Getting our Beneteau Oceanis 41.1, All Winds, ready for her first season here in Croatia was destined to involve a few unexpected delays. While we have been busy trying to get off the dock and get our own “Sailbatical” started, the universe decided to balance out our stress by giving us a wonderfully surprising chance encounter.

It all started when the downwind sail, which was discussed as part of our purchase contract, fell through. In despair, we put out a call on social media to see if anyone in the sailing community had a suitable sail they were willing to sell.

Within a few minutes, we had a reply from someone in the exact same marina offering what seemed like a great solution. Philipp and Beate had just purchased their Hallberg-Rassy 42, Albatros, and were preparing for their circumnavigation. Their blister was not the ideal downwind sail for their needs, but it seemed like it would suit “All Winds” perfectly.

A Pink Sail and a New Friendship

We arranged a meeting on the dock. As we pulled the sail out of its bag, we realised it was almost brand new and in Karin’s favourite colour for a downwind sail: pink! The deal was quickly done, and a lovely friendship developed.

What started as a quick transaction turned into hours of shared stories and inspiring conversations about the realities of life on the water. Philipp and Beate are incredibly passionate sailors. They are documenting their circumnavigation on their website, Blauwassergeschichten, through fantastic VLOGs and an interactive tracking map.

At the same time, they are writing a series of children’s books about their adventures. The books tell the story of a curious little seahorse discovering the world, beautifully depicting the journey through the eyes of their nieces and nephews back home in Germany: Eva, Elise, and Eliot. It is a creative and heartwarming way to share the magic of the ocean with the next generation. You can find more about the book series (available in English and German) on their website.

A few days after our meeting, we had the profound honour of standing on the dock to wave them off as they officially started their circumnavigation.

We won’t lie—watching their bow point towards the horizon while we are still wading through paperwork and waiting to start our own trip was a bittersweet moment. But honestly, keeping up with them has been a highlight of our days. Right now, we are happily sailing vicariously through their social media channels and the regular WhatsApp updates they send us of their progress. It is a beautiful reminder of why we love this community and exactly what is waiting for us out there once we finally cast off our own lines and hoist that pink sail.

We highly encourage you to give them a follow on Instagram or Facebook so you can follow along with their incredible journey. You can also explore their interactive map, watch their latest VLOG videos, and pick up those beautiful children’s books over at Blauwassergeschichten.de.

Philipp, Beate (and the little seahorse), we wish you fair winds, following seas, and an unforgettable circumnavigation. We hope our wakes cross again somewhere out there in the blue water.

The post Serendipity on the Docks: Pink Sails, Shared Stories, and Vicarious Sailing appeared first on All Winds Adventures.

TL;DR Summary for Skippers:

• The Reality: Every sailor will eventually face an emergency. Even the elite pros making multi-million Euro mistakes.
• The Strategy: Disasters are a chain reaction (like a messy cockpit leading to a wrapped prop). Your job is to break the “Chain of Disaster” early.
• The PAME Framework: Always use Plan, Approach, Manoeuvre, Escape before committing to any high-risk boat handling.
• The Action: When chaos hits, hit your mental “Reset Button” (Stop, Breathe, Think). Always prioritise People first, Hull second, and Rig/Engine third.

If you spend enough time around boats, you will eventually realise a harsh truth: It’s not “If”, it’s “WHEN”!!!.

There is no worse sound on a bareboat charter holiday than the engine suddenly choking and dying as you reverse into a tight marina berth. The sea is unpredictable; equipment breaks, and as humans, we all make mistakes. I’ve spent 40 years on and around the water, and I can promise you that no skipper is perfect.

Even elite offshore professionals screw up. Look at the last Ocean Race: Charlie Enright’s 11th Hour Racing team suffered a massive, hull-crushing collision with Guyot environnement right at the start of the final leg. But they didn’t fall apart. They managed the immediate catastrophe, bounced back, and actually went on to win the entire global event. Elite sailors make mistakes. The difference isn’t that they are perfect; the difference is how they keep a mistake from becoming a disaster, and how they bounce back afterwards.

Whether you are sailing on a Swiss lake or navigating a 45-foot catamaran in Croatia, here is how you handle the chaos when things go wrong on the water.

