The coastline of Greece is more than 15 thousand km. This country is a real paradise for kitesurfers! There are all the conditions here: clean seas, comfortable beaches, bright sun and constant winds. Every year, thousands of people from all over the world come here to catch the wind and ride the wave. Here every kitesurfer will find an ideal place for himself. Greece has quite a variety of riding conditions. They are provided with the presence of three seas and many islands. During the beach season it is not difficult to visit many of them and try the wind.
When is the best time to come
The Greek climate differs in different parts of the country. On the sea coast it is Mediterranean, in the central part of the state it is continental, and in the mountains it is Alpine. There are more than 300 sunny days a year. This is due to the geographical location. The sea begins to warm up already in April. Kitesurfing stations are open in May. The water temperature near some islands is quite acceptable for swimming until the end of October. There are a lot of people here who want to catch the wind even at this time.
The most popular period among kitesurfers is summer. The maximum air temperature reaches 35-36 degrees, and the water - 26-27. During this period, the Meltemi blows in the Aegean Sea. This is a fairly strong dry wind. Many experienced kitesurfers come here because of it.
Popular islands for kitesurfing
There are many kitesurfing stations or spots in Greece on the mainland and on the islands. There are kite schools at almost every station. Many kiters enjoy traveling around the country and trying new riding conditions. And some people prefer to be in their favorite place all the time.
Rhodes
Rhodes is one of the most popular islands among kiters. There are many great spots here. The best are considered:
Prasonisi. Located on the southern coast of the island. This place is crowded. Suitable for beginners and experienced kiters. Strong winds occur from June to October.
Kremasti. Located in the northwestern part of the island. There are many large stones on the shore. Experienced kiters will love this place. The wind intensity increases in the afternoon.
Ialyssos. In addition to kitesurfing, there is a lot of entertainment here.
Crete
This is the last island in the south of Greece. There is no strong wind here. Both beginners and experienced kiters will enjoy the spots here. Among the many local spots, the following stand out:
Falasarna. Experienced kiters will love this place. But for beginners it is better to choose another place for skiing. You will have to bring your own equipment. The spot only has a windsurfing station.
Elafonisi. On the southwestern side of Crete there is a small island called Elafonisi. They are connected by a sand spit. The spot is placed on it. There is a beautiful beach here. It is suitable for family holidays. There is a wonderful lagoon nearby. It's completely safe. Part of it is designed specifically for kitesurfing. It is separated from the general beach. There is a kite school.
Golden Beach. Located in the town of Chania. The large sandy beach and almost constant winds make this place suitable for kitesurfing. Equipment can be rented.
Note. The rental office closes at the beginning of September.
Kos
This island is popular among kiters. There are many spots on it. The most popular among them:
Kefalos. There are excellent conditions for learning to kitesurf. Even families come here. There is a school and 2 equipment rental points.
Psalidi. Luxurious nature, constant strong winds and big waves attract experienced kiters here. It will be difficult for beginners. There is a school at the spot.
Marmari. It will appeal to both beginner kiters and professionals. Meltemi appears in the afternoon. There are features of the beach that make lifting the kite a little difficult.
Mykonos
Strong winds blow here constantly in the summer. This is its main advantage over other islands. His most famous spots:
Korfos. Those who like uncrowded places will like this spot. The local beach is not too clean. Not many people come here. But this place is quite suitable for kitesurfing.
Ftelia. There are many windsurfers here. Kiters also love to try the local wind. The beach is not popular with tourists.
Thassos
There are many spots on the island with a variety of riding conditions. Several beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag for the best environmental condition.
Please enable JavaScript to view theGreece has a gorgeous coastline with a wide variety of conditions for water sports. With the number of Greek seas, it is difficult not to find a spot to suit your taste and level of skiing. Here is a brief overview of the main places popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers.
MAINLAND GREECE
Attica is the region closest to Athens, where the spots are accessible by car. It doesn’t take very long to drive to the Aegean coast towards the city of Kallithea. From this place - straight along the highway to the coast, and then left to Poseidonos Avenue Southbound to a place called Edem. This spot will be more popular with kiters, there are hotels nearby, there are not very many people on the beach, the bottom is sand, sometimes with stones.
Agelochori
Located south of Thessaloniki, if you drive along the coast of the lagoon to the first cape, then turn left. The spot is located within auto accessibility from the entire infrastructure. A universal spot, a sandy beach with rare stones, few people. The wind blows from the southwest, no stronger than 25 knots, all year round. The beach is easy to find - it is located to the right of the boat station.
