The Stagnone Lagoon is the most famous kitsurfing spot on Sicily. It is situated on western bank of the island between cities called Marsala and Trapani. The lagoon is huge flat water area ideal both for kiteboarding beginners and professional freestylers. The sea is shallow making the spot ideal for trying out new things, rescue boats are unnecessary.  The wind is light (usually from 14 to 20 knots). Kite schools and clubs are around every corner. We will concentrate on the lagoon in this Sicily Lo Stagnone and Puzziteddu Kiteboarding Guide but it would be pity not to mention Puzziteddu.

Puzziteddu is a beach about 40 minutes to the south from The Stagnone Lagoon. It is famous for great waves during winter season. In the summer there is only chop but wind can be stronger than on the lagoon. Check the forecast before you decide to give it a try. Puzziteddu is complete opposite to the first spot we mentioned. It is situated on the open sea and there is almost no kitsurfing infrastructure. The spots complement each other, when there is no wind on the lagoon you might get lucky on Puzziteddu.

Prices in this part of Sicily are reasonable. We don’t need to waste time talking about Italian food. It is delicious. Nature is beautiful. Nights are quiet. Reserve some time for sightseeing and driving around the island. Read the rest of Sicily Lo Stagnone and Puzziteddu Kiteboarding Guide to get all the information you need and decide if this is your next summer kite holiday destination. On the other hand if you are already there, get ideas where to kite, eat, and what to visit.

Pros: huge area, flat water, good value for money, laid back atmosphere, beautiful Sicilian cities and villages, you won’t be able to resist Italian food…

Cons: light wind, launching your kite can be a drag (see the rest of the guide to see the details), you will need a car, no night life.

The Spot

As I mentioned at the beginning, the main spot is The Stagnone Lagoon, sandwiched between cities of Marsala and Trapani. It is situated 120 km from Palermo in western Sicily. Less known Puzziteddu is hidden gem, since it has great conditions for kitesurfing. It is located near city called Mazara del Vallo, 40 km from The Stagnone Lagoon to the south.

Wind

Season starts in April and ends in September. In the summer the wind (usually Mistral, blowing from the north) is influenced by thermal differences between sea and land. If it is really hot, the sea gets too warm and you won’t be able to kite. Usually it is 14 to 20 knots strong, meaning that you will need bigger kites. We had 65% of days when we could ride during July and August. Typically it blows from left to right side shore. Wind is gusty close to the beach but when you get away from the coastline it is perfect.

Due to shallow water, even when you have a huge crash or something goes wrong with the equipment, rescue boats are pointless since you can just pick your kite and walk back to the beach. Great for safety but not for foil boards. Sadly, if the wind is not strong enough, the lagoon is not deep enough to use foil boards. If you have one, you can leave it at home.

As I already said Puzziteddu is only 45 minutes away and if there is no wind at the main spot there is good chance that you will be able to ride there. Check the forecast and hit the road. At Puzziteddu wind blows from left to right side onshore, so you will be safe. If you combine these two spots you can get respectable 80%-90% of windy days.

Beach and Sea

There is almost no beach in the lagoon because a narrow, one way road goes along the sea. In order to launch a kite you will obviously have to inflate it, set up lines, and then the story becomes weird. You will need to roll your lines and take your equipment across the road into the water. Next step will be to carefully unroll lines and pass the kite to a beach boy (I guess we should call him sea boy in this case) to help you start off your session from the water. Be very cautious and concentrated because if you tangle the lines during the process you will have to go out and do whole setup again which can be timewasting and annoying.

Situation is little bit better on the north of the lagoon, where you can avoid crossing the road but you won’t be able to skip the point of rolling and unrolling the lines due to lack of the wind on the beach. Don’t despair because there is one spot where you can launch regularly, it is the most northern part of the lagoon, see the map.  

If we overlook the challenge with the getting into the water, kiteboarding clubs are plenty and they have great infrastructure. You will bump into one every several hundred meters. The clubs will satisfy all your needs, usually there is: school, storage, shade, bar, shower, “sea boys”…

The lagoon is flat and shallow. Sheer size of the spot reminded me of Kalpitya in Sri Lanka. During summer months the water is warm, there is no need for wetsuit or shorty.  You can find small waves on the northern entrance to the lagoon called San Teodoro. The water there is transparent and turquoise. In order to get to San Teodoro you will have to ride upwind and cross the shallowest part of the lagoon. It is so shallow that you are going to touch the bottom with your fins.

