Racca Point (Quartu Sant'Elena)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Racca Point (Quartu Sant'Elena) is an exposed left-hand reef break with a rocky entry and reef hazards. When the swell and high tide line up, surfers can get long rides—commonly around 150 to 300 meters—with good-to-powerful wave quality and a fast, fun character. The wave is described as holding its shape up to roughly 2.5 meters or more, and on the best days it can peel for considerably more distance. The surf recipe is important: multiple sources describe inconsistent surf frequency and strong dependence on the right swell and wind combination. Optimal swell directions are south, southeast, and east, and high tide (often rising to high) is favored to reduce the shallowest reef exposure. Wind from the north to northwest is generally best because it acts more offshore/clean, while being less well-aligned can worsen faces at this exposed launch. Safety is the main constraint. Hazards include rocks and reef plates, sea urchins in rocky crevices, and shallow/variable depth at low tide; mild rip currents may form near the reef edge during larger south-easterly swells. Local guidance emphasizes entering carefully, avoiding the shallowest parts by timing for a rising/high tide, and respecting local riders because the take-off area is relatively small. Access is typically by car, with a short walk from road/parking access near the Capitana/Villasimius street approach. Weekdays tend to be quieter, while weekends can be crowded with local surfers from the Cagliari area. Regional conditions also suggest winter-to-shoulder setups for cold-water surfing (spring suit; winter full suit), while summer can allow lighter protection for short sessions depending on water conditions.
- Long left-hand reef rides (typically 150–300 m).
- North/northwest offshore wind can groom faces.
- Works best on south-to-east swells with high tide.
- Long, peeling left-hand reef waves on suitable days (typically 150–300 m; occasionally longer).
- Offshore north/northwest winds can produce cleaner, groomed faces.
- Highly regarded regionally as a classic left when the swell is right.
- Exposed rocky reef hazards (rocks/reef/sea urchins) and shallow/variable depth increase risk, especially for low tide.
- Spot is hard to get right: inconsistent surf and highly dependent on swell/wind combination.
- Not suitable for beginners; take-off zone can be small and local riders are present.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNW, W
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NW, W, WNW, WNW
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Wind is highly dependent on the right swell/wind combination; offshore north to northwest is most likely to produce groomed faces.
- Reliability
- inconsistent
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Reported as light gusts; gustiness varies with conditions.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April
- Shadow Zones
- Coastal hills can shelter the area from strong northerly winds, helping groom waves.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Mixed — Rocky/reef areas with flat rocks and sand in some places.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Reported as small in general summaries, with surf starting around 1.0–1.5 m and holding up to 2.5 m+; medium-to-small day sizes are common.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Water is described as chop, with grooming improving under offshore north/northwest wind.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky entry near the shoreline; often requires a short walk from road/parking.
Through the year
Weekdays generally quieter; weekends can be crowded with local surfers.
Rain is most common from late October through February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Wingfoiling is possible at higher tides; shallow reef/rocks make it risky for beginners. Foil-friendly conditions reported as limited.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foiling possible but shallow reef/rocks reduce safety and practicality.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed left-hand reef point/reef break over rocky bottom. Works on appropriate swell and high tide; long lefts are typical on good days.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE, E
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — High tide (rising to high) is favored; low tide increases the shallowest hazards.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed left-hand reef break.
- Wind Effect
- North and northwest offshore winds provide cleaner, groomed faces; exposed to wind when not properly aligned (north/northwest best).
- Bigger Swell
- Holds shape up to around 2.5 m+; becomes faster and more powerful and can still keep peeling.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good wave quality; described as a regional classic.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as fast, powerful, fun; powerful reef wave when swell and wind align.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Reported as mixed; also described as peeling on better alignment.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Sources describe fast/medium-to-fast peeling depending on conditions; aim for the faster lefts on better days.
- Ride Length
- Long — Normal rides commonly 150–300 m; exceptional days may extend further.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical/normal rides 150–300 m; exceptional days reported up to about 300–500 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Racca Point (Quartu Sant'Elena) in the full forecast view.
Racca Point (Quartu Sant'Elena) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–19 ktsGusts 36 kts
- Direction
- WNW303°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2419 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.2 m2s period
- Temperature
- 15–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Racca Point (Quartu Sant'Elena) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 36 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.1–1.2 m with a period of about 2s. 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
- Reef
- Shallow/variable depth at low tide
- Sea urchins in rocky crevices
- Reef-edge rip currents can form during larger south-easterly swells
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported at the break.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as none by one source for the immediate spot; the broader Gulf of Cagliari area has limited coast-guard coverage.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Quartu Sant'Elena and Cagliari (rescue described as none/limited by sources).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism; respect local riders because the take-off zone is relatively small.
Rules of the spot
Standard surf etiquette applies; respect local riders/take-off zone can be relatively small.
- Not suitable for beginners due to rocky reef bottom and hazards.
- Wait for a rising or high tide to avoid the shallowest parts of the reef.
- Enter the water carefully to avoid stepping on sea urchins in rock pools.
- Too dangerous for beginners—respect local crew/riders.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cagliari
- Nearest Town
- Capitana
- Parking
- Limited roadside parking is available along the main road and near residential entrances; avoid blocking private driveways. Additional parking near the street access to Villasimius in Capitana is reported.
- Access
- Requires a car; spot is accessed via the coastal road (SP17) toward Villasimius in Capitana, with a short walk (about 5–15 minutes) from parking/road access.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Italian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous villas, vacation rentals, and small hotels are available in the Capitana and Flumini areas.
- Food & Drink
- Bars and restaurants within walking distance along the main coastal road; food/drink available nearby.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated rental shops at the break; rentals are available in Cagliari or Poetto Beach.
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 Racca Point (Quartu Sant'Elena)?
The best overall months at Racca Point (Quartu Sant'Elena) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Racca Point (Quartu Sant'Elena)?
Racca Point (Quartu Sant'Elena) works with N, NNW, W winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NW, W, WNW, WNW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Racca Point (Quartu Sant'Elena)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Racca Point (Quartu Sant'Elena): Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Racca Point (Quartu Sant'Elena) suitable for?
Racca Point (Quartu Sant'Elena) suits these riding levels: Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.