Kite destination · Sicily

Kitesurfing Lo Stagnone, Marsala: Wind, Schools and a Hotel on the Spot

Standing-depth flat water between Marsala and Trapani, summer thermals of 14 to 18 knots, and a hotel 20 to 30 m from the kite station.

Standing depth almost everywhere
Summer thermals of 14–18 knots
Trapani airport 10 minutes away
Hotel 20–30 m from the station

Where to stay Wind forecast

In short

Lo Stagnone is a shallow lagoon on the western tip of Sicily, between Marsala and Trapani, sheltered from the open sea by Isola Grande. In the kite area the water is flat and rarely deeper than 1 to 1.5 m, so you can stand up almost anywhere: that is why so many people learn here and why freestylers come to train. In summer a thermal sea breeze usually blows 14 to 18 knots from late morning, and May and October bring more strong-wind days than midsummer.

The main spot is at Birgi Vecchi, about 10 minutes from Trapani airport. Resort Santa Maria, the only hotel on the spot, has a pool and sits 20 to 30 m behind the Kite Lab base. Pack leggings against the occasional algae sting, and plan a car for shopping and trips.

At a glance

Lo Stagnone at a glance

Spot: Shallow lagoon between Marsala and Trapani, sheltered by Isola Grande
Water: Flat, rarely deeper than 1 to 1.5 m in the kite area
Wind: Summer thermal of 14–18 knots; stronger frontal days in spring and autumn
Season: Most schools: March or April to October or November
Wetsuit: Lycra in summer, 3/2 mm in spring and late autumn
Best for: Learning, freestyle and flat-water progression
Airport: Trapani Birgi (TPS), 5 to 10 minutes; Palermo (PMO), about 1 hour
Time zone: Central European Time, one hour ahead of the UK

Verified with the official sites of Kite Lab, Sicily Kite School, Duotone Pro Center Sicily, KiteClub Marsala and Follow The Wind, Resort Santa Maria's own listings, Climates to Travel and Google Maps listings · Updated October 2026

See the place

Video

The spots

The kite spots of Lo Stagnone

Most schools sit along the same stretch of shore at Birgi Vecchi, with a few further south towards Marsala, and riders spread out across the lagoon from there. Duotone Pro Center Sicily puts the lagoon at roughly 7 km long and 3 km wide, getting deeper only towards the south. Pick your corner by level and wind direction.

Birgi Vecchi: the main spot

Central shore of the lagoon, in front of Resort Santa Maria

Wind:: Faces west, so it works in the most common directions
Water:: Flat, rarely deeper than 1 to 1.5 m
Launch:: From the water, with lawns for rigging at the schools
Level:: First lessons to freestyle

About 2 km of kite shore runs from a small fishing-boat bay in the south to the salt pans in the north. The central part, where the spot began, is the busiest, with four beach bars and three restaurants within 100 m of the Kite Lab base. Kite Lab and Sicily Kite School both teach right in front of Resort Santa Maria.

Isola Santa Maria

The island facing the main spot

Water:: Ultra-flat at the island's northern tip
Level:: Independent riders

Once you can stay upwind, cross to the northern tip of Isola Santa Maria, the freestylers' favourite corner, or ride behind and around the island. The bay is shallow enough to walk to the islands, but Kite Lab asks independent riders to stay within sight of the base.

San Teodoro and Tahiti

Northern end of the lagoon, by the salt pans

Water:: Glassy seagrass shallows, then the sea passage
Wind:: Small waves with north wind; Tahiti works with south wind
Level:: Experienced riders, never alone at Tahiti

Heading north you cross seagrass shallows to San Teodoro, where a narrow passage opens to the sea and north wind brings small waves beside the old salt works. With south wind, Tahiti, just behind the salt pans, has turquoise water, but it is open sea with offshore wind: Kite Lab advises never going alone and arranging a safety boat. San Teodoro also has a beach with free and equipped areas, and Duotone Pro Center Sicily recommends it for foiling.

Capo Feto and Puzziteddu

Day trips near Mazara del Vallo, 40 minutes to 1 hour by car

Water:: Small chop at Capo Feto, waves at Puzziteddu
Wind:: Capo Feto: NW, W, SW and S, according to Kite Lab

For open water or waves, Kite Lab suggests two spots close to each other: Capo Feto, a nature reserve with white sand and clear water about 40 minutes away, and Puzziteddu, a wave spot about an hour away. Both are open sea rather than a lagoon, so go with other riders.

On the spot

Where to stay right on the spot

Resort Santa Maria is the only hotel on the spot: a 3-star hotel with 14 rooms, 17 apartments and an outdoor pool, 20 to 30 m behind the Kite Lab base. Kite Lab's partner list adds apartments and B&Bs in the village of Birgi, many 100 to 400 m from the water.

