France

Wissant is the region’s best wave spot in a south-westerly wind. There's an amazing atmosphere between two limestone capes here, a real Atlantic vibe – and it ranks amongst the top five high wind spots in the whole of France. The waves are best at high tide, although rip and shorebreak are also strongest then. The current can hit 11 knots, so the walk back upwind is a familiar sight! The left of the bay is dominated by windsurfers, kiters generally launch from the right – where everyone congregates at high tide as the beach disappears along the reinforced promenade. Wissant is popular with French, Belgian and German riders, so it gets pretty crowded on good days. Vans might still grab a motorhome spot in the car-park, or there's a campsite at the southern end of town.

An excellent and hence popular kite spot. Low-pressure winds blow freely and consistently onto Lac d'Hourtin, as does the thermal. Pleasant parking under pines with showers and toilets rounds things off nicely. The kite zone (which should definitely be observed – the swimmers are all too quick to alert the beach patrol!) is between the harbour and Lachanau. 500m wide, the lake’s whole east bank is a protected nature reserve. The shore drops off so gradually that windsurf blasters have to wade out a long way to find fin-deep water.

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is most famous for perfect speed conditions off the eastern beach and in the purpose-built "French Trench" speed canal in Mistral wind. Loads of records have been set here, but it's not all speed – waves readily break to the west of the harbour in east to south-easterly winds; it also works in a westerly. If you’re lucky and the wind veers from south to northerly, head back east where you can ride waves for miles in the offshore wind.

This shallow lake is easy to get to from Bordeaux, and kiting is allowed year-round north of the harbour. Hence it gets crowded on the water, although you won’t see many windsurfers. There are a few trees on the beach, but launching from the vast standing-depth area is no problem. North-westerly is a bit gusty, whereas west to south-westerlies are steadier.

It’s not just the shorebreak that gets underestimated here – in south-easterly Scirocco, Genoa might be the region’s most radical break. The most popular city spots are at 'Centro Surf Club’ (for both kiters und windsurfers) and 'Sturla Beach' (kiters only) further east near the football stadium.

La Maddalena is a good option for loners who find Costa Smeralda too crowded. On the plus side, this island is no less windy than 'Porto Pollo' . the problem being that the bays are narrow and the beaches are often peppered with rocks. Your best bet is 'Baia Trinitá' on the west coast. But if in doubt, just enjoy the atmosphere: crystal-clear water and white beaches framed by wind-eroded cliffs.

Mostly bump-&-jump and freestylers enjoy playing in the small bay of Pointe Rouge. As long as the wind's not too much, beginners also feel safe thanks to 100m of shallow water. In strong Mistral, nice waves break to the right of the breakwater – great for big jumps and backside riding. Onshore conditions can mean crowding in front of the rocky shore. If the wind’s too gusty it’s worth tacking upwind out of the bay to the foot of Le Glissant slipway, where it blows stronger and more consistently. It's a tricky launch because of shorebreak and slippery concrete, but the vibe’s really chilled.

Who hasn’t heard of La Torche – the legendary World Cup beach that even Robby Naish called “a really difficult spot”? The bay’s split in two by a pronounced rocky outcrop from where you can watch an exhibition of double-mast-high waves. The right-hand side is for accomplished wave warriors only; the surf is more radical and the current’s more extreme too – especially close to the jutting cliff-face. If in any doubt, stick to the southern bay of 'Pors Carn' where you can launch a kite too (there's a kite zone in summer). Only the rocks midway along the beach are any problem here as they’re covered at high tide. There is extra parking at the southern end of the beach, known as 'Le Petit Bois’.

