© max martini
Feeling the sand beneath your feet, searching for the perfect approach to make infinite waggas, finding the ideal angle to make a stabilo touch or just feel the hot air flowing througt your T-shirt—this is what an afternoon of dune soaring looks like.
Dune soaring is on the must-do list of every paraglider pilot on the planet. It's the best exercice to improve your wing ability and explore differents shades of turn of your wing.
It wasn't easy to create a ranking of the best paragliding and parakiting spots for dune soaring. What are the ideal criteria for this category? Height? Fun factor? Popularity?
The common characteristic that defines each of these sites is the possibility of doing barefoot waggas during the nice season.
Since every dune and every pilot is different, I've opted for a traditional ranking by country.
There are 25 major deserts in the world and 356,000 kilometers of coastline. I hope you'll discover your own personal gems.
Don't hesitate to drop me a message if you'd like to add a new spot.
Europe
France
Dune du Pilat
The most famous Dune in Europe, just watch this video, no more words needed. Sorry if you are at your desk job...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XWm0H0DN5c
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-dune-du-pyla
Paragliding guide with weather statistics and site specifications
https://www.spots.guru/guides/parapente-dune-du-pilat
Dune de biville
A nice playground in the north of France with some good wind statistic all year round. The Biville dunes are a vast sand formation located on the Cotentin peninsula in Normandy, France. Spanning over 600 hectares and stretching for about 10 kilometers along the Bay of Vauville. . The dunes reach a maximum altitude of 15 meters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY-UE2Ti5Yk
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-biville
Paragliding guide with weather statistics and site specifications
https://www.spots.guru/guides/paragliding-cotentin
Quend
A nice dune in the North of France, only accessible off season
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmR99pUvMzw
Spain
Matalascañas
Matalascañas Beach (Huelva) is located in the Natural Park of Doñana, Huelva.
It consists of more than 20 kilometers from flying dunes of different heights.
It is a flight with wind dynamic Atlantic Ocean, with SW orientation.
This flying site is perfect for students to learn to fly, and for freestyle pilots play in the dunes doing wagas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XID5TSp4RvI
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-matalascanas
Portugal
Lagoa de Obidos
Lagoa de Óbidos is the largest saltwater lagoon in Portugal, located approximately 100 km north of Lisbon. It's the only place that you can fly when the Nortada wind blow. Lots of quality soaring sites around when wind is in the right direction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMIg_LvmCEc
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-lagoa-de-obidos
Paragliding guide with weather statistics and site specifications
https://www.spots.guru/guides/paragliding-obidos
Praia Da Alberta Nova
10 kms of Dune, max height 25m
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSRjIo0z1JI
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-alberta-a-nova
Netherlands
Wijk-aan-zee
The highest dune in the flatland (around 50 meters). The area is known for its strong winds, with pilots often flying in conditions ranging from 30 to 45 km/h, and experienced local flyers managing winds up to 65 km/h, thanks to parakites and mini-wings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjYR0BV2HDw
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-wijk-aan-zee
Paragliding guide with weather statistics and site specifications
https://www.spots.guru/guides/paragliding-wijk-aan-zee
Great Britain
Hayles Towen
The best place to fly 'pure dunes' in Cornwall is Hayle Towens (5 km of dunes along a beautiful beach)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jDlvLfDPyQ
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-hayle-sands-hayle-towans
Germany
Halde Hoheward Dump
50 years of coal extraction create a massive dump and a playful site for wings. you can enjoy a nice panaorama between forest and industrial plant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxqaxLaWfNU
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-halde-hoheward
North America
United State Of America
Cape Kiwanda (Oregon)
Cape Kiwanda is a sandstone headland located on the Oregon coast in the United States, part of the Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area near Pacific City. The cape features distinctive cliffs shaped by wind and waves over time, offering paragliding enthusiasts interesting terrain and coastal winds. The area's most prominent feature is the Great Dune, a massive sand formation reaching approximately 280 feet (85 meters) in elevation. Paragliding activities at Cape Kiwanda should be approached with caution, and pilots should verify specific regulations with local authorities before flying in this dynamic coastal environment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6SiXTH0nDI
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-cap-kiwanda
Sand city (California)
Sand City is an unregulated flying site just north of Monterey, CA. Although it is unregulated, flying skills should be at minimum a solid P2 with some soaring experience. Landing in or near the surf can end with death and drowning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEbSUFfLDfU
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-monterey_sand-city-ca
Cape Cod
Cape cod is a peninsula extending into the Atlantic Ocean from the southeastern corner of Massachusetts , in the northeastern United States.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf3rUSVMfPk
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-white-crest-beach
Quebec
Dune de Tadoussac
The Dunes de Tadoussac, located in Quebec, Canada along the Saint Lawrence River estuary. With a height of approximately 70 meters, these sand dunes provide an ideal setting for both novice and experienced pilots. The site is particularly suitable for east and southeast winds, . Paragliding at Tadoussac is possible year-round, though the frequency of suitable conditions results in an estimated 20 to 30 flyable days per year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIvWmnKeN5I
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-tadoussac-les-dunes-qc
Latin America
Chili
Iquique
Iquique, located in northern Chile along the Atacama Desert, is a renowned paragliding destination. The site features Cerro Dragón, a large sand dune rising to 500 meters above sea level, offering a prominent takeoff point. Paragliding conditions are consistent due to the dry desert climate and steady thermals created by the interaction of the ocean and desert. Another key site is Alto Hospicio, situated at an altitude of 506 meters, providing complementary flying conditions. Iquique’s stable weather allows for over 300 flyable days per year.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5tC85NZAIk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBSXeI_EgXg
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-iquique-palo-buque-bola-de-fogo
Peru
Toro Mata
Toro Mata, located in the Acari region of Peru, is a massive sand dune, the highest sand dune in the world approximately 1,200 meters (3,937 feet) ! Paragliders can take advantage of the consistent coastal winds and thermal conditions that develop over the dune's expansive surface.
