John Crow Hill
Paragliding site · Jamaica
- Launch altitude
- 603 m
- Level
- Ask the local school
- Best season
- —
- Landing
- —
Works on SE · S · SW · W · NW
Where it is
John Crow Hill launches from a shallow slope above Malvern in Jamaica's south-west, at about 600 m, with drive-up access on a rough road for those with a 4x4. Wind directions from south-east through south, south-west, west and north-west all work here, and the site is used for thermalling, soaring and flatland flying. Prevailing easterly trade winds are the main obstacle: above about 10 mph they blow straight onto the back of launch, making it impossible to get airborne, though on a sunny day thermal activity can hold the trades back to roughly that same strength. Getting to the hill means driving through Santa Cruz from the north or Malvern Wells from the south, finishing on an eroded track through old stone gate posts — a 4x4 is strongly recommended either way. Top-landing is possible if you respect the local vegetable farmers working the slope; otherwise the normal landing zone is on the flats below, either a sports field or cattle land, where barbed wire fences need watching for.
Launch & conditions
Takeoff faces south-west from a shallow, drive-up slope on a rough road. Prevailing easterly trades above about 10 mph blow tail-on to launch and make it impossible to get away; thermal activity on a sunny day can hold those trades back to roughly the same strength.
Getting there & local rules
From the north, drive to Santa Cruz then head south through Malvern before finishing on an eroded track through stone gate posts; from the south, take the small asphalt road up from Malvern Wells and turn sharply through the same gate posts. A 4x4 is strongly recommended for the final stretch either way.
Check conditions before you fly
A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to John Crow Hill, 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 John Crow Hill 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, John Crow Hill offered a flyable window on 60 of 365 days (16%) over the last 12 months. Best month: May (52%).
| January3%1/31 | February21%6/28 | March13%4/31 | April3%1/30 | May52%16/31 | June40%12/30 |
| July10%3/31 | August23%7/31 | September10%3/30 | October10%3/31 | November7%2/30 | December6%2/31 |
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 John Crow Hill.
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.
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Over the last 12 months
16% of days flyable
60 of 365 days had a dry 2-hour+ window in your range, from a direction this site flies
Best month
May · 52%
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.