Sardinia
The classic: In spring, Sardinia attracts visitors with pleasant temperatures and the island is spared the rush of the high season for the time being. From the ferry port and airport in Olbia, Porto Pollo is a real cult spot that can be reached very quickly and offers everything you need for a carefree and windy surfing holiday. If it's too crowded there, there are attractive alternatives almost everywhere on the island, such as Sant'Antioco, the area around Mari Ermi or the Stintino peninsula!
Corsica
The neighbouring island to the north can be just as enchanting, especially in the low season when many dream beaches on Corsica are amazingly empty. From powerful waves to Caribbean flat water, Corsica has a suitable spot for every level of surfer. While the north is often a little wilder, the south is rather mild. Good forecasts are particularly important, as a few degrees difference in wind direction can be decisive at some spots. As is so often the case in the Mediterranean, a day of surfing in Corsica is framed by culinary delights; thankfully, the island has been spared large hotels and marinas.
South of France
With the first rays of sunshine, many windsurfers make their way towards France's Mediterranean coast. The Mistral and Tramontana not only provide stable wind systems, but also spots that line up like a string of pearls along the coast. From flat water to hardcore wave spots, everything is there, and the range of accommodation options is almost unbeatable. Not forgetting the French delicacies to round off the day's surfing...
Limfjord/Ringkøbing Fjord/Cold Hawaii
Hot water? Forget it! Sun? If you're lucky! Even though Denmark and the north in general can still be very fresh around Easter and a sudden onset of winter cannot be completely ruled out, the Limfjord is absolutely recommended! Denmark is not far away, especially for surfers from northern Germany, and the Limfjord between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea offers many shallow areas where you can keep your contact with the water short. What's more, the numerous bays and peninsulas always offer the right wind direction and some protection from overly violent conditions. A little further west, Cold Hawaii is also coming out of hibernation, with top wave spots on the coast and some shallow water options in the hinterland. And Ringkøbing Fjord, halfway from the border, is always worth a stop anyway. You can't avoid wearing a lot of neoprene, but when the spring sun comes out, it warms you up quickly.
Tarifa
The small town near Gibraltar is Europe's windsurfing capital, with spots for every wind direction and strength, as well as surf shops, bars and accommodation. Tarifa is a year-round destination, the long journey from Germany is almost always worthwhile, and it is already pleasantly warm there at Easter. The Levante accelerates incredibly off Tarifa and along the Atlantic spots, often reaching over 30 knots, even if the services only forecast a few knots of wind. Small sails are a must in your luggage! From October to April, the wind frequency is somewhat lower overall (40 to 50 per cent over 4 Bft.), but the westerly wind Poniente becomes more frequent, which can bring big waves.
IJsselmeer/Netherlands
Instead of looking for Easter eggs and drinking eggnog, countless surfers, especially from western Germany, make a pilgrimage to the Netherlands around Easter in search of wind and the first glide of the year. Alongside the Brouwersdam, the IJsselmeer is one of the absolute classics. The northern eastern shore in particular is lined with spots, campsites and other accommodation options. From Stavoren via Hindeloopen and Workum to Makkum, it is deep almost everywhere, and apart from short, steep chop, the IJsselmeer generally remains tame.
Safaga/Egypt
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Just a four-hour flight from Germany, Egypt offers warm water and a large selection of surfing centres. Although Safaga is somewhat overshadowed by Soma Bay, it is hardly less suitable for a surf trip at Easter. The wind is somewhat more reliable in the summer months, but even in winter there are still around 50% planing wind days. Even if you want to go foiling, you only need to walk about 30 metres until the Red Sea in Safaga is deep enough. The conditions near the shore are moderate, further out even the cracks have fun, a safety boat is always nearby - an ideal family spot!
Pepelow/Salzhaff
For the little Easter trip in between: The Salzhaff between Rostock and Wismar is easy to reach, especially from Hamburg and Berlin, and there is plenty of accommodation in the region, some even right on the water. The bay, which is protected from the open Baltic Sea by the Wustrow peninsula, cannot keep up with Mediterranean destinations in terms of water temperature, especially in spring, but offers plenty of space, a large standing area, a wide wind window and a well-stocked centre with "San Pepelone". If you don't have a problem with lots of neoprene, you can start the season comfortably here!
Istria/Premantura
For windsurfers from southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland, an Easter trip to the Adriatic - or more precisely, to the Croatian peninsula of Istria - is as quick as it is rewarding. Because while it is often still cold and barren in central Europe, the orange and lemon trees are already blossoming around the harbour town of Pula. The air temperatures often crack the 20 degree mark and the water temperatures are usually between 15 and 17 degrees. In addition, Bora and Scirocco often join forces in spring and ensure a good wind quota of around 50 per cent at the Premantura hotspot, as well as a wide range of spots from flat water to surf. The only drawback: there are no large standing areas, but the water is crystal clear!
Lake Garda
By Easter at the latest, Lake Garda also awakens from its winter slumber. Anyone travelling down from Brennero towards Torbole will rub their eyes in amazement that the nature around the lake is already in full bloom, while the surrounding peaks are still partially covered in snow. However, due to the large temperature differences between the mountains and the valley, the wind system is already quite reliable at this time of year. However, the morning north wind can still be very fresh, so you should pack a bonnet to be on the safe side. And the lake, which is up to 350 metres deep, doesn't really qualify as a standing area either. The afternoon thermals from the south are much milder and attract numerous water sports enthusiasts to the water around the hotspot of Torbole or the Hotel Pier. Another argument in favour of the lake: unbeatable scenery, a great alternative programme in the surrounding area and plenty of dolce vita.