1. Recognise “The Chain of Disaster”

Disasters are rarely one single event. They are almost always a chain reaction. The equation can often look something like this:

Minor Error + Fatigue + Rushing + Bad Weather = Catastrophe.

Let’s look at a highly realistic bareboat charter example:

• The crew is tired after a long sail and leaves the cockpit a tangled mess of lazy sheets.
• As you motor into a crowded marina in a crosswind, a sheet or a trailing mooring line fall into the water.
• The prop sucks it up and stops the engine dead.
• You have no propulsion, no steering, and you are drifting sideways into a million-Euro superyacht.
• Crash.

The strategy as a skipper is to catch the “Links” early. Prevention is better than cure. This means keeping a tidy “shipshape” cockpit and doing your safety briefings to tell the crew what to do before the drama starts.

2. The PAME Method: Always Have an Escape Route

I learned this acronym on an RYA Powerboat Instructor course back in the late 90s, and it has saved my bacon more times than I can count. Before you commit to any tight docking or complex boat handling, run through the acronym PAME:

• P – Plan: What is the exact goal? (e.g., Docking stern-to on the windward pontoon).
• A – Approach: How are we getting there? What are the wind and tide doing?
• M – Manouvre: The actual execution of the plan.
• E – Escape: This is the most critical step. If a gust hits or the engine fails halfway through the manoeuvre, how do we bail out safely?

If you don’t have an Escape route, do not start the Approach.

3. Hit the “Reset Button”

When chaos hits, panic is the enemy. Panic causes tunnel vision, making the world shrink and making it very easy to miss something critical.

Let’s go back to 11th Hour Racing: On the wall of their cockpit, they literally had half a red tennis ball glued to the bulkhead. That was the team’s physical “Reset Button.” When things went sideways, they physically hit it to break the hypnosis of panic.

STOP, BREATHE, THINK.

Follow this cycle to regain control:

• Stop: Take your hands off the wheel, put the engine in neutral, or heave-to.
• Crew Welfare: Is everyone ok?
• Calm: Stay calm yourself—don’t make the situation worse with your own emotion. No shouting!
• Assess: What is actually wrong? Get feedback from your crew.
• Plan: Communicate the fix to the team.

Always remember your priorities:

1: People (Lives & Injuries)
2: Hull (Keeping the water out)
3: Rig & Engine (Propulsion)

4. Buy Yourself Time

If you are overwhelmed, you need to buy time. The ultimate way to press “Pause” on a sailing yacht is to Heave-to. Assuming you have the sea room, heaving-to stops the motion, flattens the boat, and allows you to make coffee and think.

5. Real-World Scenario: The Prop Wrap

Let’s say the nightmare happens: the engine just stopped dead because of a wrapped line.

1. Immediate Action: Put the gear into NEUTRAL immediately. Do not try to restart it, you risk either making it worse or damaging the sail drive.
2. Assess: Are we in immediate danger from rocks or other boats?
3. Plan: Can we sail out of it? (Plan A). Should we drop the anchor to buy time and stop the drift? (Plan B). Or do we need to dive to clear it? (Plan C—Only if safe, engine off, keys in your pocket, spotter on deck).

The Bottom Line

Sh!t happens. There is often no definite right or wrong answer. You have to draw on your toolbox of skills. Prepare well, clear the cockpit, use the PAME framework, and when the chaos hits: hit the Reset Button.

Are you ready to take the helm with confidence? The best way to handle a catastrophe is to stop the chain before you even leave the pontoon. If you are planning your next sailing holiday, download the free All Winds Skippers Decision Matrix to help you make safe, objective “Go/No-Go” decisions.

If you want a Yachtmaster in your corner to help you practice these catastrophe management skills in the real world, check out our Skipper Coaching Weeks in Croatia and Switzerland.

The post Sailing Safety: The Skipper’s Guide to Catastrophe Management appeared first on All Winds Adventures.

Finding the perfect boat for a sailing holiday is a balance of stability, space, and ‘power-to-weight’ performance. As a Switzerland-based boutique charter agency serving all of Europe, we draw on extensive time at the helm of popular charter models. This allows us to provide practical, first-hand advice based on real-world experience

We draw on over 35 years of wind-sports experience. This spans from family cruisers to high-performance yachts like the RM 1350. We created this guide to explain how different designs handle. Crucially, we show how those traits scale as boats get bigger.