The lower part of the “Untersee” is considered the windiest part of Lake Constance (=Bodensee). Orientation and topography favor southwesterly wind whilst also every breeze from the northeast squeezes through this narrowing. There are three spots close to each other near the Swiss-German border and all three are quite popular with freeriders and freestylers. If you are looking for waves, you will be disappointed even in a storm. Sea depth and length are simply not enough here. Speaking of storm: orange rotating lights on the banks signal emerging wind. In strong winds of 25 - 33 knots (6-7 Bft.) it flashes 40 times per minute - during storm warning of 35 and more knots it’ll be 90. No matter how much wind: in any case you should pay attention to the busy boat traffic!
Berlingen West - Hornstaad attracts the most windsurfers on the Swiss side. Parking is tight, but somehow there is always a place between railway line, road and bike path. The fortified shore don’t really allow for an easy entry via two narrow stairs. However, once on the water the situation relaxes quickly.
Opposite on the German side you water either at the Strandbad Horn (at Camping Gaienhofen) for € 2.50 or you can choose the slipway at the port of Horn.

Windsurfers meet a few hundred metres north-west towards 'Marseillan', or on the lake's east shore at 'Le Barrou'.

This big, sheltered bay boasts several sandy beaches – and a nice shallow area for intermediates at 'La Roya’. Unfortunately, the Libeccio’s influence wanes here so the wind blows a bit gusty over the hills. There’s a light thermal in summer, and not many people.

Way south of Cape of Creus, Pals is the best break around these parts in northerly Tramontana. Within limits though; Pals only works when it's nuking further north – even when it's small sails at 'Port de la Selva', there could be nothing here. But when the wind does push through, conditions are phenomenal. Big, clean waves with cross-shore wind from the left allow high jumps and quality frontside riding. The best Tramontana time is February to April; look inland to see the snow-capped Pyrenean peaks – wonderful! (The wind is suitably cold though.) But conditions in Pals can be relaxed too – south-westerly Garbí (cross-off from the right) might be gusty but isn’t bad for freeride. South-easterly Xaloc is ideal for kiting – even north-easterly Gregal is fun, sometimes with small waves to jump. Onshore Levante is no good though. Launch by the red-&-white antennae.

A spectacular beach with white sand and Caribbean water-colours. In theory it's a perfect freestyle and beginner venue, although of course such a beauty is also a very popular swimming beach in summer.

La Rochelle’s city beach beside the marina is the only place around that works throughout the tide. Low water does mean sailing in the shipping lane though – so stay alert, as there are hundreds of hobby captains. Launch from the little pebble beach to the right. Although the wind window is broad, sailing options are limited to formula, freeride or slalom.

This long beach north of La Cinta is the epicentre of the Sardinian kite scene during the San Teodoro Evento in September. It’s best in south-easterly Scirocco, which can even pack a punch in summer. It's often a freeride spot, although strong Scirocco can deliver decent cross-on waves. Even when there’s not much wind in Olbia, Cape Town style cloud over 'Isola della Tavolara’ means San Teodoro might be worth a look. There’s an official kite zone in the middle of the bay, some 1.5km from the car-park!

It’s an even easier drive to Plage Mateille, although in Tramontane you launch slightly in wind shadow. Marin theoretically works better, yet onshore wind, shorebreak and chaotic waves can spoil the party.

The north end of the vast Étang de Bages is a genuine alternative to Gruissan for those who value safety as well as space on the water. The surrounding topography accelerates a Tramontane . which can be either a good or bad thing! The muddy shingle beach combined with the colour and smell of the water take some getting used to, but it's supposedly non-toxic! Windsurfers congregate around 'Club Nautique', while kiters meet at 'Camping Les Mimosas'.

Les Arbousiers is an easy-going windsurfing venue, but it's only for experienced kiters – the beach in front of the villas of Le Moulleau gets narrower towards high tide until launching and landing a kite becomes impossible. Plus there are often strong tidal currents in the estuary. Summer kite ban until 7pm.

Zarautz is also better known as a surf-spot. But if a west-north-westerly happens to get strong enough, you might find some kite or windsurf fun in waves breaking over sand here; often overhead in winter. If the wind's blowing too westerly, the left side of the bay is particularly gusty. At high tide the beach gets very narrow, and the shorebreak even bigger.