Resort Santa Maria - Kitesurf Hotel in Lo Stagnone & Marsala, Sicily

Kite station 20–30 m

3-star hotel & apartments

Lo Stagnone & Marsala, Sicily

Resort Santa Maria

About 30 m, 1 min on foot to the kite station

3-star hotel and apartments on Lo Stagnone's main kite spot, 20 to 30 m from Kite Lab. Outdoor pool, restaurant, breakfast with hotel rooms.

Lagoon frontOutdoor poolRestaurant and lounge bar

Schools

Kite schools at Lo Stagnone

Kite Lab teaches private and duo lessons from its base in front of Resort Santa Maria. Many other schools line the lagoon, including Sicily Kite School next door, KiteClub Marsala and Duotone Pro Center Sicily.

Kite Lab Sicily - Kite School in Lo Stagnone & Marsala, Sicily

IKO

On the main Birgi spot

Lo Stagnone & Marsala, Sicily

Kite Lab Sicily

IKO-affiliated kite school on Lo Stagnone's main spot, 20 to 30 m from Resort Santa Maria: private or duo lessons, radio coaching, Duotone gear.

8 services

English, French

Wind forecast

7-day wind forecast at Lo Stagnone (Birgi)

Updated 2 Nov, 12:47

Today
2 Nov
21kts
Gusts 41
NW · 9m
GO
Tue
3 Nov
15kts
Gusts 29
NW · 12m
OK
Wed
4 Nov
13kts
Gusts 23
SE · 12m
OK
Thu
5 Nov
16kts
Gusts 28
SE · 10m
GO
Fri
6 Nov
11kts
Gusts 20
S · 12m+
LIGHT
Sat
7 Nov
7kts
Gusts 13
SSW · 12m+
LIGHT
Sun
8 Nov
13kts
Gusts 26
SSE · 12m
OK

GO16–24 ktsOK12–15 ktsSTRONG25 kts and moreLIGHTunder 12 kts

Strongest wind and gusts of the day, in knots. Kite sizes are a rough guide for a rider of about 75 kg. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com.

Season

Is Lo Stagnone windy? Wind and water month by month

Yes, over a long season. Local schools put Lo Stagnone at about 300 windy days a year, and Kite Lab counts 70 to 80% of days with at least 12 knots in season: in a typical week, four or five days are rideable. Spring and autumn bring frontal winds, including Sirocco days from the south that can reach 35 to 40 knots. From June to September a thermal sea breeze adds a few knots: it usually starts around 10 or 11 am, peaks in the afternoon and eases from 5 or 6 pm.

Lo Stagnone kitesurf season month by month
Month	Wind	Sea	Air (max)	Wetsuit
April	Spring systems, often strong; Kite Lab opens at the end of the month	15.5 °C	19.5 °C	3/2 mm full suit
May	More strong-wind days than in midsummer	18.5 °C	23.5 °C	3/2 mm or a neoprene top
June	Thermal season starts: the wind builds from late morning	22 °C	27.5 °C	Neoprene top or lycra
July	Thermal sea breeze, usually 14 to 18 knots	25 °C	30 °C	Lycra or T-shirt
August	Thermal sea breeze, usually 14 to 18 knots	26.5 °C	31 °C	Lycra or T-shirt
September	Thermals plus the first autumn systems	25 °C	28 °C	Lycra, neoprene top on cooler days
October	More strong-wind days; Kite Lab closes on 31 October	22.5 °C	24.5 °C	Neoprene top or 3/2 mm
November to March	Fewer windy days but often stronger; the spot is quiet	14.5–19.5 °C	15–20 °C	Full wetsuit

Sea and air temperatures are monthly averages for Trapani, 1991 to 2020 (Climates to Travel). Wind notes come from the local schools (Kite Lab, Duotone Pro Center Sicily, Follow The Wind); wetsuit advice follows Kite Lab.

Gear

What size kite for Lo Stagnone

Pack for the wind you will meet most: Kite Lab puts a classic summer thermal day at 14 to 18 knots, and Duotone Pro Center Sicily gives 14 to 20 knots as the typical range. Spring and autumn add stronger days, so a smaller kite earns its place then. For light days a bigger kite or a foil helps, but the lagoon is shallow: Kite Lab teaches foiling on a short 45 cm mast, and Duotone Pro Center Sicily suggests San Teodoro, Marausa or Capo Feto for foiling.

If you would rather travel light, Kite Lab rents 2026 Duotone kites from 6 to 15 m and boards from 132 to 165 cm, at €75 a day for a full set (2026 price list).

Lessons

Kite lessons at Lo Stagnone: schools and prices

Kite Lab, in front of Resort Santa Maria, teaches only private and duo lessons, coached by radio, and you pay at the end of your stay for the hours you rode. Its 2026 prices are €70 an hour for the first four private hours and €60 after that, or €55 and then €45 per person in a duo. The school says most beginners manage their first runs after 6 to 10 hours and ride independently after about 12. Confirm prices with the school when you book.

