Sicily – Wingfoiling in the far south of Italy

“Ooaahh… Sardinia again?” That was the first, annoyed reaction of our teenage roommates to the suggestion for the Easter vacation. A look at the map revealed an alternative even further south. With an active volcano and temples from ancient Greece where you can immerse yourself in the world of Percy Jackson, there might also be a few highlights for semi-water sports-loving teenagers. So this spring we went wingfoiling in Sicily!

After my initial internet research, it was clear that there wasn’t quite as much information about wingfoiling or water sports in general in Sicily as we were used to from other destinations. So we had to discover “new territory”, which somehow made me happy. It had been a while since I’d left the beaten track and discovered something new.

As soon as we arrived in Palermo, we realized that things are a little different in Sicily. The traffic is “sporty” to say the least and it feels like everyone drives as they please here. After the 22-hour ferry ride, we first went to a campsite outside the city to acclimatize a little. And this was to be taken literally, because the whole stay on the island felt like a summer vacation. The temperatures always exceeded 20° C during the day and there was only one rainy day in 2.5 weeks.

Puzziteddu

A look at the forecast led us to the only spot with relative wind safety for the day, Puzziteddu. Our first spot for wingfoiling in Sicily. Puzziteddu is located in the south-west of the island. It is probably one of the most famous spots on the island. Bright sunshine, turquoise blue water and a NW wind for the 5-wing were the perfect start to the trip, and all without a bonnet, shoes and gloves in a 4/3 wetsuit. By now, any doubts about the choice of destination were gone. As time went on, an interesting wind wave developed further out, allowing for quite long downwind rides.

There is although a huge shallow-water bay in the west of Sicily, north of Marsala, with good wind statistics, which is very popular for kiting. Unfortunately, it is not deep enough for wingfoiling. At least that much I was able to glean from my internet research, so we skipped this spot on our trip.

Tempel und Strand

Now the first temples were on the agenda. Near Agrigento, not only the UNESCO World Heritage Site Valle dei Templi with its numerous Greek temples beckoned, but also the next spot for wingfoiling in Sicily. Southeast of San Leone, Camping Nettuno is the perfect starting point for a visit to the temples. It also has direct access to the beach and therefore to the spot. Winds from the NW or SE come exactly sideshore here. The spot is optimally aligned for the most common wind directions, which was of course immediately utilised by the wing-foiling part of the travel group. The very friendly campsite operator told us that the continuity and frequency of the winds had steadily increased over the last four years.

Volcano and wind

However, as the next few days were going to no wind, we decided to head to the next highlight for the teenagers: Mount Etna. We were even lucky, as the volcano emitted smoke rings just in time for our visit. A phenomenon that only occurs very rarely.

The rings also seemed to please the wind god, as the mistral weather set in. So we headed back to the south-east coast. In Marina di Ragusa, the mistral blows side- to side-off from the left.

In the low season, there are plenty of free parking spaces on the promenade in this vacation place, right by the water. As long as the mistral wasn’t pushing such big waves onto the beach, crossing the shore break with wingfoil material was unproblematic.

In the back country and partly up to the coast, the area also shows another side. Countless greenhouses made of plastic sheeting are used to grow vegetables here.

East wind

After the mistral had subsided, the Italian weather service promised wind from an easterly direction for the next few days, so we continued eastwards. Spiaggia Maganuco even has its own exit from the motorway. It is protected on the eastern side by a harbour breakwater, so the waves from this direction should never be too big. The easterly wind was even stronger than forecast and came directly sideshore. Only one other water sports enthusiast was setting up his equipment with us. The 3.5 qm wing was a perfect fit.

After focussing on wingfoiling for the last few days on our trip to Sicily, we now had something to offer the teenagers again. So we headed to Cavagrande del Cassibile, a spectacular gorge with several freshwater pools on the south-east coast. Fortunately, the easterly wind was set to hold and the wind was now coming from the NE. Just right for the coastline near Avola. As a result, water sports and a sightseeing tour could be wonderfully combined.

On the last day of our stay on the island, we headed back to Puzziteddu. The mistral had arrived again, but this time it was a bit stronger than before and we wanted to find out what Sicily’s most famous wave spot was capable of. As it turned out on site, the spot can do quite a lot, so much so that windfoiling was out of the question and instead the windsurfing equipment was taken off the roof. With waves of three metres over the reef in places, it was fun even with fins.

