West Bay

West Bay sits on Nova Scotia's Bay of Fundy coast, launching from a saddle at the western end of the bay, between taller cliffs on either side. The setup area is groomed and works for both hang gliders and paragliders, but the surrounding terrain funnels wind through a venturi that makes it noticeably stronger at launch than it feels lower down, and the bowl shape of the site makes true wind direction hard to judge from the top alone — pilots new to the area do better checking conditions from the beach near Partridge Island on the way in. Landing is on the beach itself, where the Bay of Fundy's famously extreme tidal range can bring the water right up against the base of the cliffs at certain points in the lunar cycle, so timing a flight around the tide matters as much as watching the wind. The landowner asks that visiting pilots stay considerate of the property.

Launch & conditions

Groomed launch and setup area on a saddle 60 feet above sea level at the west end of the bay, between higher cliffs on both sides. The venturi effect here exaggerates typical wind strength, and the bowl shape makes wind direction hard to read accurately from launch.

Getting there & local rules

You'll pass Partridge Island beach on the way in — it's worth checking the true wind direction there before continuing up to launch, since the bowl shape at the site itself can be misleading.

Local rules & hazards

This site is flown by pilots from novice through advanced ratings, though novices should stick to milder conditions and should confirm requirements locally before launching. If the wind backs around to the south, a leeside rotor can develop quickly near Cape Sharp, and the Bay of Fundy's extreme tidal range means the beach landing zone changes dramatically through the day.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to West Bay, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open West Bay with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.