The south of Lanzarote is the country of Los Ajaches, a protected natural monument: low mountains, the beaches of Papagayo, the village of Femés on its ridge, and the coast looking across to Fuerteventura. Four paragliding sites are here, and they come into their own on the days the wind leaves its usual north-east and turns east or south.
Playa Quemada
Playa Quemada is a small village on the south coast. The takeoff is on the cliffs about 45 m above the sea, and the pilots soar along the coast towards Papagayo, over strange rock formations and the water, and on a good day as far as Playa Blanca. It flies in east and south-east wind, sometimes north-east, and it is a relaxed, scenic flight.
Macher
Macher takes off from the mountains of Tinasoria and Guardilama, above the village. It is flown in light south-easterly wind, mostly in winter, and the flights here are thermal flights: the wings circle in rising warm air over the volcanic landscape rather than following a cliff.
Papagayo and Femés
When the wind blows from the south or south-west, which is rare, pilots fly at Papagayo and at Maciot, below Femés, with views over Playa Blanca, the Rubicón plain and across the strait to Fuerteventura. Both need a strong wind from that direction, so they are flown only now and then.
Where to watch from
- Playa Quemada, from the village and the road beside it, below the takeoff.
- Femés, the village on the ridge, which looks out over Playa Blanca and the Rubicón plain.
Flying here yourself
You do not need to be a pilot to fly in Lanzarote. Tandem flights go wherever the day's wind works, with a professional pilot flying the wing and you sitting in front. Look for the button below.
