On the eastern edge of Crete, you will find Palekastro, a small village located in the middle of Kouremenos bay. It’s a genuine authentic Greek village, where you don’t find mass tourism. It can offers just what a village can do. A taste of simple life, tradition, friendly locals, moments of pleasure. It’s a typically Cretan village, where you can escape for a while.
Sailing conditions
Palekastro is one of the best kitesurf spots, but it’s known to a very small number of kite-surf fans. The best season is from May to October, where the meltemi wind blows side shore from the left. The wind in the area usually reaches at 4 or 7 Bft. The choppy waves are from 1-3+m/3.28-9.84 ft.
Security advices
Ideal spot for windsurfers and medium and higher level for kitesurfers, wind blows mostly with force up to 30 knots. Windsurf school in the area provides rescue assistance.
Around Palekastro, the ‘Meltemi’ increases its power through the local thermal and afunnelling effect that gives the ground wind an additional 2 Beaufort. This makes Kouremenos beach one of the most wind-certain spot in the whole of Europe. This is also why the largest windmill generators park in Greece is in the surrounding area. The bay offers perfect flat-water conditions near the shore. The advanced and intermediates can practise their surf moves in the clear blue water of Kouremenos Beach. You can find perfect conditions for planning as well as professional freestyle. There are smallwaves further out, where the absolute freaks can let them-selves go. This is the ideal place for surfers who want to brake-in their first ‘chop hop’. The entrance to the sea, is marked with buoys and beginners will easily and safely be able to practice around this area. Through the flat water andsandy shore, it is an ideal andeffortless entrance. The wind blows side shore from the left and achieves a wind force between 4 and 7 Beaufort. During the summer season, the average wind force is approximately 6 Beaufort. The most used sail size: 4.5 – 5.3
http://www.gonesurfing.gr/
Kouremenos Beach is located 1.5km from the village of Palekastro and 19km from the Town of Sitia. The beach is 1.5km long and is one of the longest beaches in eastern Crete. Its white sand and crystal clear waters, with tamarisk trees lining the coast make it one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete. The water is warm, about 24 degrees Celsius between June - August, and the outside temperature ranges from 30-35 degrees Celsius. A wetsuit is not needed, just a rash guard with UV protection to avoid sunburns. Don't be fooled by the calm atmosphere... the greatest thing here is the wind, always on time and usually very strong.
The water in front of the Gone Surfing center is usually flat, however, when you sail further out there is big chop for bump and jump. The winds are mostly in northerly directions and are sideshore. The Meltemi wind is accelerated by the thermal effect of the hot summer which increases it by 2 Beaufort. The Meltemi winds of North Crete have also made this the ideal location for the biggest windmill parks in Greece. The center is also surrounded by trees providing day-round shade for those wanting to take a well-earned nap on the beach.
There are several other windsurf spots near Kouremenos that you can explore. 'Tenta' is the most renowned for Freestyle windsurfing because it is exposed to the North winds and the wind is constant throughout the day and season. 'Tenta' provides both a wavy area and a flat one. 'Faneromeni', on the other hand, is a more extreme spot and usually only appeals to the daredevils, 'Faneromeni', has world class waves. On a rare occasion, when there is South wind, ‘Xerokambos’ is an idyllic spot to sail. It is exposed to the south winds, has only few visitors and has beautiful clear turquoise waters. Read below two articles of our friends and wave addicts Alex and Kostas. http://www.zakel.ws/2013/01/23/1st-crete-wave-contest-faneromeni-2012
http://fisheyeongreece.blogspot.gr/2013/11/faneromeni-tales-2013.html