COVER STORY

Where to find your sea sport in Greece

READING TIME
As long as it takes to drink a Greek coffee
Sailing to Greek islands with the sea breeze in your sails, scuba diving in the deep and waves for wind- and kite-surfing

Are you a sea sport enthusiast? Do you love sailing, scuba diving or kitesurfing? With the power of the wind, the magic of the deep and the energy of the waves, the Greek sea will spoil you with a plethora of opportunities for holiday adventures on and under the sea.

The natural landscape in Greece has a place for every outdoor sport and activity. Slice through the waves on a windsurfer or fly over them as you kitesurf. Dive down to wrecks and into underwater grottos. Hire a yacht and island hop in the Aegean and Ionian seas at your own pace, enjoying your own private beach.

Popular sea sports destinations in Greece

In every corner of Greece, you’ll get that rush that comes from a new sea sport experience. Top of the list: beach fun at the watersports centres at Lefkada, Mykonos, Paros, Rhodes, Karpathos, Crete and the Athens Riviera; scuba diving in the sea caves of Skiathos, Zante and Corfu, off the Pelion coast and down to the wrecks off Santorini. Majestic landscapes against a backdrop of the big blue are ideal destinations, from spring until autumn, that invite you to come and challenge yourself. 

Sailing in Greece

With the meltemia (the prevailing north winds that blow every summer from about 5 to 7 Beaufort) in your sails, you’ll start your own Odyssey. The Cyclades, Dodecanese, Sporades, the islands of the North Aegean, Crete – wherever you go in the Aegean, a sense of relaxation, vitality and wellbeing will flood over you. If competition is your thing, there’s the Aegean or Cyclades Regatta, the International Aegean Sailing Rally, the Cretan Cup and the Rhodes Cup. Each event lasts from five to nine days and is an adventure, filled with fun and action. In the end, you’ll celebrate with parties on the Greek islands

The Ionian may not have the meltemia, but you’ll be awed by the exotic landscapes and hidden beauty. From Paxi and the exotic Antipaxi, to Lefkas with its Pringiponisa and the islets in its inland sea, the images and beaches you’ll encounter compete with each other for splendour and charm. If you’re an active competitor, you’re welcome to take part in the rally held here every July/August.

Diving in Greece

And while the wind guides you through the pure beauty, underwater a seabed full of secrets invites you to explore its mystical world. Scuba diving to impressive shipwrecks, underwater caves, reefs teeming with dozens of species of fish – from Skiathos to Lefkas and Zakynthos and from Santorini to Corfu. If you’re a beginner diver, specialised training schools with certified instructors are available, providing you with equipment and guidance, so that you can enjoy the underwater world of Greece in all its glory.

Popular destinations for scuba diving in Greece

Surfing and waterskiing in Greece

On the breaking waves, things are equally exciting. For surfing and kite surfing, you’ll head to Paros, Lefkas, Crete, Rhodes, Karpathos, Kos, Limnos, Samos and Lesvos. You’ll find water skiing and wakeboarding at organised beaches throughout Greece. From the Athens Riviera to Mykonos, Paros and Crete, from Rhodes to Lefkas and the Peloponnese, there are waves to be caught. Almost everywhere, there are facilities, trainers, equipment and certified schools where you can take surfing and water ski lessons.