Iquique - Palo Buque
📍 Tarapaca , Provincia de Iquique · Nearest city: Iquique (18 km)
37 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 217 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
-20.38330, -70.15360Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-21 01:59 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Marginal conditions, cloud base ~231 m, wind 16 km/h.
base ~231m · wind 16 km/hMarginal conditions, cloud base ~273 m, wind 12 km/h.
base ~273m · wind 12 km/hMarginal conditions, cloud base ~287 m, wind 11 km/h.
base ~287m · wind 11 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
🌬 Daily wind (next days)
Daily summary (10m wind). Full hour × altitude chart is being added progressively.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 3 | Medium |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.75 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.14 | Slope faces north in southern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Real takeoff terrain
| SRTM elevation | 217 m AMSL |
| Average slope | 15.9° |
| Slope aspect | 317° (NW) |
| Hemisphere | south — Slope facing the daytime sun (favorable for thermals) |
Derived from SRTM 30m (NASA).
Takeoff description
Takeoff: from the little dune, almost at the level of the sea.
Rules and notes
do not overfly the main road towards the sea (approach corridor for IQQ)
Pilot comments
Amazing soaring site. Play on the sand or go high (about 1000m), until the sunset. Go there in the afternoon, 3/4 hours before the sunset. - Tapouillo Yes this is a great site. It is great for training but also good for more advanced flyers. Beginners can stick to the small dune and more advanced flyers can work back up to the top of the mountain, get high, and head off down the ridge. - LaurieSummers
Nearby sites
Los Verdes (45) · Iquique - Alto Hospicio (52) · Alto Hospicio (52) · Iquique - Clavijo (41) · Patillos (34) · Masito (1)