Procchio (Elba Island)
- Shortboard, Families
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Procchio is a sandy north-coast bay that is mainly a summer surf area, with the surf character shifting toward a point-break setup when the right swell and wind align. Wave direction can produce both left and right options, though normal rides are often short (<50 m) unless conditions are ideal. Overall wave quality is described as good, with moderate power. The main safety considerations are localized: rocks at the point/edges of the bay mean surfers need to be attentive when positioning and when lines drift. During stormier periods, rip currents can become a factor. In summer, crowds can increase and water activities may be regulated to protect swimmers—use designated launch channels and respect swimming-area restrictions during peak hours. Wind and surf quality are tightly connected. Surf tends to be best when winds are low or offshore/light and when North through West swells are present; sources also note that onshore winter wind makes the spot difficult and very cold. For wind sports, the area is also described as versatile: thermal sea-breeze influence is typical in summer (often building into the afternoon window), and wind/wave activities are possible across different seasons depending on conditions. In terms of timing, summer months are the most consistent for beach conditions and family-friendly access, while cooler months are suggested for wind/swell opportunities with more variable weather (including increased rain). Water temperatures range from the mid-teens in winter up to the mid-20s in late summer, supporting seasonal wetsuit changes.
- Point-break character with rights and lefts on North/NW/West swells
- Easy launch from a wide sandy beach
- Seasonal lifeguards and clear summer restrictions for shared water use
- Reliable summer beach-to-point break setup for surfing with both lefts and rights
- Wide sandy bay and easy launch access
- Good support infrastructure for multiple water sports (amenities and schools/rentals)
- Rocks at the point create a hazard when surfing
- Winter surf can be hard due to onshore wind and very cold conditions
- Rip currents can occur during storms
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, S, SE, N, NW, ESE
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Regional pattern includes Maestrale (NW) / Tramontana (N) and reliable summer sea-breeze influence; spot-level sources conflict on wind direction naming (see windDirection and noGoDirections).
- Reliability
- Moderate; depends on Mediterranean frontal systems in winter and thermal patterns in summer.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Reported as light gusts in general conditions.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Southern winds can be offshore and gusty due to hilly inland terrain.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand with rocks at the point/edges.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Surfers commonly report working sizes from under 1 m up to around 2 m+.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop
- Launch
- Small — Instant near-shore access; also described as a wide sandy beach with ample space.
Through the year
Extremely crowded with tourists in July and August; quiet and peaceful in the off-season (October to May).
Rain more frequent from October to February; late October through December is noted for best balance of wind/waves but also stronger weather.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible outside the summer bathing season; northern winds are onshore, making it more suitable for intermediate riders.
Popular windsurf spot on Elba’s north coast; works well with Mistral (NW) and Tramontana (N) winds.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7.5 m²
Reported as excellent for wingfoiling due to deep water and consistent summer thermal breezes; sandy launch is accessible.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions reported.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Sandy north-coast bay with a point-break character on North/NW/West swells, producing rights and lefts; frequently short rides unless conditions are ideal.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW, W
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Also noted as falling tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open exposure to weather/wind setups is indicated; wind direction strongly affects surf quality.
- Wind Effect
- Best with light offshore South winds which groom the swell; onshore winds in winter can make it hard to surf. Best conditions also mentioned for low wind or glassy setups.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to about 2 m; beyond that it can become messy.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Quality described as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Also described as 'ordinary' power.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Mixed shape reported in some descriptions; peeling noted on point-break setup.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal rides are under 50 m; can reach ~150 m on ideal days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short (<50 m) normally; 50–150 m on good/ideal days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Procchio (Elba Island) in the full forecast view.
Procchio (Elba Island) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–15 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- NE39°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2415 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.2 m3s period
- Temperature
- 15–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Procchio (Elba Island) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is NE. Waves run 0.1–1.2 m with a period of about 3s. 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
- Rocks at the points
- Crowds in summer
- Rip currents during storms
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited (region overseen by local maritime authority; exact on-beach rescue coverage not specified for Procchio).
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Portoferraio, approximately 15 minutes away. Use the European emergency number 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported.
Rules of the spot
During the summer season (June to September), water sports are generally restricted to designated launch channels and prohibited in swimming areas during peak hours. Launch channels must be used.
- No kitesurfing in swimming zones during summer
- Use designated launch channels during peak hours in summer
- Watch for the rocky point on the right side of the bay when surfing.
- The best surf conditions often follow a strong North wind once it starts to die down and turn slightly offshore.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Portoferraio
- Nearest Town
- Procchio
- Nearest Airport
- Marina di Campo Airport (EBA)
- Parking
- Several paid and free parking lots available within walking distance; parking also near the beach.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via Elba’s island bus network; a car or scooter recommended.
- Access
- Instant access (< 5 min walk) from the village; easily accessible by car via the main island road (SP24).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Italian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels, apartments, and a nearby campsite in Procchio; accommodation also in/near the village.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and beach bars/pizzerias located directly on the beach and in the village.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental for surfboards, windsurf gear, and SUP is available at local beach clubs; additional wind sport rentals reported via water sports centers.
- Gear Storage
- Available at some local water sports centers during the summer.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs for windsurf and kitesurf gear can be handled by local schools (minor repairs noted).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Elba Island offers a blend of history and clear water with a rugged interior for hiking and outdoor activities.
Scenic coastal views and white-sand beaches along Elba’s north coast.
Beachfront bars and restaurants along Procchio’s shore.
Villa dei Mulini and Villa San Martino where Napoleon Bonaparte lived during his exile.
Medici-era fortifications including Forte Stella and Forte Falcone.
Coastal hikes and cliff walks around Elba’s northern coast.
Boat excursions and snorkeling in clear waters.
Cable car taking visitors to the highest peak on Elba for panoramic views.
Safe sandy beach with easy water entry, ideal for children.
Mediterranean aquarium in Marina di Campo.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Procchio (Elba Island)?
The best overall months at Procchio (Elba Island) are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Procchio (Elba Island)?
Procchio (Elba Island) works with W, S, SE, N, NW, ESE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Procchio (Elba Island)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Procchio (Elba Island): Windsurfing: 5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Procchio (Elba Island) suitable for?
Procchio (Elba Island) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Beginner · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.