Malcesine and the Castello Scaligero from the lake shore — Photo: qwesy qwesy

The lake from the east shore at Malcesine, looking across towards Limone. — Photo: giggel

Lake Garda and the mountains of the west shore from Malcesine, in March. — Photo: padrei

Open water on Lake Garda off the Castello Scaligero. — Photo: Zairon

Veneto, Italy

Malcesine, Lake Garda

What it's actually like

Researched and written by WindChaser from 25 cited sources. Last checked Oct 2026.

Malcesine sits on the north-east shore of Lake Garda, in the province of Verona, under Monte Baldo. WWWind Square, a windsurf, wing and kite centre, has its own private beach and lawn on the Gardesana just north of the town, about 200 metres north of the car ferry port and right next to the landing field for the paragliders coming off Monte Baldo.

The Castello Scaligero is a 15-minute walk south along the lakeside promenade. The lake here runs on two thermal winds: the Pelèr from the north in the morning, and the Ora from the south from around midday.

The centre sits about 180 metres north of the Retellino bus park, with free parking for its guests.

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When it's good

Both wind models behind this page, a 1.5 km forecast grid and ERA5, miss the morning Pelèr and the afternoon Ora that the tourism office and the centre describe, so no wind figure is shown.

No weather station near enough to check these figures against.

Is it for you?

Level
Uphauler to gybe carver
Water
Chop-hop to bump and jump
Launch
Not checked yet
Wetsuit
Not checked yet
Après
Lively
Cost
Not checked yet

Why these scores, with the sources

Who’s it for: First-timers to advanced: WWWind says the spot suits every level, but the stronger morning Pelèr is for experienced riders. Source: WWWind, the spot, Sep 2026.
Flat or waves: Small chop to chop and some swell: The Pelèr builds bigger sets that make good ramps; a spot guide finds the Ora brings bigger chop here than at Torbole. Sources: WWWind, the spot, Sep 2026; NP7, spot guide Lake Garda, Sep 2026.
Beach and launch: Not checked yet: No source checked yet, so no score.
Wetsuit: Not checked yet: No source checked yet, so no score.
Bars and clubs mapped within 5 km (OpenStreetMap): Lively, 16 mapped within 5 km: 16 bars or pubs and 92 restaurants within 5 km on OpenStreetMap. Source: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), bars, pubs, nightclubs and restaurants within 5 km of the spot centre, counted through Overpass, Oct 2026.
Cost on the ground: Not checked yet: No source checked yet, so no score.

Wind directionN then SThe Pelèr from the north in the morning, the Ora from the south from around midday.

Wind strengthAbout 20 ktThe Pelèr on the tourism office’s reading: usually 20 knots, often up to 30. WindChaser’s own wind record is withheld here.

Two windsWaves, then chopBigger sets in the morning Pelèr. In the Ora, WWWind says calmer; a spot guide says bigger chop than at Torbole.

KitRent or bringWWWind hires windsurf, wing and kite kit, with storage and a repair workshop.

Where to launch and what can hurt you

Conditions change. Check local rules and conditions before you ride.

Launch
Hazard
Parking
School
Stay
Webcam
Approximate

Where to launch

WWWind Square beach

WWWind’s private beach and lawn on the Gardesana north of Malcesine, about 20 metres from the office to the water, and about 200 metres north of the car ferry port.

For windsurf, wing. Directions: Google Maps · Apple Maps
Kite shuttle

WWWind’s boat shuttle to a kite area on the lake, for independent riders only.

For kite. Directions: Google Maps · Apple Maps

What can hurt you

Hazard 1: Storm wind reversal

Storms can reverse the wind violently, usually south to north.
Hazard 2: Car ferry port

Car ferry port 200 m south: ferries have right of way.
Hazard 3: Rescue hours

Rescue boat only during WWWind’s opening hours.
Hazard 4: Kite and wing rules

Kites start from a boat 300 m out; insurance and flotation required.
Hazard 5: Bathing zone and windsurf rules

Bathing season: 100 m for bathers, 300 m closed to boards.
Hazard 6: Emergencies

Call 112.

Rules and safety

In the bathing season, the water within 100 m of the shore is for bathers only.
No windsurfs, kites or wings within 300 m of the coast in the summer bathing season.
Launch and land through a corridor, or straight out at no more than 3 knots where there are no bathers.
Kites start only from a boat at least 300 m out, or from a designated shore area.
Stay 500 m from ports, landings and scheduled ferries under way. No riding from sunset to dawn.
Wear a personal flotation device at all times. Kiters need third-party liability insurance.
Emergency number: 112.

Sources (6)

Getting there

Nearest airportVerona (VRN). About 64 km by road, about 1 hour 20 minutes.
On the groundMarch to November. WWWind’s season, mid-March to mid-November, busiest June to August. The record gives no season here.
Getting aroundCar. The Gardesana along the east shore. Free parking at WWWind for its guests; ferries from Riva, Torbole and Limone.