South-west of Sète, by the breakwater separating the long beach from 'La Corniche’, there's flat water in a north-westerly, rare westerly blows cross-shore, while east to south-easterlies produce an onshore beach-break (although the waves close-out pretty quick in strong winds). If you don’t feel quite so confident, you're better off at Cap d’Agde. The kite channel is to the west at 'Plage du Lido', plus there's another even further down the beach leading out to the 300m zone in high summer.

Discovered in the late ’70s, this place on the northern tip of Costa Smeralda soon became one of Europe’s most popular freeride venues. Two large bays are divided by a narrow sandspit – onshore winds and chop on one side, mirror-flat water on the other . and the spit doesn’t interfere with the wind either. The Strait of Bonifacio forms a perfect wind-tunnel with amazing wind stats. All westerly and easterlies get strengthened, and Porto Pollo offers a suitable launch for every direction. 'Porto Liscia' is another option in the west of the bigger bay, accessible via the SS133.

This wide, sandy beach is perfect for beginners, bump-&-jumpers, and even surf addicts get their fix! There's a reef on the right with nice waves; west to south-westerlies blow cross-shore from the right. Take care at low tide as the reef’s barely submerged in places. There’s a west to north-westerly thermal in summer, although kiting’s then banned in the daytime.

The big city beach next to the harbour works best in Garbí, when Girona locals visit to freestyle. South-westerly conditions are better in Palamós than L'Estartit bay, especially in autumn and winter. There's often enough even if it’s dead everywhere else. The water’s generally flat, although strong winds build small waves and a gnarly shorebreak. Even after most of the seafront apartment blocks have emptied in wintertime, Palamós still offers some nightlife with nice bars and restaurants.

Le Lavandou is off-season only too! The best launch is downwind of the harbour-wall as the shorebreak gets bigger further down the beach. If the wind backs too northerly, you’re better off at 'La Favière'.

Sardinia’s 'North Shore' starts here! This is the first place waves develop, and the last to hold onto any swell. It’s not rideable in a classic Mistral storm though, as the waves break chaotically in the onshore wind.

One of Sardinia's finest 'North Shore' breaks can easily top mast-high. Best in westerly winds; great for riding, less suited to jumps. There are cliffs everywhere, even in the impact zone – and there's only a tiny beach in the eastern end of the bay. No two ways about it: experts only! Be extra-careful at 'Bomba Point' to the right where even bigger waves break right onto rocks; the tiniest error and your kit will end up in pieces. Sadly, at the peak in the left part of the bay the windsurfers are showing some localism against kiters. At Bomba Point this issue disappears due to natural selection.

The lake at Frontignan-Plage is pretty popular as it's an ideal place in terms of weather and learning conditions. Standing-depth for anyone taller than 1.6m, plus the Tramontane receives an extra kick from a Venturi effect. The wooden posts and rocks near the shore are a little awkward, as is the road downwind – so beginner kiters need to be careful there.

The 'Isle of Cows’, as the name translates, is a tiny peninsula where a right-hander peels cleanly over a reef. The break can exceed mast-high and conditions are ideal for frontside riding in a cross-off north-westerly. Best waves at mid-tide. You can park near the boat moorings and launch behind the jetty over big slippery rocks. If that seems too risky, launch near 'Audierne' and ride upwind.

Excellent in north-easterly Grecale; depending on windstrength it’ll be either flat-water or waves (there’s a much wider wind window for waves here). The main launch is at the coast-road 600m north of the River Centa. If you want to ride over to the little island of Gallinara, you can launch right by the rivermouth.

A combination of summer thermal and Venturi effect mean south-westerly blows stronger in Santa Manza than anywhere else in Southern Corsica, offering ideal slalom and freestyle conditions. Conversely, a north-easterly transforms this picturesque bay into a bump-&-jump location. There are several little beaches to choose from – just watch out for rocks everywhere, to which plenty of fins have been lost in the past.

One of the Bilbao region's best surfing breaks rarely works for windsurfing or kiting – even the locals need plenty of luck! But when swell, wind direction and strength do play ball, magic wave sessions can be had. They come complete with a long walk, powerful current, shorebreak and rocks in the water though.

