Kamikaze (Cefalù)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Kamikaze (also referred to as Cefalù big) is a technical, low-profile point break along the Cefalù coast in Sicily. It is exposed and best activated by a strong Northwest swell, producing peeling wave walls that can offer both lefts and rights depending on shifting peaks (with a strong reputation for left-hand waves). The wind/wave window is critical: sources describe it working with an onshore breeze when the swell angle is right, and also note that light offshore winds from the South or calm mornings tend to be favorable. The spot is known for its rocky bottom and submerged/sharp rocks, making entry and exit difficult and slippery. Submerged rock hazards and difficult access require careful water judgment, especially when conditions build. When swell is larger, strong rip currents can occur, and while the break can hold bigger sizes, the challenge of negotiating the rocks increases. For seasonality, autumn and winter are repeatedly highlighted as the most reliable times for waves. Wind information provided points to best months extending through October to March (with wind reliability described as low). Crowds are typically minimal because the spot’s technical nature and access keep it quiet even when surf is available. Given the combination of exposure, rocks, and current risk, this is best suited to experienced surfers comfortable with challenging entries and managing hazards. Planning around swell from the northwest and being especially cautious after storms (when it may still hold swell but winds ease) can help maximize workable sessions.
- Exposed point break producing peeling walls with Northwest swell
- Rarely crowded regional classic
- Sharp/submerged rocks with difficult entry and exit
- Best in autumn and winter
- Classic exposed point break with peeling walls when Northwest swell lines up
- Rarely crowded
- Works in autumn and winter for more consistent swell
- Highly technical rocky entry and exit
- Hazards from rocks and submerged rocks
- Risk of strong rip currents when swell is large
- Low wind reliability
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, N
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Providers describe the spot’s wind as frontal; regional Cefalù Coast winds can also be influenced by summer thermal patterns and autumn/winter frontal systems.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, October, November, December
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Swell
- Beach
- Rocks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium
- Launch
- Small — Difficult rocky entry and exit depending on tide and swell size.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Difficult rocky entry and exit depending on tide and swell size.
Through the year
Rarely crowded due to the technical nature of the spot and difficult access.
Winter months see the most storm activity and rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Technical point break on a rocky coast. Requires significant Northwest swell to start working, producing peeling walls and primarily left-hand waves; other sources describe right-handers as well depending on peak shifts.
- Optimal Swell
- NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides, Mid — Providers differ: one describes all-tides, another prefers mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point break; rocky entry can be difficult depending on tide and swell size.
- Wind Effect
- Best with light offshore winds from the South or calm mornings; commonly works in onshore breeze when the right swell angle/wind combo arrives.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold larger sizes but becomes challenging for entry and exit over the rocks.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling walls; shifting peaks can provide both lefts and rights.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling, with a consistent wall when conditions align.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Consistent wall for turns when conditions align.
- Ride Length Details
- Provides a consistent wall for turns when conditions align.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Kamikaze (Cefalù) in the full forecast view.
Kamikaze (Cefalù) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 21 kts
- Direction
- NW310°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 249 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–2.0 m5s period
- Temperature
- 14–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Kamikaze (Cefalù) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 21 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.3–2.0 m with a period of about 5s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
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
- Rocks
- Submerged rocks
- Sharp rocks and boulders
- Submerged rocks
- Strong rip currents
- Difficult entry/exit
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level provider indicates no rescue availability at the spot; regional rescue services operate via coast guard year-round.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Cefalù town.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Spot info describes it as a regional classic known to local Sicilian surfers and experienced travelers.
Rules of the spot
Use extreme caution on entry and exit due to slippery, sharp rocks; conditions are highly technical and can involve strong currents when swell is large.
- Not suitable for inexperienced surfers due to technical rocky entry/exit and hazards.
- Be extremely careful when entering and exiting the water due to slippery and sharp rocks.
- Usually works best after a winter storm when the wind drops but the swell remains.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Palermo
- Nearest Town
- Cefalù
- Nearest Airport
- Palermo Falcone-Borsellino (PMO) (~100 km)
- Parking
- Limited parking available in the Kalura area or near the port; walking is required.
- Public Transport
- Rail links connect the region with Palermo; local buses and shuttles serve the coastal perimeter.
- Access
- Shore access from Cefalù beach area; access is typically via the rocky shoreline east of the Cefalù port area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Italian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and guesthouses are available in Cefalù.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous restaurants and cafes are available in Cefalù.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental is available via local schools and seasonal rental centers on the main beaches (focused primarily on surfing/SUP).
- Gear Storage
- Storage is typically limited to seasonal options at private beach clubs (lidos) and/or what’s offered by rental shops.
- Gear Repair
- Basic board repairs may be possible locally; more specialized repairs may require traveling to Palermo.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Cefalù blends a beach-focused coastal lifestyle with Norman heritage and scenic inland nature.
Limestone cliff overlooking Cefalù with ruins and medieval fortifications.
Inland mountain nature for hiking and mountain biking.
UNESCO World Heritage site featuring Norman-Byzantine mosaics.
High-altitude hiking, mountain biking, and diverse flora/fauna inland from the coast.
Main old-town street lined with trattorias and seafood restaurants.
Wide seaside promenade suited to evening walks and gelato.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Kamikaze (Cefalù)?
The best overall months at Kamikaze (Cefalù) are October, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Kamikaze (Cefalù)?
Kamikaze (Cefalù) works with NW, N winds.
What skill level is Kamikaze (Cefalù) suitable for?
Kamikaze (Cefalù) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.