If you bring your own gear, expect a day fee for a school's lawn, showers and launch help: €8 a day at KiteClub Marsala, with storage at €3 a day, and €10 at Duotone Pro Center Sicily, according to their websites. Sicily Kite School, next to Kite Lab, teaches one-to-one and pair courses and is open all year.

Families

Lo Stagnone for families and non-kiters

The kite stretch is part of a nature reserve, with lawns and lagoon rather than a sandy beach, and the water in front is busy with kites. For a swim, use a pool or drive a few minutes north to the beach at San Teodoro, at the northern tip of the lagoon. Watching is easy: the schools have shade, loungers and bars, and Kite Lab's base has a shaded chill-out area for riders' companions.

On no-wind days there is plenty within an hour's drive:

Mozia (Motya), a Phoenician island city in the lagoon, with the Whitaker Museum
The salt pans and windmills, with a Museum of Salt about 3 km from the main spot
Marsala, about 10 km away, for its old town and wine cellars
The Egadi Islands, by ferry from Trapani
Erice, a hilltop town 750 m above the sea near Trapani
San Vito lo Capo and the Zingaro nature reserve for beaches and hiking
Cycling along the lagoon, with bikes, canoes and SUPs for hire at Resort Santa Maria

Travel

Getting there and getting around

Trapani Birgi airport (TPS) is about 6 km by road from the main spot, 5 to 10 minutes by car, and Kite Lab quotes €15 to €20 one way for a taxi. Palermo airport (PMO) is about 90 km away, roughly an hour's drive; private transfers cost from about €65 to €90 one way, or take the Salemi bus to Trapani airport. Kite Lab advises against flying to Catania, at least 3 h 30 away by road.

A car is not essential if you stay on the spot, but it helps: Birgi has only one small shop, the nearest proper store is in San Leonardo, 4 km away, and a large supermarket is 10 km away. Trapani, for ferries and evenings out, is about 25 minutes by car.

Map

Location

Honest notes

Good to know before you book

Wear leggings in summer: algae and anemones in the warm, shallow water can sting some people's legs.
The main kite stretch has no sandy beach: most schools rig kites on lawns and launch them from the water.
If you bring your own gear, centres charge a day fee for their base, €8 to €10 at those that publish it.
Duotone Pro Center Sicily and Kitereisen both say helmets and impact vests are compulsory for every kitesurfer on the lagoon, and the first 100 m from shore are kept for launching and landing.
The spot is in a nature reserve: no new buildings are allowed, and the schools' structures must be removable.

Our take

Our verdict

Great for

Beginners who want to stand up anywhere while they learn
Freestylers and improvers who want flat water and steady wind
Families who want a pool hotel on the spot, with Sicily's food, wine and history nearby

Think twice if you are

Wave riders: the lagoon is flat, so plan day trips to Puzziteddu or Capo Feto
Foilers who want deep water every day
Non-kiters who want a sandy beach outside their room

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Kitesurfing in Lo Stagnone & Marsala

Is Lo Stagnone good for beginners?

Yes. In the kite area the water is flat and rarely deeper than 1 to 1.5 m, so you can stand up and walk back almost anywhere, with no waves or currents. Schools such as Kite Lab teach private or duo lessons coached by radio.

When is the best time to kitesurf at Lo Stagnone?

From May to October. Summer thermals usually give 14 to 18 knots from late morning, while May and October bring more strong-wind days. Most schools open from March or April until October or November.

How windy is Lo Stagnone?

Local schools count about 300 windy days a year. Kite Lab reports 70 to 80% of days with at least 12 knots in season, which usually means four or five riding days a week.

How deep is the water at Lo Stagnone?

Shallow. Kite Lab says the bay is no deeper than 1 to 1.5 m in the riding area, and you can even walk to the islands; the lagoon only gets deeper towards the south.

Do I need a wetsuit at Lo Stagnone?

Only in spring and late autumn. From June to September a lycra or T-shirt is enough, with the sea at 22 to 26.5 °C, and leggings protect against occasional algae stings. Kite Lab includes 3/2 mm wetsuits and 1.5 mm neoprene tops with its lessons and rentals.

Is there a webcam or wind station at Lo Stagnone?

Yes. Kite Lab shows a live webcam with a Windguru forecast on its website, and KiteClub Marsala runs a Holfuy wind station and live cam at its base. This page also shows a 7-day forecast for the main spot.

Which airport is closest to Lo Stagnone?

Trapani Birgi (TPS), about 6 km by road and 5 to 10 minutes by car from the main spot. Palermo (PMO) is about 90 km away, roughly an hour's drive.

Where can I stay right on the Lo Stagnone kite spot?

Resort Santa Maria is the only hotel on the spot: a 3-star hotel with apartments and an outdoor pool, 20 to 30 m behind the Kite Lab base. Apartments and B&Bs in the village of Birgi are another option, many within 100 to 400 m of the water.

Sources

Last checked October 2026

We only publish facts we could confirm with the official website or two independent sources. Spotted something out of date? Write to info@kitesurf.holiday.