One of the best breaks on Sardinia's "North Shore" – excellent in westerlies, which blow really often to supply cross-shore conditions. The waves build over a rocky ledge, which is shallow and close inshore – there’s a channel on the right. To the east is a sandy beach where you can also launch a kite, just watch out for rocks and shorebreak!

West of the vast marina, kiting’s banned in summer at Plage Sud as it's so full of sunbathers. In Mistral or Tramontane the groynes ensure that it's experienced riders only, and the mood can feel accordingly stressful on the water. If you like it bigger and more relaxed, head 1km upwind to the sandbank at 'Pointe Espiguette’ where there’s some wonderful waveriding in cross-offshore south-south-easterly wind. But be careful, as you’ll be battling against the Rhône current here.

A radical beach-break for big wave hunters – waves can top 6m and the current is strong. When it’s big it's dangerous, so there's no shame in moving over to Le Goulien or Pentrez. At high tide the best waves break straight in front of the car-park, at low tide further north towards Lostmarc’h. South-easterly blows slightly cross-off, making the waves clean, fast and powerful – an expert's dream! North-north-easterly summer thermals can deliver a good session too; whereas onshore westerlies render the place unsailable. Don’t get over-excited and drive down the gravel track to the car-park too fast!

This is the Ebro Delta’s best wave venue – and also the start of Mistral territory, which often gusts offshore at over 40 knots. Yet here it’s cross to cross-on from the left, with waves for jumping. They get even better in north-easterly Gregal, breaking on an offshore sandbar east of town. Most of the time it’s controllable with waist-high waves, although there is some current in the river estuary. All-in-all a safe spot, since the Cape of Tortosa prevents any drifting downwind if disaster strikes. Kites also play in the big lagoon behind the sandbar; unfortunately it’s too shallow for windsurfing. In spring and summer the northerly wind usually starts blowing eventually – a sure sign of the imminent onset of the southerly thermal, which blows offshore here. Kiting is officially banned in summer on this long, sandy beach.

Like Knokke, De Haan has a full-strength flavour of belle époque – even the modern buildings aren’t so ugly here! Surfers still need exactly the right wind direction to ensure consistent conditions along this heavily developed seafront though. On good days logo-high sessions are possible; there are no groynes, but hence a strong current, especially at high tide. It’s a bit of a hike in too, as the car has to stay in town.

The region’s top spot in a north-easterly, with cross-shore starboard tack jumping over a clean reef-break. It starts working a couple of hours after high tide, but be careful at low water when the reef's barely submerged – just remember where the deep water channel is! The beach (pebbles at high water, sand at low) is framed by Normandy’s trademark chalk cliffs – beautiful, if dangerous with broken kit or a lack of experience. Gusty, cross-offshore south-westerly is OK too, although Fécamp is definitely the better bet.

A raceboard and freeride location for south-westerly. Although north to north-easterlies do offer some waves, wavesailors tend to head for 'Calvi' instead. Conditions are ideal for beginners by the harbour at 'Plage de la Gare’, even if the cross-off south-westerly is pretty gusty. The first 30m is standing-depth and a surf-school looks out for everyone’s safety. Île Rousse’s biggest dangers are the ferries near the harbour-mouth and airtanker planes that occasionally collect water from here to douse forest fires.

It’s hardly Hawaii, but if Mistral blows strong enough the chop forms decent waves that break on several small reefs here. On big days, the sections link up so you can catch your wave a long way out and ride it all the way in. The best launch is left of the harbour, by 'Chez Marco’ restaurant. Watch out for rocks in front of the remote isle . all of 100m away! Easterly winds (which blow much stronger here than east of Bonifacio) bring slalom and freestyle conditions.