Agios Serafim
An interesting place north of the capital, located on the shores of Maliakos Bay. The spot is located in a village with many organic farms and estates, all of which blend seamlessly with government residences and lively nightclubs and taverns.
The spot is accessible by car or bus: at a distance of about 35 km from the large town of Lamia and only 6 km from the small town of Kamena Vourla.
Fishing and hunting are developed in the village, but only in the mountains. The spot is located right on the city beach, smooth water and rare stones. The infrastructure is very developed: full of hotels, cottages, clubs, schools, there are rentals and shops.
It blows all day, the strongest wind is observed in the afternoon from the north (from the mountains). The spot is popular among windsurfers; there are a lot of people on the beach, mostly fans of long-distance races.
Oropos Chalkoutsi
You need to drive from Athens along the sea coast to the town of Oropos, then turn left, park on the road and ask the locals where the spot is. For reference, you can look for kites in the sky. The spot is more for kiters. It blows more often in the afternoon, there are quite a lot of people, especially on weekends. The bottom is sandy, the wind is of medium strength. The western wind blows here, and the best time to visit is from May to July.
Elafonissos Beach
There are approximately 21 kite spots in the Kithira area, on the southernmost mainland cape in the Mediterranean. Elafonissos Beach is one of the spots with the most stable wind, the wind blows here 200 days a year with a force of around 16-20 knots.
There are quite a lot of people, mostly kiters. A spot for those who have a good level of skiing. Winds mostly from noon to evening. You can get there by driving about 4 km north from Kato Nisi (near Ormos Levki Bay, 23 km from the city of Kithira). The infrastructure is well developed.
This is a small town near Patras, on the shores of the Gulf of Patras. The spot of the same name is located on the city beach called Drepano. The bottom here is rocky, but even beginners will be able to ride, and experienced ones will also find it interesting. They ride kites and winds. The wind blows from the west, with average strength, reaching 25 knots. As a rule, there is wind in the morning and afternoon; in the evening it is often calm. Suitable kite sizes range from 5m to 12m. The infrastructure is well developed, there are a lot of people here, especially on weekends.
ISLANDS
Corfu
Corfu is an island in the Ionian Sea, with spots in the north and southwest of the island, mainly for kitesurfing.
The northern spot is called Axpabh, among the locals it is often called Acharavi. A good place for both kiting and windsurfing; anyone with any level of skiing can surf. People gather mainly only on weekends. It usually blows in the afternoon. Wind of moderate strength, but not more than 25 knots, from the south or southwest. The depth in this place is quite large; closer to the shore the bottom is sandy with rare stones. The infrastructure is well developed.
Only kiters ride on the southern spot. You need to get there by car, and you will have to leave it not near the shore and walk for about 20 minutes. The name of the spot is Xalikouna, among the locals it is called Limni Korisiwn. Suitable for different levels of skiing, the wind blows with average strength no higher than 25 knots, in the direction of the northwest side-onshore. The best period is from April to October.
Ionian Islands
An excellent spot in the city of Lefkada on the city beach Milos Beach. It is easy to get to, both by car within 5 minutes from the center, and on foot for about half an hour through the city of Lefkada towards the beach.
It blows here mainly in the evening after noon, the wind is of medium strength, side-onshore from the northwest. The season starts from mid-April until at least September. There are usually a lot of people here, especially on weekends. The bottom is sandy with rare pebbles. There are often good waves. The infrastructure is well developed, everything you need is there.
Naxos and Paros
Naxos is an island in the Aegean Sea, neighboring the island of Paros. There are only a couple of spots on this island and they are located in the strait area between the two islands. Here the Mediterranean winds gain good strength.
There is only one famous place on the island of Paros, located on the west coast. The capital is the main spot on the island. The city beach is a beautiful strip of sand about a kilometer long, the water here is warm and pleasant, the winds are stable and not very strong, usually no higher than 16 knots. In direction it is mainly western and southwestern onshore.
This is an ideal place for students, so there are often a lot of people on weekends, but much less on weekdays. The wind usually blows all day and is stable. The infrastructure is well developed for both windsurfing and kitesurfing; mostly beginners and intermediate surfers ride here.
The Paros Kiteboarding Center spot is located on the western shore of the island and boasts a wind channel between the two islands of Paros and Antiparos.