How to “Scale” Your Expectations

How do you know if a 46-foot boat feels like the 38-foot version you read about? Larger boats are naturally more stable due to their weight. However, a boat’s “soul” depends on technical ratios.

The SA/D Index: Your Performance Compass

For those who prioritise sailing, look for the Sail Area-to-Displacement (SA/D) ratio in the specs:

• Under 15: Often under-sailed. Expect to motor in light winds.
• 16–18: The “sweet spot” for modern cruising.
• 20+: High-performance (like an RM or Pogo). Expect higher loads and active sailing.

As you scale up—for example, from a Sun Odyssey 410 to a 440—waterline length adds speed. However, check that the sail area increases with the weight. If it doesn’t, the larger boat may feel “slower” in light air than its smaller sibling.

Size Matters: Crew Comfort vs. Handling

Size influences two major factors: Space and Load.

• Small Crews (Couples): A boat in the 34 to 41-foot range is often perfect. It offers luxury without becoming a chore to manage in a marina.
• Two Couples or 4–6 Friends: Aim for 38 to 43 feet. This ensures everyone has “breathing room” and storage.
• Large Families: Boats over 45 feet or Catamarans are best for larger parties.

Pro Tip: Never fill a boat to its absolute maximum capacity. A 41-foot boat may sleep eight, but we recommend a limit of 4 to 5 people. This ensures everyone has a cabin and enough storage for a comfortable holiday.

Technical Specs: Handling the Rig

Pay close attention to the sail plan. It dramatically affects your daily experience:

• Fully Battened with Slab Reefing: Best for performance. It offers more sail area and better tuning.
• Roller Furling Mainsail: Offers easy reefing from the cockpit. It is great for small or less experienced crews.
• Self-Tacking Jibs: These make tacking effortless. They are ideal if your group isn’t active in sailing. However, you do sacrifice some sail area.
• Autonomy: If you love secluded bays, prioritise solar panels and large water tanks (500L+).

Real-World Case Studies: Our Honest Reviews

We have personally tested these models in various conditions. Here is our take:

Bavaria Cruiser Series (34, 41 & C38)

Cruiser 34 & 41: These are exceptionally stable with a comfortable motion. They have a “classic” hull shape that handles choppy seas smoothly.

Bavaria C38: A modern style with hull “chines.” While it has good form stability, the self-tacking jib version can feel under-sailed.

Beneteau Oceanis Series (35.1 & 41.1)

Oceanis 35.1: Very easy to handle in marinas. It is perfect for a couple’s getaway but can feel “light” under sail.

Oceanis 41.1: A significant step up. We’ve seen speeds over 10 knots on this boat.

Expert Choice: We chose an Oceanis 41.1 with a fully battened mainsail for our own personal boat and for coaching. The battened main provides the power and precision needed for high-level coaching.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey (410)

A personal favourite. The walk-around side decks provide incredible security at night. It feels reactive, almost like a large dinghy. The twin rudders provide excellent grip during marina manoeuvres.

Dufour Grand Large (412)

This boat offers a massive interior and a fun transom gas grill. While it is a great “floating holiday home,” its sailing performance was the lowest among the group we tested.

Alternative Options: Performance & Space

• Performance Cruisers (Pogo, RM): These are for experienced sailors wanting a sporty ride. Expect higher loads and technical systems like running backstays.
• Catamarans (Bali, Lagoon): The ultimate for space. They don’t heel (tilt), making them great for nervous sailors. Twin engines make them manoeuvrable, but their width requires good communication when docking.

Summary Comparison Table

Ready to find your perfect boat? Contact us to discuss your needs. We are happy to help you find your dream charter boat. Why not read our Step-by-Step Guide to booking your first charter?

The post Choosing Your Perfect Charter Yacht: Expert Reviews and Performance Scaling appeared first on All Winds Adventures.

There’s something special about naming a boat. It’s not just a label — it’s a reflection of what it represents.
For us, All Winds is more than a yacht. It’s the symbol of fulfilling a lifelong dream, our love for adventure, and the next step in our journey.

All Winds is a 2021 Beneteau Oceanis 41.1. A yacht that strikes the perfect balance between performance, comfort, and pure sailing joy. Spacious yet agile, she’s built for those who want to feel the wind, explore new horizons, and experience life at sea in its truest form.

