Italy
The Spiaggia di Barrabisa, located in Porto Pollo in Northern Sardinia, is part of a large protected bay near the Isola dei Gabbiani. It is a popular spot for kitesurfers due to its fine sandy beach and calm waters on one side, windy on the other.
There is a lively atmosphere with kite schools and locals preparing their gear on the spacious sand. The area is marked for safety, away from bathers, making sessions enjoyable even in high season.
Close to Palau, it is a convenient place to combine kite and explore Gallura, with views of Corsica in good weather.
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 spot at Spiaggia di Barrabisa offers an ideal side-on orientation with the Maestrale coming from the northwest, blowing across the beach for a consistent water surface. Launching is done directly from the long sandy beach, with plenty of space to take off the kite without disturbing anyone.
The kite zone marked by buoys in Porto Liscia bay is reserved for kitesurfers, separated from windsurfers and bathers, for safe navigation. On the east side, protected by the Isola dei Gabbiani, there is flat water perfect for freestyle and beginners, while on the west side, more exposed, the chop increases with short waves for freeride or light wave.
Tides do not significantly influence the spot, and the depth remains navigable everywhere. Pros take advantage of the outer areas for jumps and advanced maneuvers, but stay in the kite zone to avoid conflicts. In strong tramontane winds, the wind accelerates in the inlet, making sessions explosive.
The ideal conditions are with side-on Maestrale of 18-25 knots, stable and thermal, for a perfect flat to chop water surface. Avoid pure onshore winds from the south that make the water chaotic.
The water surface varies from flat to chop depending on the side: mirror-like water on the east side for pure freestyle, and moderate chop on the west side with small waves under Maestrale.
The crystal clear and shallow waters near the shore facilitate restarts.
The currents are weak in the protected bay, thanks to the closed inlet. Tides are negligible for navigation, with no significant level changes.
However, be cautious near the bay's exit where the current can slightly accelerate with strong winds.
Opt for kite sizes of 9 to 12m² in medium Maestrale winds, 7-9m² on windy days, and 12-14m² for light sessions in morning thermals.
The dominant wind is the Maestrale from the northwest, strong and consistent, blowing regularly from 15 to 30 knots especially in season. The Scirocco from the southeast sometimes complements, but the NW is the most reliable for long sessions.
The thermal wind picks up in the afternoon during summer, making the spot predictable and perfect for all levels.
The Mediterranean climate of Porto Pollo is mild year-round, with warm summers around 25-30°C from June to September, ideal for kiting. Mild winters rarely drop below 10-15°C, and the wind remains reliable even off-season.
The best months for riding are from April to October, peaking in summer due to thermal winds and the constant Maestrale.
The depth is gradual with a sandy bottom everywhere. You can stand up to 50-100m from the shore on the protected side, ideal for beginners.
In summer, the water reaches 22-25°C from July to September. In spring and autumn, expect 18-22°C, and 15-18°C in winter.
