Albenga is located on a flood plain, and unlike other places in Liguria, here the Apennines mountans are not close to the coast. This allows the spot to work with different wind directions.

 

Windsurf spot reviews: Albenga, Liguria (Italy)

You can easily reach the spot by the highway (exit at Albenga), or via the SS1 (Aurelia national road). To begin your windsurfing session, if the wind comes from North/North East, you normally start from the beach at the end of Via Nazario Sauro, or via Italia (where a children carousel is located on the boardwalk near the sea) - see map at end of article. Kitesurfers usually go out in the summer from the beach at the mouth of the river Centa. This is the beach good also for windsurfing session, in case of wind coming from South West.

You can also exit from the beaches to the north, near the LNI, which, however, are better only with Tramontana wind.

 

 

In summer, the beach near the carousel is occupied with bath facilities ombrellas and deckchairs, and so the beaches of near the LNI. So, in summer time, you must go out, in anyway, from the beach at the mouth of the Centa river, free from bath facilities.

 

 

We tried and scoured the spot with NE/Tramontana wind, and with South West (read report). The spot can also work with Libeccio (SW), if it is slightly more oriented from South/South-West (and not only from South West). In that case, the wind manages to get through the mainland and the Gallinara Island, and reach the spot. Most of the riders, though, with Libeccio, prefer the nearby Marina di Andora, or "La Spiaggia d'Oro" (the Golden Beach) of Imperia (reserved, however, only for experienced surfers). With South West, a shorebreak of one meter can rise near the shoreline (which ask for some experience to enter and exit from the water), and 2-3 meters high waves can rise offshore (not always regular ones).

 

 

The coast at Albenga, up to Centa River, faces east. The north wind, even here (as in Noli), enters rather gusty, and is not very enjoyable, due to the effect of disturbance, which, however, is caused by the mountains in the inland. In addition, the Tramontana, here, comes side, side off, and it is good to be careful, because in case of problems it pushes offshore, and no Capes or promontories can detain you (except being intercepted by the Gallinara Island).

 

 

Much better, in Albenga, is the session with North East or East wind, which here come in well spreaded, side and side-on. With the latter, some waves can rise, generally, not particularly high anyway, but somewhat quite enjoyable. With the Tramontana, the sea remains almost flat, except for a messy and unpredictable chop, mostly offshore, as in Noli (see photo below). If the wind rotates from North East, you can also ride at Imperia la Rabina, and, if it comes from East, you can have your session at Bordighera. 

 

 

South East and South wind, of course, can blow well here, with significant wave rising, even if often associated with bad weather.

As far as parking concerns, you can leave your car on the waterfront, or in the side streets. You can assemble your equipment near the car, or on the waterfront sidewalk, taking care not to obstruct pedestrians walking, or directly at the beach, during low season times, when there are no bathing facilities.
Until the beginning of the 2016, There was a surf shop operating on the spot, to which you could ask for assistance. The shop, however, went out of business (March 2016), and we do not know if it will reopen with new management. We don't know of windsurfing schools, or rental centers in the area.

 

To buy groceries, the spot is centrally located with respect to the promenade of Albenga (the beach at the mouth of the Centa river is a bit more far away), and, therefore, there is availability of bars/restaurants/pubs where you can buying something.

 

 

Finally, for any accompanying family members, who do not want to stay at the beach, the historic center of Albenga is beatiful, and worth a visit (less than a km away from the waterfront).

Aloha. Fabio

 

 

 

 

 

 

A video filmed at the spot, with Tramontana (North) wind 

 

 

A video filmed at Noli and Albenga with North/North-East wind