Crete is an estate of picturesque beaches, flowing rivers, shallow waters, deep canyons, and mountains. Together with this natural beauty, it is no wonder that this Greek island offers extraordinary in the way of adventure & water sports. One of the most preferable water sports that visitors can find around Crete apart from canyoning, caving, and scuba diving is the sport of kitesurfing.
The conditions and spots in Crete are ideal for Kitesurfing and are suitable for kitesurfers of all experience levels. Some of the most renowned spots in Crete for Kitesurfing are Elafonisi, Kedrodasos, Kouremenos, and Ammoudara. You will have a fun-filled & memorable experience while surfing here.
Best Time for Kitesurfing in Crete
In Greece, the strong winds prevail for eight months in a year. It lets you harness the power of the wind to surf with the kite. Notably, the summer season in Crete offers the best conditions for kitesurfing. So, the ideal time for kitesurfing in Crete is considered from May to October. In this period the Meltemi wind blows side shore from the left, and the wind in the area usually gets as far as 4 or 7 Bft. The Cretan island corresponds to an exotic haven for kitesurfers in summers. Throughout the season, visitors will find top-notch kitesurfing locations and facilities across the Cretan island that are appropriate for independent kitesurfers. The beginners as well as expert kitesurfers will surely find the place that fulfills their expectations. Amidst this period, the peak season is particularly from June to September. Some people plan their trips early or later than this time, as it can get very crowded in this peak season.Best Kitesurfing Spots in Crete
1. Herkaleio Kite Beach, Crete
- The Herkaleio Kite Beach observes Thermal and Trade winds. The best are northerly winds.
- The wind recommended for kitesurfing activity is specifically the wind coming from N, NE, NNE, and NW.
- The best time to visit Herkaileo Kite Beach for kitesurfing in Crete is in July and August.
Location: Herkaleio Kite Beach, next to Heraklion, Heraklion, CreteSuitability: Surfers of all levelsReported Beach Risk: None
2. Amoudara, Heraklion, Crete
Amoudara is a beach situated in the Gulf of Heraklion. It is a splendid kitesurfing spot for surfers of different levels. It is popular among surfers and kitesurfers due to the fine brown sand, shallow water, and most importantly, extreme winds flowing all across the year. At this spot, the water is flat, observes small waves, and is rarely somewhat choppy near the shore. There is a medium-sized launching-landing area between windsurfers and swimmers at the wide Amoudara beach. As there are nearly no deep waves in the water, it is suitable for kiteboarding. Besides, there are not many crowds usually, but you should be careful about the other beach visitors, especially during peak season (May to September).
- The winds coming from NW and NNW are recommended for kitesurfing at this spot.
- The wind speed is from 5 to 15 m/s. The usual best wind direction is Northwest, but the only issue is it could be gusty sometimes.
- The best time to visit Amoudara for kitesurfing is in July and August.
Location: Amoudara, next to Heraklion, Crete, GreeceSuitability: Surfers of all levelsReported Beach Risk: None
3. Timbakion (Tympaki), Kokkinos Pyrgos Beach, Crete
The Kokkinos Pyrgos Beach or Tympaki beach lies near Tympaki town in the Heraklion region in Crete, Greece. It is at the main port of this region, which is halfway along the south coast of Crete. This is a very long, sandy beach, featuring rocks & stones. It has flat to choppy waters and observes westerlies causing small to medium waves. It has tide-independent kitesurfing conditions and is a suitable spot for riders of all levels. The launching & landing area at this beach is medium-sized. You can enjoy it at the active or the remote end of the beach as per your preference.
- The best winds are the Meltemi winds coming from the north (Jun-Sep).
- There are riding zones on this spot and surfers are advised to take note of them.
Locations: Timbakion/ Tympaki, Heraklion, CreteSuitability: Surfers of all levelsReported Beach Risk: Rocks
4. Rethymno, Crete
The kitesurfing spot in Rethymno in Crete, is a decent kitesurfing spot for intermediate surfers, but experts will also love it. It is a choppy, small & medium wave spot, where kitesurfing conditions are not dependent on the tides. There is a large launching-landing area. It is a wide, sandy, & clean spot with no obstructions. The onshore wind on this beach brings in rollers. Also, the water gets deeper than the wading depth here. Notably, this kitesurfing spot is empty in the winter but crowded in the summer. Please keep in mind that the port police advise you to be careful as there are currents in the area. The undercurrent from the waves makes it difficult to escape under control.
