Spiaggia Dei Saraceni (Ortona)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Spiaggia Dei Saraceni (Ortona) is a sandy, medium-sized beach with shallow water that’s reported as crystal clear/clean, with a flat-to-choppy setup. The launch is described as easy to moderate depending on conditions, and the bottom is sandy. Water quality and the generally shallow profile make it a straightforward place to learn and to ride with confidence once you’re set up away from any hazards. Wind is characterized as mixed, with seasonal thermals and synoptic flows. In spring and summer, a reliable thermal sea breeze often develops in sunny afternoons, with wind trending from the East/Northeast. Reported typical wind speeds are about 12 to 25 knots, and gustiness is described as light. Wind reliability is described as moderate overall, with best conditions during spring/summer for thermal sailing and riding days, and different wind patterns in autumn and winter for frontal systems. Kitesurfing is the top focus for the spot, and conditions are described as not depending on tide. The harbor’s protection helps keep water relatively flatter for freeride-style riding, while the spot can also support freeride and wave directions for more varied sessions. Windsurfing and wingfoiling are also described as viable: windsurfing for freeride and slalom/foil disciplines, and wingfoiling that is generally foil-friendly once riders are mindful of the harbor wall. The main safety theme is summer beach conflict. During June to September, you must use designated launch channels/corridors because of swimmers and summer crowds. The northern harbor breakwater is a key physical hazard, and rocky groynes plus areas of turbulence behind the harbor wall (in NW winds) can affect control. Lifeguard presence is seasonal, and the local hospital is in Ortona city center with Italy’s emergency number 112 for urgent medical issues.
- Shallow sandy launch with reported crystal-clear/clean water
- Thermal sea breeze often develops in sunny afternoons
- Not tide-dependent for kitesurfing
- Harbor protection helps flatten conditions
- Shallow, flat-to-choppy water with crystal-clear/clean quality reported
- Designed for progression: suitable for beginner to intermediate kitesurfing, with additional freestyle/foil/wave options
- Relatively flat water created by harbor protection
- Thermal sea breeze on sunny afternoons in spring and summer
- Summer beach can be busy: designated launch channels/corridors are required to avoid swimmers
- Limited space on the launch area in summer due to umbrellas and bathers
- Potential turbulence/wind shadow behind the harbor wall in NW winds
- Hazards include the northern harbor breakwater and rocky groynes
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, SE, NE, E
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Thermal sea breezes developing from the East/Northeast in sunny afternoons (spring/summer), plus synoptic systems including NW (Maestrale) and SE (Scirocco).
- Reliability
- Moderate reliability overall; best during spring/summer for thermal winds and during autumn/winter for frontal systems.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy seabed.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small wave context reported for the spot.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Flat-to-choppy conditions; shallow water can produce chop under stronger winds.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach area located south of the harbor wall; space can be limited in summer due to umbrellas and bathers.
Through the year
High crowds in July and August; quiet and manageable during shoulder seasons.
Autumn and winter see more frequent frontal storms and rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Shallow, flat water with some chop; conditions are suitable for beginners to intermediate riders and are described as not depending on tide. The harbor protection helps create relatively flat water compared with more exposed coastline.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Freeride and slalom options in shallow, flat-to-choppy conditions; described as not tide-dependent.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Foil-friendly thanks to sandy bottom and sufficient depth once away from shore, while remaining mindful of the harbor wall.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Spiaggia Dei Saraceni (Ortona) in the full forecast view.
Spiaggia Dei Saraceni (Ortona) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–12 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- NW322°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2912 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.1 m4s period
- Temperature
- 12–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Spiaggia Dei Saraceni (Ortona) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.1–1.1 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
- Large concrete harbor breakwater immediately to the north
- Many swimmers on the beach in summer (need designated launch channels)
- Beach umbrellas and crowds during summer
- Rocky groynes along parts of the coastline
- Some turbulence/wind shadow behind the harbor wall in NW winds
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Maritime search and rescue services for the area are operated by the Italian Coast Guard out of the Port of Ortona.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is located in Ortona city center. National emergency number in Italy is 112.
Rules of the spot
During the summer bathing season (June to September), use designated launch channels/corridors to avoid swimmers.
- Kitesurfing is prohibited in swim zones during summer (swimmers present June to September).
- Launch lanes/corridors are required in summer.
- The harbor pier helps flatten the water when the wind is from the North-Northwest.
- Check local port authority ordinances for specific summer dates and corridor locations.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ortona
- Nearest Town
- Ortona
- Parking
- Public parking is available near the beach and along the harbor access roads, but can fill up quickly on summer weekends.
- Access
- From Pescara south on A14, follow signs to Ortona; reach the beach just south of the harbor.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Italian
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and bed and breakfasts in Ortona and near the harbor.
- Food & Drink
- Food and refreshments available via nearby beach lidos and restaurants.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental services are available in the Pescara–Ortona corridor via seasonal centers/schools (exact rental operator not specified for this spot).
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 Spiaggia Dei Saraceni (Ortona)?
The best overall months at Spiaggia Dei Saraceni (Ortona) are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Spiaggia Dei Saraceni (Ortona)?
Spiaggia Dei Saraceni (Ortona) works with NW, SE, NE, E winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Spiaggia Dei Saraceni (Ortona)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Spiaggia Dei Saraceni (Ortona): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Spiaggia Dei Saraceni (Ortona) suitable for?
Spiaggia Dei Saraceni (Ortona) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.