Quick facts
- Wave type
- Right-hand reef and rivermouth
- Best swell
- SW to S
- Best wind
- N / NE offshore
- Tide
- Mid to high
- Best months
- Oct – Mar
- Consistency
- 3/5
- Crowd
- Often crowded
- Difficulty
- Advanced
About this break
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.
Practical info
Best on a solid, well-organised swell from the south-west. The line-up is experienced and hierarchical — watch a set or two, take your turn, and it will be a good session.
Hazards
Shallow rock reef, urchins, strong current on big days, dense crowd.
Parking
Street parking near the port and along the seafront; arrive early on swell days.
Access
Entry over rocks near the bridge — check the exit before paddling out.
Family friendliness
Not recommended for families or beginners.
Photos
Location
44.3592, 8.5744
Season chart
Months shaded in colour are when this break usually works.
Frequently asked questions
Is Varazze good for beginners?
Varazze is rated advanced. It is not the right place for a first session — build up at an easier beach in Liguria before paddling out here.
When is the best time to surf Varazze?
Varazze works best between Oct – Mar (January, February, March, 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 Varazze need?
It needs a SW to S swell with N / NE offshore wind and works best mid to high. The wave is a right-hand reef and rivermouth.
Is Varazze crowded?
Varazze 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 Varazze?
Entry over rocks near the bridge — check the exit before paddling out. Street parking near the port and along the seafront; arrive early on swell days.
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
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
Surf etiquette in Italian line-ups
Small crowds, long memories: how to be welcome at an Italian break, from priority rules to parking.
5 min read
This morning's local report
Local expert wanted at Varazze
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
IntermediateLiguriaLevanto
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
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