Surfing in Greece: Best Places and Top Surf Spots Guide
If you are interested in surfing in Greece, and learning about the best places to surf as well as the top surf spots, then check out this article. Before we dive into the article I would love to showcase a little bit about the surf culture in Greece, with this video showcasing an adventure there;
A surf adventuring exploring Greece and searching for waves to ride. Featuring Marlon Lipke, Yannick De Jager and Gony Zubizarreta on this epic of an adventure.
The article will cover:
- Introduction to Surfing in Greece
- Surfing Scene in Greece
- Top Surf Spots and Places
- Surf Schools and Camps
- Our Recommended Surf Location
- Concluding Notes
Introduction to Surfing in Greece
Surfing in Greece is not about chasing perfection, it is about the full experience. Waves, food, culture, relaxation, you name it. You come here because you love being outside, moving, exploring, and scoring fun waves when they line up.
Greece is surrounded by water on all sides, mainly the Aegean Sea to the east, the Ionian Sea to the west, and the Mediterranean wrapping it all together. That alone sets the tone. You are not surfing every day, as the swells are hit or miss. Expect chest high days, occasional overhead surf, and plenty of playful conditions for beginners to intermediates.
When there are no waves, it is still worth it. It sits at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, and you can feel that mix in the food, the people, and the pace of life. Mountains run straight into the sea, islands scatter in every direction, and the water is almost always nearby. So, Greece is great for beginners, mellow beach breaks, warm water in summer, and a laid back vibe that makes learning fun. A fun session is surely to entail if you buy the ticket, and take the flight here.
The Surfing Scene in Greece
Greece is quite the unexplored surf location. You can find some adventures, such as this video of exploration, of people trying to score waves in Greece.Greece offers very inconsistent and long-to-reach waves, due to its chain of islands and slow travel. Afterall Greece is home to thousands of islands. If you have traveled in Greece, specifically the islands, and island hopping, then you well know, it takes time.
The islands themselves, thereby make Greece have an extensive long area of coastline. Yet sadly, not much is available to incoming swells, due to the blocking of swells by other land masses. You can find waves that are skill levels from beginners to intermediates. Fun waves, as I would say.
The Best Season for Surfing
Photo of a windsurfer enjoying their time in Mykonos, Greece. Highlights the choppy, typical windswell driven conditions.
General Recommendation
The season for waves is typically the winter and autumn months, stretching from October to April. But, although the waves may not be tubes and barrels. Greece is quite good for any time of surfing, as I have even seen fun waves breaking during the summer months on Crete.
Beginner Recommendation
The shoulder months should offer good swells, with more friendly conditions. Those months are September to October, or April through May.
Top Surf Spots and Places
The known surf spots in Greece include Crete, Tinos, Ikaria, Costa Navarino, Lagouvardos, Vouliagmeni, Karpathos, Lygia, and Parga.
This is the extent of waves that I have researched, personally heard about, or have seen with my own eyes. This list isn’t extensive, and surely more legendary mythical Greek surf spots will be discovered.
As Greece is mainly filled with Islands, some fantastic waves must be hiding themselves, from the easily accessible internet locations, although these are the main ones that are easily viewable.
Greek Surf Spot #1: Crete
Crete is the largest Greek island, which makes it the perfect location for waves in Greece. The best waves on the island are found on the western side, specifically in Chania or Falasarna Beach.
In my article, I wrote about surfing in Europe. I recall driving by Chania, hoping the bus would stop so I could surf it myself!
Some other notable beaches for surfing in Crete are Kissamos and Palaiochora.
Greek Surf Spot #2 Tinos
Tinos is a hidden gem lying within the Aegean Sea. Check out this Instagram post of some of the potential of the waves hidden there.
The waves on this island are going to be found on Kolympithra Beach, a community based around hippie vibes and the search for the Greek good life.
