SOUTH SHORE
The spots on the south shore work very well with north, northwest and northeast winds, but also very well with south and southwest winds. Working from west to east, here is a breakdown of the spots.
Balatonfenyves – one of the windiest spots on the whole lake, plenty of parking spaces, toilets, a lot of green space and supposedly the best pancakes in the area! Due to the proximity to Slovenia and Austria, it is well visited internationally and there is a local windsurfing school. Works best with NW, N & NE wind, kite surfers are on the left hand side and windsurfers keep on the right or ride of the sandbanks. The water is sufficiently deep with a sandy base, there’s free parking, a few shops, restaurants and a pizzeria. For food we recommend Eva’s kitchen and her great coffee. You can view a local webcam at www.webcamgalore.at/webcam/Ungarn/Balatonfenyves/20714.html and that website also has a few more webcams from spots on the lake like Fonyod or Tihany.
Alsóbélatelep – sort of a secret spot type place, but well known in the freestyle scene. Shallow water on the inside of the small bay and further outside waves, works well with NW to NE wind. Noszlopy road leads to the spot and Noszlopy Csalogány beach has good parking. Close to Alsóbélatelep, on Bathory street, after 400 m on the beach road is a small but nice campsite directly at the lake (www.urlaub-am-plattensee.de). The beach nearby has some parking spaces, direct water access and works in many wind directions.
Fonyod – at the bottom of the hill of Fonyod there is a section of the beach that is well connected to the water. At Tungsram beach, or Fonyódi Városi, just before the western entrance to Fonyod, the water gets deep, but be careful at the launch as it has sharp shells and stones in the water. Parking is on the main road. Not an ideal spot, but works with many wind directions – NW, W, SW and NE wind.
Fonyódliget – on the south coast between Fonyod and Balatonboglar with access through a one-way system. Launch from the beach next to the Bar Kamilla or the Surf & More Windsurfing Centre. The spot works great with northwest, north, northeast and southwest to west winds; it’s a spot which takes a lot of wind and has a nice panoramic view.
Balatonlelle – windsurfing spot with beautiful views, very shallow water in the inside of the bay, short fins are recommended, good waves on the sandbanks, one of the top spots at Lake Balaton for everyone who likes to jump. The spot works best with NW wind, but also with SW wind, and has the character of a windsurfing fun park! On the inside is a huge flat area with ramps on the sandbanks and further out on the open lake there’s rolling waves. Little parking space directly at the spot, in the summer months rather unsuitable, except for those who live directly at the spot. Huge hotels and a big beach directly at the spot with large green areas. It’s quite an urban area with bungalows and restaurants / snack bars all near the beach. Launch to the right of the harbour over a ramp at a stone beach. Watch out for a concrete surface in the middle of the bay which
is covered by waves, but is marked with buoys!
Balatonszemes – a small village with a long history of tourism and large modern marina that is built into the lake. The spot works with west, northwest, north and northeast winds with plenty of shallow areas and good waves. Balatontourist Camping Vadvirág campsite, east of the town, is ideal for watersports enthusiasts being right on the water with launching at Rider Beach. Otherwise launch from the beach west of the marina. Beautiful views, very good location for camping and a quiet area with less buildings and a lot of nature around. Also try Hattyu Kemping
(www.hattyucamping.hu) for camping.
Szantod and Balatonföldvar opposite to Tihany, to the left and right of the ferry station. Has local windsurf club, stronger current (up to 7 km/h), works with south, southwest and west wind. Has a campsite, Mirabell in Zamardi, right at the water’s edge. Nice view of Tihany, good location for windsurfers and cyclists, close to Siofok for nightlife.
Szántodi beach is good for windsurfing. If the wind picks up to 25 knots from a southwest direction you can get rolling waves and awesome ramps for jumping. The wind is a bit sheltered on the inside, but gets stronger further out. The waves break over sandbanks and when it gets really strong with 35+ knots it’s a spot that reminds you a bit of Pozo Izquierdo. A big windsurfing scene exists in the area and we had our best day at this spot. Nearby are a few other good spots, such as Nyugati & Keleti Beach near Balatonföldvar (windsurf centre).
Sostó – also known as Balatonszabadi-Sostó, works with NW, N, NE and S winds. Famous windsurfing spot in the Siofok region, large green area, good waves on the offshore sandbank when the wind picks up from northeast. Kitesurfing is prohibited. Balatontourist Ifjúsag Kemping campsite opposite the spot. Eight km from Siofok (train connection), which is the party spot for Lake Balaton. North wind can be very strong in Sosto when cold fronts go through, even in summer you can get wind up to Force 7.
Balatonvilagos – located on the premises of Club Aliga, once the resort for members of the Communist party, Fidel Castro also came here! Privatized since 2006, works with all wind directions, large shallow area, very quiet place.