All Winds: Further Details (click here)

With an overall length of 12.43 metres (41 feet), All Winds comfortably accommodates up to 8 people across three spacious cabins.

The Oceanis 41.1 is the perfect yacht for exploring Croatia’s stunning coastline. Her generous cockpit provides ample space for the whole crew to relax and enjoy evenings together on deck after a great day on the water.

Our Oceanis 41.1 “All Winds”, based in Rogoznica, Croatia, combines smart design with impressive sailing performance. The mast, set slightly further aft, ensures excellent balance and handling under sail — ideal for both relaxed cruising and more spirited sailing days.

The large swim platform with integrated stairs makes it easy to access the sea, while additional floor storage compartments add a touch of comfort and practicality on board.

Check out the equipment list – you’ll be impressed! With her battened mainsail, All Winds delivers pure sailing pleasure without limits.

Specifications

• Berths: 6 +2
• Cabins: 3
• Max Crew: 8
• S. A. /Displacement: 21
• Length: 12.43m/41′
• Beam: 4.2m/13.8′
• Draft: 2.2m/7.2′
• Build: 2021
• Displacement: 7.84t
• Motor: Yanmar 40HP
• Water: 570l
• Fuel: 200l

Equipmment

• Mainsail: Slab Reefing (40m)
• Genoa: Furling (44m)
• Gennaker: Optional
• GPS: Yes
• Plotter: Raymarine Axiom (x2)
• Autohelm: Raymarine
• Wind Sensors: Raymarine
• Electric Winch: Main Halyard
• Bow Thruster: Yes
• Bimini: Yes
• Spray Hood: Yes
• Swim Platform : Yes
• Heating: Yes
• Hot Water: Engine & Shore Power
• Electric Toilets: Yes
• USB Charge Ports: Yes
• Solar Panel: Yes
• Bow Thruster: Yes
• Inflatable Lifejackets: Yes

Extras

• Base Pack: 250 Euro (Mandatory)
• Deposit: 1500 Euro (refunded if no damage)
• Outboard: 150 Euro/week
• SUP: 100 Euro/week
• Gennaker: 200 Euro/week
• Skipper: 200 Euro/day
• Early Check-in: 100 Euro

The Story Behind the Name

When the idea for this chapter first began to take shape, we had just moved to a small Swiss village called Allenwinden, which, quite fittingly, translates as “All Winds.”

It felt like fate: A gentle reminder that every wind, from every direction, can carry you somewhere new — if you’re open to the journey.

So when it came time to name our yacht, there was really only one choice. All Winds perfectly captures both where we are and who we are: Guided by curiosity, powered by nature, and ready to embrace whatever wind comes our way.

Why Charter from Marina Frapa, Rogoznica?

Situated in the heart of the Dalmatian Coast, Marina Frapa serves as the ultimate gateway for a versatile sailing holiday. From our base in Rogoznica, you are perfectly positioned between the rugged Kornati National Park to the north and the iconic islands of Hvar and Vis to the south. This central location offers the unique flexibility to plan your itinerary around the prevailing weather—allowing you to seek the calm shelter of the inshore islands or venture to remote, quieter archipelagos further afield when the winds are in your favor.

How to Join Us Aboard All Winds in Croatia

• Bareboat Charter (Set Your Own Course):
  • Availability: Private (bareboat) charters of All Winds begin in June 2026. (Quick, she is booking up fast!)
  • Service: Ideal for experienced sailors who hold the necessary licenses and want the freedom to explore the Croatian Adriatic at their own pace.
• Guided Coaching Adventures (Learn & Explore):
  • Availability: Limited spaces are available from Autumn 2026 for our first sailing adventure. A larger programme of coaching and adventure sailing weeks will follow in Spring and Autumn 2027.
  • Service: Designed for those who want to combine learning, exploration, and the joy of life at sea under the expert guidance of the All Winds Adventures team.

Can’t Wait? Global Charter Options Available Now

For those who can’t wait to set sail or need a different type of yacht:

We can immediately help you charter another yacht through our trusted global partners. As expert brokers, we can source bigger, smaller, or different model boats in any destination worldwide, including the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and beyond. Whether it’s your first sailing holiday or your next big voyage, we’ll help you find the perfect boat and destination now.

