Destinations > Regions > Mediterranean > Greece > Go fly a kite
A kitesurfing tour of Greece
Kitesurfing, also known as kiteboarding, is one of the fastest growing water sports in the world, with elements of sailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding and paragliding coming together in this challenging new pursuit. Thanks to the reliable winds that prevail in Greece over eight out of 12 months a year, a yacht charter in Greece can also be combined with a tour of some of the best hotspots for kitesurfing in Europe.
There are places that are suitable for total beginners as well as advanced kitesurfers, not to mention the windy conditions also make for some excellent windsurfing or sailing. Whether you are basing your Greek yacht charter on the best kitesurfing spots alone or you are looking to combine it with other activities on the water and ashore, there are plenty of ways to include kitesurfing in your cruising itinerary.
In the Peloponnese, head to Drepano, Elafonisos or Nea Kios. In Drepano, year-round consistent winds will be sure to deliver the goods, both from the east and west, and July usually brings with it a national kitesurfing competition so you can see how the locals fare. In Elafonisos, head to Sarakiniko Bay in the spring when there is a northerly blowing and you will be guaranteed superb waves, but only if you are an experienced rider. Popular with the Athens extreme sports set, Nea Kios in the Argolic Gulf adjacent to Nafplio has a wide, sandy beach with shallow waters and consistent, mild winds, which are more suitable for novices looking to improve their technique.
In the Ionian Islands, Corfu’s Issos Beach (Halikouna to the locals) is a great option for beginners along this four-kilometre-long sandy stretch, though winds can be a little irregular than in the Aegean. Lefkada is a favourite with advanced riders, but the conditions vary enormously during the day due to temperature fluctuations, so planning in advance is a good idea to guarantee the best winds.
In the Cyclades, Paros and Naxos get top billing for kitesurfers. The strait between Paros and Antiparos is a favourite for pros and amateurs alike while Pounta Beach is regularly used for international tournaments. Naxos is famous for its beautiful turquoise waters; the sandy beach of Mikri Vigla to the south-west of the island is suitable for novices as well as advanced riders but less busy than Pounta.
Prasonisi off the southern tip of Rhodes in the Dodecanese has already achieved legendary status among the international kitesurfing crowd. Offering both flat surfing and wave-style surfing for some aerial tricks, it serves up some great conditions for experienced riders.
For those who would like to give kitesurfing a first try, Keros Beach on Limnos in the North Aegean is a fantastic option. On the eastern shore of the island, there are shallow waters off this three-kilometre-long beach and consistent winds from early in the morning until lunchtime. At which point what better time to head back to your superyacht for a spot of well-earned lunch from the chef on board.
