Kitesurfing, spotlight on Sardinia
The Island’s sea is pure adrenaline, the place for tackling the waves
The winds move fast in Sardinia, to the delight of those who go kitesurfing and those who enjoy the vision, from the beach, of these colourful kites that seem to dance on the water. The Island offers a variety of exceptional spots to satisfy the desire for adventure and adrenaline of all the kitesurfers on holiday. In fact, Sardinia is one of the best destinations in Italy for enjoying this sport all year round, thanks to its constant winds and ideal weather conditions.
Aeolus is at home in northern Sardinia. Discover the most renowned northern locations where you can challenge the waves.
A regular appointment at La Cinta for the kitesurfers of San Teodoro. In this magical corner of Gallura, overlooking the marine protected area of Tavolara - punta Coda Cavallo the winds are constant all year round: northwesterly and sirocco winds blow with an intensity that varies between 10 and 30 knots, with occasional peaks of 40 knots. On days when the wind is strong, the waves can reach a height of two metres, which is ideal for freestyle and wave riding.
Porto Pollo is a surfing paradise in the heart of the Mediterranean every bit as good as the most famous overseas destinations. This location, halfway between Palau and Santa Teresa Gallura, attracts enthusiasts from all over Europe. The fact that it is north-east facing and the particular shape of the territory guarantee constant wind all year round. On some days, the speed of the northwesterly wind can reach peaks of over 30 knots for ‘pro’ kitesurfing sessions, with waves up to two metres high. Both of the Porto Pollo bays also feel the impact of the northerly, westerly and sirocco winds respectively in spring, summer and autumn, with an average intensity of around ten knots.
The best spot for kitesurfing overlooking the suggestive gulf of Asinara is in Badesi. During the summer, wind speeds can vary from 14 to 22 knots, with occasional peaks that can exceed 25 knots. Here, the compass rose also points to the northwesterly wind that blows from the north-west in every season. It is an ideal ‘marine’ gym for learners, because the wind is constant and the beach is more than five kilometres long. There are kitesurfing schools on the beach for all levels of skill and training.
Kiteboard and waves, a winning combination to experience also at the Isuledda. Please note that this isn’t the beach of the same name in San Teodoro, but the peninsula attached to the northern part of Sardinia by a narrow isthmus of sand, better known by the name of Isola dei Gabbiani. We’re in the Palau area, where the northwesterly wind blows constantly and the most experienced kitesurfers know they need to pay attention to a few rocks detached from the rest of the peninsula, called ‘Cavalli’ (Horses). By the way, riding the waves with a view of the La Maddalena archipelago is an experience you need to try at least once in your life.
You can forget the 'multitudes' of swimmers in the coves of the Costa Smeralda when you arrive in one of the spots in southern Sardinia. Kitesurfing in the sea of Cagliari, Villasimius, Chia, Porto Botte, Punta Trettu and Porto Pino is an experience that allows you to discover less crowded beaches where the wind is always present.
Kitesurfing on your lunch break? In Cagliari’s Poetto, you can! On days when the sirocco, easterly or southwesterly winds are blowing, everyone heads to the shore, while the blue sky is embellished by the colourful kitesurf sails whizzing along the coast of the famous city seafront. Our advice is to avoid the busiest months, due to the absence of dedicated launch corridors, and only take to the sea if you have extensive kitesurfing experience on days when the southerly winds are blowing at 30 knots with two-metre waves. Another kitesurfing spot in the area is the La Maddalena Beach of Capoterra, where a thermal wind blows every day, in summer, with an intensity of 13 to 22 knots.
Villasimius is another fantastic location for kitesurfing lovers in southern Sardinia. In high season, it is only accessible using a lift service, for safety reasons, since collisions with swimmers must be avoided. Its main spots are Campulongu and Porto Giunco. Both offer open spaces perfect for taking off and landing safely. In particular, Campulongu is ideal when the southwesterly or westerly wind is blowing but it is only recommended for long-time kitesurfers because of the presence of rocks emerging here and there. However, the long, wide beach of Porto Giunco is suitable for beginners, where the northeasterly wind offers easily-tamable waves.
All the winds that blow in Chia - northeasterly, easterly, sirocco, southwesterly - are extremely favourable for kitesurfers, as long as they are taken offshore via a rubber dinghy in the summer months, given the large number of swimmers and the absence of launch corridors. The speed of the wind varies from 12 to 30 knots, allowing for fun training sessions in spots like Su Giudeu and Sa Colonia. During the winter months, the westerly wind forms waves up to 3 metres high, more suitable for surfers and a little less so for kitesurfers, given that the wind and current would carry them out to sea.
Kites unfold in the northwesterly, southwesterly and sirocco winds also in Porto Botte, a large bay of about two kilometres in the Giba area, not far from San Giovanni Suergiu. The best spot to go kitesurfing is in the centre of the bay where the launch corridor is positioned in high season. For manoeuvres on the more isolated waves, choose the beach of Fortino, while if you want to surf on crystal clear waters, go further south, to Is Solinas. In July and August, when the thermal wind adds to and strengthens the northwesterly wind, intensities of up to 40 knots can be reached.
Punta Trettu is one of the best destinations for kitesurfing in Sardinia, thanks to the constant northwesterly and sirocco winds that touch this strip of land, which points straight to the port of Sant’Antioco. Budding kiters can count on shallow waters, sandy seabeds and waters that are always calm even on days when the wind is strong. Be careful of the big, sharp shells on the seabed. The northwesterly wind that mainly blows during the summer is often strengthened by the thermal wind that gives it between 5 and 10 knots more than expected.
Porto Pino is famous for its white dunes that on the one hand offer a landscape out of the ordinary, halfway between Sant'Anna Arresi and Teulada and, on the other, wind conditions that are sometimes gusty but still ideal for kitesurfing. Northwesterly and sirocco winds alternate along this stretch of coast, forming waves that are not always suitable for beginners. If luck is on your side, between one kitesurfing session and another you might even spot a few pink flamingos, which are at home in the ponds near the coast.
Now that you have discovered that the best kitesurfing spots in Sardinia are located in the north and south of the Island, it’s a good idea to choose the right season. To the delight of those who like to go on holiday in August or love Easter getaways, you can enjoy kitesurfing all year round. Although the summer months offer ideal conditions thanks to the warmer temperatures and the constant presence of the wind, autumn and spring should really not be underestimated, for two reasons: less crowded beaches and favourable winds. Kitesurfing is ultimately a sport that allows you to explore new places and discover captivating destinations where you can spend the winter. Enjoy the wind!
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