Naxos is a spot very well known amongst kitesurfers for its great conditions. The choppy water is ideal for freeride and also for good bump and jump sessions in the open sea where the swell is very present. It is on the west coast of Naxos that you will have the most wind—the thermal wind from the North blows all day long with an average strength of 20 knots.
Photo: Kite Center Naxos by Thalasea Sports
HIGHLIGHTS
REMOTE BEACHES
One of the best partss of the island is its beaches. The island of Naxos has more than 100 kilometers of large sandy beaches. Remote places with few tourists and turquoise waters that you will not want to leave are what await you on the coastline. Some of the most beautiful ones are Hawaii Beach, Agios Prokopios, or Apollonas.
CYCLADIC ARCHITECTURE
Chora is the capital of Naxos and everything you want to know about Cycladic architecture you will find there. Whitewashed white houses with blue-painted doors and windows, small chapels, stone-paved roads, arches, and endless cobblestone alleys make this labyrinth so charming.
ICONIC SUNSETS
For sunset fans who always try to find the best spots, the most famous in Naxos is the one from the Temple of Apollo. The gate is the only remaining part of the temple, however, it is one of the most photogenic places on the island.
Another unforgettable sunset spot is from Hawaii beach, where you can witness how the colors of the rocks are changing as the sun goes down.
CULTURAL FESTIVALS
In Naxos, you may enjoy many traditional festivals that attract internationally renowned musicians, dancers, and actors. For this reason, Naxos has become a favorite summer destination for lovers of the arts. From classical, modern, and jazz music, to painting and sculpture exhibitions, lectures, and seminars, you can find it all here. These events create a very interesting cultural mosaic which impresses not only the locals but also foreign visitors.
KITESURFING IN NAXOS
Naxos, as the largest island of the Cyclades, forms the center of the archipelago and is also a hub for kitesurfers. It is separated only by a narrow strait from the neighboring island of Paros through which the ‘’Meltemi’ (Greek trade wind)’ accelerates considerably. In Naxos, the more you go south, the more the beaches follow one another, the more you feel the peace and quiet. The colors gain in contrast, the mountains rise, and the ’Meltemi’ strengthens.
The spot at Agios Georgios is one of the few good wave spots for kitesurfing in the Aegean Sea. The ‘Meltemi’ pushes the swell through the strait between Naxos and Paros and so you have an onshore wind and up to 2 meters of clean waves (which invites you to have some jumps). What makes the spot especially attractive is that right next door and behind a reef a huge lagoon with shallow water begins, which also offers the best conditions for freeriders and beginners.
Further south, in Mikri Vigla there are great conditions for kitesurfing. At the local kitesurfing schools, you can easily rent equipment and book kitesurfing classes with a certified instructor. The fine sandy beach is wide and offers plenty of space, which makes this spot the number 1 kiting area on Naxos. The further out you kitesurf, the higher the waves become, whereas, at the entrance, there is almost flat water.
Wind, weather and water
The ’Meltemi’ blows from May to October with particular intensity between June, July, and early September. ’Meltemi’ winds are strong, dry, seasonal winds that occur throughout the Aegean. Depending on where you are in Greece, they can come from the north, northeast, or northwest. The ’Meltemi’ helps lower the scorching summer temperatures and clears the atmosphere, providing great visibility. If it weren't for the ’Meltemi’, temperatures in the Aegean would be much higher. The channeling of the wind between the islands causes its speed to increase.
Mikri Vigla, located on the southwestern part of the island, benefits fully from the venturi effect generated between the islands of Paros and Naxos. This spot, with a main wind direction side onshore, is rocked by a light wind in the morning that strengthens at the end of the morning to reach its full force in the afternoon.
Greece enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate. In the summer the days are long and the temperatures are high. Often, at the end of the day, there can be a cooling breeze—especially in the coastal areas and in the north of the country. On summer days it gets quite hot on the mainland, with temperatures oscillating between 25 and 30 degrees. Athens can reach up to 42ºC. However, on the islands, it is less hot. The rainy season lasts from November to March.
The water temperature is average, so a short sleeve wetsuit can provide more comfort and sun protection if you intend to surf for a long time. Some areas have flat, choppy water, while others will have waves up to 2-3 meters in height.
WHAT ARE THE BEST BEACHES FOR KITESURFING IN NAXOS?
Mikri Vigla Beach
Over the years, kitesurfing has established itself on the spot of Mikri Vigla to finally become the main spot on the island of Naxos. Being 18 kilometers from the capital, the area of Mikri Vigla has remained authentic. The natural beauty of the landscapes is very appreciated by the kitesurfers who come to recharge their batteries. It is a nice spot that consists of a wide beach of golden-white sand, perfect in terms of safety, as it is enclosed in a bay. More so, you can make long rides between the beach of Mikri and the small rocky island of Parthena.
In summer, the wind is strong, matching the effects of the ’Meltemi’. This wind during the summer starts in the early morning and stops at sunset. The beginning of July or the end of August offers easier conditions for beginners, therefore, you will not be alone on the water.
Wind direction: N-NE, constant, on average 20 knots and more.
Water conditions: chop, small waves, crystal clear water, water temperature between 19 and 25 degrees.
Discipline(s): freestyle, big air, freeride.
