Southern Italy
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Positives
- Santa Marinella quality reefs
- Mediterranean climate
- Great food and wines
- Breathtaking cultural attractions
- Unusual surf destination
Negatives
- Mostly inconsistent spots
- Potential crowds when good
- Often onshore or very windy
- Pollution
- Urchins
Southern Italy surf travel guide
Lazio and Campagnia have a few hotspots around the crowded reefs of Santa Marinella, close to the ancient city of Rome, including the famous peaks of Banzai. The swell window opens up to include SE swells driven in by the warm Sirocco winds, but once again consistency is low (50 days/yr) and long summer flat spells of weeks are not uncommon. Autumn to Spring is the best bet.
Way down south, Calabria is perfecly exposed to African weather fronts and offer (to the very few locals) some of the sweetest left points in the Mediterranean. They rely on the less frequent, harder to forecast S/E wind (Sirocco), which only hits this corner of the Med on about 50 days of the year.
Surf spots in Southern Italy
Research the 23 surf breaks in Southern Italy and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 23 breaks in Southern Italy.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Southern Italy
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Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 61,567,200
- Population
- 60,461,826
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- EUR
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 1 Euro EUR
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +39
- Dialing out
- 00
- Emergencies
- 112
- Language
- Italian
Electricity
- Plug Type
- fl
Visas
Italy is a Schengen state and citizens of most European countries, USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand do not require visas. All others, including those planning to stay more than three months, must obtain a visa from the Italian consulate in their home country.
Getting There
Fiumicino (FCO) is Rome’s main airport, with flights from just about anywhere in the world.
Accommodation
Accommodation is generally not cheap but out of season when the surf gets better the prices drop. No real surf camps so check the usual online sites to find the best deals near the surf spots. Italy is renowned for excellent pastas, pizzas, wines and coffees. Expect $30 for a decent meal.
Activities
28 centuries of history to visit; Roman ruins, archaeological sites, museums, churches or Renaissance art. Home of the Vatican, the world’s smallest country!
Hazards & hassles
Crowds are guaranteed every time it gets good. Watch out for rocks and urchins getting in/out of the water. Polluted breaks near the Tevere river. Shark attack on a surfer occurred in 1989 in Tuscany.
Handy Hints
A shortboard and a fish/fun/longboard for mushy days. Surf shops at the most popular breaks (Banzai Surf Shop in Santa Marinella) or in Rome (Waterworks, Salt Store). Booties are useful for sharp rocks and the dreaded sea urchins! There is no heavy localism in Lazio, but the crew at Banzai are famous for being straight and vocal if you show disrespect or waste waves.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.