Real secret spots have become rare, and the windsurfing map is pretty complete, at least in Europe. Many surfers have their favourite spots or destinations that are still on their to-do list. But if you're just looking for a destination or want some inspiration, you should take a look at our collection. From the rugged north to Mediterranean hotspots, it's all here. There are also detailed spot guides for many of the destinations!
In this article:
- Windsurfing spots in Germany
- Denmark - flat water and waves side by side
- Netherlands - countless windsurfing spots
- Austria - Windsurfing spots in the Alpine republic
- Windsurfing spots in Italy - endless possibilities
- Croatia - More than just the Golden Horn
- Greece - spoilt by the Meltemi
- Windsurfing spots in Portugal
Windsurfing spots in Germany
Germany has almost 2400 kilometres of coastline - there must be enough space for everyone. Generally speaking, a holiday in the north is always a bit of a gamble: sometimes you can enjoy a long period of easterly winds with sunshine and warmth, sometimes one low chases the next and the biggest difference to winter is that the rain is warmer. In any case, if the water temperature is between 16 and 21 degrees, you should have a 4/3 long-sleeved kayak with you. If you know your way around and are mobile, you can go hopping between countless windsurfing spots, in which case you have a clear advantage if you have your own equipment. Those who prefer a more uncomplicated and stationary approach will find a well-equipped surf centre at virtually every good spot.
Intermediates and surfers who appreciate flat and sheltered standing areas are spoilt for choice on the North and Baltic Seas: Fehmarn (Gold, Burger Binnensee, Lemkenhafen), Rügen (Wieker Bodden, Schaproder Bodden), the Darß with spots such as the Saaler Bodden, the Salzhaff in the Bay of Lübeck or Heiligenhafen with its newly created inland lake are extremely popular and often full. The Schlei in Maasholm or the Bay of Eckernförde (e.g. in Suhrendorf, Langholz, Grönwohld or Lindhöft) are somewhat less turbulent on the water. The best combination spots for families are mainly found on the North Sea islands: On Borkum, Norderney, Wangerooge or Sylt, intermediates and children can safely hone their manoeuvres in the shallow mudflats, while official North Sea breakers can roll onto the beach not far away. You can find detailed spot guides for some of the areas mentioned here:
Denmark
A gliding wind rate of 40 to 50 per cent, relaxed living in a holiday home and endless standing areas - the Danish Ringkøbing Fjord is not one of the absolute surf meccas for nothing. If Denmark comes under the influence of low pressure, you can not only let your fins glow on the fjord in north-westerly wind directions, but also enjoy a veritable wave session on the neighbouring North Sea. Hvide Sande is therefore ideal as a combined area with flat water and waves for SUPing, surfing and windsurfing - and also thanks to its perfect surfing infrastructure. The region around Thybøron further north is similarly good: around Krik there is safe flat water with a standing area, at the nearby pier of Agger probably the most powerful wave in Denmark with winds from SSE to SW - and Klitmøller is not far from here either.
But it's also possible off the mainstream: moderate waves are the rule in Løkken near SW and in Hirtshals near W-NW, for example - without the crowds of Cold Hawaii, but also without a corresponding flat water alternative. The Danish Baltic Sea also has a lot to offer: A guide to the Grenå peninsula east of Århus is at the top of our to-do list, but Kegnaes on the Flensburg Fjord is already better known. Here, the small Baltic Sea wave and laboratory flat water with a standing area are only separated by a narrow dam - perfect for making surfers of all abilities happy. Surf schools and campsites can also be found here. You can also find lots of information about the area here:
Netherlands - countless windsurfing spots
Even in summer, the Dutch top spots can boast a very respectable gliding wind rate of between 30 and 45 per cent. Here too, wind phases are linked to passing low-pressure areas that ventilate the top spots from southern to western directions. Compared to Denmark, the air temperatures here are generally a little higher, but a 4/3 long-sleeved jacket should still be in your luggage. The Netherlands offers a huge number of spots for beginners and cracks: shallow water fans, families and intermediates will find their happiness at the well-known inland spots such as the Ijsselmeer (e.g. Makkum, Hindeloopen), the Brouwersdam or the Veluwemeer around Harderwijk. There are not only safe spots with endless standing areas, but also the right infrastructure with various surf schools, campsites and accommodation close to the spots.
