Torre Chianca / Puglia / Italy

Torre Chianca is a charming resort which looks out onto the Adriatic Sea in Italy's Puglia region. The beach is pristine, the sea crystal clear and there is usually a breeze blowing which all makes it very attractive for tourists and surfers alike. The spot is suitable for kitesurfers and windsurfers of all levels with the season running from April to November although off season is possible.

The beach is a good size and pristine condition with lovely fine golden sand which does get packed with tourists during the summer months and so time restrictions may be in place. You can get here from Lecce by driving west to Porto Cesareo and further north to Torre Chianca.  

 The bay curves here and so several wind directions work although the best ones are south, south west, west and north west. Wind speed can be around 5-15 knots and is fairly constant during the summer. The water quality is crystal clear and conditions are flat to choppy pretty much all of the time with some small waves. The spot is tide independent. The water temperature remains somewhere between 12-26 degrees depending upon the time of year, so you may want to suit up accordingly. In addition there is shallow access here which makes it a perfeclt spot for beginners as well as others wishing to practice and hone their skills.  

There is a small scattering of beachside bars here although these close in the winter months. There is however a good bakers shop which stays open. Nearby Lecce has plenty of shops and accommodation and Frigole also has plenty to offer. Nightlife is a little limited and occurs mainly in the coastal bars and hotels.

This is a fairly safe area so just watch out for swimmers in the water and tourists on the beach during the busy summer months.