Vivesholm (Gotland)
- Freestyle, Freeride
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Chop
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Vivesholm is a small, clean-water kitesurfing beach on Gotland, known for long stretches of shallow, very flat water that make it forgiving for beginners and useful for freestyle and freeride practice. The main riding area is described as shallow and flat, with some chop possible, and the spot also has a calm character overall for progression. Operationally, access centers on a short drive and a gated entry into a peninsula pasture. Closing the gate after you is mandatory because cattle are kept on the peninsula, and riders are also advised not to disturb livestock or any nesting birds. Parking is limited and is recommended near the trees before the dirt road ends so you don’t block access. Wind-wise, the spot’s best direction window is consistently given as S, SSW, SW, WSW, and W, with the best months listed as April, May, June, August, September, and October. Typical kite wind is described in a 12–25 knot range by one provider, while another indicates wind reliability is generally better in spring and autumn but lower overall at the spot. Seasonally, water temperatures run from about 5–10°C in April up to above 20°C in summer, so wetsuit choice varies strongly by month. Because conditions and rules can depend on local access permissions, it’s advised to check whether kitesurfing is allowed and whether you need a special permit or local membership before going.
- Large shallow flat-water learning area
- Best wind directions: S to WSW/W
- Spring and autumn are the primary reliable months (April–June, August–October)
- Gated cattle-access rules are critical
- Very flat, shallow water zone with clean water—well suited to learning and freestyle practice
- Wind directions commonly include S through WSW, aligning with typical kite wind windows for the area
- Easy launch from a small peninsula area (small grassy/sandy launch zone)
- Wind reliability at the spot is reported as low overall
- Grazing cattle and a gated approach require careful access and gate discipline
- Remote-feeling launch with limited on-site services
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSW, SW, WSW, W
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Providers differ on wind characterization: one describes trade winds; another describes gradient winds (both with S–W directionality).
- Reliability
- Low overall at the spot per nearby Gotland estimate (~27.6%), with better conditions in spring and autumn.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, June, August, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — One provider notes mixed beach/launch surfaces (sand plus grassy areas).
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Flat — Water conditions are described as shallow/flat; chop may be present.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Chop is mentioned as part of the shallow conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Small grassy and sandy launch area shared with grazing cattle.
Through the year
Usually quiet, though it can be popular with local kiters on windy weekends.
Autumn brings stronger storm systems and more frequent storms (regionally noted).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Shallow, very flat water creates a large learning area for freestyle and freeride, with the water quickly dropping off after the shallow zone.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Possible but limited by shallow depth; long-fin riders must stay further out from shore.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Challenging due to extended shallow area near launch; requires a long walk to find enough depth for a foil mast.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Requires walking out significantly for depth.
- Min Depth
- Requires a long walk to reach about 1.5m depth.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Vivesholm (Gotland) in the full forecast view.
Vivesholm (Gotland) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–21 ktsGusts 39 kts
- Direction
- SSW205°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2521 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–2.2 m5s period
- Temperature
- 7–12 °C
Over the next 7 days, Vivesholm (Gotland) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–21 kts, peaking around 21 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 39 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 0.2–2.2 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- Grazing cattle on the peninsula
- Shallow water
- Submerged rocks
- Slippery stones near the water's edge
- Possible gate/road-access hazard (must close gate)
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level note indicates no rescue availability; broader regional rescue is handled by Sweden's national services.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Klintehamn or Visby.
Rules of the spot
Close the gate after entering/leaving because the peninsula is used for grazing cattle. Follow nature reserve guidelines and avoid disturbing livestock or nesting birds.
- You may need a special permit or local kite organization membership—check local regulations before riding.
- Respect nature reserve guidelines.
- Park at the trees just before the dirt road ends to avoid blocking the track/road access.
- Bring a repair kit because the area is remote.
- Confirm whether kitesurfing is allowed and whether you need a special permit or local membership.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Visby
- Nearest Town
- Klintehamn
- Nearest Airport
- Visby Airport (VBY), ~35 km away
- Parking
- Limited parking at/near the trees just before the dirt road ends.
- Access
- From Visby, drive about 30 km south along the coast. Turn right onto a small unmarked road between a yellow house and a barn shortly before Klintehamn. After a few hundred meters there is a gate—close it (cows graze on the entire peninsula). Continue about 500 m further to parking near the trees before the dirt road ends.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Swedish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and guesthouses are available in and around Klintehamn.
- Food & Drink
- Basic supplies and restaurants can be found in Klintehamn (~5 km away).
- Equipment Rental:
- One provider reports no rentals at the spot; other notes rentals available via schools.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Gotland’s Vivesholm–Kovik area is a rural, nature-focused coastal setting where visitors often combine water sports with coastal walks and regional heritage.
UNESCO World Heritage site featuring well-preserved medieval walls and ruins.
Nature reserve islands famous for birdwatching and limestone cliffs, accessible by ferry from Klintehamn.
Memorial chapel built in 1963 on Kovik’s headland with typical Gotland architecture.
Nature reserve area with strandräxter, nesting birds, and ancient ruins near the Baltic Sea.
Kovik Fishing Village with open-air museum and scenic coastal views.
Nature reserve islands famous for birdwatching and limestone cliffs, accessible by ferry from Klintehamn.
Colorful shop near the Kovik entrance that sells kites and wind spinners; may offer informal refreshments.
Various local cafes and small restaurants serving traditional Swedish fare in the nearby harbor town.
Walk the headland at Kovik, visiting the fishing museum and chapel and exploring nearby small islands.
Nature area offering hiking trails and panoramic views of the western coastline.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Vivesholm (Gotland)?
The best overall months at Vivesholm (Gotland) are April, May, June, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Vivesholm (Gotland)?
Vivesholm (Gotland) works with S, SSW, SW, WSW, W winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Vivesholm (Gotland)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Vivesholm (Gotland): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Vivesholm (Gotland) suitable for?
Vivesholm (Gotland) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.