Kitesurf at Rhodes

Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese archipelago, in Greece, and the most touristy. It is considered one of the sunniest places in Europe, and therefore attracts a lot of Europeans who come to enjoy its kilometers of beautiful beaches, visit its majestic old town, stroll in the countryside, or, and here is our point, enjoy the perfect conditions for kiting.

Kite spots – island of Rhodes:

The spot of Prasonisi is located at the very south of Rhodes, on the almost island of the same name and about 90 km from the city of Rhodes. It is surely the most popular spot and has the particularity of offering 2 well-defined navigation zones (due to the almost island):
– a flat zone downwind, exposed offshore
– a choppy and wavy zone, upwind, exposed onshore

Be careful, this spot is not really ideal for unaccompanied beginners (neither on nor off being practical for a beginner). Especially since the safety in case of trouble comes at a high price! For intermediates and confirmed riders, however, it offers superb conditions, with warm and regular wind during the season. It is actually the place on the island with the strongest wind.

In terms of activities, it is calm, with a few beach restaurants, that’s it. So not suitable if you come with your family! In this case, prefer the spots in the north.

The spot of Kremasti (Ialyssos), in the north of the island on the west coast, 12 km from Rhodes and very close to the airport (so lots of planes), is another good kite spot. Due to the presence of several large centers, there is all the equipment needed for kiting (or not… it depends on your tastes): carpet to rig, water jets, safety jet skis, toilets, bar and restaurant etc.. Be aware that you are often asked to pay to go kiting.

The wind is slightly weaker than in the south (but we still have a good 18/20 knots every afternoon), picking up throughout the day (it’s nice to sleep / walk in the morning and go kiting around 2pm). It blows side shore and the water, although choppy, allows for good sessions. It is often flatter in the early morning, and gets choppy with the wind.

There is plenty of accommodation around, without it being too touristy (it remains quite quiet): guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, apartment rentals… You can also stay in Trianda or even in Ixia which are more touristy and crowded. You will definitely need a car or a scooter to get around.

The spot of Theologos, also in the northwest of the island, 5 km south of the airport (and therefore south of Kremasti), is a quieter spot. The conditions are similar to Kremasti, with side wind (sometimes side on) picking up during the day and a fairly choppy water surface. However, at Theologos, the beach is over 1 km long, which leaves a lot of space. You will also find equipment rentals or lessons.

You can also kite at Fanes or Kalavarda (both in the north), but we recommend doing it for the day, when you feel like moving around a bit. Note that at Kalavarda, you have to pay to kite.

How to get there: during the season, there are direct flights from Paris (especially by Easyjet). You have to book in advance as seats are limited. Otherwise, you can go through Athens: the local airlines Olympic Airways and Aegean airlines offer regular connections (about 45 minutes flight). Another option is the ferry from Athens, which is two to three times cheaper. But you will spend at least 12 hours on the ferry.

Some ideas of things to do:
– Visit the city of Rhodes, the island’s capital mixing oriental and occidental trends
– Wander in the village of Lindos, one of the most beautiful on the island. Perched on top of a cliff, it has a maze of typical streets and is dominated by the famous acropolis.
– Stroll on the wild and preserved west coast
– Take a day trip to the island of Symi, a 2-hour boat ride away

In addition to kiting, the island of Rhodes is large, beautiful, and worth visiting. It is also an ideal destination for families, as there are plenty of things to visit and discover. You absolutely need a car (around 25€/day) to get around.

Pros: versatile spots – less crowded than in the Cyclades
Cons: not always ideal for beginners