For those who like it calmer, the Gooimeer (e.g. in Almere Haven or Huizen) also offers good flat water conditions with westerly wind directions. A change of location to the country's wave spots involves a car journey - but it's worth it. Cult spots such as Scheveningen (SSW-SW) are a real challenge - logo-high ramps and plenty of current require surf experience from wind force six upwards. Behind the pier at Wijk aan Zee - the ideal wind here is from S to SW - the waves are normally a little more moderate, but in stormy weather they can really get going here too. If the wind shifts to WSW to W, Outdorp is one of the few options for having fun in the waves with sideshore wind.
Austria: Windsurfing spots in the Alpine republic
For some windsurfers, travelling to Austria to surf may seem as far-fetched as skiing on Fuerteventura. The fact that Austria still has a lively surfing scene despite having a coastline of zero kilometres is partly due to its proximity to the Adriatic spots in Italy and Croatia and, of course, the "Sea of the Viennese" - Lake Neusiedl. For orientation: with a total area of almost 320 square kilometres, the steppe lake in the east of the country is more than three times the size of the popular Grevelingenmeer in the Netherlands and almost as big as Lake Garda in Italy. Although the Neusiedler cannot boast a thermal system like the "Lago", there is plenty of space on the shore and large standing areas along the banks, which are ideal for practising manoeuvres safely. What's more, there are probably only a few surfing areas that can boast such a high density of surf centres and surf shops as Lake Neusiedl.
But is there any wind at all? If you compare the wind statistics with those of other European spots, it becomes clear that Lake Neusiedl has nothing to hide - the gliding wind rate fluctuates between 30 and 50 per cent in the months of June to September. Stable high pressure areas are not good conditions for gliding winds, but as soon as fronts from the north-west move through, the lake starts to boil. A few hot summer days quickly raise the water temperature of the shallow waters to tropical levels. Surfing in shorts can certainly become a reality here. Ideal starting points are Podersdorf, Neusiedl and Weiden, while those who like it a little calmer will find a great alternative east of Lake Neusiedl, in St. Andrä am Zicksee, for winds from west to north with very good flat water conditions and a large standing area.
Windsurfing spots in Italy - endless possibilities
7600 kilometres of coastline, plus the lakes - a spot guide about Italy could be thicker than the Bible. You don't need to say much more about Lake Garda, as it is consistently one of the most popular surfing destinations in Europe - and for good reason: the hotspot is the northern end of the lake around Torbole and Malcesine. A reliable wind system with a fantastic mountain backdrop, a good dozen surf schools and shops in a very small area and plenty of dolce vita are just some of the reasons why a trip to the lake is an absolute must for many surfers from the Alpine region. There are only two things you won't find here: parking spaces and standing areas - the "Lago" is almost 400 metres deep.
Travelling on to Tuscany can still make sense: Here, too, there are really good surfing conditions with a strong mistral from the W-NW and scirocco from the SE (very rare in midsummer!), but with far fewer people on the water. Experienced surfers in particular who are looking for bump & jump conditions or moderate surf will get their money's worth. Good spots can be found mainly between Livorno and Piombino, such as Lillatro, Vada or Le Gorette, all of which work with wind directions from SE to NW. The region is less suitable for intermediates and anyone who is reliant on a hire station with a standing area. The bottom line is that a trip to Tuscany in midsummer is usually 80 per cent sightseeing and 20 per cent windsurfing.
If this ratio doesn't really appeal to you, you should take the ferry from Livorno or Piombino to Sardinia. In the north of the island, around Porto Pollo, is one of the country's best-known combination spots. Westerly (mistral) and easterly winds are equally ideal, giving you the choice between beautiful flat water on the leeward side of the headland and bump & jump conditions on the windward side. There are also perfectly equipped surf centres here, and because there are also some great wave spots in the immediate vicinity (e.g. Marina delle Rose, La Ciaccia or Platamona), all of which come to life when the mistral blows, everyone will be happy in the north of Sardinia - from intermediates to wave cracks. In view of the almost 50 per cent gliding wind, it is almost difficult to adequately appreciate the other advantages of the island: Great scenery, good food - bella Italia!
If you are travelling with your family and prefer moderate winds and short distances, you should also consider a trip to the Gargano. There are countless camping and accommodation options in the bay of Santa Maria around Vieste directly on the beach, so you can leave your car here for a fortnight. In the morning, with only light winds, intermediates and children get their money's worth (there are standing areas!), while in the afternoon the thermals often take things up a notch and offer moderate freeride conditions at ten to 18 knots. The gliding wind rate here in midsummer is 30 to 40 per cent - not a bad figure.
