Levanto
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Levanto is best known as an exposed Mediterranean surfing bay where waves can build and hold—particularly when winter swell arrives and winds align offshore. Several sources describe the main break as a beach break with multiple defined peak areas along a long sandy shoreline, including zones that suit different rider levels. For surfing, optimal conditions are tied to southwest/west/northwest swell paired with offshore winds from the north sector. When this lines up, the bay can groom cleaner faces, and the waves are described as peeling with ride lengths commonly ranging from short (<50 m) up to roughly 50–150 m depending on peak and swell quality. Sourced swell windows indicate it starts working around 1.0–1.5 m and can hold up beyond 4 m (12 ft). Safety is a key consideration: rip currents are explicitly flagged as dangerous, and rocks are present at peak areas. Strong shore break is also mentioned, and crowded weekend conditions can amplify the risk around the more competitive line selections. Local guidance emphasizes being cautious of rips and respecting crowd patterns and local etiquette. Transport and logistics matter on good surf days. Parking is described as difficult or expensive and can fill very quickly; using the train is recommended due to close proximity to the beach.
- Winter brings the most consistent and powerful wave conditions (roughly December through May).
- Offshore north-sector winds help groom faces for surfing.
- Long bay with multiple peaks supports different approaches depending on swell size and peak choice.
- Famous, high-capacity surfing destination capable of holding very large swells within a deep bay.
- Multiple peaks (sandy-bottom and rocky-mix areas) allow different lines and difficulty levels depending on swell/wind.
- Rip currents and rocks are recurring hazards, especially on larger swells.
- Weekends can be ultra crowded when swell is running, increasing risk around peak zones.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE, E, ESE, SSE
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NE
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Providers conflict on wind regime: one source describes trade winds; another describes frontal-system winds. Keep direction-based guidance from the wind-direction fields.
- Reliability
- Low for wind sports; primarily a wave-driven surf spot.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gusts reported as heavy-gusts in winter by one provider; reconciled as generally gusty conditions (especially near cliffs/peaks during storms).
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March, April, May
- Shadow Zones
- Bay is somewhat sheltered from North winds which can be offshore for surfing.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand with rocky points/areas.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Providers describe wave size as big/huge with potential to hold large swell beyond 4 m (12 ft).
- Launch
- Small — Instant access (walk time <5 minutes) from road with defined peak areas along a long beach.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Reported as easy with straightforward beach access.
Through the year
Weekends are ultra crowded during swell events; surf crowds peak in winter (roughly October to May).
November and December often bring the most frequent rainfall, coinciding with stronger storm surges.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Rarely practiced; one provider notes it is only suitable for experts during specific storm conditions due to gusty/wave-dominated conditions.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Possible during strong Southwest or Southeast winds but challenging due to heavy shore break and gusts near the cliffs.
- Sail Sizes
- 4–5.3 m²
Gaining popularity on lighter wind days or at the beginning/end of storms, but waves/depth require experience.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly reported with a stated minimum depth requirement.
- Min Depth
- 2.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed Mediterranean beach break with multiple peaks; can handle very large swells due to bay depth. Works best when offshore winds align with the right swell direction.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Best described as working at all tides; rising/falling tides noted as suitable.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Reported as semi-sheltered at some areas/peaks, but overall exposed for the bay; north sector can be more favorable offshore for faces.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the North and North/East/Northeast sector groom waves into cleaner faces (best for surfing).
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up well and can remain rideable on very large swells; still described as holding up beyond 4 m (12 ft).
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Providers range from moderate to powerful; combined to reflect capable wave energy in the main swell window.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typical ride length is short to medium depending on swell quality and peak.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal length is commonly reported as under 50 m; on good days rides can run 50–150 m depending on the peak and swell quality.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Levanto in the full forecast view.
Levanto wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–7 ktsGusts 15 kts
- Direction
- N2°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 247 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.7 m5s period
- Temperature
- 11–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Levanto is forecast for daytime winds of 1–7 kts, peaking around 7 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 15 kts. The prevailing direction is N. 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
- Rip currents
- rocks
- heavy shore break
- heavy crowds
- designated swimming zones in summer months
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are reported as seasonal on public beaches.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited in provider sources; surf conditions and crowds can increase risk.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Levanto; larger medical facilities are available in La Spezia. Emergency number 112 is active; Italian Coast Guard operates in the area.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Sources indicate some local behavior/priority at the more competitive peaks and moderate localism.
Rules of the spot
Respect local rules and surfing etiquette, especially at more competitive peaks; follow any designated swimming zones in summer months.
- Respect local rules.
- Follow designated swimming zones in summer months (where applicable).
- Be wary of rips—conditions can become dangerous.
- Parking can be very difficult on big surf days; using the train is recommended since the station is close.
- If conditions are huge, stronger currents/rips can develop near rocky points; choose your entry area carefully.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- La Spezia
- Nearest Town
- Levanto
- Parking
- Paid parking is available along the promenade, but fills quickly and can be difficult on big surf days.
- Public Transport
- Excellent rail connectivity via the Genoa–La Spezia line with frequent trains; local connections by bus to nearby towns.
- Access
- From Highway A-12 take the exit Carrodano (Carrodano-Levanto) and follow signs to Levanto for about 10 minutes; instant access to the beach on foot (<5 minutes). Also accessible by train via the Genoa–La Spezia line.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Italian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels, bed and breakfasts, and a campsite are within walking distance of the beach; additional lodging exists in Levanto and surrounding hills.
- Food & Drink
- Many bars and restaurants are located directly on the waterfront.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available at local surf schools and shops near the promenade.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is offered by some local surf schools/regular-visitor services.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repairs are available locally.
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 Levanto?
The best overall months at Levanto are October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May. The best wind months are December, January, February, March, April, May.
Which wind directions work at Levanto?
Levanto works with N, NNE, NE, E, ESE, SSE winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Levanto?
Recommended equipment sizes at Levanto: Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4–5.3 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Levanto suitable for?
Levanto suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Expert · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.