Italy
Granelli beach, located on the southeast coast of Sicily near Marzamemi, is a beautiful stretch of fine sand bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. It is a popular spot for kiters due to its consistent wind dominated by the libeccio and ponente, and its friendly atmosphere animated by the Trickite school.
Surrounded by preserved nature, it attracts both locals and visitors seeking kite sessions in a relaxed setting. Reviews highlight the beauty of the beach and the skill of the instructors who make learning accessible.
Close to alternative spots like those in Ragusa or Siracuse, Granelli offers ideal flexibility depending on the day's winds.
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.
flatflatGranelli beach is oriented southwest, making it a perfect spot for winds from libeccio (SW) and ponente (W), which blow side-on or side-shore most of the time, generating a smooth water surface ideal for freestyle and foil. The launch area is directly from the fine, wide sand, with a spacious takeoff zone on the beach itself.
The navigation area extends several hundred meters offshore, with no apparent rocks, allowing for big air sessions and moderate wave riding when the wind picks up. Tides have little impact here in the Mediterranean, the water remains consistent, flat to light chop depending on wind strength, perfect for both beginners and advanced riders.
In summer, freestyle conditions dominate with thermal winds, while in winter, more powerful sessions attract advanced riders. The Trickite school offers equipment on-site and tailored lessons, making the spot accessible even without personal gear.
Ideal conditions are winds SW to W at 15-25 knots, side-on, for a perfect flat water surface for freestyle and foil. Avoid pure onshore winds which can make takeoff technical.
The water state is typically flat to light chop, with few waves except in strong winds where small waves form for riding. The sandy bottom ensures clear and clean water.
Currents are generally weak due to the relative shelter of the southeast Sicilian coast. Mediterranean tides are minimal (less than 30 cm), with no notable impact on navigation.
Opt for kite sizes of 9 to 12 m² in average conditions, 7-9 m² when the wind picks up beyond 20 knots, and 12-14 m² for light summer sessions.
The wind regime is dominated by the libeccio (SW) and ponente (W), which blow 70% of the time at Granelli, with average strengths of 15-25 knots. These local winds are reliable, especially in the cold season, and often set in during the afternoon with thermals in summer.
When the libeccio weakens, alternatives like the scirocco in Ragusa or the grecale in Siracuse are an hour's drive away.
The Mediterranean climate of Granelli offers mild temperatures year-round, with averages of 10-15°C in winter and 25-30°C in summer. The best months for kiteboarding are from September to April, when the winds are more consistent, but sessions are possible year-round thanks to the almost permanent sunshine.
Rainfall is rare, concentrated in autumn, allowing for more than 300 sunny days per year.
The depth is gradual with a completely sandy bottom. You can stand up to about 100-150 meters from the shore, ideal for learning.
Water temperatures range from 15-17°C in winter to 24-27°C in summer. A 3/2 mm shorty is sufficient from May to October, switch to a 5/3 fullsuit in winter.
