Bufalara / Lazio / Italy

Situated on the central western coast of Italy in the Lazio region lies the beach at Bufalara. Being only 45 kms from the capital Rome it is a very popular spot for wind surfers, kite surfers and surfers of all levels and abilities. It does get pretty busy with tourists during the months of July and August so you might have trouble parking. Having said this, the best months for surfing here are from June to September when you can pick up some really nice thermal breezes.

Bufalara has a very long sandy beach that is medium in size. In the center of the beach there is a rocky mole. This is where most of the tourists congregate to sunbathe and swim during the summer months so try to avoid the center of the beach and stick to either north or south. To get here you will need to head out from Latina following the signs for Borgo Grappa. When you get here you will see signs for Bella Farnia. Just before you get here, turn right onto the Strada Della Lavorazione, then follow it down to the beach where there is ample parking.

The main wind direction is north west and north northwest. Both directions work well here. During the summer at around 3pm when the thermals kick in, the wind is constant at around 10-15 knots, in the winter it is less frequent but more gusty. The water quality is clear and conditions are choppy with small to medium waves of up to 3 meters in height. These tend to appear when the wind is strong enough and in the right direction. The water temperature remains somewhere between 10-24 degrees depending upon the time of year so you may want to suit up accordingly.

There is parking at the beach. The small town of Bella Farnia has a selection of shops, bars, restaurants and accommodation. For some of the best nightlife in the country, then take the 45 km journey back to the capital.

This is a very safe spot, however be mindful of the crowds of swimmers and bathers in and around the water during the busy summer season.