A New Chapter on the Horizon

All Winds isn’t just our yacht—it’s a floating reflection of everything we believe in: freedom, discovery, and the beauty of being powered by nature.

We’ve spent years guiding adventures across mountains and lakes. Now, we’re inviting you to join us where our story began—on the water. Together, let’s chase All Winds—and see where they take us.

Follow our journey on [Instagram/Facebook] or sign up for our newsletter. Be the first to know when All Winds sets sail.

For more information about our Charter offers, take a look at our Charter page or contact us directly. For more articles about Yacht Charter see our Step by Step guide to booking your first Charter or How to Prepare for your first Bareboat Charter.

The post Meet “All Winds”: Your Yacht for Sailing Adventures in Croatia appeared first on All Winds Adventures.

Adventure has always been at the heart of what we do.

When I started Swiss Alpine Adventure, my mission was simple: to share my love of nature, freedom, and exploration with others. From mountain trails to alpine lakes, from snow-covered peaks to sunlit valleys — we wanted to help people experience that feeling of being alive outdoors.

But long before Swiss Alpine Adventure was born, my story began somewhere else entirely… on the water.

Back to Where It All Began

Before trading wetsuits for ski boots, I (Dave) was a full-time watersports instructor — teaching windsurfing, sailing, and introducing people to the excitement of being powered by the wind.

It was there, on beaches and bays across Europe and as far as Hawaii, that my passion for outdoor adventure truly took shape.

That feeling — the lift of the sail, the rush of the wind, the quiet connection with nature — never left me. It’s what inspired me to create Swiss Alpine Adventure in the first place: to bring people together through active experiences in the great outdoors.

When I met Karin and she mentioned that she sailed, my first question was simple: “Can we go sailing together?”

Karin, too, has always felt at home on the water. A lifelong sailor and all-round outdoor enthusiast, she shares that same connection to the elements that drive every one of our adventures.

Together, we’ve always believed that adventure is less about the location and more about the feeling — the wind in your hair, the water beneath your feet, and the freedom to explore.

The Bridge: Wannabe Watersports

If you’ve followed us for a while, you might already know Wannabe Watersports — our small but passionate side project that offered windsurfing and wing foil lessons, equipment rentals, and sailing experiences.

Wannabe Watersports allowed us to stay connected to the water while still running Swiss Alpine Adventure. It was where we experimented, refined our ideas, and started helping others rediscover the joy of wind-powered adventure.

Now, that energy, experience, and community are all part of our next big step.

Introducing All Winds Adventures

All Winds Adventures is the natural evolution of our journey — combining everything we’ve learned from the mountains, the lakes, and the sea.

Born from Swiss Alpine Adventure GmbH, and built on the spirit of Wannabe Watersports, All Winds Adventures is where our love for the outdoors meets our lifelong passion for wind and water.

We’re here to help you discover your own wind-powered freedom — whether that’s through:

• Windsurfing and Wing Foiling Coaching — learn or progress with expert instruction in Switzerland
• Taster Sessions and Private Lessons (Sailing, Windsurf, Wingfoil) — perfect for beginners who want to feel the wind for the first time
• Equipment Rentals — high-quality Windsurf, Wingfoil and SUP gear for your holidays or weekends away
• Yacht Charters or Coaching Weeks — Coaching in Croatia and Charters worldwide, for anyone who wants to combine sailing, learning, and exploring

All Winds Adventures isn’t a replacement for what came before — it’s the next chapter in our story. A full-circle return to the element that started it all.

A Shared Adventure

At the core of everything we do — mountains or waves, snow or sea — is the belief that adventure should be accessible, shared, and real.

We don’t just teach sports; we help people find connection — to nature, to each other, and to themselves.

Whether you’ve joined us on a bike ride or ski tour in the Alps, a sailing week in Croatia, or your first windsurfing session on a Swiss lake, you’re part of this story.

Now, as we set sail with All Winds Adventures, we invite you to join us once again — to chase the wind, explore new horizons, and rediscover the joy of being powered by nature.

All Winds Adventures

Powered by the Wind. Driven by Passion.

The post From The Alps to the Sea: Coming Full Circle with All Winds Adventures appeared first on All Winds Adventures.

