France
The Tonnara beach, located between Bonifacio and Figari in the south of Corsica, is an open bay with fine sand and colorful rocky areas. It is a historic spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing, appreciated for its steady wind and view of the islets offshore.
Surrounded by greenery near the Ventilegne bay, it offers a wild and calm setting, away from the crowds of more touristy beaches. Locals have been fishing and engaging in water activities here for a long time.
In season, kayak and jet ski rentals are available, but it is mainly the constant wind that attracts riders.
The wind data shown here comes from ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) over 4 years, reprocessed to reflect realistic conditions.
👉 Average wind has been calibrated to avoid the usual underestimation of models.
👉 Gusts have been corrected by a median ratio to avoid unrealistic extreme values.
👉 Each day is summarized by the median wind (P50) observed during useful hours (8am–8pm), then classified into wind ranges.
👉 The weighted mode mixes average wind and gusts to best reflect felt wind.
chop
flatThe Tonnara spot mainly works with west wind, the most frequent in Bonifacio, coming in side-on or side-off depending on the position in the bay. Offshore, you find varied conditions with chop or small waves, while in the protected bay, the water remains very flat and shallow, ideal for jumps and freestyle.
With east wind, it is pure offshore with a flat water surface perfect for all levels. The launch is directly from the gradually sloping sandy beach, with a wide launch area but to be shared with swimmers in summer. The navigation area extends offshore towards the islets or in the bay, avoiding rocks and swimming areas near the shore.
The wind funnels into the bay thanks to the local topography, providing steady power. Be cautious in July-August when the beach is more crowded, making launching technical. The west orientation of the beach favors a clean side-shore from the west, but onshore from the east can complicate things for beginners.
The ideal conditions are a side-on west wind between 15 and 25 knots for fun chop offshore, or offshore east wind at 10-20 knots for flat water in the bay. Avoid too strong winds that generate waves for intermediates.
The water state varies from flat in the bay with east wind to choppy or small waves offshore with strong west wind. The slope is gradual with a sandy bottom mixed with rocks.
Currents are generally weak in the protected bay, but they can strengthen near the channels or offshore towards the islets. Tides have a moderate range in the Mediterranean, influencing the spot little but making the water clearer at low tide.
Opt for sizes from 9 to 11m² with moderate west wind in the bay, and 7 to 9m² offshore or with stronger east wind. Adjust according to your weight and the actual wind level.
The prevailing wind comes from the west, frequent and steady, often blowing between 15 and 25 knots in the bay. With east wind, it becomes offshore and constant, perfect for a smooth water surface.
No specific local name, but the relief of Bonifacio accelerates west sector winds.
The Mediterranean climate of southern Corsica offers mild temperatures year-round, with hot summers around 27-32°C in July and mild winters around 15-20°C. The best months for comfortable kiting are from June to September, when the air and water are nicely warm.
About 300 days of wind per year in Bonifacio, with little rain during the high season.
The depth is gradual with a predominantly sandy bottom and some rocks. You can stand up to 50 meters from the shore in the bay, perfect for schools or restarts.
In June, the water is around 22°C, rising to 25°C in July and can reach 27°C in September after summer. Cooler in winter around 15-18°C, but suitable for kiting all year round.
