Isola delle Femmine
Reefs facing an islet west of Palermo, with the best-quality waves in the area.
In front of the village of Isola delle Femmine, west of Capo Gallo, the rocky coast has several reefs that, with a maestrale and a southerly wind, give waves with more wall and power than Mondello.
It's the favourite spot of Palermo's more advanced surfers.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Reef |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Best swell | N, NW |
| Best wind (offshore) | S, SE |
| Tide | All tides |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | October to April |
| Crowd | Medium |
| Localism | Medium |
Surf forecast
Loading the forecast…
Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A shortboard or fish. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Isola delle Femmine
The water is around 15 °C in winter and 25 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.
View on AmazonFor water from 17 °C.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonThe classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.
View on AmazonRock or urchins on the bottom: protect your feet going in and out.
View on AmazonWarm-water wax won't grip in this water.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
A skilled local crew. Watch and respect priority.
Surfing style
Reef waves with sections to turn on.
Hazards
Rock, sea urchins and getting in over the rocks.
Map
Other spots nearby
Palermo
Palermo's bay between Monte Pellegrino and Capo Gallo, with waves in a northerly swell.
San Vito Lo Capo (Trapani)
A Caribbean-looking beach in north-west Sicily that wakes up with the tramontana.
Castelvetrano (Trapani)
South-coast beaches beside the Greek temples of Selinunte.
Catania
Catania's long sandy beach, facing the Ionian Sea below Mount Etna.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.