Acciaroli (Pollica)
- Freeride, Foil
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Acciaroli (Pollica) is a small-waves beach spot on the Cilento coast with clean water and a sandy, medium-sized launch area (primarily from the main sandy beach). The water clarity is consistently excellent in the area, and the spot’s setup makes it workable for riders who want straightforward beach access and generally light conditions near the shore. For wind sports, the key attraction is the dependable summer thermal flow from the northwest (Maestrale). It typically develops during clear afternoons (about 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM), with good seasonal timing from April through September. Wind can be more variable outside summer, depending on frontal weather patterns. Kitesurfing is the best match, especially for freeride/foil and also wave styles when conditions line up. Typical kite wind range is reported around 12–22 knots, with light gustiness during the thermal. Windsurfing and wingfoiling also suit the afternoon breeze, with enough depth beyond the shore to support foil progression. Safety-wise, you should plan for seasonal crowding and swimmer presence: in July and August the beach becomes very crowded, and local rules may require using designated lanes and avoiding kiting close to shore in swimming areas. For calmer, more manageable sessions, late afternoon is usually best when the thermal peaks; when in doubt, confirm current access and launch rules with local operators and be mindful of umbrellas and other beach users.
- Clean, small-wave beach conditions
- Reliable afternoon NW thermal winds in warmer months
- High water clarity associated with Blue Flag recognition in the region
- Good setup for freeride and foiling disciplines
- Clean, small-wave environment with reliable summer thermal winds
- Blue-flag quality water clarity commonly recognized in the region
- Good conditions for freeride and foil disciplines in the afternoon
- Very crowded in July and August
- Lanes/access rules may restrict where you can launch or ride during peak summer
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NNW, NW, W, SW, SSE
- Wind Range
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Reliable NW thermal Maestrale in summer; more dependent on weather fronts in the off-season.
- Reliability
- High during the summer for thermal winds; more dependent on weather fronts in the off-season.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- The harbor wall can create a small wind shadow if the direction is very tight to the north.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small
- Launch
- Medium — Launched from the sandy beach (primarily Spiaggia Grande).
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate
Through the year
Extremely crowded in July and August; peaceful and spacious in spring and autumn.
Rain is most common from November through March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Small-waves spot with clean water. Works with sideshore winds from the NNW and SSE sectors; summer thermal winds are typically the most reliable.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Suitable for windsurfing, especially for freeride and foil enthusiasts during the afternoon breeze.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Well-suited for wingfoiling due to consistent side-onshore thermal winds and deep enough water beyond the shore.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Occasional surfable waves occur during strong South-Westerly or Westerly swells.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- South-westerly winds can cause significant chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Closes out when the swell is too large.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Soft
- Wave Shape
- Mushy
- Peel Speed
- Slow
- Ride Length
- Short — Quick beach break rides that are often messy with wind.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Quick beach break rides that are often messy with wind.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Acciaroli (Pollica) in the full forecast view.
Acciaroli (Pollica) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- NW318°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2411 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.7 m5s period
- Temperature
- 12–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Acciaroli (Pollica) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.1–1.7 m with a period of about 5s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- swimmers
- beach-umbrellas
- offshore-winds
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Coastguard monitoring is present, with seasonal nautical rescue services active during peak summer months.
- Emergency Info
- 112 is the general emergency number; nearest major medical facilities are in Vallo della Lucania (San Luca Hospital).
Rules of the spot
Avoid kiting close to shore in swimming areas during summer months; use designated lanes when provided (particularly during peak season). Local regulations may require lane use between June and September.
- No kiting close to shore in swimming areas during summer months
- Use lanes when provided
- Best conditions are often in the late afternoon when the thermal wind peaks.
- Check with local lidos for current access rules as they can change annually.
- In July and August the beach becomes very crowded—plan your launch/landing space carefully.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Salerno
- Nearest Town
- Pollica
- Parking
- Paid parking is available along the road and in designated lots near the beach, though it is very crowded in summer.
- Access
- From Agropoli along the coast until you reach Acciaroli
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Italian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels, bed and breakfasts, and holiday apartments are located within Acciaroli town.
- Food & Drink
- Many seaside restaurants and bars serving local Cilento cuisine.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available through seasonal water sports centers and regional kite/wind-focused schools.
- Gear Storage
- Offered by a few regional clubs and specialized schools during high season.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repair services may be available via local schools; major repairs may require transit to Salerno.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A family-friendly destination with slow tourism, high-quality local cuisine, and an emphasis on environmental respect; outdoor activities pair well with cultural visits nearby.
A vast protected area offering hiking, diverse flora, and pristine landscapes.
Ancient Greek city featuring three of the world's best-preserved Doric temples.
The site of the Eleatic school of philosophy and ancient Roman city ruins.
Scenic coastal trekking route offering panoramic views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Local seafood restaurants and bars in a historic seafront area.
Guided boat tours to see sea caves and the Blue Grotto of Cilento.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Acciaroli (Pollica)?
The best overall months at Acciaroli (Pollica) are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Acciaroli (Pollica)?
Acciaroli (Pollica) works with NNW, NW, W, SW, SSE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Acciaroli (Pollica)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Acciaroli (Pollica): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–22 kts.
What skill level is Acciaroli (Pollica) suitable for?
Acciaroli (Pollica) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.