In the south-east of Sicily in the municipality of Ispica, a long bay stretches from Pozzallo to Punta Cirica o Cozzo Ciriga. The eastern part of the bay belongs to the village of Santa Maria del Focallo, which also gives the spot its name, and consists entirely of a beautiful, wild, fine sandy beach, which becomes narrower towards the southeast and is partly behind a dune.
On the northern third of this long beach, next to the mouth of the Rio Favara, you will find a wide sandy beach for setting up and launching. The sandbanks create a standing area and you have plenty of space on the water with small to medium waves. If it’s windy, you’ll usually meet other kitesurfers.
In the long bay there are several access points in the low season where kiters meet, depending on the season and wind. Two of them are for the summer with a kite zone. There is a kite zone at this spot and another one at Tiki Beach.
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At one glance
| Location | Ispica, Ragusa |
|---|---|
| Kitesurfing area | choppy, small to medium waves |
| Standing area | yes, depending on the tide, waves |
| Skill level | all skill levels |
| Kitestation | Yes |
| Wind direction | Ponente (W), thermal |
|---|---|
| best time | All year round |
| Specials | Sand, sand, sand |
| Overnight stay | sand parking lot, parking space, accommodation, kite house |
| Free standing | Low season inconspicuous |
The Kitespot
There is a large sandy parking lot next to the Lido Otello at the mouth of the Rio Favara. A long, wide sandy beach stretches out in front of it. Towards the interior, everything is bordered by a relatively high dune and bamboo fences have been erected between the parking lot and the beach so that the very fine sand is not blown to much onto the parking lot. This creates small sand dunes at the entrances, which is typical of the parking lot and gives it its special charm.
The beach is very wide and long. It offers plenty of space for setting up and starting. Next to the parking lot is the larger Lido Otello and then the beach bar Zuma Beach with the kite zone. Otherwise, there are no buildings on the beach and it consists only of very fine sand. This will accompany you into the water, where it only gets deep very slowly. The waves, currents and tide create another sandbank off the coast, so that you can first stand, then almost not stand and then stand again before it gets deep. There’s plenty of space outside and you can ride the entire coast and see kites in the air in some places.
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Torre Loopa Kiteschool |
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Italien, Sizilien
2014
4-6 Kitelehrer
IKO Kitelehrer, IKO Kiteschule
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In the low season, you can set up right by the parking lot and go into the water. You should use the kite zone at the Zuma Beach bar at least from June to September. There is also a kite school there and you can find out about the current rules and get tips. The bars are closed in the low season, but you will meet other kitesurfers when the wind is good.
The wind
The best wind direction is the Ponente (W), which develops or intensifies thermally from spring to fall. It starts at midday and is usually at its best in the late afternoon. It is typical for this area and works at several spots in the south. The Libeccio (SW) and Ostro (S) also work. However, both are rarer. The Scirocco (SO) doesn’t reach the spot well, so you have to go further west in the bay.
Suitable for
Thanks to the larger standing area, the constant thermal wind and the kite school on site, there are good conditions for beginners and intermediates. The best time is summer, because the waves are usually too big in winter and make the standing area unusable. In addition, the wind is stormier and sometimes gusty. Freestylers can find cool conditions all year round. Wave lovers get their money’s worth from fall to spring and in summer it’s a good place to start. As the beach is popular with swimmers, there is a kite zone from June to September.
Kite school in Santa Maria del Focallo
The Floripa kite school has a yoga and kitesurf house and a small kite station on Zuma Beach. They are on site from April to October and teach kitesurfing, windsurfing, wingfoiling, SUPing and surfing. For a daily or seasonal fee, you can use everything, such as the compressor, kite zone, showers, caddy, etc. You can also hire equipment.
Behavior at the spot
From June to September you should use the kite zone at Zuma Beach or alternatively at Tiki Beach, but especially if there are too many bathers on the beach. Consult the local schools or other kiters. When you are on the water, you should keep a distance of 200 meters from the shore. Otherwise, the general rules of right of way and conduct, friendly cooperation and mutual consideration apply. Leave the beach clean, take care of plants and animals and respect nature.
Best time
The best time is from April to October, with spring being the best. August can sometimes be too hot for the midday thermals. The kite zone allows you to safely access the water in summer for a fee. From October to April there can be good conditions for kitesurfing. The wind is usually less frequent, gustier, stronger and the waves higher.
Parking and overnight stays
You can park in the relatively large sandy parking lot next to the Lido Otello. From there you walk 150 to 250 meters to the kite zone during the season, depending on the parking lot. In the off-season you set up in front of the parking lot. There are sand drifts in the parking lot, which can be higher. But we always made it to the parking lot anyway. When you are at the kite zone, you don’t have your camper in sight.
When we were there in May, December and January, we parked inconspicuously on the beach overnight and had no problems. We sometimes stood with one or two other campers. In July and August it gets very crowded during the day and you should park as space-saving as possible and only take up one parking space. There is no campsite at the spot, but it is 2 kilometers away. Another one is just before Pozzallo.
Surroundings
Due to the relatively elongated village of Santa Maria del Focallo, we would describe the area as local, even if the beach is secluded. The beautiful sandy beach is ideal for children and non-kiters should love the sea. The area is also great for cycling and hiking. Dogs are not allowed on the beach in summer, but in the low season it is more relaxed because there are usually only water sports enthusiasts on site. In summer, the Lido is open until 11 pm and there are sometimes parties. In the low season it is quieter and the bars on the beach are closed. So you can end the day quietly, or head to Pozzallo for more action.
In summer there are two beach bars on site, a kite station with kite zone, WC, showers and garbage cans. In the low season everything is closed and there is only one water tap at the beach access of the parking lot.
No Wind Action
The sandy beach invites you to a great day at the beach and is the ideal place to wait for the wind. You can swim, SUP, wakeboard, build sandcastles or go for a walk. The beach itself is an attraction.
Along the long bay from Pozzallo to Punta Cirica o Cozzo Ciriga there are long sandy beaches that are repeatedly interrupted by almost white rocks on the coast, with very different shapes, caves and individual rocks. A highlight of the area is the historic Val di Noto region. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, along with 8 other cities, and is known for its impressive Baroque architecture.
My tip
This special beach is a great kite spot all year round and you will either love it or find it too sandy. If it’s windy, you’ll meet other kitesurfers all year round and can exchange ideas. The kite zone allows you to get out on the water safely even at the height of summer. The best wind, the Ponente (W) Thermico, is from April to October.
The sandy beach is a highlight even without wind and invites you to spend a great day. The surrounding area is steeped in history, there are many places of interest and nature also has a lot to offer. So there is a lot to explore. The best thing to do is get in your car or on your bike and set off.
From April to October there is a kite school with a kite station and a kite house on site. The spot is suitable for beginners and intermediates. Only experienced kiters should go out on the water in winter, as the conditions are often more challenging than in summer.
The description is an excerpt from our kitespot descriptions in the kitesurfing travel guide: Kitesurfing in Sicily, which was published at the beginning of 2024. For even more detailed information about the spot, many more kitespots and useful tips about the island and how to get there, you can order our kitesurfing travel guide in our kiteshop.
