Macinaggio (Cap Corse)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Macinaggio is a low-profile Cap Corse spot known for crystal-clear Mediterranean water and a sandy launch area north of the harbor. Conditions are described as flat to choppy with small waves, making it a versatile location for kitesurfing and wind-related progression, with an additional wave component in winter. The core wind direction is SE, and the commonly cited best months are March, April, October, and November. The wind setup is described as thermal/sea-breeze driven, and at least one provider notes the spot can depend strongly on depressions that generate the SE (Sirocco) or NE (Gregale) winds. A typical reported wind range is about 15–25 knots, with moderate gustiness. For safety, the spot is defined by harbor infrastructure: ships and the mole/harbor areas create hazards, and launching near the marina requires extra care because of rocks at the edges and frequent yacht traffic. In summer (especially July and August), there are no-kite zones in bathing areas; riders may need to adjust where they launch, and the rules also emphasize that the marina entrance is off-limits. For riders, the sandy beach and nearby deeper water help enable kitesurfing and wingfoiling once you’re set up outside the immediate shoreline. Surf notes describe a left-hand clean reef wave with larger set intervals, primarily relevant in winter. Overall, this is a practical, rider-focused shoreline launch with strong seasonal character tied to the SE wind window.
- Crystal-clear water and sandy beach north of the harbor
- SE-driven wind with best months in March, April, October, and November
- Flat-to-choppy kitesurfing conditions; winter wave riding described
- Crystal-clear water
- Good flat-to-choppy conditions for kitesurfing/foiling
- Best winds from the SE in March, April, October, and November
- Foil-friendly deep water outside the immediate shore
- Wind can be unreliable unless the right SE/NE systems set up
- Launch area is narrow with marina traffic and harbor infrastructure nearby
- Summer bathing areas create no-kite restrictions and may shift launches north
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Mainly a SE thermal/sea-breeze setup (Sirocco/SE winds).
- Reliability
- Heavily depends on depressions producing SE (Sirocco) or NE (Gregale) winds.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- March, April, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Directly behind the harbor wall if wind comes from the south.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach; some areas can be limited by Posidonia banks.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small waves; medium-wave conditions are also described in the general spot condition list.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop is part of the typical water state.
- Launch
- Small — Sandy area north of the harbor; narrow section but a longer stretch of beach.
Through the year
Very crowded with tourists in July and August; quiet during the rest of the year.
October to December can see more frequent rainfall and heavy storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat to choppy water with small to medium waves. Best winds from the SE in March, April, October, and November.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for windsurfing, especially with SE/E setups that provide bump and jump conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–6.5 m²
Foil-friendly due to deeper water just outside the immediate shore, but launching requires care around rocks and marina traffic.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Deep water outside the immediate shore makes it suitable for foiling.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Left-hand clean reef wave with large set intervals; primarily a winter wave riding option.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Wind Effect
- Notes describe clean left-hand reef wave when working with the wind setup (SO wind mentioned for the reef wave).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Macinaggio (Cap Corse) in the full forecast view.
Macinaggio (Cap Corse) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–21 ktsGusts 39 kts
- Direction
- SW227°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2421 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.9 m4s period
- Temperature
- 17–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Macinaggio (Cap Corse) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–21 kts, peaking around 21 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 39 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.1–1.9 m with a period of about 4s. 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
- Ships
- Mole
- Rocks at the edges of the beach
- Marina entrance traffic
- Swimmers in summer
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — SNSM station located at the Macinaggio marina for sea rescue operations.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities in Bastia; SNSM rescue operates from the Macinaggio port. In Europe dial 112.
Rules of the spot
Keep away from the harbor entrance and marina traffic. Respect no-kite/swimming zones during peak summer months.
- Kitesurfing is generally restricted or prohibited in immediate bathing zones during July and August.
- Marina entrance strictly off-limits.
- No-kite zones in swimming areas.
- Keep a safe distance from the harbor entrance as yacht traffic is frequent.
- Check for Posidonia seaweed banks—water can look shallow or hide rocks.
- Launching may be moved further north during July and August to reduce conflict with bathing zones.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Bastia
- Nearest Town
- Macinaggio
- Parking
- Parking available at the port and along the beach; ample parking near the marina/harbor.
- Access
- From Bastia, drive north on D80 until you reach Macinaggio; launch is on the beach north of the harbor.
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hotels/apartments in the marina area and nearby camping options in Cap Corse.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants, cafes, and bakeries are available in/near the Macinaggio harbor area.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated kite shops on the beach; gear available via local nautical centers and seasonal schools near the marina.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Outdoor-focused Cap Corse area with coastal hiking, marine nature areas, and village culture around the Macinaggio marina.
Famous coastal hiking path with panoramic sea views.
Historic Genoese tower partially submerged in the sea.
Cluster of historic hamlets on the hills overlooking the sea.
Chapelle Saint-Marc in Macinaggio.
Explore protected nature reserve islands just off the coast of Macinaggio.
Eateries on/near the marina serving local specialties.
Limited local eateries in Macinaggio; more options further afield.
Wild sandy beach suitable for families.
Small harbor village with pebble beach and historic chapel.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Macinaggio (Cap Corse)?
The best overall months at Macinaggio (Cap Corse) are March, April, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Macinaggio (Cap Corse)?
Macinaggio (Cap Corse) works with SE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Macinaggio (Cap Corse)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Macinaggio (Cap Corse): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Macinaggio (Cap Corse) suitable for?
Macinaggio (Cap Corse) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.