Don’t worry, it’s natural, the middle of winter has you looking longingly at the bedroom light bulb, wishing it was a beaming sun and you were lying under the palm trees instead of buried beneath an electric blanket with a hot water bottle. We get it, you need a trip and it needs to be a warm one, so we’ve brought in the big guns for advice – Sportif Travel and Planet Windsurf Holidays give us their top 5 windsurf spots and we give micro guides to some choice windsurfing destinations.
CHOICE PICKS…
JANE FAUGHNAN
SPORTIF WINDSURF HOLIDAYS WORLDWIDE
www.sportif.travel | 01273 844 919
CANARY ISLANDS – MEDITERRANEAN
Best for Slalom | Freestyle | Combi – All Levels – Families
Sportif’s top destination in the Canary islands is Sotavento in Fuerteventura with year round sailing, 4 different spots, a 4 km flat water, beginners’ lagoon and wind stats of force 4+ 90% of days from June to August. This world class PWA venue has over 450+ boards and 1000+ rigs of the latest kit to choose from, 4* hotels on the spot, with centres on site that cater for families or adults only. 1 week from £650 p.p. including flights.
In Greece, Naxos in the Cyclades, is a unique spot with an enclosed, shallow water lagoon and wave beach, plus old town charm, free leisure bikes, MTB centre and superb choice of restaurants, all within walking distance.
PRO COACHING CLINICS Peter Hart and Jem Hall coach in Rhodes (June 2020). Simon Winkley clinics are in Lanzarote (March 2020) and Alacati (June/July 2020).
EGYPT – RED SEA
Best for Flat Water | All Levels | Culture | Value
Our top pick for the Red Sea is Safaga for best value 3*, 4* and 5* all-inclusive hotels with separate windsurf and kitesurf centres, sailing and swimming zones. For quick transfers, Hurghada has flat, shallow water lagoons and offshore there is the Magawish islands for excursions with accompanying boat. Downtown Hurghada has a buzzing nightlife. For uncrowded sailing choose Marsa Alam, part of the Wadi Gimal National Park, with shallow lagoon and offshore reef for bump and jump and small swell in the right conditions. A 1 week all-inclusive beach hotel starts at £699 p.p. with Sportif agents meeting you airside with your visa.
CARIBBEAN – TOBAGO
Best for Flat Water | Multi Sport | Solo Travellers | Social
Tobago offers idyllic, uncrowded flat water sailing in the Marine Park, turquoise lagoon, stunning beaches and palm trees swaying in the trade winds. The best time is November to June with cross-shore winds and a shallow area for training. The island is not overly developed, with pristine rainforest, scuba diving and snorkelling. From the centre you can sail Hobie cats, kayak, SUP, kitesurf and foil. The sociable centre offers free coaching sessions, excursions and welcome drinks, so ideal for solo travellers. A 1 week trip starts at £995 p.p. including flights.
PRO COACHING CLINICS Jem Hall Performance Boost January – February 2020. Peter Hart Masterclass February – March 2020.
AMERICAS – BRAZIL
Best for Waves | Adventure | Solos and Groups
Jericoacoara ‘Jeri’, is the place in Brazil to wave sail with extended flat water area under the iconic sand dune, sublime wave sailing, streets of sand and dusk to dawn parties, it’s legendary. There are now luxury spa hotels alongside boutique eco lodges with a surfer vibe. The best time is September to January with epic wind conditions for 95% days. The centre stocks the latest JP and Starboard equipment, with bar and restaurant, chill out areas to watch the action and a great place to catch the sunset over the dune while listening to Brazilian beats. You can book surf and SUP tours, 4WD buggy excursions to Icaraizinho and Rio de Janiero extensions. 1 week from £1295 p.p. including flights.
PRO COACHING CLINICS Peter Hart Masterclass 10 Days 08-18 Jan 2020. Jem Hall Performance Boost – Nov-Dec 2020.
INDIAN OCEAN – MAURITIUS
Best for Flat Water – Combi – Waves | All Inclusive | Luxury
Mauritius, with its flat water lagoon and directly accessible offshore reefs at Le Morne, is one of the very best windsurfing spots in the world. The best wind is April to December with an average of 65-70% days force 4+ with wide ranging conditions for slalom, freestyle and wave sailing. Additional spots include Bel Ombre on the south coast, Belle Mare and Anse le Raie on the northeast coast. Multi-sport options include surfing, SUP, kitesurf, scuba diving, golf and tennis. Sportif offer the widest choice and the best priced hotels on the spot with onsite windsurf centre. A 1 week 4* hotel all-inclusive with flights from £1,349 p.p.
PRO COACHING CLINICS 7/10 days Jem Hall Performance Boost 19-31 Aug 2020. Peter Hart Masterclass Nov 2020.
BRAZIL – PRO COACHING CLINICS with Peter Hart and Jem Hall are January and November to December 2020.