Ker Emma is a top kite spot – two spots, in fact! 'Ode Vraz' works throughout the tide, best at low with west to south-westerly wind. High tide gets a bit rougher, so can be better inside Baie de Kernic. On spring tides, keep an eye on the car-park as it can get flooded! 3km west there's a launch from 'La Sablière' onto Baie de Goulven. It’s well protected by protruding rocks and great for carving on silky-smooth, turquoise water. Standing-depth a long way out and any rocks are clearly visible. There's barely a trickle at low tide though, when the broad beach belongs to land-yachts.

Montpellier’s favourite venue is west of the marina at 'Le Petit Travers'. It’s relatively easy to get off the beach as the breakwater absorbs any swell. Further out, hotshots can find bigger waves. South-easterly is cross-on from the left and gusty inshore by the breakwater. The south-westerly sea breeze offers good freeride, but in Tramontane you’re better-off driving on to 'Port-Camargue' as offshore wind is blocked by too many buildings here. Anyone who values space on the water is probably in the wrong place – even on gloomy winter days, you’ll need to look twice before initiating manoeuvres. Kiters have to look elsewhere in summer anyway (15th June to 15th September).

This big, sandy beach offers all kinds of amenities including 'chiringuitos', showers and nightlife – it's also one of the region’s most popular off-season kite beaches. South-westerly Garbí regularly gets strong enough from April to October, even if the thermal doesn’t blow through quite as well as up in the Gulf of Roses. Levante also works in winter, and if it's strong enough waves roll onto the gently shelving beach. North-easterly Gregal and east-north-easterly Levante blow cross-off, but are both very gusty off the built-up shoreline. Kiting is officially banned from June until September, but you’ll be tolerated outside of peak season if the beach isn't too crowded. If in doubt, go elsewhere. The southern end of the beach by Port Ginesta is also good for surfing and SUP.

Most people choose Cannes in an easterly, although you can ride here too. There's a harbour to the south of these two little beaches; to the north the imposing fortified city of Antibes. La Salis is getting increasingly popular with kiters, except (of course) in summer. Launch from the southern end and you can pinch upwind enough to clear the breakwater in the middle of the bay on one tack. But you need to stay focussed as the sheer walls of the citadel loom further north, with rocks, current and a wind buffer near the cape.

Le spot! Waves break offshore over a reef at low tide and a lagoon forms inside, so you can accelerate over flat water towards the ramps. At high tide, a challenging shorebreak rears up onto the pebble beach – and beware of the rocks. Les Huttes is popular and hence crowded. In summer, kiters have to stick to 'Pointe des Trois Pierres'.

Laredo's beach 'La Salve’ is one of Cantabria’s most popular spots in onshore easterly winds, which get accelerated by a Venturi effect here. There are hardly ever waves, 1m chop at most. The best launch is from Club Náutico on El Puntal headland. Windsurfers often launch on the river in west-north-westerlies, but look out for anchored boats and tidal currents! The beach can get crowded in summer.

Nestled in the south-west of the bay, the beach of Socoa is so well protected from swell that it suits beginner windsurfers. Alternatively, you can also launch from Yacht Club Basque's little beach.

There's no summertime kite ban in Deauville, so the scene gather at this prestigious seaside resort's beach. The major drawback is that it doesn't score any north-easterly thermals.

'Pont Levis’ used to be the Étang de Thau’s headline kite venue, but after rigging was banned from the car-park the scene moved down to the south-western end at Maldormir. Now as Maldom,ir is declared a nature reserve and kiting is banned here, the scene switched back to the old favourite Pont Levis. The spot is on the southern shore of the lake near Sète. look out for the jetty where you'd have to pump up, but that's not everyone’s cup of tea...

Just before the harbour, follow signs to the beach ('Spiaggia’) to find this bay and beautiful sandy beach nestled in the cliffs. You can only windsurf or kite here in rare north-easterlies, but there can be excellent surf as swell develops after a few days of north-westerly Mistral or westerly Ponente.

Westerly wind means waves on the beach of 'Fornaci', although it blows over land so can be gusty in places. For kiting, you're best off in a south-westerly – freestyle’s also possible in offshore northerly Tramontana. Just be careful not to venture too far out into open sea.