France
Figari beach, located in Pianottoli-Caldarello in the south of Corsica, offers a protected setting in a vast and calm bay. It is a popular spot for kitesurfers of all levels, with a large school on site and a thermal wind that picks up in the afternoon.
It is easily accessible via a track after the village, leading to the parking lot at the end. The area is perfect for relaxed navigation, and the sheltered bay is well-suited for families or beginners who want to progress without stress.
The spot is known for its flat water and relaxed atmosphere, although in summer it is important to stay away from bathers.
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.
flatflatThe spot mainly works with a west wind, which is onshore to side-on depending on the strength, reinforced by the thermal starting in the early afternoon in summer. The water is generally flat to slight chop, protected by the closed bay, with no notable waves even in strong winds.
Launching is done directly from the fine sandy beach, with a gentle slope and long standing area. The launch zone is wide at the edge of the parking lot, but the wind is gusty right in front: you need to move 100-200 meters offshore for consistent and clean conditions.
Navigation extends over a vast area in the bay, ideal for slalom or freeride, and you can go further out for wild scenery. Be cautious of marked bather zones in summer, and windsurfers near the school. Tides have little impact, the spot works well at both, but check the timings to avoid peak crowds.
Ideal conditions are a thermal from the west at 18-25 knots, side-on, in the afternoon during summer. This provides clean flat water across the bay for long and fun sessions.
The water remains flat or with a slight chop in moderate wind, ideal for freestyle or freeride. In strong west winds, it can become choppy but still navigable without waves.
Currents are weak in the protected bay, thanks to its closed shape. Tides are moderate in the Mediterranean, with little amplitude, so no major changes.
Stay vigilant near the bay exits where it can accelerate slightly.
Opt for sizes from 9 to 12 m² in standard thermal conditions, and go down to 7-9 m² in strong Libecciu. Beginners prefer 12-14 m² due to the shallow depth.
The main wind is the thermal from the west, which picks up around 3 PM and blows between 15-25 knots in summer. The Libecciu (strong and humid southwest) or the Mistral (powerful northwest) can also be found, making the spot consistent from May to October.
Dominant direction is west to southwest, side-on to onshore for the east-facing beach.
The Mediterranean climate of southern Corsica offers hot and dry summers from May to September, with temperatures around 25-30°C during the day. Winters are mild, around 10-15°C, but wetter and windier due to the Libecciu or Mistral.
It is a sunny area year-round, perfect for long sessions without too much cold.
The depth is gradual with a clean sandy bottom. You can stand up to 50-100 meters from the shore, perfect for first glides.
In summer, the water reaches 22-25°C from June to September. In spring and autumn, expect 16-20°C, and 14-16°C in winter.
