Karlshagen / Usedom / Germany

Usedom Karlshagen is situated on the Baltic Sea coast and is a very popular spot for windsurfers, kite surfers and surfers of intermediate and expert levels. Like most spots on this Baltic Coast, Karlshagen gets pretty crowded during the height of the summer (July and August) with bathers and sun worshippers alike. Therefore designated swimming and surfing zones are in use. Best times to go are spring and autumn.

Karlshagen has one of the best beaches around. It is sandy with no stones and very long. It is also pretty wide (around 25 meters in some places) so out of season you will certainly be able to pick your spot. To get here you need to leave Wolgast and head towards Usedom on the B111. After around 12 kms, take the L264 towards Karlshagen and follow the signs to the beach.

Like most places on the north eastern coasts of Germany, the winds are predominantly frontal and come from a westerly direction or variations thereof. During the summer you do get the occasional north easterly breeze which is a good direction for surfing in this area, but they are generally lighter than the winds in the spring and autumn months. The water quality is clean and the sea is choppy in appearance. However there is a small sandbar upon which waves can form and if the wind is strong enough, they can reach 3 meters plus in height. The sea leading out to the sandbar is reasonably shallow.

There are toilet facilities, as well as a place to grab something to eat if you feel a little hungry, which are located very near the beach. Also there is a rescue center.

Be mindful of the swimming and surfing zones in the summer and be aware of lots of tourists on the beach.