Isola Delle Femmine (Carini)
- Bodyboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Isola Delle Femmine (Carini) is an exposed sandy beach break that’s best known for consistent surfing during the late autumn to winter window, particularly when NW swell pushes into the long, scythe-shaped shoreline. Multiple peaks across the beach help spread where you can catch waves, and the surf is generally described as good to moderate in power with peeling/mixed wave shape. For wave conditions, NW (and also west) swells are the preferred direction, with the spot working on a range of tides (all-tides are reported). Ride length is typically described as medium, with rides often lasting on the order of tens of meters (and about 50–100 meters cited), and A-frame peaks forming over sandy features. On larger days, the waves can close out when the swell gets too big (around 2.5 meters is mentioned). Wind for the best surf conditions is described as having clean offshore character when SE winds are aligned with the break. Winds overall are reported as having a typical range around the mid-teens to mid-twenties knots, with medium reliability and moderate gusting; shadowing can occur near town buildings. Safety is a key theme here: steep take-off and an ankle-burning shore break are repeatedly mentioned, and rip currents can occur during storms. Submerged rocks are also noted near the pier. In summer (June to September) there are also strict activity restrictions for kite and wind sports during peak bathing hours, and lifeguards are seasonal—so it’s important to plan sessions around access rules and onshore crowding.
- Premier surfing spot in Sicily (described as highly regarded in the spot context).
- NW swell-driven, multi-peak sandy beach break in late autumn and winter.
- Strong water clarity linked to the Marine Protected Area.
- Consistent exposed beach break in autumn and winter with NW swell.
- Multiple sandbar/peak lines along a long sandy beach.
- Water is described as clear, supported by the Capo Gallo and Isola delle Femmine Marine Protected Area.
- Summer can be mostly flat and the beach can become extremely crowded with swimmers.
- Take-offs can be steep and the shore break can burn ankles.
- Submerged rocks are reported near the pier and scattered along the sandy bottom.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE
- Offshore directions
- ESE, SE, SSE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Wind is described as driven by SE conditions for clean offshore surf for this spot, with regional influences including Maestrale/N (NW–N) and Tramontana-type frontal winds.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March, May
- Shadow Zones
- Close to buildings in the town center
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Long sandy beach with sandbars.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium in some conditions; spring/winter surf is the focus.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach launch
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Wide sandy beach; generally straightforward entries.
Through the year
Extremely crowded in July and August; quiet and manageable during the winter surf season.
Late October to February
By sport
What to expect for each.
Primarily used in autumn and winter when the beach is less crowded; works with NW and W winds which can come in side-onshore.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
A popular winter spot for local windsurfers during NW storms; the sandy beach supports safer wave entry.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
Suitable when there is enough swell and/or wind; sandy bottom helps access, but depth near shore should be checked.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
An exposed sandy beach break on a horn-shaped headland that forms consistent surf in autumn and winter NW swells; summer is often mostly flat.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Southeast winds provide the cleanest offshore conditions for surf.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swell exceeds about 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Also described as peeling at times on sandy peaks.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides can last about 50 to 100 meters; also described as A-frame peaks and sandbars.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- A-frame peaks and sandbars across the length of the beach; typical ride length reported around 70 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Isola Delle Femmine (Carini) in the full forecast view.
Isola Delle Femmine (Carini) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–13 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- NNW342°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–2.1 m5s period
- Temperature
- 15–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Isola Delle Femmine (Carini) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.3–2.1 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
- Steep take-off
- Ankle-burning shore break
- Submerged rocks near the pier and scattered along the sandy bottom
- Rip currents during storms
- Heavy crowds in summer
- Steep take-off and strong shore break can be punishing for less experienced riders
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level data describes rescue availability as limited; regional guidance indicates coast guard services operate out of Palermo and seasonal lifeguard stations are present.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospital is in Palermo; Coast Guard is active in the area. Emergency number 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Strict kite and windsurf bans during the summer bathing season (June to September); marine protected area regulations apply around the islet.
- No kitesurfing or windsurfing during summer peak hours (June to September).
- Marine Protected Area regulations apply around the islet.
- Come in the winter for an abandoned beach.
- Wait for fall months (October to December) for swell action.
- Check the wind forecast for SE conditions to help ensure clean wave faces.
- Best surf peaks often form near the town side of the beach.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Palermo
- Nearest Town
- Isola delle Femmine
- Nearest Airport
- Palermo Airport (PMO; Falcone-Borsellino)
- Parking
- Paid parking available along the seafront (Lungomare) and in dedicated lots.
- Public Transport
- Palermo–Trapani railway line with stations at Isola delle Femmine and Carini, plus local AMAT bus services.
- Access
- Easily accessible by car from the A29 motorway, exit Isola delle Femmine.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Italian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals in Isola delle Femmine and Capaci.
- Food & Drink
- Abundant seafood restaurants, pizzerias, and beach bars along the Lungomare.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available through local surf schools and beach clubs during the season.
- Gear Storage
- Offered by local clubs and sport associations primarily during the summer season.
- Gear Repair
- Basic sail and kite repairs available through local schools in the Palermo metropolitan area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A small, iconic islet with a 16th-century watchtower located just offshore.
A historic medieval castle known for its architecture and local legends.
Coastal hiking trails, bird watching, and diving opportunities.
Central hub in Isola delle Femmine with numerous seafood restaurants and gelaterias.
A zoo and botanical garden located in Villagrazia di Carini.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Isola Delle Femmine (Carini)?
The best overall months at Isola Delle Femmine (Carini) are October, November, December, January, February, March, May.
Which wind directions work at Isola Delle Femmine (Carini)?
Isola Delle Femmine (Carini) works with SE winds. Offshore directions are ESE, SE, SSE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Isola Delle Femmine (Carini)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Isola Delle Femmine (Carini): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Isola Delle Femmine (Carini) suitable for?
Isola Delle Femmine (Carini) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Windsurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate to Advanced · Surfing: Beginner to Advanced.