Surfing in the Mediterranean

General Discussion
1

Hello All

I’m moving to Europe next year and will be staying around the Mediterranean. I would like to hear stories, advice and recomendations from anyone who has surfed in the area. Stuff like swell consistency, spots, what to expect, gear to take (boards, wetties (is a 4/3 enough?)). I have checked out sites like Wannasurf and Global Surfers but would like to hear from people who have surfed there, but maybe dont live in the area or are more used to ocean swells. I am planning at the moment to take a 9’6 single fin longboard, a 6’2 (approx) traditional fish, and an MR style twin. Are these boards gonna cut it in what I have heard to be pretty gutless surf? Any stories, advice, recomendations,whether it be personal experiance or not, will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance, I look forward to hearing from you.

James

2

Bonjour,

I’ve lived and work twenty years around the “mediterranée”, and it’s a good place to surf when you know where and when.

I’ve personnaly surfed and windsurfed the french south coast around Marseille, Turkey, Greece , Tunisia, Baleares, and the french Island Corse (corsica).

All can be “perfect”, compare to a caribean spot but definitely not “ocean” waves, such as french west coast where I live now.

MOst of the waves can be produced by the strong north offshore wind on the south french coast (mistral or tramontane) and you will surf then in Sardinia, Corse, Baleares, Tunisia or Algéria north coast (on the opposite side of this giant lake !), and then mushy waves on the french coast by this wind, possible every time of year, favoring spring and good summer ! Ten days ago they had in marseille a 55 knots mistral (very classic) that means 3 to 5 feet waves in sardinia & Tunisia for two/three days.

THE BEST CONDITIONS for south france med is by low pressure system from the south east,(sept oct nov) can produce good size

and can be glass, offshore when the south east is turning north during he night, while the system passing by. Very fickle , but magic at least.

What else, …, in the summer when the north Meltemi is blowing in greece you can expect nice swell in north egyptia

I’ve personnaly surfed the north coast of Creta during summer 90 , turkey in 89, Baleares in 91 etc…!!! to my eyes of this time it was an incredible experience, 26°C water and some nice sets in the morning, kind of secret spot for yourself, of course not comparable with a classic indo barrel, for sure, but your not in the meditterannean for that.

Hope you will have some nice surprise, and if your not in Kite or windsurf it could be a good opportunity to try it.

Tin

3

hi from italy… i think it depend since where you’ll stay for you could find some good waves, mostly windy waves, all along the coastes best periods, of course, late fall and spring, here in italy there are a lot of nice places with medium waves, not pushing like ocean’s ones, best north-west coast, tuscany, liguria, sardinia north west, for the swells that came from leon Gulf, or from the south but meaningly low conditions.

wetsuite>> 3-2 for the coldest days for me, bye

4

Great times were had in Italy halfway between Roma and Napoli is a small town of Gaeta. Both Serapo and Saint Agustino beaches were working. Winter surf is the best and the dual sand bars have an unique touch to the waves.

The main bummer with Italy is that they pump raw sewage straight to the ocean. With that said, one does not get into the water anywhere near Roma or Napoli!! Beaches are often trashed out and you have to watch for needles in the sand that are washed up on the beaches.

South Spain was totally a plus up. Conil and El Pamar beaches were spotless and the water is much cleaner. The beach scenery is a distraction, but a pleasant one at that. El Palmar had surf even in August The locals have different ideas on fin placement :wink:

JohnF



5

i’ve surfed in Tel Aviv, Israel…it was a lot of fun…nice little swell. i’m sure the Med has plenty of good spots. good luck to ya!

6

There are many spots in the Mediterranean Sea. Many of them get really good but only a few times a year. There a waves but really good conditions occur only a few times a year. It depends on where to go but france, spain and italy and it´s spots are listed in the stormrider guide europe.

cheers clemens

7 
 Howzit MoonDoggy, Looks like they do things backwards as far as fins are concerned. Aloha,Kokua
8

that shot of st augustine looks alot like cozy corner, tallows

9

you might want check out wannasurf.com , http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Europe/index.html there are some nice picture’s and a good list of most popular surfing spots in and around the Mediterranean.