Surfing in Italy in April

6 breaks that are in season in April.

These are the Italian surf spots that typically work in April. Mediterranean swell is short-lived, so treat this as a shortlist to check against the forecast rather than a guarantee.

AdvancedSardinia

Capo Mannu

Capo Mannu is the most famous wave in the Mediterranean and the reason Sardinia appears on international surf maps. The exposed headland on the Sinis peninsula catches every north-west mistral swell and turns it into a long, hollow right-hander over reef, with an outside peak that can hold well overhead. It is powerful, shallow and genuinely world-class on its day — a wave for confident, experienced surfers only.

Best months

Oct – Apr

Consistency

4/5

Crowd

Moderate crowd

BeginnerTuscany

Forte dei Marmi

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.

Best months

Oct – Apr

Consistency

3/5

Crowd

Moderate crowd

IntermediateLiguria

Levanto

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.

Best months

Oct – Apr

Consistency

3/5

Crowd

Often crowded

BeginnerLazio

Ostia

Ostia is Rome's home break, reachable in half an hour by train from Piramide station. Rock groynes trap sand and create defined peaks along the beach, giving small to medium waves with enough shape to progress on. The scene is lively and social, and on any decent winter swell the entire Roman surf community turns up at once — go early or pick a quieter groyne.

Best months

Oct – Apr

Consistency

3/5

Crowd

Often crowded

IntermediateSardinia

Portixeddu

Portixeddu is the most reliable beach break on Sardinia's south-west coast, a wide arc of sand between Buggerru and Capo Pecora that picks up almost every mistral swell. Multiple peaks spread the crowd — usually only a handful of surfers — and the wave has real punch without the danger of the reefs nearby. On the right day it produces fast, sand-bottom barrels that surprise first-time visitors.

Best months

Sep – Apr

Consistency

4/5

Crowd

Rarely crowded

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