Access is one by 4x4. Wind can be too strong in the afternoon for soaring but you can find others activities like Sand-surfing or speed-flying
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhifmiO6r0I
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-toro-mata
Brazil
Canoa Quebrada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwPzCOp_hGo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZX8IuMFASA
Mexico
Punta Colonet
A playful playground for waggas and a nice ridge for soaring in the south
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSG7OKkX05c
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-colonet
Africa
Marocco
Plage blanche
Plage Blanche, located in southern Morocco between Guelmim and Tan-Tan, offers a vast expanse of sand dunes stretching over 40 km along the Atlantic coast. While the exact altitude of the dunes is not specified, they provide suitable takeoff points for paragliders. The area is known for its consistent winds in winter, particularly from the northwest, making it suitable for dynamic soaring flights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V1xEnphZQA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I69DsO59G2I
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-plage-blanche
Tunisia
abdelmoula camp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1sZTff_obU
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-tunisian-dunes
Namibia
Coastal & Sesriem dune
Sesriem dunes, located in the Namib Desert of Namibia, are part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park and include some of the tallest dunes in the world, reaching up to 375 meters in height. These dunes, formed by ancient sands carried from the Kalahari Desert, offer paragliding enthusiasts unique flying conditions with steady winds and expansive desert landscapes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NClZlvglcck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q5SIrfhnr8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPYrn3DDALw
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
Sessriem dune
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-sesriem-dune-himalaya
Sandwich Harbour
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-sandwich-harbour-1
Mozambique
Bazaruto Dune
Highest dune in Mozambique. Fly on the 300-foot-high sand dune and enjoy one of the most beautiful views in the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gCNF6gqT94&t=7s
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-bazaruto-dune
South-Africa
Paradise Ridge Kleinkrantz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psRos8V9Ar0
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
Cabo Verde
Norte de Baía
The perfect place for parakite and soaring. A real parapark, surrounded by mountains, wagga all days without anybody.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv3xFAIZFLU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHDzdU5md14
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-norte-da-baia
Middle East
Quatar
Sealine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMRjTUymz-c
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-sealine-paraglide-station
Yemen
Shonah - Socotra
A dream destination, but the war make it unsecure and quite unreachable actually, i hope the situation will change soon.
Shonah, located on the island of Socotra in Yemen. These dunes, formed by monsoon winds blowing during the summer months, provide paragliders a worldclass playground. Just watch Theo de Blic video and hope for peace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNjoXlVocGg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIDq8B-iOdI
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-shonah-socotra
Oceania
Australia
rainbow beach
Rainbow Beach, located in Queensland, Australia. The site features the Carlo Sand Blow, a massive sand formation reaching approximately 100 meters in height, with some dunes up to 135 meters high. The area provides ideal conditions for paragliding with consistent winds coming from the north-northeast to east-northeast directions. The site has specific rules and restrictions, including a limit of 30 pilots on-site at any given time and the requirement for pilots to be members of the Sunshine Coast Free Flyers club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2cGbjDhJpI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR_BbwtvIfc
For more infos and next flyable time slot for the next 16 days:
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-rainbow-beach
Asia
Vietnam
Mui-Ne
The Red Sand Dunes of Mui Ne, located about 25 kilometers from Phan Thiet City in Vietnam.The area experiences consistent winds, particularly during the dry season from November to April, creating favorable conditions for flight. However, pilots should be aware that the dunes' shape and height can vary due to natural factors like weather and monsoons, potentially affecting launch and landing areas. As with any paragliding location, it's essential to check local regulations and obtain necessary permissions before flying at the Red Sand Dunes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HTYepA98Gk
https://www.spots.guru/spots/paragliding-hon-hong
I hope you find some helpul informations, keep exploring and don't forget, you don't need a massive dune to enjoy wagga, just a lot of creativity. Take a look on Max martini having fun on the smallest dune in the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XaIEjIi26o
Fly safe!