Quick facts
- Wave type
- Beach break with sand-bottom peaks
- Best swell
- SW
- Best wind
- NE offshore
- Tide
- Any tide; slightly better on rising
- Best months
- Oct – Apr
- Consistency
- 3/5
- Crowd
- Often crowded
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
About this break
Levanto is the best-known wave in Liguria and the traditional gateway to Italian surfing. The wide bay at the northern edge of the Cinque Terre catches south-west libeccio swell and organises it into rideable left and right peaks along the sand, with the cleanest banks usually found towards the northern end near the breakwater. On a mid-sized swell with north-east wind the wave is punchy but manageable — hollow enough to be fun, forgiving enough to progress on.
Practical info
Two surf shops and a school operate in the village, and boards can be rented in season. The town has direct trains from Genoa and La Spezia, so a car is optional. Expect a full line-up on any decent weekend swell.
Hazards
Strong sideshore current towards the breakwater on bigger days; rocks at both ends of the bay.
Parking
Paid lots along the seafront, free street parking a few minutes inland outside summer.
Access
Flat, direct walk from the promenade onto the sand.
Family friendliness
Suitable for families and first-timers, with easy beach access.
Photos
Location
44.1723, 9.6110
Season chart
Months shaded in colour are when this break usually works.
Frequently asked questions
Is Levanto good for beginners?
Levanto is rated intermediate and is one of the more forgiving breaks in Liguria, with straightforward beach access that suits families and first-timers on smaller days.
When is the best time to surf Levanto?
Levanto 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 Levanto need?
It needs a SW swell with NE offshore wind and works best any tide; slightly better on rising. The wave is a beach break with sand-bottom peaks.
Is Levanto crowded?
Levanto is often crowded. 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 Levanto?
Flat, direct walk from the promenade onto the sand. Paid lots along the seafront, free street parking a few minutes inland 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
Best time to surf in Italy: a month-by-month calendar
What each month actually delivers — swell frequency, water temperature, crowds and which coast to bet on.
7 min read
Wetsuit guide for the Mediterranean
What thickness to wear, month by month and coast by coast — and why Italian winter water is colder than you expect.
5 min read
This morning's local report
Local expert wanted at Levanto
Nobody is calling this break yet. If you surf here regularly, you can own this slot: one 60-second report each morning, and your name, photo and Instagram sit at the top of this page for everyone checking the spot.
- It's volunteer — we have no money and we won't pretend otherwise.
- Your Instagram @ is credited and linked on every report you post.
- Takes under a minute: the form pre-fills from the live forecast.
Live conditions
See live conditionsLive data unavailable right now.
Model data from Open-Meteo marine and weather forecasts. Treat it as a planning tool, never as a substitute for checking the water yourself.
Other spots nearby in Liguria
AdvancedLiguriaVarazze
Varazze is the closest thing Liguria has to a world-class wave. When a strong libeccio swell wraps into the bay, a long, fast right-hander peels off the reef at Il Ponte, throwing sections that regularly draw the best surfers in northern Italy. It is a serious wave: shallow, crowded, and unforgiving of mistakes on the take-off. On smaller days the nearby beach and rivermouth banks offer a far friendlier alternative.
- Best months
- Oct – Mar
- Consistency
- 3/5
- Crowd
- Often crowded
IntermediateLiguriaRecco
Tucked into the Golfo Paradiso east of Genoa, Recco is a short, steep pebble break that comes alive only on bigger south-west swells that push past Portofino. When it works the wave is quick and hollow, breaking close to shore beside the harbour wall, and the session usually lasts as long as the swell peak — a few hours rather than a few days. It is a local wave, best surfed with a bit of patience and a good forecast.
- Best months
- Nov – Mar
- Consistency
- 2/5
- Crowd
- Moderate crowd