GARGANO

Description

 A few good windsurfspots are located about five kilometers north of the town Capo Vieste, in the bay of Santa Maria di Merino. Here the wind blows mostly sideshore from the north. Because of steady highpressure weather in this region from April till September the winds are very regular. In the morning the north-wind increases slowly to 4 Beaufort. When this wind lasts for several days moderate waves appear creating good wavesailing conditions for the beginning wavesailor. Then the wind turn south again (Scirocco wind) leaving flatwater-/slalomconditions.

Spots
  1. Capo Vieste
    Here the Italian Worldcup surfer Cesare Cantagalli practiced his first cheeseroll and started his windsurf-career. His brother Sergio still owns a surfcenter here.

  2. Umbramare
    On good days the waves can get here up to five meters high. The waves break in sets on a sandbench. These big days however are rare. Most of the time this spot is more like a family-spot, with moderate windsurfconditions.

  3. Lido Molinella
    Here the Mistral wind blows percfectly sideshore from the left. This spot is not recommended for beginners because of sharp rocks on the shoreline.

  4. Punta Lunga
    This spot is popular by campinghome owners, because you can camp here right between two bays on an small peninsula. This also means that this spot is only accessible by camping-guests. On the first meters the wind is a bit fickel, but once you're out on the open the wind gets stronger and a nice swell appears.

Wind & Weather

 The local winds are called Mistral and Scirocco and Libeccio. The Mistral wind is the most common winddirection (northwest). Then the wind blows sideshore from the left. Because of steady highpressure weather in this region from April till September the winds are very regular. In the morning the Mistral wind increases slowly to 4 Beaufort. When this wind lasts for several days moderate waves appear creating good wavesailing conditions for the beginning wavesailor. Then the wind turn south again (Scirocco wind) leaving flatwater-/slalomconditions. Sometimes the wind blows offshore (Libeccio wind). Most windsurfers then stay on shore because it's too dangerous to go out on the water with this winddirection.

[no statistics available]

Sleeping
Camping sites

There are plenty camping sites in the area of Santa Maria di Merio. The prices vary from 30 Guilders/day in the off-season to 45 Guilders during the high-season. Good camping sites for windsurfers are:
Camping Capo Vieste
  • Nicely situated
  • Price: N.A.

    Camping Umbramare

  • Situated in the middle of the bay
  • Price: N.A.

    		•  Centro Vacanze Oriente
  • Price: N.A.

    Camping Punta Lunga

  • Romatic but fickel winds near shore
  • Price: N.A.

    		•
    Appartments

    Appartments/ bungalow for 2-3 persons can be rented for about 90 to 190 Guilders a day.
    Le Orchidee and Spiaggia Lunga
    [no information available]

    		 Piccola America
    [no information available]

    Surfcenters & Shops
    Windsurfing Vieste
    Situated south of the bay of S.M. di Merino.

    No Work Team surfshop
    Capo Vieste

    Nightlife
    Pubs:

    Pub Grottine, Capo Vieste
    Sombrero, Capo Vieste
    La Ghironda, Capo Vieste

    		 Discos:

    Take Five, Capo Vieste
    Paradiso Selvaggio, Capo Vieste

    Links

     [no links]