Kitesurfing Follonica · Puntone di Scarlino

Wind & Conditions

Kite spot at Puntone di Scarlino on the Gulf of Follonica (Grosseto). Mistral and thermal W wind; sheltered inside the gulf with flat-water sections. Shore faces SW/W (shore_normal 240°). Season April–October. Sandy beach; kite school active in summer.

About Follonica · Puntone di Scarlino

Puntone di Scarlino sits at the southern margin of the Gulf of Follonica, a wide bay on Tuscany's Tyrrhenian coast in Grosseto province. The headland marks a natural point where the beach swings to face southwest to west — the right orientation to intercept the gulf's thermal wind and Mistral when either gets going. Getting there is not complicated. Follow the coastal road into Puntone di Scarlino and the beach is easy to locate. The sandy shoreline gives you room to set up and launch, and the usable wind window spans from roughly south-southeast through west-northwest (170°–310°), covering both the afternoon thermal cycle and the Mistral from the northwest. What sets Follonica apart from many Tuscan spots is the gulf's sheltered character. Compared to open Mediterranean coasts, the water inside the bay stays relatively flat — a genuine advantage if you're building skills or just want a cleaner ride without the fatigue of persistent chop. On ordinary thermal afternoons, flat-water sections are the norm. When the Mistral kicks in and wind builds, conditions step up noticeably, but the enclosed geometry of the gulf keeps things more manageable than an exposed headland would. The thermal cycle is the engine of the season here, running April through October. The land heats up through the morning, thermals develop, and by early afternoon the wind is usually filling from the southwest-to-west sector. The Mistral — the classic northwest wind of the western Mediterranean — adds a second card in the deck, often arriving with more reach and consistency than a local thermal. Neither is guaranteed on any given day, so checking conditions before you leave for the beach is non-negotiable. On the water, expect flat to lightly textured riding. The SW/W shore orientation means many wind scenarios deliver an onshore component, which is comfortable for water starts and forgiving when things go wrong. Plan your downwind run with the headland in mind and keep track of lateral drift — the gulf is wide but has limits. Both PKS Golfo Del Sole and Golfowindsurf LNI operate here, with the kite school activity picking up through summer. Two schools at one spot means local knowledge and instruction are rarely far away. After the session, BAR PUNTONE and Beach Bar handle immediate needs. For dinner, Ristorante Il Veliero, Ristorante Campo di Chiara, and Il Cerro in Piazzetta are all within reach. Accommodation options close to the beach include Aba Village, Corte dei Tusci - Village Palace, and Meridiano B&B. Shoulder months — April, May, September, and October — typically offer the best mix of reliable wind and manageable crowds. Midsummer is busier but the thermal pattern is at its most consistent. Intermediates will feel at home here; beginners should book through one of the two local schools.

Best Season

Check the Breeza app for the current rideable window at Follonica · Puntone di Scarlino.

World Ranking

Not globally ranked, but a kitesurf destination — a local favourite worth a check when the wind lines up.

Location

Follonica · Puntone di Scarlino, Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy, Italy

Lat: 42.93, Lon: 10.86