Greek Surf Spot #3 Ikaria
Ikaria is a fantastic location in my eyes. A blue zone that has a rich culture of unique food and hot baths. The waves here are quite good year-round, but specifically enjoyable from spring to autumn, making the summertime a beautiful opportunity to surf.
The main beaches for surfing on Ikaria are found on the northern side, with those beaches being named Messakti and Livadi.
Check out this video if you want to see some of the waves at Ikaria.
Greek Surf Spot #4 Costa Navarino
A mainland Greek surf spot. You can find these lovely waves on the Messinia coastline, on the Peloponnese peninsula. This area is quite a wealthy area, so be warned about this.
The area is quite wide, and you can find waves up and down the coast, but a specific known spot is Bouka Beach
Greek Surf Spot #5 Lagouvardos Surf
This famous Greek surf spot is located within the Messinia coastline as well. It is quite exposed and faces inconsistent surf, but when it has waves, it does shine.
You can check out this video showcasing the types of waves you can see on a day when waves are breaking well!
Greek Surf Spot #6 Vouliagmeni Surfing
This legendary surf spot is located near Athens on the Aegean Coastline. It is quite popular due to its proximity to the city.
You can check out this video to see how the waves look on a good day, as well as how many people are out when it has good conditions.
Greek Surf Spot #7 Karpathos
Karpathos is a unique island situated between Rhodes and Crete, and is known for its strong winds, which makes it a popular kite-surfing location.
The island’s mountains amplify the wind, thereby making it an idyllic dream for kitesurfers.
For wave surfers, it does still hold some potential. The west coast of the island, on Arkassa Beach, is home to some consistent waves throughout the winter.
Check out this local surf school if you want to learn more.
Greek Surf Spot #8 Lygia
Lygia is the last surf spot on our list. It is a coastal area on mainland Greece. Its wave is located on a reef, which is quite unusual for Greece.
But, if you are willing to surf the reef, you can find waves like this, once in a blue moon, giving you a chance to surf the Ionian Sea!
Here is a quick video if you want to check some of the waves out at Lygia.
Greek Surf Spot #9: Parga
Parga is located on the mainland of Greece and faces the Ionian Sea. A location that can catch some good swell.
Check out this video below to check out the wave;
Surf Schools and Camps
If you are interested in learning to surf and considering Greece as the potential location to introduce you to surfing, then read on.
As I mentioned in my other article about Surfing in Europe for Beginners, I believe Greece is a fantastic location for learning to surf or progressing to an intermediate level.
Some people may argue against my judgment as wind-swell, which is typically choppy, quick, one wave after another, is difficult to learn on. I would disagree. Look at the previous videos in this article to see the waves you get to surf in Greece to challenge that idea.
When it comes to learning to surf in Greece I recommend two locations: Crete and Ikaria
As noted before, Crete offers a wide variety of locations, and some fantastic surf schools such as this one. The island itself also boasts a ton of other things to do, while you are waiting for the waves to turn on.
The other location, Ikaria, is my second recommended location. Their legendarily famous surfschool, linked here, is a perfect place to learn to surf.
Our Recommended Surf Location
Drum-roll please! If you are an intermediate and want to surf some waves that push you as a surfer. Although it’s not a Banzai Pipeline, I would recommend Lagouvardos.
It’s accessible, has both the Ionian and Mediterranean Sea in front of it, thereby having consistently large swells, for Greece, coming in during the winter.
It’s connected to the mainland, making it accessible to the average person who is not looking to do a ton of island hopping to reach some of the more remote surf locations.
Concluding Notes
Overall, it is difficult to recommend surfing in Greece, unless you are a beginner or want a unique surf trip.
While the waves are particularly made for anyone above the novice and beginner stages of surfing. As I stated in Surfing in Europe for Beginners, if you are either of those, a novice or beginner, the locations will be a heaven to learn surfing in.
Yet, if you are an intermediate surfer and hoping to score some waves in Greece, you might experience getting skunked, although the culture will make up for it and more.