Sand Patch
Paragliding site · Australia
- Launch altitude
- 220 m
- Level
- Experienced pilots
- Best season
- —
- Landing
- —
Works on S · SW · W
Where it is
Sand Patch is a striking high-cliff soaring site on a wind farm ridge near Albany in Western Australia, launching from open ground directly in front of the third wind turbine from the south — space for one glider at a time, with a rigging area nearby for several more. It's reached either by a gated vehicle track (arrange access through local pilots first) or by parking at the wind farm's visitor centre and walking 10-15 minutes along the boardwalk and tracks to the turbine. The ridge itself is serious: cliff lines run up to 300 m along the spine, with long stretches offering no bottom-landing option, so this rewards pilots who are genuinely comfortable committing to exposed terrain. Launch works from south-southeast through southeast, and pilots need to stay alert to downwind speed changes in the lift band. On a good day the ridge stretches 8 km south to Sharp Point and 7 km north to Mutton Bird, at heights of 150-300 m — a possible 30 km round trip — though cross-country potential off the northern end is limited by Albany's airspace.
Launch & conditions
Launch is open ground directly in front of the third wind turbine from the south, with room for one glider at a time and a rigging area nearby for several more. Takeoff works from south-southeast through southeast.
Getting there & local rules
From Albany, follow Frenchmans Bay Road; at 3 km, signs point to the wind farm, and the car park is at 5 km. From there it's a 10-15 minute walk along the boardwalk and tracks to the third turbine. A gated vehicle track offers direct access, but arrange that through local pilots first.
Check conditions before you fly
A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Sand Patch, 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 Sand Patch with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.
Conditions right now
Live — the same sources the OutDare app uses
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Is it usually flyable? The 12-month record
In a typical 12–35 km/h wind range, Sand Patch offered a flyable window on 160 of 365 days (44%) over the last 12 months. Best month: October (65%).
| January45%14/31 | February50%14/28 | March32%10/31 | April43%13/30 | May32%10/31 | June30%9/30 |
| July32%10/31 | August48%15/31 | September53%16/30 | October65%20/31 | November47%14/30 | December48%15/31 |
A day counts as flyable when the surface wind held in your range, from a direction the site flies, with no rain, for at least 2 hours in a row (08:00–20:00) — from hourly 10 m wind over the last 12 months. A seasonal wind guide only: it can't judge gusts, thermals or turbulence, and never replaces the live forecast, airspace checks and your own judgement.
Is it usually flyable?
Set your wing's wind range once — the live 7-day outlook and the last 12 months both answer for Sand Patch.
Surface wind (10 m) in km/h — the same number you read on any forecast.
The 7-day outlook and the 12-month history below both update to your range.
7-day wind outlook
High-resolution models — the same OutDare uses.
Loading the forecast…
Over the last 12 months
44% of days flyable
160 of 365 days had a dry 2-hour+ window in your range, from a direction this site flies
Best month
Oct · 65%
Flyable days by month
A day counts as flyable when the surface wind held in your range, from a direction the site flies, with no rain, for at least 2 hours in a row (08:00–20:00) — from hourly 10 m wind over the last 12 months. A seasonal wind guide only: it can't judge gusts, thermals or turbulence, and never replaces the live forecast, airspace checks and your own judgement.
Nearby flying sites
Site facts from the OutDare flying-site database. Always verify current access and regulations with the local club before flying.