Italy
The beach of Spiaggia (nord) in Marina di Campo, on the island of Elba in Tuscany, is a beautiful stretch of sand in a well-protected bay. It is a popular spot for kitesurfing due to its sandy seabed and easy access from the nearby village.
The bay's configuration offers natural protection that makes the place safe, particularly for beginner riders. Locals often come here for quiet sessions when the wind is moderate.
With its generally calm waters, it is a balanced place between relaxation and kite practice, accessible to all levels.
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 beach of Spiaggia (nord) in Marina di Campo works well with dominant winds like maestrale (NW) and scirocco (SE), which are side-on or side-off depending on the direction, offering a good angle for navigation. The water surface is generally flat to choppy with the maestrale, ideal for freeride, while with the scirocco, the water is very flat thanks to the wind coming from land.
Launching is easy on the sand, with no major obstacles, and the launch area is directly on the wide beach to the north. The navigation area extends offshore from the bay, with enough space to maneuver without disturbing swimmers in season. Be cautious at the ends of the beach where entry-exit channels facilitate access but require vigilance.
Tides have little impact here, the spot works well at all times, but check forecasts as the wind can pick up quickly with the maestrale. It is a safe choice for first sessions due to the bay's protection.
Ideal conditions are with maestrale (NW) 15-25 kts side-on for freeride on flat water, or scirocco (SE) moderate for quiet sessions.
The water surface is sandy and gradual, with a freshwater entry. It ranges from flat to choppy depending on the wind, and small waves with strong maestrale.
Currents are generally weak in the protected bay of Marina di Campo. Tides have a low amplitude, around 0.5-1m, with no major impact on navigation.
Stay vigilant near the channels at the ends where the current can accelerate slightly.
Opt for sizes of 9 to 12m² in typical moderate wind, or 7-9m² when the maestrale picks up.
Typical winds are maestrale (NW), steady and moderate, perfect for controlled sessions, and scirocco (SE) which brings side-off wind with flat water. The strength often remains moderate (10-20 kts), rarely too strong in this protected area.
The regime is reliable with these dominant directions, especially in the intermediate season.
The Mediterranean climate of the island of Elba offers pleasant temperatures year-round, with hot summers around 25-30°C and mild winters around 10-15°C. The best months for kiting vary, but spring and autumn are often ideal to avoid the summer crowds.
Rainfall is rare in summer, making sessions reliable, while in winter the wind is more consistent but the days are shorter.
The depth is gradual with a sandy bottom. You can stand up to about 50-100m from the shore, perfect for relaunches.
Water temperatures range from 14-16°C in winter to 22-25°C in summer. A shorty wetsuit is sufficient from May to October.
