“Once in a lifetime flying adventure”

Thirty Four years of a success story in Aviation

Tandem Paragliding in Cape Town

There’s no better place on Earth to experience the magic of paragliding than Cape Town. With dramatic mountains, ocean views, and a sky that seems to go on forever, every flight feels like a postcard come to life.

At Skywings, we fly mainly from Lion’s Head and Signal Hill — two of the most iconic launch sites in South Africa. From there, you’ll glide past the cliffs of Table Mountain, float above the sparkling Atlantic Ocean, and see the city unfold beneath you in all its beauty.

But the adventure doesn’t end there. Cape Town is surrounded by incredible flying spots like Sir Lowry’s Pass (near Somerset West), Franschhoek, and Hermanus — each offering its own unique conditions and stunning scenery.

Our tandem paragliding flights are the perfect introduction to free flight. No experience is needed — just bring your sense of adventure. Every flight is guided by a certified instructor who ensures your comfort, safety, and enjoyment from takeoff to landing.

At Skywings, we love what we do, and we’ll always make the most of every opportunity to stay longer in the air.

Flying Conditions in Cape Town

Cape Town’s unique geography — with the mountains, ocean, and open sky meeting in one place — makes it one of the most reliable and scenic paragliding destinations in the world. But just like surfing or sailing, the wind is everything.

At Skywings, we monitor the weather closely to make sure every flight is both safe and enjoyable. When conditions are perfect, we launch from Signal Hill or Lion’s Head, giving you the best possible experience in smooth, stable air.

Weather and Rescheduling

Because paragliding depends entirely on the weather, your booking may be rescheduled several times — and in rare cases, we might not be able to fly at all. We understand this can be frustrating, and trust us, it’s just as frustrating for us too!

Flying is our passion and our profession, and we want to be in the air as much as possible. However, safety always comes first. We’ll only fly when the wind and weather allow for a smooth and enjoyable experience.

If conditions change, we’ll stay in touch and do our best to find another suitable time. Your safety and satisfaction matter to us more than anything — and when the moment is right, we’ll make sure it’s worth the wait.

“We done it before, we are doing it again”

We think all of our students are great, so everyone receives the same First Class service and an equally exciting experience, whenever and wherever they fly with us. This approach and our high standards helped us to get one of the highest achievement we can ever imagine.

THOMSON (TUI) BEST EXCURSION GOLD AWARD

Our Fly South Microlighting company won the gold award out of more than 1000 different excursions in 2004. Now the wind took us to Cape Town and many years later we strive to get the same kind of achievement.

Frequently Asked Questions

We know that trying something new — especially something as exciting as paragliding — can raise a few questions. That’s totally normal!

At Skywings, our goal is to make your experience as safe, smooth, and enjoyable as possible. Below, we’ve answered the most common questions our guests ask before their flight. If there’s anything else you’d like to know, just ask your pilot or contact us anytime — we’re always happy to help.

I’m Scared of Heights. Can I Still Go Paragliding?

Absolutely — in fact, most of our guests say the same thing before their flight!
What many people call a fear of heights is really a fear of falling. That’s why standing on a cliff edge or a tall balcony feels scary — your body senses danger because there’s nothing holding you.

Paragliding is completely different. You’re securely strapped into a comfortable harness, supported by your pilot and the glider above you. Once your feet leave the ground, that nervous feeling disappears. You’ll be surprised how smooth, calm, and peaceful it feels in the air.

Many of our most nervous passengers end up loving it so much they come back for another flight!

Is Tandem Paragliding Dangerous?

When humans are involved in anything — from driving a car to hiking a mountain — there’s always a small element of risk. Paragliding is no different.

That said, tandem paragliding is extremely safe when it’s done with the right equipment, in good weather, and under the guidance of experienced professionals. The design of modern tandem gliders is very forgiving, and our pilots are trained to handle a wide range of situations calmly and confidently.

At Skywings, we fly only with airworthy, certified equipment that’s inspected regularly, and we only launch when the conditions are right. Your pilot’s top priority is always safety — theirs and yours — which is why we’re proud to say that tandem paragliding is 100% safe when done properly.

