According to sources, the group of tourists went out for the activity with a tour boat operator in the morning when the weather was fair.
However, the weather turned for the worse a few hours later while they were still out at sea.
The boat was washed ashore near the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort (STAR) beach.
The duo, who were parasailing at the time, were hit by a sudden gush of winds about 11am. They hit a tree and fell to the ground.
STAR director of communications Claudina Wong said the resort staff rushed to the victims’ assistance and helped alert the authorities.
“About 11.30am today, a small boat operated by a third party tour agency and carrying several passengers washed up next to our resort’s sunset bar,” she said in a statement.
“Our colleagues immediately rushed to help while waiting for emergency assistance,” she said, adding that the tourists were not their guests.
Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu police chief ACP Habibi Majinji said police were still collecting information on the incident.
The Meteorological Services Department has warned about bad weather, including strong winds, over the next few days.
It advised the public not to engage in all sea-related activities for now.