With a window for a holiday coming up, I tend to spend a lot of time looking at Windguru or Windy to try and figure out where the best place to go will be. In this situation, the North West of Spain (Galicia) was looking quite promising.

With that decided, it was time to get some flights and looking online, we managed to book a couple of tickets from Zurich to Santiago de Compostela at a reasonable price, flying with Vueling. It took some further phone calls to arrange our excess baggage through Vueling customer service.

Booking last-minute to follow the wind does not usually leave much time to pack. This means getting Windsurfing, Kitesurfing and SUP gear all ready to fly last minute is a bit of a challenge. How much goes in what bag, are the bags underweight? What problems will we have at check-in? All these issues lead to some stress until that moment you drop everything off at the oversized baggage counter, and the holiday can finally begin. Luckily on this trip, everything went smoothly, and before we knew it, we were picking up our rental car in Santiago de Compostela and finding our way to our first overnight stay in A Coruna.

It felt really great to walk on the beach in A Coruna and breathe in the salty air. The first evening in A Coruna was spent checking weather forecasts and deciding where to go the next day.

Galicia

To cut a long story short, we were not lucky with the conditions in Galicia. We discovered an amazing coastline with beautiful villages and a huge potential for windsurfing, but unfortunately for us, the forecasted wind never materialised. We will definitely go back again, but on this trip, we made a tactical decision after a couple of days to head south to Portugal. The Portuguese coastline benefits from the Nortada effect, which thermally accelerates any northerly airflow in the region.

Having been there once before, I knew that Viana do Castelo was not far away and benefited from the Nortada. Recently, a PWA Slalom and Freestyle event had absolutely ballistic conditions here, so it felt like a safe bet to cut our losses and head there.

Viana do Castelo

Arriving in Viana to find many kites in the sky, we immediately felt we had made the right choice. We rented a kitesurf and windsurf locker on the beach from the Viana Beach Centre and then went to get something to eat and get a good nights sleep for a promising forecast the next day.

The Town

Viana is a bustling harbour town on the north of Portugal. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants in the town, and finding something to eat for pretty much every taste is easily possible. The town is on the north side of the Limia estuary, and the beach Windsurfing/Kitesurfing area is on the southern side of the Estuary. There is one bridge to get across, but you will need a car to get around unless you leave your gear (or rent) at one of the beach centres. There is also a water taxi from the town across the estuary to the beach areas.

Conditions

As already mentioned, Viana benefits from the Nortada. If the weather is sunny, any northerly airflow will be strengthened, providing perfect cross to cross off-shore wind at the northern end of the Praia de Cabedelo. The further south on the beach you go, the more side-shore the wind gets. The wind can be a little gusty on the first day of a Nortada, but as the days go on it tends to get stronger and more consistent. In the time we were there, I was sailing 4.7 and 5.3 on my 85-litre wave board, and my Partner used everything from a 6m to a 10m kite.

As the wind gets stronger (or there is a swell running), the waves get larger the further down the beach you go. Right up by the Harbour wall, the waves are usually (depending on swell direction) somewhat smaller, and they increase in size as you travel south along the beach. This provides a great possibility for people to start out sailing wave,s and as they feel more confident, they can move further down the beach.

The shelter of the harbour wall provides really flat water (but somewhat gusty winds if you are a windsurfer) if you stay right at the north end of the beach. As you venture out past the shelter of the wall you start to get more of a rolling swell which is good for practising small jumps.

The Viana Beach Centre provides tuition in Windsurfing, Kitesurfing and Surfing, and we were pretty impressed with the set-up that they had there. There is also another water sports centre attached to the Feel Viana Hotel, a little further south on the beach. At the time of writing, we have not yet gotten to stay there (although we do plan to go back)

The Viana Beach Centre has equipment from Duotone (Kites and Windsurf Sails) and Fanatic (Windsurf Boards and SUPS). The Feel Viana centre has mainly JP and Neil Pryde equipment with Cabrinha Kites. Both locations also have surf shops where you can pick up anything you may have forgotten or broken.

Summary

Viana is great, it offers windsurfers and kitesurfers who travel together the opportunity to share time on the water. (not always easy) We really enjoyed the atmosphere (and the food) around the Beach Centre in Viana. The storage facilities were great and saved the long walk over the boardwalks with our equipment each day. It is definitely a place we plan on going back to.