Skill level: all levels
Watch out for: (hazards) rocks near the island
Getting there: about 20 minutes south of Naxos town by car, but there is also a direct bus departing from Naxos and arriving at Mikri Vigla. Buses depart four times a day and operate daily with a journey time of approximately 17 minutes.
Tip: the wind is often very strong in high season, plan on small kite sizes.
TRAVELING TO NAXOS AS A KITER
Getting There
Naxos has a small domestic airport with direct domestic flights to Athens airport. Therefore, you can fly to Athens and from there travel by plane or ferry to Naxos. This option is not always the most convenient. Planes departing from Athens to Naxos are small with a maximum of 50 passengers.
Also, Naxos is very close to Mykonos and Santorini, both islands with international airports and ferries arriving at Naxos. So the best option to get to Naxos from Europe is to take a direct flight to Mykonos or Santorini and from there travel by ferry. Mykonos is the closest location to Naxos and therefore takes less time by ferry, whereas from Santorini the ferry takes from 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the boat and the route.
Accommodation
Naxos is an island that offers many apartments and family-run accommodation. There are also few large resorts or big hotels for maximum comfort. The best place to sleep in Naxos is Chora. In the capital of the island, you will have access to more amenities and several beaches nearby. Chora is also great if you want to go out for drinks or have fun at night.
Agios Georgios, located just steps from Chora, is another good place to stay and enjoy the beach all day then walk into the town of Chora for a sunset drink or dinner.
Another area to overnight is Agia Anna, thanks to its beautiful beaches protected from the wind with turquoise waters, golden sand, and a variety of restaurants and fun beach clubs.
The best places to live like a local are the mountain villages, especially Chalki, Moni, Sangri, and Filoti, which offer modern comforts and excellent locally sourced food in a picturesque setting.
Other small villages worth mentioning are Moutsouna, Kalandos, and Apollonas—all far from Chora, yet quiet and with few tourists.
Getting Around
Naxos is an island with many beaches and places worth visiting, so if you want to travel around the island and reach all the remote spots, the best is to rent a car or a scooter and explore the region on your own. This is the most expensive option, but also the most comfortable, since you do not have to depend on bus schedules so you can go anywhere at your own pace.For short distances you can take a taxi or a local bus. However, the fact that Naxos isn’t that touristy also has its disadvantages, as the public transport is not so good.
Food and Drink
Naxian food is famous all over Greece. Naxos is particularly known for its potatoes, citrus fruits, kitron (a citrus-based liqueur), cheeses, lamb and goat, wine grapes, honey, and fresh fish. Chora town has the most restaurants and almost all the bars in Naxos. Most of the restaurants in Chora are located along the harbor or inside the old labyrinthine village. The restaurants along the harbor have incredible sunset views, but the food is usually better inside the town. Traditional dishes to try are Paidaki—goat or mutton ribs with lemon, oregano, salt and pepper; Sfakiano—lamb stewed in wine with spices; and psaria plaki—fried fish with vegetables and tomato, fennel, olive oil sauce.
The country has been producing wine for thousands of years and offers some truly amazing varieties, especially white wines. The main wine regions of Greece are, in fact, the Cyclades (the group of islands including Naxos). Types to try include Assyrtiko and Moschofilero (both whites), Agiorgitiko (rosé and red), Xinomavro (red), and Vinsanto (white dessert wine).
Don’t forget the delicious puff pastry—baklava.
No Wind?
The island is too beautiful and singular not to go and discover it. The distances are very reasonable, and the roads very pleasant. The landscapes pass by and do not resemble each other. Everything is a pretext for a stop: a small mountain chapel, a traditional village, a sunset with a little height.
The most beautiful beaches of the island are considered to be in the southwestern part, including the bay of Mikri Vigla, and the beaches of Kastraki and Glyfada.
Also, do not miss the Portara, built from the ruins of an ancient temple.
Discover Agia Anna, a small family resort during the day with its restaurants and cafes on the waterfront, which becomes a lively place in the evening.
There are more than 500 churches and chapels on the island as well as many medieval castles to visit.
Like all the best historic centers, the old town of Naxos is a place where you can wander idly for hours and has irregular marble cobblestones and beautiful white Cycladic houses. Kastro is a confusing little world of alleys, stairways and passages which is worth your attention too. Many of these have doors, railings and window frames painted deep or pale blue.
The geography and mythology make Naxos one of the best places in the Cyclades for hiking. Go to meet Naxos secret coves. There are two reasons to hike Mount Zas: to stand on the highest point of the Cyclades and to reach the top of the mountain where Zeus was born and raised. Hidden in the slopes of the mountain is a small cave where Zeus was born. You can visit this cave while walking to the top.
Finally, enjoy Greek cuisine on a mountain path or in the evening facing the sunset on the roof terraces of the restaurants of the city.
USEFUL RESOURCES
Watch out for: (hazards) rocks near the island
Also, Naxos is very close to Mykonos and Santorini, both islands with international airports and ferries arriving at Naxos. So the best option to get to Naxos from Europe is to take a direct flight to Mykonos or Santorini and from there travel by ferry. Mykonos is the closest location to Naxos and therefore takes less time by ferry, whereas from Santorini the ferry takes from 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the boat and the route.