Table Mountain

Height: 1000m
Licence required: Advanced
Wind Direction: SW, W, NE (Light SE). 15 -20 kms
Comments: Not for Tandem Paragliding!

Table Mountain is of course the highest launch site in Cape Town, with stunning views of the city and Western seaboard beaches. This site is one to be reckoned with. Although Table Mountain is the most saught-after flight by Paraglider pilots, it is not often flown due to the license requirements and rapidly changing wind directions - and is not used for tandem flights under any circumstance.

Those pilots with an advanced license are able to launch from either one of the three launch sites. The Gully(W), overlooking Clifton & Camps Bay, The Front Face (NW), overlooking the city center and Maclear's Beacon (Light SE), facing the southern suburbs and Constantia.     

Lion's Head

Height: 350m
Licence required: Basic License
Wind Direction: SW, W, SE Wind shadow (15 - 20km/h)

This popular site is perhaps the most frequently flown site in the Cape Peninsula during summer, Lion's Head works in a (SW) sea breeze. By Midday the thermic action can be relatively violent but is often conducive to short X-Country flights to Table Mountain and down the Twelve Apostles to Hout Bay (8kms).

Lion's Head is also unusual in that it is often flyable in a strong (SE). Yes ! Strong….The bulk shape of Table Mountain creates a huge wind shadow easily visible on the ocean, with an often gentle (SW) curling back up the take off site. Beware of the encroaching wind line. Take off sites marked in red, landing fields marked in yellow.

Signal Hill Bench

Height: 250m
Licence required: Advanced
Wind Direction: light NW, W (10 - 15km/h)

With a light to moderate (NW) or (W), Signal Hill may be a site you won't forget. Overlooking Sea Point and Green Point Common, the soaring experience is well worth attempting. If the direction is more (W), crossings to Lion's Head, Table Mountain and The Twelve Apostles are within reach of most experienced pilots. The site is graded as advanced, due to the nature of the rapidly changing weather conditions and the fact that there is no immediate landing area below the ridge. If one sinks out you need to either slope land or attempt to glide to Green Point Fields. It looks tame, but be warned!
    

Hermanus

Height: 250m
Licence required: Basic
Wind Direction: SE, S, SSW ....20- 25kms

Situated on the East coast 1 ½ hours from Cape Town, Hermanus is a pleasant and charming holiday town. In August/September Hermanus comes alive due to the migration of Southern Right Whales into Walker Bay. A 10 minute scenic drive will transport you to the top of Rotary Way where the Take off site is. Fresh sea breezes often contribute to smooth ridge soaring along the 8km ridge. Hermanus can and often does become thermic, this site has seen many moderate X-Country distances.
    

Porterville

Height: 350m
License required: Basic
Wind Direction: SW, S, SWW (Thermic XC, 10 -25 km/h)

In terms of Hard Core, this is the site you want to fly if you are interested in doing long distances! Most of the South African Paragliding & Hang-gliding championships and the "All African Cup" were held here. The Dasklip Pass take off site is substantially large, Wind conditions and directions are often variable and thermic action is powerful, flying after 11.00 am in mid summer is for the experienced pilots only.
    

Sir Lowries Pass

Height: 250m
License required: Basic License
Wind Direction: SW, W (15 - 20 km/h)

Sir Lowries Pass is a flying site that is just as popular as Lion's Head. Also working in a (SW) and having a long mountain range to follow make it a site for the pilot who likes a challenge. Previous X-Country records have been in excess or 172kms to Porterville. The view of the Peninsula and Gordon's Bay add to the experience.
    

Garden Route (Holiday Inn)

Height: 50m
License reuired: Basic
Wind Direction: SW, SSW (15- 25 km/h)

Leisure flying is the name of the game, not a very high site but certainly loads of ridge hugging fun above sea and sand. The (SW) winds can keep you entertained for hours. Short ridge X-Country flights along the coast to Swart Vlei, a distance of 6 - 8 kms have repeatedly been achieved.
    

Garden Route (Map of Africa)

180m
License required: Basic
Wind Direction: SE, SSE (10 - 25km/h)

"The Map" as it's commonly known, is the premier soaring site on the Garden Route, sitting 200m above the waves and sweeping coastline, is something that has to be undertaken at least once in your life. Flights from 'The Map" to Holiday Inn and beyond to Swart Vlei are not common but have been achieved.