Ionian
Tramontana
North wind: the Adriatic gets choppy and the water turns cooler.
→ Go Ionian: Gallipoli, Porto Selvaggio, Punta Prosciutto
Salento guide
Ionian or Adriatic? In Salento, the wind decides
The locals' rule is simple: where the wind blows from the sea onto the coast, the water is rough and cloudy; where it blows from the land out to sea, the water near the shore stays calm and clear. Since the Ionian and the Adriatic face opposite directions, one of the two coasts is almost always perfect.
From Cutrofiano, in the middle of Salento, both are about half an hour away: in the morning you check the wind and choose. Below you'll find which coast to pick with the most common winds, a trick to tell where the wind is coming from without an app, and average sea temperatures.
Which sea today? The wind decides
Adriatic
Scirocco
Warm south-east wind: waves and seaweed on the Ionian coast.
→ Go Adriatic: Otranto, Torre dell'Orso, Castro
Adriatic
Ponente & Libeccio
West and south-west winds: rough sea towards Gallipoli and Porto Cesareo.
→ Go Adriatic: Baia dei Turchi, Roca, Porto Badisco
Where is the wind coming from? The sun trick
A wind is named after the direction it comes from. In the morning the sun rises in the east (a little north-east in summer): use it as a compass.
- Face the morning sun: east is in front of you, west behind, north on your left, south on your right.
- Feel where the air hits your face, or watch flags, smoke, leaves and ripples on the water.
- Air on your left cheek: Tramontana (from the north). In your face: Levante (from the east). Front right: Scirocco (from the south-east). Right cheek: Ostro (from the south). On your back: Ponente (from the west).
- In the afternoon the sun is in the west, so reverse everything. The coast where the wind blows from land out to sea has the calmest water near the shore.
Quick rule: wind from the north or east → Ionian. Wind from the south or west → Adriatic.
Average temperatures: sea and air
| May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea | 19° | 22° | 25° | 26° | 24° | 21° |
| Air | 23° | 28° | 31° | 31° | 27° | 22° |
Indicative values for Salento, °C
Live forecasts
ilMeteo · Cutrofiano
Windfinder · Gallipoli
Windfinder · Otranto
Meteo Aeronautica Militare
Jentu · Salento
NelSalento · Che mare scegliere col vento
Viaggio nel Salento · Spiagge e venti
Stay in the middle of Salento
Casalaggiù is a holiday home in the old town of Cutrofiano, with a panoramic roof terrace, for up to 4 guests. From here both the Ionian and the Adriatic are about half an hour away: every morning you pick the best sea.
Check datesSee the house