Not every trip changes you. But some do.
The Water Festival isn’t just a getaway. It’s a return to something deeper.
Set in the coastal town of Isola delle Femmine, just outside Palermo, this four-day gathering is equal parts movement and stillness, adrenaline and ease. You wake up with yoga at sunrise. You try something you’ve never done—SUP, eFoil, wing foil, flying yoga. You hear music on the breeze, talk story with strangers, then dance barefoot into the night.
It’s not just a race. Not just a party. And not just for athletes. The Water Festival is a celebration of the sea,and the people drawn to it.
“It’s for those who feel alive by the sea,” says organizer Vincenzo Michelucci. “And for those who don’t yet know that they do.”
It started in 2018 with twenty people and a casual SUP race. In 2023, the Water Festival officially got its name, and with it, a new identity. What was once local is now a reference point in Europe, drawing over 1,000 participants and 10,000 daily spectators. But Vincenzo’s goal hasn’t changed.
“You’re not just building an event. You’re building trust. A community. An ecosystem.”
During the day, pros demo gear while first-timers get their feet wet, literally. Lessons run next to international competitions. Beach volleyball and surf clinics blend with slacklines and pop-up yoga. Sunset slows everything down. Then night comes alive with live shows, DJ sets, and beach parties.
What makes it work is its openness. There’s no velvet rope, no wristband hierarchy.
“We opened the festival to everyone, not just athletes. That decision changed everything.”
It didn’t happen with funding or fanfare. The early years ran on pure belief.
“At the beginning, I had to believe in it alone. And maybe that’s why it means so much today.”
And it does mean something, especially here. Sicily isn’t just a backdrop. It’s the pulse of the event. Every moment is infused with the warmth of local hospitality and the spirit of the island itself.
“The sea can truly be the place where everything begins.”
What started as a one-day race has become a rite of passage. A moment of connection. A reminder that the water doesn’t just challenge us, it brings us back to who we are.
“If someone walks away thinking, That was amazing. I can’t wait to come back next year, then I know we’ve done our job.”
Ready to Get Closer?
The 2025 edition of the Water Festival returns to Isola delle Femmine this summer. Four days of movement, music, discovery, and community, all set to the rhythm of the sea. Whether you’re on foil, on foot, or just looking for something that feels real again, this is your sign.