Gerricke's Point

Gerricke's Point is a coastal site along South Africa's Garden Route, inside a Fynbos (heather) reserve — a fragile habitat where the flying is permitted under strict conditions. Do not litter, smoke or make fires; do not speed on the road; and pay the usage fee at Wilderness Beach Hotel or the Fynbos Grill / Cheeseman at the entry gate. The fee gets you a helmet sticker good for all 25 Garden Route sites; Gerricke's itself carries a small extra fee because it's on private property. Violating any rule will get you banned for life.

Launch & conditions

Launch at 130 m ASL, just 50 m right of the small clearing where you park. Launch towards the front of the ridge to minimise environmental impact on the Fynbos reserve — the owners graciously allow flying here.

Getting there & local rules

From George or Wilderness, drive along the N2 towards Sedgefield until you reach the Fynbos Grill restaurant on your right. Stop to sign in and pay the 75-rand entry fee. Then drive up the road (good condition), past the owners' house — respect their privacy and don't speed. Park at the small clearing. Landings: top-landing in strong wind is tricky and not for beginners without instructor guidance — land as far towards the front of the ridge as possible. Or bottom-land on the beach to the east, in front of the small parking area and toilets — be mindful of beach patrons.

Local rules & hazards

Ceiling 465 m ASL. Fly only in light SE wind — excellent when Paradise Ridge is too light (<15 km/h). Do NOT fly in strong wind (>25 km/h). Top-landing in strong wind is tricky — not for beginners without instructor guidance. Fynbos reserve rules are strict: no litter, no smoking, no fires, no speeding on the road — violation gets a lifetime ban.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Gerricke's Point, 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 Gerricke's Point with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.