- This spot at Rethymno observes thermal winds.
- The winds often ashore or side onshore on this spot. It usually blows from N, NNE, and NE directions.
- The wind recommended for kitesurfing is wind from the northeast (NE).
- Surfers are advised to be careful of swimmers, currents, and miles at this spot.
Locations: Rethymno, next to Rethymno & Chania town, CreteSuitability: Intermediate & Expert-levelReported Beach Risk: None
5. Matala, Crete
Matala beach is located in the south of Crete, Greece. It lies at the exit of a small valley, where a large enclosed bay overlooks the Paksimadia islands (as the locals call them). In front of this bay, there is a spectacular sandy beach. It is a spot with flat and choppy waters. Matala is an excellent kitesurfing spot for intermediate as well as expert surfers. The kitesurfing conditions are tide-independent, and there is a small launching & landing area. This spot is a U-shaped bay that is around 250 m wide. When there is the tourist season, you will not get much space here.
- Like Rethymno, this spot also observes thermal winds.
- The summer season (24°C - 30°C) is the ideal time to visit Matala.
- The period of June to August observes throngs of visitors as it is the peak season.
Locations: Matala, next to Timbaki, CreteSuitability: Intermediate & Expert-levelReported Beach Risk: Rocks
6. Kalamion, Crete
Kalamion is a flat and choppy spot for kiteboarding. It is a sandy beach that is highly preferred by intermediate surfers for kitesurfing. It is also a popular spot among experienced surfers. Here, the launching & landing area is medium-sized. It is a tide-independent surfing spot that features a harbor and mole on the eastern part.
- Summers are the ideal time for kitesurfing, hence there is a crowd of visitors from June to August.
- The beach features curves, therefore the sideshore is further west NW and SE.
- Respect the other beach users in the peak tourist season and while surfing on the water, be careful of moles.
Location: Kalamion, next to Kalamion Town, Chania, CreteSuitability: Intermediate-level surfersReported Beach Risk: None
7. Anissaras Beach, Crete
Anissaras beach lies in the awe-inspiring area of Anissaras that is set along the coastline from Kokkini Hani to Malia. It is just 1 km west of Hersonissos. This spot observes small and medium waves and is an outstanding kitesurfing spot for expert surfers. The launching and landing area at Anissaras is small. The beach is beautiful, but the seabeds are quite rocky in many places.
- The Anissaras beach experiences Frontal winds that generally blow from NW on this spot.
- Here, the recommended wind for kitesurfing is the wind from NW.
- While kiteboarding, you are advised to be careful of rocks, and coral reefs.
Location: Anissaras, next to Hersonissos, CreteSuitability: Expert-level surfersReported Beach Risks: Rocks
8. Falassarna or Phalasarna Beach, Crete
Falassarna Beach is famous as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in Europe. With its crystal clear water, the beach is mostly suitable for kitesurfing during winter and spring. This beach is around 2 km long and over 100 m wide. The South (side-shore) or Southwest (side-onshore) winds in winter and spring usually create choppy to very big waves (as per the wind direction and speed). Few rocks are there in the water close to the beach. Notably, the main beach of Falassarna cannot be used for kitesurfing, but there is a small bay near the port of Falassarna that doesn't observe gusty waves, and it is apt for kitesurfing.
- Falassarna is usually a windy place, and the main wind directions are N, S, SSW, and SW.
- The Southwest wind is favorable for surfing.
- The beach is packed with tourists and beach umbrellas in August.
Location: Falassarna, Kissamou, near Chania, CreteSuitability: Surfers of all levelsReported Beach Risk: Rocks
Best Kitesurfing Schools in Crete
Many kitesurfing clubs are operating all around the island. These attract lots of visitors who want to experience the adrenaline rush. These centers offer introductory courses for beginners and advanced sessions for intermediate and expert kitesurfers. Let us discuss some of them.
1. Surf in Crete
1. Surf in Crete
Surf in Crete is a popular surf school in Crete that teaches kitesurfing and other water sports as per international standards of sports, etiquette, and safety. It is an ASI and IKO (International Kiteboarding Organisation) certified center that offers Kitesurfing lessons and equipment rentals. Here, you will be taught how to access the wind and how to control the kite. Then, you will be practicing your new skills on the water. This school has the most experienced IKO L3 instructor who is one of the top 5 IKO GR instructors. All their enrolled candidates get a discount of up to 20% for their new equipment. It offers a great opportunity for people of all ages to safely learn this watersport during their stay in Crete.