The water is usually smooth, the wind blows with medium strength, from the north cross shore. The season lasts from April to October and there are a lot of people. The bottom is sandy.
You can get there in different ways: from the capital Athens, from the port of Pireus there are daily ferries from 7 am. There are 2-3 flights per day from Athens International Airport. And by the way, it takes no more than 15 minutes to get to the city and from the port and from the airport.
Crete
The town of Elafonisi, located in the very corner of the island on the southwestern coast, has a lagoon with fairly strong winds, but at the same time with smooth water, convenient for learning both kiting and windsurfing.
It takes about an hour to get to the spot by car from the city of Chania. The wind usually blows all day from the northwest or southeast, and there are not very many people. The bottom is mostly sandy, but with small rocks, and there is a reef. There are not many options for accommodation in Chania, so usually everyone travels from Heraklion.
Limnos
Limnos island can also be reached by ferry or Greek island flights. It is more convenient to rent a car and go to Keros beach, about 500 meters on the left on the beach you will see a surf station. The beach and spot is considered urban, called Surf Club Keros, suitable for kiters and findsurfers. There are often waves here. There are few people, the beach is about 3 km long, sandy and convenient for learning.
Rhodes
Kremasti is a spot in the north-west of the island, quite rocky and more suitable for experienced riders. Mostly kiters ride here. The winds blow with medium strength and usually in the afternoon. Infrastructure is concentrated to the north along the coast: there is the Diagoras airport and the city of Kremasti.
The Prasonisi spot is located in the very south of the island. There is no infrastructure, so you will be lucky if you travel in a motorhome, or you will have to travel in one day. The spot is quite universal, suitable for any riders in terms of experience and discipline. As a rule, the water is smooth, the wind blows in the afternoon and until the evening. There are always a lot of people here, the bottom is sandy. The winds are strong, from June to October the northwestern offshore blows.
- For those who can't get enough of the beaches and great spots of mainland Portugal, there is another place...
I want to write this article (I’m not afraid of this word :)) about a wonderful spot, for some reason not very popular here. Although there are no windsurfers among my friends, whoever needs it will find it through Google.
So. There are only one place in Crete where there are normal stations, and there are only two of them, but what a place it is! It blows every day, almost all day, from 10 to 15 m/s. The bottom is clean - no reefs or urchins. The water area is also clean, no ships. There are no swimmers, except perhaps our own, from surfer families. The water in the bay is almost flat, outside there is a small wave. Paradise! Why is he not popular among Russian surfers?
I think, first of all, because of the remoteness. The stations are located in the very east of Crete, on Kouremenos beach, the nearest village is Palekastro, two kilometers away. Large beach hotels where you can buy a tour end 100 kilometers to the west, in the area of Agios Nikolaos and Ierapetra. Then begins the region of eastern Crete, almost untouched by mass tourism - with beautiful nature, friendly Greeks, luxurious secluded beaches and wind. Because, as they say, the Meltemi wind current ends precisely on the eastern coast of Crete.
However, getting there is quite possible. There are regular flights to Heraklion from Moscow and St. Petersburg; from St. Petersburg, as far as I know, only Aegean has a direct flight. Return tickets will cost 300-400 euros. Then, right at the airport, you can rent a car for the entire duration of your stay in Crete. I used the services of http://www.justrentals.gr/ The procedure is this: you book a car on the website, make an advance payment of 30 percent. Provide your flight number. Upon arrival, you are met by their representative with a sign and taken to the parking lot (no more than 100 meters from the arrivals hall). There you complete the rent and pay the rest - it doesn’t matter to them whether it’s by card or cash. Full insurance, nothing is blocked on the card. Costs from 350 euros for 2 weeks (depending on the class of car). And forward. The drive to Palekastro takes 3 hours if you comply with speed limits, and a little over 2 hours if you don’t. Few people comply. Is it possible to get there without a car? Theoretically, yes. There should be a bus from Heraklion to Sitia, and from Sitia to Palekastro too. But from Sitia to Palekastro he definitely goes no more than 2 times a day. In general, it will take a long time to get there and you won’t get anywhere. If you don’t plan to go anywhere, and you are not afraid of the daily inevitable movements of housing-station-tavern a kilometer or two in each direction, then you can probably try.
Housing. The most respectable hotel in this area has 3 stars and is called Castri Village. Pros - not far from the sea (but not from the stations! It’s still about a kilometer and a half away from the stations) and a luxurious view of Kouremenos beach - you’ll immediately see who, how and what they’re riding. There are very few double rooms in the hotel! I couldn't book it even 7 months in advance - everything was sold out.
