Porto Pollo (also called Porto Puddu) is located on the northeast coast of Sardinia, between Santa Teresa di Gallura and Palau, in the channel between Corsica and Sardinia. It is one of Europe’s top wind sports destinations — discovered by windsurfing legend Robby Naish in 1980 — and has hosted major international events since the early 1980s. For sailors stopping here, it offers a superb sheltered anchorage with ivory sand beaches, clear turquoise water, and direct access to the La Maddalena Archipelago and Corsica.
⚓ Quick Facts for Sailors
| Location | NE Sardinia, between Palau (7 km) and Santa Teresa di Gallura |
| Anchorage character | Sheltered bay — two bays separated by a sandy spit (Isola dei Gabbiani) |
| Depth | 4–8m, sand bottom, good holding |
| Shelter | Good all-round shelter — well-protected anchorage |
| Services ashore | Supermarkets, bars, restaurants, diving and surf schools |
| Nearest airport | Olbia (45 km / ~1 hr by road) |
| Ferry to La Maddalena | From Palau (7 km by road) — 15-minute crossing |
Approach & Anchorage
Porto Pollo is formed by two bays divided by a narrow sandy spit that connects the mainland to the small Isola dei Gabbiani (Island of the Gulls). The eastern bay is the windsurf zone; the western bay (kite zone) is slightly more sheltered. Anchor in either bay in 4–8m on sand. The holding is good throughout.
Approach from the NE or N in the channel between Sardinia and Corsica. The sandy peninsula with windsurfers is clearly visible from offshore — a reliable landmark. Avoid the shallow areas immediately east of the peninsula.
⚠ Wind warning: Porto Pollo sits in the channel between Corsica and Sardinia — one of the windiest points in Sardinia. The Maestrale (NW) funnels through the channel and is accelerated by local terrain. Winds of 4–8 Beaufort (15–35 knots) are normal in summer, gusting higher. In strong Maestrale, the anchorage becomes active. Wetsuit often needed even in summer. The anchorage holds well due to the sand bottom — use sufficient scope.
Wind Sports at Porto Pollo
The two bays serve different sports:
| Zone | Activity | Notes |
| East bay | Windsurf zone | Sporting Club Sardinia school (FIV & VDWS affiliated). All levels. Beach bar “Rupi’s”. Windsurfing, SUP, kayaking, dinghy sailing, catamaran. |
| West bay (Isola dei Gabbiani side) | Kite zone | 10 min walk from windsurf centre. Large open beach. Wind Porto Pollo school — kite, windsurf, wing foil. windportopollo.com |
Season: Mid-April to October. Peak wind conditions: May–September, afternoons. Mornings generally calmer (good for beginners). The Poniente (W/SW) dominates in summer at 15–30 knots; Tramontana (N) in spring; Scirocco (SE) in autumn.
Note for sailors at anchor: The water in both zones is active with windsurfers and kite surfers during wind hours. Anchor clear of the designated wind sport zones — confined swimming areas are marked with buoys. Do not anchor within the kite zone or crossing the windsurfer lines.
️ Beaches
Porto Pollo’s beaches are among the finest on the north coast — fine ivory sand, turquoise water, shallow entry. The 7 km of open bay provides ample space. The Isola dei Gabbiani peninsula itself has beaches on both sides. Very family-friendly outside the wind sport zones, with a natural swimming area on the lee side of the peninsula.
️ Facilities Ashore
- Supermarkets, bars, restaurants within walking distance of the anchorage
- Rupi’s beach bar at the windsurf centre — popular meeting point
- Diving schools in the area
- Car, motorcycle, bicycle rental available locally
- Palau (7 km, 20 min drive) — full provisioning, restaurants, ferry to La Maddalena
Nearby Destinations
| Destination | Distance | Notes |
| La Maddalena — Cala Gavetta | 10 nm NE | Full marina. National Park. Archipelago anchorages. Park permit required. |
| Santa Teresa Gallura | 12 nm W | Ferry to Corsica. 700 berths. Jazz Festival in June. |
| Marina Bonifacio | 23 nm N | Corsica. Book ahead. Bocche di Bonifacio wind — check forecast. |
| Isola Rossa | 20 nm W | Small anchorage on NW coast. |
Sailor’s tip: Porto Pollo is the best place to watch windsurfing and kite surfing in Sardinia — the combination of consistent strong wind, flat water in the bays, and the compressed channel conditions creates a spectacle that draws riders from across Europe. If you’re here in an afternoon Maestrale, anchor the boat, launch the dinghy, and watch from the water.
✅ Safety Checklist
- Strong wind forecast = Maestrale in the channel — set good scope, check anchor holding before leaving the boat
- Anchor clear of wind sport zones — kite lines extend well offshore
- Swimming zones marked with buoys — respect them (kite lines and windsurfers move fast)
- Bocche di Bonifacio effect northbound — wind accelerates significantly north of Santa Teresa Gallura
