.

The main thing to keep in mind is the weather. The club flies all year, including winter, but wind and conditions control the schedule. A flight can be postponed, and the actual time in the air may be closer to 20 minutes than the full one-hour activity window.

Key points to know before you book

• Ghosta is the launch point: You begin high above Jounieh at 750 meters, giving the flight a strong mountain-to-sea route.
• Harissa is part of the view: You glide near the famous Our Lady of Lebanon statue rather than simply circling over an open field.
• The flight is tandem: A certified, experienced pilot handles the paraglider while you enjoy the view and take photos.
• The club has deep local roots: Founder Raja Saade introduced paragliding to Lebanon, and Paragliding Club Thermique has operated since 1992.
• The air time may be about 20 minutes: The complete experience lasts around an hour, but wind conditions affect flight length.
• You land near Jounieh Bay: The route ends in the center of one of Lebanon’s most scenic coastal bays.

From Ghosta to Jounieh Bay, a superb change of viewpoint

The appeal of this experience is the route. You start in Ghosta, an authentic mountain village above the coast, then glide toward Jounieh Bay. In one flight, you see slopes, city streets, the Harissa ridge, religious landmarks, and the Mediterranean.

That change in scale is what makes the activity special. From ground level, Jounieh can feel like a busy coastal city backed by steep hills. From the paraglider, the bay becomes a broad curve of water, while the mountain roads and buildings form a pattern beneath you.

You do not need to be an experienced flyer. This is a tandem flight, so your pilot manages the equipment and the flight itself. Your job is to follow the instructions at takeoff, settle into the harness, and enjoy the view.

For a first aerial adventure, that arrangement matters. You get the excitement of leaving the hilltop without having to learn the technical side of paragliding on the same day.

The meeting point and the ride uphill

The listed starting point is XJVR+96P in Jounieh, Lebanon. The activity ends back at the meeting point, and the club is described as being near public transportation.

The practical routine is simple. You arrive at the base, sort out the flight, and can leave bags in a secure storage area before going higher. The team then takes you up the mountain to the launch point in Ghosta. That transfer is useful because the takeoff site and landing area are not the same place.

Bring only what you need for the flight. A phone is useful for photos, but loose items can be awkward in the air. The activity includes time for selfies and aerial photos, and the club has also provided video leave-behinds for the flight. Ask about the current photo or video arrangements when you arrive, since the supplied information does not specify whether every booking includes a recording.

The whole experience lasts about an hour, though timing can shift with the weather and with the number of people flying in your private group. Departure times are available throughout the day, so you can fit the activity around sightseeing in Beirut, Jounieh, or Harissa.

What happens at the 750-meter launch site

Ghosta gives you the high start that makes this route work. At 750 meters, the takeoff point looks toward the coastal plain and the bay. The difference between this launch and a low coastal hill is easy to understand once you see the elevation: you have more time to take in the transition from mountain to sea.

Your pilot prepares the paraglider and explains what to do at takeoff. The important instructions are likely to be brief and practical, especially when the wind is right. Follow the pilot’s timing rather than trying to rush the first steps.

Takeoff is the moment that may feel most intense. After that, the experience can become surprisingly smooth. One French-speaking passenger described the ride as gentle while flying at sunset, and several people praised the pilots for making first flights feel controlled and comfortable.

The club’s founder, Raja Saade, was the first person to bring paragliding to Lebanon. That history does not guarantee a perfect flight on every day, but it gives the club a clear local identity and long experience with this particular terrain.

Harissa and the Our Lady of Lebanon statue

Soon after leaving Ghosta, the route takes you over the Harissa area. The Our Lady of Lebanon statue is one of the country’s best-known landmarks, and seeing it from the air gives you a useful sense of its position above the bay.

From the ground, Harissa is a destination reached by road and cable car. From the paraglider, it becomes part of a much wider view. You can place the hilltop religious site against the coastal city, the water, and the mountain villages behind it.

This is also where the activity feels more like sightseeing than a pure adrenaline ride. You are not simply suspended above an anonymous valley. The route gives you recognizable landmarks and a clear geographical story.

The view changes with the departure time. A morning flight may give you crisp visibility, while a late flight can add warm light over the bay. Sunset departures are available when conditions allow, but the club cannot promise a specific flight style if weather changes.

The flight itself, calm motion with a little adrenaline

Paragliding is powered by the wind rather than by an engine. That means the experience is quieter than a helicopter ride and slower than a zip line. You hear the air and the pilot, with plenty of time to look around.

The activity description gives an approximate duration of one hour, while flight reports place the time in the air at around 20 minutes depending on conditions. Treat the longer figure as the overall appointment, including preparation, transport to the launch area, takeoff, and landing.

That distinction is important when you compare the $90 price with other aerial activities. You are paying for the pilot, equipment, local operation, preparation, transport between the base and launch area, and the chance to fly a route over a major Lebanese bay. You are not paying for an hour of uninterrupted airtime.

You can take selfies and photos during the descent. Keep your movements controlled and listen to your pilot before reaching for a phone. The aerial setting makes a memorable souvenir, but a photo is never more important than safe handling of your equipment.