Nearest Airport: Porto, Portugal, although Santiago de Compostela is also possible.

Accommodation: If you can get a room there, it’s hard to beat the location of the Feel Viana hotel. (but will be staying there in 2020) We were too last-minute to stay there and stayed instead in the Absolute Design Hotel and Hotel do Parque. (booking over booking.com last minute) Both hotels were of acceptable quality, but the Hotel do Parque was starting to look a little tired. Absolute Design Hotel is in the middle of the Town and Parking may sometimes be a problem.

Kitesurf or Windsurf: Both.

Wind/Kite Surf Schools: Viana Beach Centre or Feel Viana

Car Rental: We rented from the airport in Santiago de Compostela, and although it was further away than Porto, car rental at the time of visiting and writing did seem to be cheaper from the Spanish Airport.

Wind: Prevailing wind in Summer is the Nortada can blow 20 to 40 knots side shore from the right. With more days of strong wind or with any swell from a westerly direction, it can get quite decent waves.

The post Galicia and Portugal appeared first on All Winds Adventures.

Living in Switzerland, I have long been looking for a “go-to” spot for windsurfing. I’d been to Corsica and had a few sessions there, but for some reason, it just didn’t quite gel with me (yet). Then, a few years ago I saw a photograph on social media of ex wave world champion – Kauli Seadi boosting an aerial over a huge section of a perfect starboard tack down the line reef break. Thinking this must be somewhere like the Mentawais I was surprised to find out that it was in fact Sardinia!

After a little research, I discovered the spot smack bang in the middle of Sardinia’s west coast. With a bit more time online I discovered that getting to Sardinia from Switzerland was surprisingly easy… I decided it was time to pack my car and take a road trip to find out what Sardinia is all about. I’ve now been back many times. Sardinia offers a wide variety of conditions in beautiful surroundings, with a reasonable infrastructure in a location that is surprisingly easy to get to from Central Europe

Getting There

I generally opt to drive to Sardinia for a number of reasons. It’s only a 5-hour drive (from Zurich) to Genoa, where there is an overnight ferry directly to Sardinia. If you take the ferry at 8 pm you arrive well rested in Sardinia at 8 am the next morning. After boarding the ferry, there is time to eat something, get a good night’s sleep and wake up the next morning ready to go. For me, that counts as only 5 hours of effective travel time to get there. There is no time lost picking up a rental car, no airport security and no long check-in lines. In general a much more relaxed travel experience. I can get off the ferry, having had a good night’s sleep and go straight to my spot of choice.

The ferries have also (so far) proved to be very uncomplicated to book. I usually book my ferry last minute to the port which is closest to where I want to sail on the first day. Porto Torres for anywhere North, West or South or Olbia for the North East.

The Island

Sardinia is an island of about 210km long and 110km wide with a coastline of 1849km and many beautiful beaches. The climate is Mediterranean, so even in winter it is reasonably mild and sitting in the middle of the Med it tends to experience most of the usual winds of the region from Mistral to Scirocco to Tramontana.

Many people think immediately of Porto Pollo when they think about wind or kitesurfing in Sardinia. While this location does benefit from strong winds funnelling through the Straits of Bonifacio, I find Porto Pollo to be overcrowded and quite clichéd. Add that to parking difficulties, attitude, crowds and the last time I was there, theft from parked cars, it is definitely a spot I tend to avoid when visiting Sardinia.

Windsurf/Kitesurf Spots

Below, I will attempt to list just a few of the potential wind and kitesurfing spots on the island. This list barely touches the surface of the spots which can be sailed on Sardinia. There are many more spots in between these locations, which, in certain conditions, would deserve a mention. The Kite and Windsurfing Guide of Europe can be a great starting point for discovering the island. But, we’ve also sailed a number of places not listed in the book and had some fun sessions.

Porto Liscia: This spot is windsurfing only but offers similar conditions to Porto Pollo, although sometimes can be less crowded. Works in Easterly and Westerly winds and in my experience, had pretty flat water.

La Maddalena: This is an island (along with Caprera) which can be reached by ferry from Palau. There are a few places on the island that can provide the possibility to launch, depending on wind direction. During high season be aware that many beaches have buoyed off swimming areas which should be respected. Having said that if you look around you may get a chance to get on the water without any crowds.

