Guide to Italy windsurfing holidays

With one of the longest coastlines in Europe it’s no surprise that windsurfing in Italy is popular among locals and tourists. It might surprise you to learn that the main windsurfing destination though isn’t on the coast. Instead it’s in the Southern Alps – Lake Garda offers some of the best windsurfing conditions and is one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe.

Windsurfing in Lake Garda takes placed from the town of Torbole which also hosts numerous world championships and freestyle events. The lake is popular due to predictable thermal winds Vento and Ora combined with warm temperatures and amazing natural beauty.

Those who prefer windsurfing on the sea should head to the Island of Sardinia. The best waves can be found at resorts here such as Porto Pollo, Chia and Capo Mannu. Porto Pollo on the North of the island is especially popular with winds that last 10 months of the year combined with soft sands and blue waters. The winds alter direction seasonally giving different windsurfing conditions, the strongest winds being found in the Autumn.

For year round windsurfing your best bet is probably Puzziteddu in Sicily where there’s consistent winds for 280 days of the year, which in the summer has thermal boosts of 25 knots!

The mainland isn’t without it’s own windsurfing charms either. When a Western wind hits Rome the locals head to Latina Bay which offers great windsurfing, while a South-Eastern wind brings the best conditions to beaches north of Rome. Other spots include the Livorno harbour in Toscana which receives as South Eastern desert wind Scirocco which is especially strong in summer.

The Gargano peninsula also offers good conditions, as do destinations such as Santa Maria di Leuca and Porto Cesareo. You’ll find plenty of windsurfing facilities located all along the Italian coast, but it’s best to check wind reports in advance as not every destination has year round winds.