Sternö Badplats (Karlshamn)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Sternö Badplats is a medium-sized, clean-water beach launch in the Karlshamn area, commonly used for wind-powered sports. Conditions are typically choppy with small waves, and the working wind is most often from the west-southwest through west to west-northwest (WSW, W, WNW), making it a strong choice when you can get those westerly angles. For kitesurfing, the bay setup is generally sheltered enough to be manageable for intermediate riders while still offering chop and small-wave character for freeride and wave riding. Providers also describe the site as suitable for bump-and-jump style windsurfing in the same westerly wind regime. Wingfoiling may be possible when the depth allows, but foil riders are cautioned to watch for rocky outcrops and shallow/variable depth near the launch. Safety is a key consideration: the bottom is mixed (sand/stone) and there are rocks and scattered underwater boulders, along with shallow sections in the bay (around 2 meters) and sudden depth changes. Additionally, the forest around/behind the rigging area can create turbulence and gusty winds at the beach, so rigging timing and location matter. Finally, the beach is a municipal swimming area in summer. Avoid riding in designated swimming zones during peak season (June–August), and note that surfing is forbidden from May 1 to September 30.
- Clean water and chop/small-wave conditions
- Best wind from WSW/W/WNW
- Plenty of parking directly at the beach
- Municipal swimming-area restrictions in summer
- Clean water and medium-size beach with ample, direct parking
- Works best with west to west-southwest winds (WSW, W, WNW), suiting intermediate kite riders
- Chop and small-wave conditions create good options for freeride and wave-style riding
- Mixed bottom with rocks/stone and shallow bay sections (about 2 meters) requiring extra care
- Gusty/turbulent conditions can occur near the rigging area due to the forest behind the beach
- Busy swimming period in summer (avoid riding in swimming zones; surfing is restricted)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- WSW, W, WNW
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — W to WSW/WNW westerly gradient winds; local turbulence possible near the Sternö forest behind the beach.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported, with increased gustiness tied to the surrounding forest/rigging area.
- Best Months
- April, May, September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Beach composition reported as sand in one source; other provider describes mixed sand/rock sections along the shore.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small waves reported alongside chop.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop described as a defining condition at the spot.
- Launch
- Big — Very large rigging area on grass/sand; also described as sandy patch adjacent to rocky sections.
Through the year
High swimmer crowds in July and August; kitesurfers mostly in spring and autumn.
Autumn typically sees more wind and rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Sheltered bay conditions with chop/small waves, working best with westerly wind (WSW–WNW).
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Well-suited for bump-and-jump style riding in the archipelago-type conditions when the wind sets up from the west/southwest.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Possible when water depth allows, but riders should be cautious of rocky outcrops near the launch; foil-friendliness is limited.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- variable near shore
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
From the spot
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Sternö Badplats (Karlshamn) in the full forecast view.
Sternö Badplats (Karlshamn) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–24 ktsGusts 42 kts
- Direction
- SW214°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2524 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–3.1 m4s period
- Temperature
- 6–13 °C
Over the next 7 days, Sternö Badplats (Karlshamn) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–24 kts, peaking around 24 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 42 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.1–3.1 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
- Gusty winds due to surrounding forest near the rigging area
- Shallow water in the bay (about 2 meters) / sudden depth changes
- Mixed bottom with sand and stone plus rocks/scattered underwater boulders
- Swimmers during summer
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional guidance indicates volunteer-based coastal emergency response coverage in the Karlshamn area.
- Emergency Info
- Call 112 for emergency services in Sweden.
Rules of the spot
Municipal swimming area; surfing is forbidden May 1–September 30.
- Surfing forbidden May 1–September 30 (municipal swimming area).
- Avoid riding in designated swimming areas during peak summer season (June–August).
- Avoid rigging when wind is gusty due to the surrounding forest.
- Be cautious in the shallow bay (around 2 meters), especially if you are a beginner.
- Launch from the sandy area, but mind rocks on either side.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Karlshamn
- Nearest Town
- Karlshamn
- Nearest Airport
- Ronneby Airport (RNB)
- Parking
- Large parking lot available directly at the beach area.
- Access
- Plenty of parking right next to the beach; rigging possible on grass and sand areas; access via Sternovagen from Karlshamn.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Swedish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and hotels available in Karlshamn town center.
- Food & Drink
- Cafe often open during summer months at the badplats.
- Equipment Rental:
- Limited rental available through local surf clubs and schools, primarily during the summer season.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Karlshamn offers a Swedish coastal experience with maritime history and a strong nature/outdoors focus, including proximity to the archipelago and nearby fishing opportunities.
Exhibitions detailing the history of Swedish emigration to America from Karlshamn's harbor.
World-famous salmon and sea trout fishing in the nearby Mörrumsån.
Popular restaurant focusing on healthy, locally sourced food.
One of Northern Europe's largest wildlife reserves, offering safari drives.
An interactive science center for all ages located in an old spinning mill.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Sternö Badplats (Karlshamn)?
The best overall months at Sternö Badplats (Karlshamn) are May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are April, May, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Sternö Badplats (Karlshamn)?
Sternö Badplats (Karlshamn) works with WSW, W, WNW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Sternö Badplats (Karlshamn)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Sternö Badplats (Karlshamn): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Sternö Badplats (Karlshamn) suitable for?
Sternö Badplats (Karlshamn) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.