Country and Location

Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily). The area of Sardinia is 24,090 square kilometres. The nearest land masses to the island are (clockwise from north) the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Tunisia, and the Balearic Islands. Sardinia is part of Italy, with a special statute of regional autonomy under the Italian Constitution.

Porto Botte is a nice kitespot near the town Giba. This spot has perfect conditions for freestyle. This beach is in the Golfo di Palmas's bay. The bottleneck effect on the wind is created because Porto Botte is located below the Sant'Antioco's strait.


The seasons and Accommodation info

The best and windiest months to visit Sardinia are May-Ocotober. There is a great choice of accomodation to meet any budget. There are even value villas and appartments for singles, families and groups. But in July and August the availability is scarce beacause of the Italin hollidays.

Possibilities besides kiting

Besides kiting (on Sardinia) you can:
-Visit the World Rally Championship
-Go Cave Scuba diving/Wakeboarding/fishing
-Go cycling/horse riding/Kayaking
-Play tennis/volleybal
-Visit historical buildings
-Enjoy the nightlife of Sardinia

Climate

The climate is typical of the Mediterranean. The weather is clear. During the year approximately 300 days are sunny and the few others are rainy, with a major concentration of rainfall in the winter and autumn, some heavy showers in the spring, and snowfalls on the highest massifs and highlands. The mistral is the dominant wind, fresh, strong, and usually dry and cold, blowing from the northwest throughout the year, but most frequently in winter and spring. The air temperature is between 25°C and 35°C.

Spot conditions:
The beach

The sandy beach is medium sized (3km long, 30 meters wide), there is enough space for save launching and landing. Only kitesurfing is allowed on this spot, no other sportive activities.

The water conditions

The water is super flat near the shore and more choppy out on the sea. There are no waves on Porto Botte. The water is shallow for about 300 meters. Only from June-September (summer) you don't need a wetsuit, the rest of the year a normal wetsuit/shorty is more comfortable.

The wind conditions

The windiest months are from May-October. This spot works the best with the Mistral (northwest). The wind is side-onshore. Because the bay curves a lot of directions are kitable. The wind is always stronger (10knots) than the forecast predicts. Sardinia has different kind of winds (deponding on the seasons):

The Tramontana
The Spring brings the tramontana from north to east with 6-8 Beaufort.

The Poniente
In the summer the poniente is south/west bringing 4-8 Beaufort

The Scirocco
In the autumn the scirocco from North Africa with 5-6 Beaufort, and occasionally up to Force 9.

The Mistral
This wind blows from the northwest with 4-6 Beaufort.

Facilities

Not all facilities are available on this spot. There are showers, toilets and you can eat something if you are hungry.

Downwinder and trip possibilites

In southwest Sardinia you will find two hundred kilometres of coastline washed by an emerald-colour sea, wild and uncontaminated landscapes as well as fully equipped areas for those looking for a holiday with all comforts. From 1 June to 30 September kitesurfing is strictly forbidden on all sardinan beaches. In this time it's possible to do only in reserved kite beach. On the south west coast there are two authorized kite beaches: Porto Botte (Giba town-CI) and Maddalena Spiaggia (Capoterra town-CA). Besides Porto botte you can kite on several spots:

Spiaggia Grande
With a 1km narrow beach, flat water and waves, and rocks in the water this spot is for advanced riders only. No kitesurfing from May-September

Spiaggia di Coequaddus
With southeast storms a nice wave spot. Not a lot of space for many kiters. No kiting from May-September.

Funtanamare
Spot is near the town Gonesa. Beach is 3km big. Nice wave spot, but dangerous conditions because of the strong currents and rocks near the shore. No kiting from May-September.


Travel info

The nearest town is Giba. The nearest big city and aiport is Cagliari. The spot is on a 45 minutes drive from the airport.


Links

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardinia

Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ditLfH1NWk0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSnYFHZgowQ

Schools:
http://www.kitesardegna.com

Info:
http://www.kitesardegna.com
http://www.sardegnaplus.com/portobotte.html