The Garden Route has some of the most magnificent coastal & coastal thermic sites in the world, all in close proximity to one another. The area offers fantastic flying all year with the best conditions from October to June. Training conditions are best between January and April. The following list of sites and conditions is by no means exhaustive but we have chosen the ones we fly the most due to safety and accessibility.

- Map of Africa: (Basic)
This site is situated behind the Protea Hotel at the western end of the beach (up the heights road). It works on a SE wind between 16 & 27kph. Please obey the site rule board as the property owner is reasonably sensitive. Clear with ATC 044-8769210. Closed shoes.

- Holiday Inn: (Basic)
This site is very sensitive as you must sign in before flying, and be registered with SAHPA to fly this site for insurance purposes, as there are a lot of lights and tourists around. No students may fly this site without their instructor. Clear take off area after take off unless you are the only one flying. Works on WSW to SW to S to SSE, from 18 to 27kph. Watch horizon for oncoming squalls. Basic pilots may not top land. Closed shoes.

- Kleinkrantz: (Training)
Excellent student and basic site. Car park or dunes good for take off.
Works when Holiday Inns to strong. Works between 26 to 30kph. At 25kph good place to fly to Paradise Ridge. Be careful, the wind does not come up and you get stuck down the ridge. A few have been blown over the back, but fortunately have landed safely. If you do get stuck, it is best to land at the end and walk out at the eastern end which is Swartvlei where there is a car park for easy retrieval. Secure sandals.

- Paradise Ridge: (Basic - Under Supervision)
Wind Max 30kph. Works on S or SW winds when it is too light to fly anywhere else. From 16 to 18kph with a cliff take off. Basic pilots must have someone holding onto their chest strap. Top landing quite difficult. Beach landings can get back on top by pathway on the eastern side of take off. Magnificent flying from this site. Privately owned, so please do not litter or make fires or smoke. 4WD Vehicle needed or 500m walk from parking area.

- Serpentine:
On the Hoekwil Road to Hoekwil . Coastal Thermic works on light s.winds unstable conditions. Landing on farm below. Excellent Thermals for advanced pilots only. Talk to a local about the site.

- Swartvlei: (Basic - 5 sign offs)
Opposite Pine Lake Marina Sedgefield. Sign in and pay min. All persons obey site board and drive slowly. Also a magnificent site. Turn left just before the owner's house and continue until you come to car park overlooking the sea. Fynbos reserve. No SMOKING, LITTERING OR FIRES. Works on light E to SE.From 9 to 22kph. Hugh lift band. Good for practicing your safety techniques, as it's almost impossible to drop out. Top landings reasonably easy, just don't go too far back on the ridge. Talk to the LOCALS, otherwise land near bathrooms at the beach.

- Du Toits: (By Invitation)
Langkloof Valley. Big time THERMIC. By invitation only. So get to know the LOCALS. On the right day we will take you there! Retrieval is difficult and getting there is also difficult. Privately owned. Sensitive site!

- Swartberg: (Advanced)
Big time THERMIC! Dangerous site, always go to the top and look for north winds. If they are blowing, DON'T FLY. Site works on southerly winds from the coast, with thermals coming out of the valley. OSTRICH FARMERS are radical, so fly along the road to land at the bottom of the pass.

- Dana Bay:
On western side of the N2 out of Mossel Bay. Turn off clearly marked. Once in Dana Bay, there are two or three take off sites. Works on SW and SSE 18 to 27kph. Watch the sea for squalls and watch the houses as one tends to fly to close to the houses. High profile spot as all the residents tend to watch, so please set a good example or we could be stopped.

- Hartenbos:
High wind spot. You need a fast glider to fly this place. CPL recommended! not compulsory, but be warned that going over the back can be a violent experience. Normally flown SE, ESE 30kph or higher. Pull-ups on beach, walk back a few paces, and off you go. Don't get too high or too far back. FAST GLIDERS ESSENTIAL!

- Bonnydale (Basic)
A very new thermic site. Works in 360 degrees wind. True valley thermals with valley release late afternoon. Farmer welcomes pilots. Extremely helpful. Can stay over.

- Sedge View: (Basic - Under Supervision)
Both excellent sites also reasonably sensitive. Drive slowly along the gravel road to the sites and obey the rules board. THERMIC with PREVAILING SW to S to SW winds. DANGER POWERLINES at Cloud Nine site. Big sink monsters, so break out and land before you get too low. Pilots have made it to the beach from take off.

- Brenton Beach: (Basic)
Park at Hotel and walk up to site. Works SW to S between 18 to 30kph. Only CPL Pilots may land on lawn of Hotel, rest to please land on the beach. Only CPL's may take off from the grass at the Hotel and only when it is WSW. Support the Hotel.

- Brenton View: (Basic)
Site above Brenton Beach as you come over the top next to the road. LOOK OUT for big aggressive eagles. THERMIC PLUS PREVAILING. Can get hectic with a too strong prevailing. Top and side landings possible. If you get high enough you can fly down to the Hotel for a well deserved beer. Retrieval also possible in valley.

- Beacon Isle: (Advanced)
Site above the Hotel overlooking Piesang Valley. SW site. Please contact Andrew Bell at Dolphin Adventures as this site can be tricky. A
blustery site with prevailing and THERMIC influence.

- Uplands: (Basic)
Left before the Keerbooms River Bridge, 22km inland. Access right to take off site. Sensitive site as owner likes to control. Talk to Andrew Bell at Dolphins Adventures first before going there for the first time. THERMIC with prevailing light SW winds.