2. Elafonisi Kite - Elafonisi Extreme Sports ClubLocation: Arina Beach, Kokkini Hani, HeraklionTimings: 10:00 AM - 12:00 AMPrivate IKO Kitesurf Lessons EUR 80 (1 hr) onwards.
The Elafonisi Kite Club offers Kitesurfing lessons at Elafonisi beach with mesmerizing sea view, clear blue water, and pink-golden sand. At this school, you will learn kitesurfing from experienced and proficient instructors with high-quality kitesurfing equipment for safety. Their certified staff will ensure you overcome your fear of extreme sports and have a fun learning experience. On booking a lesson with them, they provide free equipment usage after the lesson for practicing. Specialized beginner equipment is available for the newbies. Besides, different lessons having one to ten-hour durations are there.
3. iKiteLocation: Elafonissi Beach, Kissamos, CreteTimings: Open 24/7Advance Rental equipment from EUR 50 (1 hour)
iKite - Iraklio Kite Club is a professional training center operating under the IKO safety and certification standards. Notably, this Kite Club is the first and the only Kiteboarding club of Iraklio that has a sandy beach of over 2000 sq meters dedicated solely to kitesurfing. Here, you will get fast-paced kitesurfing adventure courses. You can learn this extreme sport from their beginner training under professional supervision. iKite remains open for offering training to surfers from June till early September. For the rest of the year, lessons are available only after an appointment.
4. Chania Surf ClubLocation: Amoudara Beach (at the left of Pancretan Stadium), Iraklion, CreteTimings: As set by appointmentIntroductory lessons start from EUR 30
Chania Surf Club is an outstanding surf school offering kitesurfing lessons and equipment rentals. It is nestled in the charming Agia Marina, next to the Ammos & Ilios Beach Bar. Notably, it is the foremost surf school in Crete and one of the best in the Chania region offering training lessons and all-inclusive packages for Surf vacations. It is duly affiliated with the ISA (International Surfing Association) and IKO and teaches, both kitesurfing and SUP in a laid-back setting.
5. Xtreme Greece - KiteSurf LessonsLocation: Chrisi Akti beach, Nea Kydonia, CreteTimings: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PMKitesurfing Lessons EUR 80 onwards
Xtreme Greece offers KiteSurf Lessons in Heraklion, Crete. Being an ASI and IKO-affiliated kitesurf center it provides lessons for various sports abiding by the international standards of sports etiquette and safety. Here, you can learn to kiteboard with one of the most experienced IKO L3 instructors. You will get one of the best guidance, as Xtreme Greece is a part of the Safe Water Sports Organization with a chief focus on the enhancement of safety standards for watersports. There are various beginner to advanced-level courses.
Location: Heraklion, Crete, GreeceTimings: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PMKitesurfing Private Lessons start from EUR 70 (1 hour)
Tips for Kitesurfing in Crete
- As the best time to visit Crete for Kitesurfing is when the temperature is around 24°C - 30°C, you are advised to wear shorts or lycra along with sunscreen. Contrastingly, for kitesurfing in spring or autumn, a wetsuit should be preferred. A 3 to 5 mm wetsuit is apt for winters.
- Anyone can learn to kitesurf, but if you are a beginner you should take lessons from a certified instructor. He will equip you with the required safety know-how and procedures.
- You are not required to be a super-fit macho man to kitesurf. Also, the kit is lightweight, you will not require a great deal of muscle strength either. Though, a general level of fitness will facilitate you to flourish faster and afford you more stamina on the water.
- Kitesurfing at 100 km/h speed is meant for expert riders as it requires a lot of practice and advanced equipment. To achieve such a distant goal, firstly, you need to learn to stay on board.
- The only skill you will require to start is to be comfortable swimming in water. As soon as you master the basics of surfing along the kite with stability, you can start riding faster, jumping, doing freestyle tricks, riding waves, etc.
- As you will be strapped to a kite, it might feel a bit scary at first. However, your instructor will help you stay calm and show you how safe the modern kitesurfing equipment is when you use it the right way. Building your confidence is the key.
Kitesurfing is a fascinating fusion of windsurfing and paragliding. God has blessed the Cretan island with everything a kiteboarder would want – crystal clear water, predictable summer winds, and a picturesque backdrop. Whether you want to try kitesurfing for the first time or are an experienced kitesurfer, Crete is the ideal destination for you.