Forte dei Marmi

Mellow sandbar peaks either side of the pier

Wave type: Mellow sandbar peaks either side of the pier
Best swell: SW to W
Best wind: E / NE offshore
Tide: Any tide
Best months: Oct – Apr
Consistency: 3/5
Crowd: Moderate crowd
Difficulty: Beginner

About this break

Forte dei Marmi offers some of the softest, most approachable waves on the Tuscan coast. The sandbanks either side of the historic pier shape libeccio swell into slow, rolling peaks that break a long way from shore on bigger days and reform gently inside — ideal for first waves, longboards and family sessions. Behind the beach sit the Apuan Alps, often snow-capped in winter, which makes this one of the most photogenic line-ups in Italy.

Practical info

Several schools run lessons here from autumn to spring. Most of the beach is occupied by bathing clubs in summer, but access is open and free in the surf season.

Hazards

Crowded inside section with beginners; occasional rip beside the pier.

Parking

Plenty of free parking behind the beach outside summer.

Access

Wide public access points every few hundred metres; flat sand.

Family friendliness

Suitable for families and first-timers, with easy beach access.

Photos

Location

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43.9581, 10.1660

Season chart

Months shaded in colour are when this break usually works.

Frequently asked questions

Is Forte dei Marmi good for beginners?

Forte dei Marmi is rated beginner and is one of the more forgiving breaks in Tuscany, with straightforward beach access that suits families and first-timers on smaller days.

When is the best time to surf Forte dei Marmi?

Forte dei Marmi works best between Oct – Apr (January, February, March, April, October, November, December). Mediterranean swell is short-lived, so watch the forecast and travel on 24 to 48 hours' notice rather than booking months ahead.

What conditions does Forte dei Marmi need?

It needs a SW to W swell with E / NE offshore wind and works best any tide. The wave is a mellow sandbar peaks either side of the pier.

Is Forte dei Marmi crowded?

Forte dei Marmi is moderate crowd. Consistency is rated 3 out of 5, so the best swells concentrate everyone into the same short window — arrive early and share waves.

How do you get to Forte dei Marmi?

Wide public access points every few hundred metres; flat sand. Plenty of free parking behind the beach outside summer.

Closest breaks

Straight-line distance — useful for a plan B when the wind swings.

Guides featuring this break

Long-form context for planning a trip around it.

Surfing in Italy: the complete guide

Where the waves are, when they arrive and how to plan a trip around a Mediterranean swell window.

9 min read

Surfing in Italy for beginners

The most forgiving beaches, what to expect from your first Mediterranean sessions, and the mistakes worth skipping.

7 min read

This morning's local report

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Live conditions

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Other spots nearby in Tuscany

BeginnerTuscany

Viareggio

Viareggio is the busiest surf town in Tuscany and the centre of the region's surf culture, with shops, schools and a line-up that fills within an hour of any forecast. The beach runs for kilometres, so peaks shift with the sandbanks and there is almost always space to find your own. Waves are typically waist to chest high and user-friendly, occasionally doubling in size on a big winter libeccio.

Best months: Oct – Apr
Consistency: 3/5
Crowd: Often crowded

IntermediateTuscany

Lillatro

Lillatro, just south of Rosignano, is the reference wave of the Livorno coast. A rock and boulder bottom gives the wave more shape and hold than the sandy beaches to the north, producing quick rights and lefts that stay clean in stronger winds. It handles size well and is the natural next step for surfers who have outgrown Versilia beach breaks.

Best months: Oct – Mar
Consistency: 3/5
Crowd: Moderate crowd