About this flying site
THIS SITE IS CLOSED From July 1st to mid September and during the Easter, May Bank Holiday and Whit Bank Holiday weekends.
Sandy Bay paragliding site and weather forecast
East Devon / Exmoor / West Dorset. Live seven-day flying weather, launch directions and site information for Sandy Bay.
Altitude19 m
Launch directionsSE
Coordinates50.6166, -3.3571
AreaEast Devon / Exmoor / West Dorset
Managing club: Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · Access: open
Flying profile
Best Workable Not recorded
Sandy Bay is a hill site in East Devon / Exmoor / West Dorset with a recorded launch elevation of 19 m. It works best in south-easterly winds. Pilots fly it for ridge soaring, using foot launch.
- Terrain
- hill
- Lift
- ridge soaring
- Launch
- foot launch
- Cross-country
- Not recorded
Recent forecast scores
Day scores for Sandy Bay from Magic Skyweed's latest forecast runs (17 Sept, 17:28 UTC), on our 0–100 flying scale. The live forecast scores every hour against your own glider and limits.
- Tue 22 Sept66/100 Good · top-to-bottommedium confidence
- Wed 23 Sept63/100 Good · top-to-bottomlow confidence
When the wind is wrong for Sandy Bay
The nearest site we have rated for each wind direction Sandy Bay doesn't cover.
North Hillnortherly wind, 68 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 213 m · N launchFarwaynorth-easterly wind, 20 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 203 m · NE launchConey s Castleeasterly wind, 37 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 188 m · E launchEypesoutherly or south-westerly wind, 42 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 35 m · S, SW launchEast Hillwesterly wind, 15 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 238 m · W launchCowdownnorth-westerly wind, 63 km away · Wessex Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club · 201 m · W, NW launch
Site briefing highlights
Short extracts from Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG and ParaglidingEarth. Read the full guide before you fly.
Take-off
Please park with consideration to the holiday park customers. You may be asked for a £5 parking fee so please pay this without protest. Parking should only be in the spaces up by the corral style fence and not anywhere by the caravans.
Landing
Top landing: Top landing may be possible in the fields behind launch if not in crop however there is likely to be rotor generated by the sharp edged cliff. Be prepared to actively fly the wing to the ground and PLF if necessary.
Access and parking
Follow signs from Exmouth to Devon Cliffs Holiday Park and drive in through the main entrance. We have no right of free access, but it is unusual to be denied entry.
Flight rules
Guidelines Closed on Bank Holiday weekends. Never overfly the Holiday Park or attempt to land there. In winter months staff lock gates at around 4pm—make sure your car is on the right side!
Hazards and cautions
- DO NOT OVERFLY RIFLE RANGE ON STRAIGHT POINT WHEN RED FLAGS FLYING
- (right of take-off).
- Sharp edged cliff take off
- Rotor on take off and if top landing
- Limited bottom landing options especially at Western end of bay under take off
- Erosion altering take off profile requires good pilot decission making
Check current site guidance
Paragliding sites near Sandy Bay
East Hill15 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 238 m · W launchBranscombe16 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 133 mBeer Head19 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 51 mFarway20 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 203 m · NE launchConey s Castle37 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 188 m · E launchEype42 km away · Devon and Somerset Condors HGPG · 35 m · S, SW launch
Forecasts are planning aids, not safety clearance. Check current observations, official airspace and NOTAM information, local rules and your own experience before every flight.
More paragliding sites in the UK · Read the paragliding weather guide