Generally the lagoon water is murky and he bottom is covered with silt. Some people won’t find it pleasant to walk around. The spot is huge and safe, no obstacles in the water.  Be aware of annoying seaweed which can cause skin rash if you don’t shake it off as soon as you touch it.

Puzziteddu has sandy beach just below a road going along it. Part of the coast reserved for the kitesurfing is 200-300 meters long. The beach is just wide enough to set up your equipment. Water is way colder than at the lagoon. The sea gets deep 30 meters away from the shore. You might need shorty even during summer season. The area is safe, there are no submerged rocks, dangerous marine life etc. 

The spot has almost no infrastructure. Puzziteddu Surf Center is reserved for members only. Wind Resort is just several meters down the road. You will find accommodation, kite school and a bar there. They have several types of bungalows.

Getting to and around Lo Stagnione and Puzziteddu

Closest airport is just around the corner. You will see it from the northern part of the spot. Trapani – Birgi airport is only 5 km away. It has descent connection to European cities. Ryanair dominates the timetable of flights.

If the choice of destinations is not satisfying, try out Palermo. The airport is 90 km away. Car ride is going to take you 1 hour. You can also use Catania airport if you don’t mind 3.5 hour car ride since the distance between the airport and the spot is more than 320 km. In all 3 cases you will have to organize your own transfer.

There is wide choice of ferry boats in case you are travelling by your car or campervan. Sicily is well connected to Italian mainland or Sardinia. You can board a ferry in Villa San Giovanni, Naples, Civithavecchia (near Rome) etc… You can also reach Sicily from Malta, France and Tunisia by boat.  

There is no public transport. Getting around is almost impossible without car. Closest grocery store is at least 10 km away. If there is no wind and you want to hop by Puzziteddu you will also need a ride. Consider renting a car right away on the airport if you don’t have one.

Where to Stay

The lagoon area has broad range of self-catering apartments where you can stay. Regardless of your choice, closest kitesurfing club is going to be in the neighbourhood. Prices of apartments are reasonable. When it comes to hotels, the supply is not that good. There are no big resorts, and to tell you the truth we don’t miss them at all.

You can camp or park your campervan at Mamma Colette. Great location, garden, and food (homemade pasta) but the boss lady, Mrs Collette, is story of her own. You will experience unique comprehension of hospitality and management in tourism ;).

I already said in previous Sicily Lo Stagnone and Puzziteddu Kiteboarding Guide section that Puzziteddu has only Wind Resort where you can stay directly on the spot. They boast that it is first agriglamping (whatever it means) place on Sicily. The bungalows are charming. Kartibubbo Village is only 1.5 km away. It is big complex which consists of hotel and apartments. It has several outdoor pools and a tennis court.

Avoid August in Italy, if you can, because the whole country goes on holiday. Prices are much higher, availability of accommodation is limited, big crowds are on the roads, beaches etc.

What to do when you are not kiteboarding

If you are not kitesurfing you should obviously hit the beach since you are on summer holiday. The lagoon is not exactly how people imagine a dream beach. San Teodoro is the nicest in the area.  San Vito Lo Capo is beautiful white sand, clear water, beach 65 km to the north. You will need 1 hour to get there by car. If you are in the neighbourhood don’t miss the Zingaro Nature Reserve for hiking and swimming in crystal clear sea.

 Visit salt pans situated in the lagoon. Numberless pools where the salt is produced are spectacular. Colours are unbelievable. Old wind mill is the main attraction.

Food is delicious. When you are in Italy you must try pizza. We liked Master Pizza the best. If you are in hurry and you want to eat something on the go, great value for money has da Saro. We have already mentioned Mamma Colette. In case you are bored of pasta visit Burger Island. In the evening reserve place in one of many restaurants on the coast and enjoy sunset over a sea food dinner.

You have probably watched mafia movies in which canollis are mentioned all the time. Sicily is home of the pastry and the best place where you can try it. Canolli is tube shaped goody filed with sweet filling containing ricotta cheese.

You should also visit Marsala and Trapani, cities on the opposite sides of the lagoon. You can find vibrant night life there. Sadly the nights around the lagoon are quiet. If you kite at Puzziteddo you should stop by Mazara del Valo. It is beautiful Sicilian city full of small bars and restaurants.

If you liked this Sicily Lo Stagnone and Puzziteddu Kiteboarding Guide ad you think that it is great place for your next kitesurfing holiday you can book your accommodation here.