Some people want a strong adrenaline rush. Others worry that paragliding will feel too extreme. This flight can suit both, because the takeoff brings excitement while the glide itself is often smooth. Your pilot controls the pace and the route within the limits of the weather.

Landing near the center of Jounieh Bay

The flight ends near Jounieh Bay, placing you close to the coast rather than back on the mountain. The landing gives the route a satisfying finish: you begin among the hills and finish near the water.

Jounieh Bay is one of the main visual rewards of the experience. From above, you can appreciate its shape and the way the city wraps around the coast. The landing area also puts the flight in a practical sightseeing location, although the activity itself ends back at the stated meeting point.

Because the start and finish areas differ, ask the team about the exact return arrangement on the day. The supplied details say the activity ends back at the meeting point, and the operational routine includes transport up to the launch site. That makes the club’s local coordination important.

Why the pilots matter on a first flight

The most important part of a tandem flight is not the scenery. It is confidence in the person handling the paraglider. The pilots are described as certified and experienced, and the strongest praise for this club focuses on professional organization, calm instruction, and a friendly manner.

That combination is useful for a nervous beginner. You want clear directions without a stiff atmosphere. You also want a pilot who understands local wind and launch conditions, particularly since this is a mountain-to-coast route.

The team has also shown flexibility when conditions or personal circumstances interfere. One passenger became ill and could not fly, and the club rescheduled the experience. That is not a promise that every change will be handled the same way, but it suggests you should speak up early if you feel unwell.

The booking is private, so only your group participates. That is a better fit for couples, families, and friends who want to share the experience without joining a large mixed group. It can also make communication easier if one person is nervous or needs extra reassurance.

Is $90 a fair price?

At $90 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Lebanese coast. It is also more than a simple viewpoint visit, because the experience combines a mountain transfer, professional tandem flying, equipment, a landing near Jounieh, and a full aerial view of the bay.

I see the strongest value in the setting. A short flight over an ordinary field would be less compelling, but this route includes Ghosta, Harissa, the Our Lady of Lebanon statue, and Jounieh Bay. You are paying for a distinct Lebanese itinerary, not just time in the air.

The price makes the most sense if you value memorable experiences over a long activity. The flight itself may be around 20 minutes, yet the memory and photos can become one of the main stories from your time in Lebanon.

If you are comparing this with a longer sightseeing tour, remember that paragliding is focused. It does not replace a full day visiting Harissa, Jounieh, or nearby mountain villages. It gives you a dramatic view of them from above.

Who should book this flight?

I would recommend it to solo visitors who want something different, couples planning a special occasion, and families or friend groups looking for a shared adventure. The club specifically handles birthdays, proposals, and other celebrations, though you should arrange any special plan with the team before arrival.

It is also a good choice for a first-time paraglider who wants a guided experience rather than a lesson. Certified pilots manage the flight, and the route offers enough scenery to reward you even if the adrenaline is not your main reason for booking.

You should think twice if you need a fixed, minute-by-minute schedule. Weather can cancel or delay a flight, and the length of time in the air depends on conditions. Build some flexibility into your day, especially if you have a flight, tour, or timed reservation afterward.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The supplied information does not give specific rules about weight, age, health, or clothing, so ask the club directly about any personal concern before booking.

Timing, weather, and cancellation

Paragliding operates all year, including winter, as long as the weather permits. That is useful if you are visiting outside the summer season, but it also means the final decision belongs to the pilot and club.

If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If you cancel, you need to do so at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

The activity is booked, on average, five days ahead. That is a useful planning clue rather than a strict rule. If this flight is important to your itinerary, reserve early enough to leave room for a weather-related reschedule.

My practical verdict

This is one of the more memorable ways to see the Jounieh coast. The route has real variety: a mountain launch in Ghosta, a flight near Harissa, a look at the Our Lady of Lebanon statue, and a landing by the bay.

I especially like that the club combines local roots with a private format and a clear focus on first-time flyers. The main limitation is the short and weather-dependent time in the air. You should book it for the setting and the experience, not because you expect a guaranteed one-hour flight.

If you can keep your schedule flexible and $90 fits your activity budget, I would book it. Choose a departure time that leaves room for delays, bring a phone for photos, and arrive ready to follow your pilot’s instructions. For a birthday, proposal, or simply a break from coastal sightseeing, this gives you a memorable view of Lebanon from a very different angle.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding experience start?

The listed starting point is XJVR+96P in Jounieh, Lebanon. The launch site is in Ghosta, a mountain village at about 750 meters.

Where does the flight end?

The flight lands near the center of Jounieh Bay. The activity itself ends back at the stated meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts approximately one hour. The flight itself may be around 20 minutes, depending on weather conditions.

Is this a tandem flight?

Yes. You fly with a certified and experienced pilot who handles the paraglider.

Can I take photos during the flight?

Yes. You have time to take selfies and photos during the descent. Video may also be available as a flight souvenir, so confirm the current arrangement with the club.

Does the club operate in winter?

Yes. Paragliding is offered all year, including winter, as long as weather conditions permit.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.