Are Take-offs and Landings Difficult?

Take-offs and landings are where the magic — and the skill — really come in.

In light winds, you’ll need to run a few extra steps to help the glider lift smoothly, but don’t worry — your pilot will guide you every second of the way. We rely on our passengers to give us that short burst of energy, but the real secret lies in how the pilot handles the glider.

Timing is everything. Knowing when to pull the wing up, when to start running, and keeping perfect control until the glider is flying overhead — that’s what makes the difference between a good launch and a great one.

The same goes for landings. A skilled pilot knows when to speed up, dive, and flare the glider at just the right moment for a soft, stand-up landing. That kind of precision only comes with experience — and that’s exactly what our Skywings pilots are known for.

Can Anyone Go Paragliding?

Almost anyone can enjoy a tandem paragliding flight!

At Skywings, we welcome guests from age 14 and up — as long as you feel healthy and ready for a little adventure. Our standard weight limit is 100 kg, but on good windy days we can safely take passengers up to 120 kg.

If you have any mobility limitations or can’t run easily, that’s no problem at all — we just need to know in advance. We’ll invite you to fly when conditions are perfect for a gentle take-off, so you can relax and enjoy the experience without stress.

Paragliding is about freedom, not fitness — and our pilots know how to adapt every flight so that anyone can feel the joy of flying.

How Long Does a Flight Last?

Flight time depends entirely on the weather and wind conditions on the day — nature decides how long we get to stay in the air!

At Skywings, we’re always in friendly competition to see who can fly higher and stay up the longest. When the conditions are good, we can often stay airborne for 20 to 30 minutes.

But some days, the air doesn’t cooperate — we might encounter “sinky” conditions that don’t allow us to climb. In those cases, we’ll glide gently to the landing area, and the flight might last less than 5 minutes.

No matter what the day brings, we’ll always do our best to make your flight as safe, enjoyable, and memorable as possible. And trust us — even a short flight over Cape Town is unforgettable.

What Should I Wear for Paragliding?

Comfort is key! You don’t need any special gear — just dress for the outdoors and the season.

Closed shoes are a must — lace-up trainers or hiking shoes work best.
Long pants are recommended to keep you comfortable during takeoff and landing.
Bring a light jacket or windbreaker, and in winter, a warm jacket and gloves to stay cozy in the air.
Don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for before and after your flight — Cape Town sunshine can be strong even on cool days.

Our goal is to make sure you’re comfortable and ready to enjoy the flight

Can I Take My Own Camera on the Flight?

Yes, you can — as long as it’s securely attached with a proper strap. Safety comes first, and we can’t be responsible for any loss or damage to personal equipment during the flight, so please make sure your camera is well secured before takeoff.

That said, you really don’t need to worry about filming it yourself! Your pilot can capture the entire experience for you using our high-quality GoPro cameras, mounted for the best views and angles.

You’ll be able to see your photos and video right after the flight — and there’s absolutely no obligation to buy. Most guests do, though, because paragliding photos are unlike any other activity photos. Floating high above Cape Town with Table Mountain and the ocean behind you — these aren’t just pictures, they’re memories. And our pilots are some of the best in the business at capturing them.

Can I Fly by Myself?

Yes — and we’d love to teach you how!

If your first tandem flight makes you want more (and it usually does), you can take the next step and learn to fly solo with Skywings Paragliding School. We offer introductory and full certification courses in both Cape Town and Wilderness, designed for beginners with no prior experience.

Our training covers everything from ground handling and weather understanding to safe take-offs, flight control, and landings — all under the guidance of certified, experienced instructors.

Many of our students started with a single tandem flight and ended up discovering a lifelong passion for flying. Once you’ve felt the freedom of paragliding, it’s hard not to want to do it again — this time, at the controls yourself.

[Learn to Fly With Us]

Signal Hill Meeting point

We will be meeting at Signal Hill car park. When you get there you can ask for Skywings Paragliding.

Lion's Head Meeting Point

When the wind direction turns into Southwest allows us fly safely from Lion’s Head take off. If that would be the case, we will inform you to meet us at Lion’s Head car park. When you get there you can ask for Skywings Paragliding around the kiosk area.