View of Kouremenos Beach from the terrace of the Castri Village Hotel. The stations are the furthest, barely visible buildings on the beach:
They are located side by side, separated only by a cafe. So, geographically, which one to choose - there is no difference, the conditions of the gurney are also exactly the same. Gone Surfing is owned by the Greeks and they rent out Fanatic boards. Freak Surf is Austrian and specializes in JP. The prices are comparable - 370 and 400 euros for 2 weeks without insurance, respectively. Insurance is 5 euros per day on Freak Surf and something comparable on Gone Surfing. I was at Freak Surf and will continue to talk about them, but I got the impression that they are larger than Gone Surfing (twice that), but they also have more people. There were never any problems with the required sails - if they suddenly ran out, they simply took a new one out of the box. But it’s probably better to book your board (100% prepayment is required) in advance. If you have a board reserved, it is yours. If you want to change it for a day, no problem, you hand over yours and take the free one. And so you only ride what is left, and a lot is reserved - some kind of board, of course, will always be found, but it may not be exactly what you want. The equipment is all new and good. From Freak Surf you have to drag your board to the water a little further than from Gone Surfing, and rarely does anyone help - which is important if you suddenly are a weak woman, and your sail and board are large. Around the station there are sun loungers and hammocks that can be rented for 1 euro per day, a volleyball court with a sagging net - I have never seen it used for its intended purpose. Between Freak Surf and Gone Surfing there is a cafe where you can eat, drink and surf the Internet. Probably her Internet reaches the sun lounger, but I haven’t tried. You don’t have to take wetsuits and trapeze with you, but leave them in the locker room overnight. There is a shower, of course. In general, everything is very civilized. They speak German and English. There are many German-speaking surfers, more than half. This season there is also an Italian-speaking instructor, but, as I understand it, it depends. In general, you will be understood in many languages (except Russian). The atmosphere at the station is friendly, during the two weeks that I was there, once a group of Germans organized a dump, once there was a barbecue party in Castri Village. Yes, the owner, Hannes, does not recognize anemometers - he determines the wind solely by eye and in Beauforts. But they will always advise you on the right sail if you need it.
About the conditions of the gurney. The entrance is convenient, sand. Depth begins almost immediately, in three steps. So, in fact, from the very beginning you almost always do a water start. There is almost no surf, even in tag, it is very convenient to start. The beach is wide, there is a large reserve for exit in case it gets carried away. The wind blows at a slight angle onto the shore, almost parallel. A very cool place, but not for complete beginners - because it blows well, and studying in such a wind is stressful. When I was there, the wind was good, but very gusty. Even in tag, it could suddenly subside for a second to zero - and then start again. But you get used to it pretty quickly.
The places around are simply fantastic (if you are interested in more than just surfing). Kato Zakros with its Minoan palace and the Gorge of the Dead, Richtis waterfall, very picturesque and completely non-touristy Sitia, palm-lined Vai beach, Toplou monastery. There are places to travel, but you definitely need a car; there is practically no public transport.
Oh, and if you’re in Palekastro, be sure to stop by George’s Sticky Minds in the evening - this man really loves rock music and makes amazing cocktails. It's such a pity that he always doesn't have enough people.
If you are interested in something, ask.
There is no better place in Europe for kitesurfing in September than Greece, it simply doesn’t exist. Warm sea, gentle sun, picturesque views, numerous beautiful beaches and ideal winds - what else is needed to enjoy a free “flight” on the water? And to this is added European comfort, cultural and historical values, and an excellent gastronomic component. Therefore, if a vacation is planned in September, then a kite lover does not even need to doubt: his direct route is to Greece!
For water recreation, there is not one, but three sea coasts - Mediterranean, Aegean and Ionian. Climatic conditions allow you to enjoy the sea and sun from May until the end of September, but in July and August the strongest winds blow here (Meltemi), but in September the ideal combination is achieved specifically for kitesurfing - calm warm water with moderate wind.
Kitesurfing in Greece in September
Greece is called the “country of a thousand islands”, there is sea water everywhere, so it is simply created for active water hobbies and the locals welcome kite riders and windsurfers with open arms. There are special schools all along the coast; you can rent any equipment or seek the services of an instructor (conveniently, it is not at all problematic to find training in Russian here, unlike in third world countries).