Rena Majore: Rena Majore works best in a Northerly wind after a few days of Mistral have sent waves into the bay. I’ve tried to sail here in Northwesterly winds, hoping to get enough angle to get out, but found it too onshore. It’s a beautiful beach with stunning surroundings, but difficult to get good wave conditions. In my experience, a more bump and jump location than a wave spot.

La Ciacca: This spot works best in a Westerly wind, which brings port tack side shore conditions. There are reefs on both sides of the beach which can pick up quite small waves even with just windswell. If there are any waves running, there is quite a strong current here so you should be quite sure in your launching and coming back to the same spot. Launching a kite here is difficult but not impossible. On a good day, expect to see a large number of windsurfers on the water.

Platamona: Platamona is a long beach to the east of Porto Torres. It should work quite well in easterly or westerly winds, but as soon as there is any swell running, the currents are quite strong and the wave period is very small. Getting out requires a reasonable amount of power and some good timing.

Stintino: La Pelosa beach sticks far out to the north and gets strong easterlies that do may not make it the whole way into Platamona. The wind is almost directly onshore at the launch. But, once you get into the lee of Isola Piana the water is a little flatter. If you get upwind from the beach at La Pelosa (or from the windsurf centre) you will find nice bump and jump conditions. Further out, just to the south-west of the Island, there is a small breaking wave, but the wind is directly onshore with respect to the wave.

Alghero: In a southerly wind, Alghero can become a great wave spot. The lighthouse directly out from the main beach has a reef extending off the north end. With a decent swell and a strong southerly wind, this can offer some really nice down-the-line wave riding. It works best if there is some time for the swell to become organised; otherwise, the sections are scrappy and do not link together well. But, with the right conditions, it can be a perfect down the line port tack reef break. With northwesterly winds, Alghero can also be quite a good freeride spot.

Funtana Meiga: With northerly winds, Funtana Meiga can provide really nice starboard tack side-shore conditions with some great wave riding. There is a current running which can make it difficult to get going on the way out unless you rig big. The launch is relatively small, and the coast to either side is rocky with many sea urchins so getting back to the same spot is a skill that is quite important. The wave is not super hardcore, though, so definitely a fun place to go for a wave session.

Porto Botte: Porto Botte is a nice freeride spot in Northerly or North Westerly winds. The water here is relatively sheltered from the island at St. Atioco, which keeps the waves from breaking here. When it is lighter, it is possible to go out to the northern end of the bay, where it is a little less sheltered. But, be careful if the wind is fickle! We’ve had a long swim from here when the wind suddenly dropped and veered more offshore.

Chia: Chia can be an amazing wave spot in Northerly or Southerly/Southwesterly winds. Its exposed location can make it quite dodgy though (especially in northerly winds). When it’s side offshore with a swell running it can provide super clean waves for down the line wave riding.

This is by no means meant to be an exhaustive list, but it is hopefully enough to whet your appetite and make you think about exploring the island if you do decide to head to Sardinia. In all the trips we’ve had there, we’ve truly started to fall in love with the Island. The scenery is stunning, the climate is mild, there are reasonably consistent winds and loads of beaches to work in any wind direction. Furthermore, it is possible to travel there easily on the weather forecast from Central Europe. My advice is to get your kit together and go explore.

Other Sports

The scenic bays in Sardinia are perfect to explore with a SUP board, and sometimes you will even find good waves for surfing. We’ve also experienced some nice mountain biking on the island so definitely a place to bring more than just your wind/kitesurfing gear if you plan on making the trip.

When to Go

The best time to go to Sardinia, in my opinion, is out of the main season. During the summer months, the beaches tend to be incredibly crowded, and traffic on the island can be quite heavy. The volume of people and traffic will make getting to spots with your gear quite difficult. In Spring and Autumn, there are a lot fewer people, and it’s possible to find really nice spots all for yourself.

Summary

Sardinia is a beautiful island exposed to most of the winds that are prevalent in the Mediterranean. Off-season hotels can be quite cheap, and the island is largely uncrowded, which makes it a really nice place for an off-season wind or kitesurf trip. All Winds Adventures visits Sardinia regularly, feel free to contact us for more information

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