Windsurfing in Sicily

Details

Windsurfing in Sicily? With over 1000 km of coastline, you'll be spoilt for choice!

At the end of the 1980s, two daredevils circumnavigated the island on a windsurfing board, driven only by the force of the wind that blows everywhere, from north to south, east to west. Since then, a number of windsurfing spots in Sicily – the most suitable stretches of water for windsurfing – have become a reference point for enthusiasts from all over the world.

We start in Mondello (Palermo), a place as famous as the Hawaiian spots.

For many years now, the World Festival on the Beach has been held here, organised by the Albaria nautical club, a sporting event dedicated to windsurfing that has attracted, among many others, the Hawaiian Robby Naish, a living legend of the sport, and other Olympic medallists. Mondello is home to Riccardo Giordano from Palermo, a nine-time world champion.

Moving eastwards, a very popular spot for waves is Magaggiari beach in Terrasini (Palermo), near the Falcone Borsellino Airport.

On the south-western side, there are two popular spots: Stagnone di Marsala (Trapani), where the shallow, flat water allows beginners to acquire the necessary practice to perfect their freestyle manoeuvres, and Puzziteddu, in the Granitola district of Campobello di Mazara (Trapani), where the weather conditions allow the formation of waves suitable for wave riding.

This beach has hosted various stages of the Italian championships and has become a meeting point for enthusiasts from all over the world, thanks in part to the tenacity of Antonio Cappuzzo, a first-generation windsurfer who has fallen so deeply in love with the place that he has built a veritable stronghold here, a small residential eco-village with a sailing club attached. It was in the waters of Capo Granitola that Antonio Cappuzzo’s son, Francesco, was trained, and is already in the top ranks of world wave contests.

Proceeding towards south-eastern Sicily, we find the stunning beach of San Leone, on the outskirts of Agrigento, where the clean, linear waves have made it an ideal spot for wave surfing, which is now sought after by windsurfers and kitesurfers.

Beyond Ragusa, at the far end, we find Pozzallo and Capo Passero, two locations subject to the Sirocco winds. Here the wide beaches offer activities for sailing and kiteboarding.

In the Catania area, we find the spots of La Playa in Catania and Aci Castello.

Windsurfing can also be practised near the famous Taormina, on the coast from Sant’Alessio to Nizza Di Sicilia, where numerous national competitions are held.

In the Strait of Messina, where the currents flow constantly and the winds blow impetuously, we find the spot on the coast of Tremestieri.

To the north of the island, you can practice at Tindari, Gioiosa Marea and Brolo.

Heading east, Capo d’Orlando is the outpost of the Messina coast for windsurfing enthusiasts. Here we find a large group of local experts and extreme conditions, with waves over two metres high.

A few kilometres from Palermo, Cefalù and Mazzaforno conclude the circumnavigation of the island to discover the most suitable places for windsurfing. Mazzaforno is the most popular beach for windsurfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts, open to thermal and constant winds throughout the seasons with flat water conditions.

Of course, the beauty of the art, good food and wine will make your experience even more unforgettable.