Almost everywhere in Greece you can find excellent places for kitesurfing: both near Athens and on the islands. A real paradise for kite lovers are the islands: Ionian, Rhodes, Corfu, Kos, Crete. This is the best place for both beginners and pros, but off the coast of Karpathos and Lemnos, beginners are not recommended to learn the basics of skiing due to the unpredictability of the winds.
We can separately mention Rhodes, which has many excellent spots, and its unique part Prasonisi (its southern point). What makes the area where the waters of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas meet is that there is the opportunity to ride in two styles at once: on one side of the isthmus there is a lagoon and calm waters, which is suitable for kite surfing, and on the other side there is a wave spot for windsurfing.
There are also many excellent places on the mainland, and you will definitely choose your favorite by visiting the spot:
- Edem,
- Agios Serafim,
- Oropos Chalkoutsi,
- Faros,
- Elafonissos Beach,
- Agelochori.
Kitesurfing in Crete
One of the favorite and popular places for kitesurfing in Greece is Crete. It is the southernmost, largest and last of all the Greek islands to be blown by the Malthermi, but surprisingly there is not too much wind and the water is perfect for skiing. There are enough spots for skiing on the island, you can find them, for example:
- in Elafonisi, which is located on the southwestern coast of the island and benefits from a beautiful lagoon, where even with far from weak winds, the calm sea surface allows you to master and improve your skiing technique. The area is not crowded, the bottom is sandy, there is a reef,
- in the area of Amoudara, located west of the capital of the island. There are stable winds and excellent terrain for skiing, there is equipment rental and instructors, the resort offers hotels of different levels for accommodation, so kite lovers have a great holiday with the whole family, including children,
- in Paleokastro - a small village located on the north-eastern side of the island. There is a famous surfing station here, but kites can also be launched and the conditions are ideal for mastering the water launch. The only thing to keep in mind is that there are no kite rentals here yet.
Kitesurfing in Crete is one of the most common hobbies for outdoor enthusiasts. But besides this, you will have something to do, because here you can visit places that are told about by the myths of Ancient Greece. This island is the birthplace of Zeus, the names of Icarus and Daedalus, and the labyrinth of the Minotaur are also closely associated with it. There are many historical monuments of different eras, palaces, fortresses. A big plus for this is the picturesque beauty of the coast, a favorable climate and a lot of positive emotions!
For windsurfing, this fashionable sea sport, Greece has all the necessary conditions: beautiful sea, excellent climate, suitable places with picturesque views and modern beaches marked with the “blue flags” of the European Union.
On almost any beach in Greece you can rent the equipment necessary for surfing, and in specialized schools you will be given lessons on the basics of taming the waves.
The best times for surfing in Greece are spring, summer and autumn, and the best regions are the islands of the Aegean and Ionian Seas, blown by warm winds.
The following hotels and complexes have everything necessary for sports recreation and training of windsurfers:
CHALKIDIKI
- PORTO CARRAS:& ,/Neos Marmaras- Sithonia/
- /Fokia-Kassandra/
Crete
There are more than a dozen windsurfing spots on Crete, but not all of these spots can be easily accessed as the island is very large. Therefore, the most accessible hotels are those not too far from Heraklion airport.
In terms of proximity to these hotels, it is very conveniently located George Samniotis station.
The station is located near the popular resort town of Hersonissos (Limenas Chersonisou). This place in our price offers is called Anissaras.
in 4*-5* hotels directly next to the station there are hotels:
· ,
· *,
· + All Inclusive
at the ALDEMAR CRETAN VILLAGE 4*+ All Inclusive hotel - windsurfing is also included, but only for holders of a VDWS windsurfing certificate.
Also the Marine Sports Center is located near the hotel
Thasos island
island of CORFU (KERKIRA)
This sport on the island can only be found on the southwest coast, because only here there is a suitable wind for windsurfing.
Corfu Windsurfing Center, located in the town of Agios Georgios, 30 km from the capital Kerkyra.
Zakynthos island
Zakynthos Island is very popular for water sports including windsurfing and kitesurfing. The most popular place is Tsilivi beach, 5 km from the capital Zakynthos. Nearby hotels: , And
Consider all the options and book accommodation in one of the hotels we offer.
Having arrived in Greece at the chosen hotel, you can contact our company representatives and they will help you plan your vacation correctly, advising you to contact one of the centers engaged in windsurfing or kiting.