In the evening, we went to the ferry, exhausted and not quite so gently lulled to sleep by the whipped-up Mediterranean Sea.

Wind and weather

The best time to visit is spring and autumn. Temperatures are very pleasant then, the crowds are relatively small and the landscape is particularly attractive. The wind statistics are also impressive at this time of year. One of the main winds, especially in spring, is the sometimes strong mistral from the NW/WNW. The Scirocco from the SE is also not uncommon. However, there are often local wind fields from different directions, so it can be worth taking a daily look at the forecast. You may be able to adapt your journey to the wind.

If we had really put our minds to it and torn off a lot of kilometres, we could have been on the water almost every day. Windfinder and the like give a rough indication. We found the Italian weather service 3BMeteo better for a more precise forecast.

Wingfoiling spots in Sicily

If a strong mistral sets in, the waves can quickly become quite large. You should always bear this in mind if you only have wingfoil gear with you. Scirocco from the SE can also produce correspondingly large waves.

We only travelled in the southern part of the island on our trip. We’ll have to explore the northern part next time. Here are the spots we “discovered”.

Puzziteddu

Puzziteddu is one of the most famous spots on the island. There are even two water sports centres on site, but not much else. You park along the dust road. The entrance is mostly on sand and it gets deep enough for foiling relatively quickly. There are reef slabs on the eastern side of the open bay. In light winds from NW-W, relaxed cruising with a small wind wave is the order of the day here. With a strong mistral, waves of three metres or more can quickly come in here. Then the spot is only recommended for absolute top riders with wingfoil material. SO-O wind comes sideshore from the left.

San Leone

San Leone is orientated for both NW-W and SE winds. From the campsite Camping Nettuno at the eastern end of the village, you have direct access to the sandy beach and can also get straight onto the water here. As long as the wind is not too strong, getting in and out is very easy and relaxed freeriding is the order of the day. If the mistral waves are too strong, you can try your luck in the village itself in the shelter of the harbour pier.

Marina di Ragusa

In Marina di Ragusa, the mistral blows slightly side off on the sandy beach, which makes it a bit gusty, especially in the shore area. With a moderate mistral or light wind, the shorebreak is still feasible or barely present with wingfoil material. If the waves get too big, you can try to get out in the shelter of the harbour pier on the western side. In the early and late season, there are plenty of car parks along the promenade and therefore right by the water. Also a good spot for scirocco (SO).

Spiaggia Maganuco

Spiaggia Maganuco is located right next to a motorway with its own exit. You can park your car in a large, dusty car park or, for the brave, directly on the beach. An easterly wind blows sideshore on the long sandy beach. At the eastern end, the beach is bordered by a long harbour breakwater. This ensures that the conditions always remain moderate. There is a water sports school at the western end.

Avola

In the Avola area, you can get on the water at the sandy beaches when the wind blows from the NE. The NE is slightly onshore and a little chop develops, but you are “compensated” with crystal-clear, turquoise water.

Anreise und Unterkunft

The most practical way of travelling to Sicily is with your own vehicle, as this allows you to take your wingfoiling equipment with you and stay also flexible in Sicily. Various ferry lines (e.g. GNV and Grimaldi Lines) run from Genoa to Sicily. Although the ferry journey takes over 20 hours, it is the more convenient route. Alternatively, you can drive to the southern tip of Italy (over 1,000 km more) and then take the ferry the 4 km to Sicily.

There are campsites all over the island, some of which are even open in winter. In spring and autumn you don’t need to worry about booking, there is always a place available. Many campsites have joined together to form associations, through which you can even get further discounts in the early and late season.

In the early and late season, overnight stays in a motorhome outside a campsite are certainly tolerated as long as you do not display camping-like behaviour (awning, table and chairs, etc.).

Of course, there is also the option of a flight in combination with a hire car and a holiday flat or hotel.

Alternatives

If the wind in Sicily is not enough for wingfoiling, there are plenty of alternatives. The island is a melting pot of cultures. Over the centuries, everyone from the Greeks to the Romans to the Moors has been here and they have all left their mark. As a result, there are numerous cultural sights such as temples and Roman mosaics. Etna is once again the geological highlight. Wingfoiling and sightseeing can therefore be combined very well.

A surfboard should definitely be included in your luggage. After a mistral phase, the waves often continue for a day or more. The same applies to the Sciroccoo.

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