South Africa
Paragliding in South Africa: Cape Town and Porterville
Best months
- October
- November
- December
- January
- February
- March
When Europe goes grey, the Western Cape is in summer. Lion's Head and Signal Hill give coastal flying above Cape Town, and Dasklip Pass near Porterville, two hours north, is a big thermal site where pilot notes describe 100 km flights along the Olifants River mountains.
Live conditions at the main takeoff · Lion's Head, Cape Town
Conditions right now
Live — the same sources the OutDare app uses
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The last 12 months
| Month | November 2025★ Best months | December 2025★ Best months | January 2026★ Best months | February 2026★ Best months | March 2026★ Best months | April 2026 | May 2026 | June 2026 | July 2026 | August 2026 | September 2026 | October 2026★ Best months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain-free middays | 100% | 93.5% | 96.8% | 92.9% | 96.8% | 76.7% | 80.6% | 86.7% | 93.5% | 96.8% | 90% | 96.8% |
| Clear middays | 80% | 64.5% | 71% | 60.7% | 83.9% | 66.7% | 35.5% | 53.3% | 35.5% | 41.9% | 56.7% | 45.2% |
| Mean 10 m wind (km/h) | 20 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 15 |
| Days | 30 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 |
Rain-free: less than 1 mm of precipitation from 10:00 to 16:00 local time. Clear: mean cloud cover below 50% over the same hours. Wind: mean 10 m wind from 11:00 to 14:00. Hourly endpoints included. Complete days only. Archived forecasts describe model weather, not flying suitability.
Takeoffs
Lion's Head, Cape Town
Altitude: 403 m
Launch wind directions: S · SW
Coastal flying above Camps Bay; lower and top launches (not at the summit).
View spotSignal Hill
Altitude: 295 m
Launch wind directions: N · W · NW
Sea-breeze soaring ridge; advanced site.
View spotDasklip Pass, Porterville
Altitude: 701 m
Launch wind directions: SW · W · NW
Big inland thermal site; 100 km+ flights along the Olifants River range.
View spot
Landing: The Glen, Camps Bay · 9 m · View coordinates on Google Maps
Season
Southern summer is dry here. In our data, 93% to 100% of middays from November to February were dry at Lion's Head, and 100% at Porterville in December and January, where clear-sky middays reached 77% to 87%. The coast is windier: midday wind averaged 15 to 20 km/h from November to February.
Flying
Lion's Head launches are at about 400 m with a landing on the cricket field at The Glen in Camps Bay; best flying is often from 3 pm. Signal Hill is a sea-breeze soaring ridge for experienced pilots. Dasklip launches at about 700 m with a ceiling of 4,000 m above sea level; fly early, because late-afternoon south-westerlies often stop launches.
Practical facts
- Airspace
- Ceiling of 1,200 m above sea level at Lion's Head and Signal Hill; 4,000 m at Dasklip Pass.[1]
- Visiting pilots
- Foreign pilots can apply for SAHPA Foreign Temporary Membership. Porterville also asks for a site fee, allows no commercial tandems and posts its rules at launch.[3]
- Parking
- Get dropped off at Lion's Head if you can: pilot notes report break-ins in the car park.[1]
Hazards
- Lion's Head: strong venturi at both launches when it is soarable, and fast weather changes. Ask locals.[1]
- Signal Hill: wind and gradient can rise quickly with no warning; only for rated pilots with a local.[1]
- Porterville: strong, turbulent thermals near the ridge and dust devils on the plains.[1]
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to paraglide in Cape Town?
The southern summer, roughly October to March. In our data, nearly every midday from November to February was dry.
Is Signal Hill suitable for new pilots?
No. Pilot notes rate it an advanced site because the wind can rise fast and there is nowhere to run to; fly it only with a local and the right rating.
Can I check the wind at Lion's Head now?
Yes, live wind at the launch is on this page, and the free OutDare app can alert you when it looks flyable.