Cinquale
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Cinquale is an exposed river-mouth beach break on Italy’s west coast that can produce hollow, fast waves when conditions line up. It offers both lefts and rights and can work across all tides, with wave shape and quality tied closely to the sandbar configuration near the river mouth. The best surf conditions are reported when a southwest swell combines with offshore wind from the northeast (best wind direction reported as northeast, with general offshore guidance also pointing to NE/optimal offshore use). The swell direction is described as southwest (with related reports including northwest and west) and the wave size is typically said to start working below 1 m and hold up to around 2 m+ in the right setup. Water quality is a key concern: pollution is repeatedly flagged as a hazard, and sources specifically recommend checking water quality reports after heavy rain—particularly if the water turns brown. River mouth currents and submerged debris are also mentioned, along with jetties that can create hazards near the entrance area. Crowd levels vary, with weekday conditions often lighter and weekends/strong swell days getting crowded. Overall, winter is reported as the optimum surfing period, with an additional “seasonal” focus for offshore/off-swell alignment during cooler months. For wind sports, winter storm setups can enable kitesurfing and wave/windy sessions, while wingfoiling and general use depend on having sufficient depth beyond the initial shore break and sandbars—while also managing debris risk at the river mouth.
- Hollow, fast wave sections (Power: hollow, fast)
- Lefts and rights
- Offshore NE wind + SW swell is the reported winning combination
- Pollution risk—monitor conditions after rain
- All-tide riding reported
- Exposed beach break with hollow, fast wave sections when it lines up
- Works on all tides
- Offers both lefts and rights
- Sandbars created by the river mouth can improve wave shape
- Pollution risk (especially after heavy rain)
- Spot only works when conditions are just right; can be inconsistent
- Sometimes crowded, particularly on weekends and in good swells
- Exposed conditions at the beach break
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, W, NW
- Offshore directions
- NE, ENE, N
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Offshore winds for surf are reported from the northeast; wind can be unreliable and is described as low reliability in spot-level wind summaries.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Slight shadow immediately behind the river jetties during strong side-shore winds
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Providers describe both small and medium conditions depending on swell setup; surf is described as starting below 1 m and holding to 2 m+.
- Launch
- Medium — Beach access near the marina/river mouth; also described as a wide sandy beach area near the river mouth.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
Quiet in winter weekdays; very crowded on weekends and during any summer swell.
Rain is most frequent in October and November (and storm fronts are part of the typical wind/swell windows).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible during winter storms with Libeccio or Maestrale winds, though the beach can be narrow in high tide.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Works well with cross-onshore storm winds; can be fun for bump and jump or basic wave riding.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.7 m²
Deep enough once past the initial shore break and sandbars; however, the river mouth can have debris.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil friendly where depths allow beyond the bars.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters beyond the bars
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach break at a river mouth offering both lefts and rights. Works only when conditions are just right; best when a southwest swell combines with offshore northeast wind.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W, NW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Good surfing at all tide stages.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach break on Italy’s west coast.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore northeast winds are reported to clean up the waves; wind can affect whether the spot is surfable.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out over 2.5 m; can hold up to around 2 m+ in conditions that line up.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Generally considered normal to good; wave quality described as good in multiple sources.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Described as hollow and fast where it lines up; sandbar configuration affects shape.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Generally short, commonly under 50 m; can be normal 50 to 150 m when conditions are right.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast and hollow sections depending on sandbar configuration; typical short rides are reported.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cinquale in the full forecast view.
Cinquale wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–10 ktsGusts 16 kts
- Direction
- NNE33°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2410 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.4 m5s period
- Temperature
- 11–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cinquale is forecast for daytime winds of 1–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 16 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 0.1–1.4 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
- Pollution
- River mouth currents
- Submerged debris
- Crowded conditions when waves are good
- River mouth jetties and occasional debris after storms
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards described as none in one provider result, and seasonal in another; treat as seasonal/uncertain.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level rescue availability reported as no, while regional context indicates limited rescue primarily via Guardia Costiera and supplemented by seasonal lifeguards.
- Emergency Info
- Massa Hospital is approximately 15 minutes away by car. Universal emergency number in Italy: 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism described as mild to moderate across sources.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; stay clear of the active marina entrance.
- No surfing within designated swimming zones during summer season
- Kiting restricted during peak summer months
- Watch out for pollution.
- Check local water quality reports if the water looks brown after rain.
- Best waves are found right at the river mouth due to sand buildup.
- Stay clear of the active marina entrance.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Massa
- Nearest Town
- Cinquale
- Parking
- Parking available at the marina; also described as available along the seafront and near the marina area.
- Access
- From Highway A-12, exit at 'Massa'. Turn right, then right again at the first traffic light. At the sea, turn left and drive 3 km to the marina on the river. Stop at the marina after the restaurant 'Il Trabucco'. Instant access (<5 min walking distance).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Italian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and campsites available in the Versilia region within walking distance along the Massa–Cinquale shoreline.
- Food & Drink
- Several beachfront restaurants and bars located within walking distance of the break.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rentals are described as available via local sport schools/clubs along the Cinquale and Marina di Massa stretch; local surf shops in the area provide rentals.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs available at nearby surf shops in Marina di Massa.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cinquale?
The best overall months at Cinquale are January, February, December, March, October, November. The best wind months are January, February, March, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Cinquale?
Cinquale works with SW, W, NW winds. Offshore directions are NE, ENE, N.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Cinquale?
Recommended equipment sizes at Cinquale: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Cinquale suitable for?
Cinquale suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Expert.