Surfing Varazze: The Complete Guide

Varazze is a sandy-bottom beach break located in Varazze, Liguria, Italy, offering both lefts and rights along Italy's coastline. Varazze is the Italian Riviera's most reliable surf spot—which is to say it works maybe 20 days per year when winter storms in the Gulf of Genoa generate local swells. Rated as intermediate difficulty with crowded conditions, this beach break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is SW (235°), with workable conditions from SSW to W (200°–270°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Varazze needs a minimum of 1m / 3ft to start working and handles swells up to 2.5m / 8ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 9 seconds, with 12 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the NNE (30°). The full offshore range spans N to ENE (350°–70°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for sessions throughout the day.

Tide: This spot works best at all tides.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Varazze runs November, December, January, February (Nov–Feb). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens October, March (Oct–Mar). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Winter storms only. Mediterranean inconsistency.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 15°C / 59°F. Bring a 3/2mm wetsuit — 4/3mm in winter months.

Getting There

The nearest airport is GOA, roughly 45 minutes by car.

Access: Beach town access. Tourist infrastructure.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

👥 Crowded — Gets very crowded

Rare surf. Crowded when working.

Safety Tips:

Surf early mornings or off-peak days to avoid the worst of the crowds

Skill Level: This spot is rated intermediate (5/10). Crowd Level: Typically crowded (7/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Varazze? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Varazze is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*