Sportif Travel offer 60+ windsurfing destinations worldwide, ATOL protected holidays – flights, accommodation, transfers + discounted rental and instruction packages, clinics and camps + cultural and extended tours. Latest spot reviews, conditions and videos online.
Tel: +44 (0)1273 844919 | www.sportif.travel
MARCUS BULL
PLANET WINDSURF HOLIDAYS
www.planetwindsurefholidays.com | 01273 921 001
PORTUGAL
In the northern reaches of Portugal, a wide sweeping bay is home to a fantastic sports hotel and reliable summer winds, making this a dream windsurfing destination. This is a great spot for beginners and improvers who will have endless hours of fun on these protected waters. You will also find a big new windsurf centre here with a large stock of 2020 JP and NeilPryde gear ready for summer. Further down Portugal’s picturesque coastline, the Algarve is a great destination for families with an amazing resort set right on the beach. Just a few hours from the UK, Portugal offers an authentic, affordable windsurfing holiday destination with luxury accommodation, beautiful landscapes, amazing cuisine and a range of other activities to do when you are not on the water. One week package price per person including flights from £675.
MAURITIUS
Mauritius is without doubt one of the world’s very best windsurfing holiday destinations. The flat water lagoons of Le Morne and Bel Ombre in the south and Anse La Raie in the north are pure paradise with their warm waters, consistent conditions and miles of space. Wave enthusiasts will also be extremely happy here with some of the best waves in the world. A range of stunning luxury hotels make Mauritius the perfect destination for families and couples alike. Between the months of June and November the trade wind shows its best side and the hotels offer great special offers during this time, allowing for an amazing luxury getaway at affordable prices. Planet can offer exclusive specials which include up to half price at the best luxury resorts on the island during these windy months with free upgrades, even in peak school holidays, beating any comparable holiday in Europe. All inclusive luxury hotel stay including flights from £1645 per person.
SOUTH AFRICA
Between November and March, South Africa is the place to be for windsurfing. Offering stunning scenery, sunny days, world-class food, amazing natural and cultural sites and luxury accommodation, you can’t get better than a holiday to South Africa. And the prices are unbeatable too! From the epic waves of Cape Town to the turquoise waters of Langebaan, you will find something to suit your skill levels. A week’s windsurfing at one of these spots can easily be combined with an adventure down the Garden Route or that bucket list safari holiday, making South Africa one of the most versatile destinations for your next getaway. One week holiday from £1299 per person including flights.
MOROCCO
Here you can simply eat, sleep and dream windsurfing with a range of fantastic new accommodation options situated right at the best spots. The choices are endless, but all offer very clean and consistent wind. There really is something for all levels in Morocco and Planet offer same day connecting flights to Dakhla, making this amazing location very accessible. Planet has also partnered with a new windsurf centre with a fantastic stock of JP and NeilPryde gear for 2020. You can also talk to the team at Planet about combining the various spots or adding in a tailor made tour to discover Morocco’s rich cultural history and exquisite natural landscapes. Price guide for a week’s stay per person with flights – £850.
GREECE
Your windsurfing holiday in Greece will include fantastic cultural and historical sites, amazing cuisine and white sandy beaches. The winds are constant and the flat shallow waters cater to all levels of windsurfers with a variety of coastal spots and islands to choose from. Lemnos, also known as Limnos, is the 8th largest Greek island and one of Planet’s top spots this year. Characterised by wild, natural terrain, the island of Lemnos has preserved itself from mass tourism and today it is a safe, friendly and quiet place. This spot is totally unique in that it is easy to reach, completely uncommercial, offers great quality accommodation and fantastic windsurfing with easy connections – a difficult combination of factors to find in one destination! Price guide for a week’s stay per person with flights – £660.
For more on Planet Windsurf Holidays hand picked and personally visited destinations, see their innovative website (www.planetwindsurfholidys.com) for an immediate on-line quotation, or get in touch for expert impartial advice on +44 (0)1273 921001 or [email protected]
FEATURED MICRO GUIDES
AFRICA:
Flag Beach – Corralejo, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
René Egli – Sotavento, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
EUROPE:
Athens Apartment – Artemis, Athens, Greece
Club Vass – Vassiliki, Lefkas, Greece
Gone Surfing Crete – Kouremenos Beach, Crete, Greece
Windsurf Village/MB-Pro Center – Porto Pollo, Sardinia, Italy
Ocean Elements – Vassiliki, Lefkas, Greece
Procenter Prasonisi – Prasonisi, Rhodes, Greece
Procenter Rhodos – Ialysos, Greece
Sigri Surf – Sigri, Lesvos, Greece
Surf Club Keros – Keros Beach, Limnos, Greece
Surf Island West Crete – Elafonisi, Falasarna & Chania, Crete, Greece
AMERICA:
Dunkerbeck Pro Center – Sorobon, Bonaire
Ion Club – Sal, Cape Verde