Croatia
Croatia offers several hotspots for windsurfers, the best known and closest for many is certainly the region around Premantura in the very south of the Istrian peninsula. Both weather conditions with Bora from ONE to NE and the Scirocco from S to SE, which is rather rare in midsummer and even brings waves, are possible here. There are plenty of campsites and accommodation on site, as well as several surf centres. Although midsummer is not one of the windiest times of year, the moderate crosswind frequency of around 25 per cent can be tolerated in view of the 25 degree water temperature and a wide range of alternative programmes. If you prefer a more secluded spot (at least on the water), there are other beautiful bora spots on the offshore islands of Cres (Osor & Martinscica), Krk (Punat) and Losinj (Camping Cikat).
The wind is more consistent at the two most famous thermal spots in the country. The first is located on the Peljesac peninsula. Between Peljesac and the offshore island of Korcula, the otherwise light summer thermals from the west are channelled and strengthened, creating a reliable and moderate wind system with a light breeze in the morning and a regular gliding wind in the afternoon. There are several surfing centres and camping sites and accommodation close to the villages of Viganj and Kuciste.
Something similar can be said about Croatia's most famous spot, Slatni Rat (meaning "Golden Horn") on the island of Braç. The pine-covered pebble beach extends like a horn into the strait between Braç and the island of Hvar, around six kilometres away. Thermal winds from the west - almost daily between May and August - increase to a moderate gliding wind of 12 to 20 knots - ideal for heating up and making your first small jumps. There are also several campsites, accommodation, surf centres and all the necessary infrastructure in the immediate vicinity. Only those who rely on nice flat water with a standing area will be less happy here - although this applies to almost all spots in Croatia.
Greece - spoilt by the Meltemi
The Meltemi, which is created by pressure differences between the Mediterranean and a heat low over the mainland, ventilates the majority of the more than 3000 Greek islands. In terms of wind statistics, there are few regions in the world in the summer months that have similarly good values as the best windsurfing spots in the Aegean. Anyone travelling to Greece has the option of arriving by plane or by camper van - however, due to the long journey via the Balkans or a ferry from Italy, the latter is usually only an option if you have a time window of at least three weeks available. The north of Rhodes (e.g. Trianda or Theologos) has proven to be a good family spot - you can live practically right next to the spot and you can also arrive without your own equipment, there are several well-stocked centres on site and usually moderate wind speeds of between 12 and 20 knots - ideal for all intermediates and freeriders. Further south in Prasonisi, the wind is usually stronger and there is a great combination spot with surf and laboratory flat water on a flat headland. There are also professional centres here, but only a few accommodation options and hardly any infrastructure.
Alongside Rhodes, Naxos has also made a name for itself as a family and all-round spot: a safe and sometimes shallow lagoon in Agios Georgios is complemented by a surf spot on the offshore reef. Bathing water, accommodation at the spot and well-stocked surf centres complete the overall package perfectly.
Speaking of the "complete package": Limnos should also be on your list, we have already provided you with a large guide in the May issue. In the bay of Keros on the east side of Limnos, you will find one of the few Greek spots with a standing area, so that even greenhorns can practise safely here. And when the Meltemi blows from N to NE, there are even waves here. Not like Hawaii, but just as warm.
Greece also has plenty to offer landlubbers: if you don't want to travel to one of the islands by plane or ferry within Greece, you can also find what you're looking for on the mainland. Lefkada, located to the west of Patras in the Ionian Sea, is best known for its top spot Vasiliki in the south, which also makes a broad target group happy with light winds in the morning and planing winds in the afternoon.
The list of good spots in Greece goes on and on. Finally, we would like to recommend Loutsa, to the east of Athens. Living close to the spot is just as possible here as a sightseeing trip to the nearby metropolis of Athens. There is a sandy beach and a small standing area in the water, and the wind often blows moderately in the morning, making it suitable for children and intermediates, before it gets windier as the day progresses. If the Meltemi really blows, there's even a surf spot not far to the north in Nissakia - all in all, a great combination and family spot.
Windsurfing spots in Portugal
Sure, the crashing Atlantic wave of Guincho is notorious, but for many windsurfers it is probably more accessible. Viana do Castelo and Sagres in the south-west of Portugal. The Nortada provides around 50 per cent gliding wind, there is flat water and waves in the smallest of spaces and wonderful nature in the surrounding area. You can stay directly at the spot, which makes everyday life on site more relaxed.
