Popularity: Moderate
Style: Freeride
Level: Intermediate, Good, Specialist
The sandy beach at Gialova is drawing a growing number of wind and kite surfers throughout the year.
When NW wind blows, experts like to engage in their beloved hobby here in the winter time as well. Unfortunately ιt isn’t friendly spot for beginner kite surfers.
Medium Months:
Wind Type: Thermal Winds
Best Direction: W, WNW, NW
Main Direction: WNW, NW
Worst Direction:
Wind Factor:
Main Wind Direction: Side Shore, Side Onshore
Blowing at:
Wave Tack:
Best conditions with W to NW and with forecast at least 5 bft. It's pretty constant, without a lot of gusts. Side shore, side onshore wind. There can be some wind holes on the water, because of the opening in the island completely upwind in the bay. Not many good days.
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Quality: Clean
Depth: Shallow (walking several steps not to step on)
Seabed:
Attention: Ships/Boats, Buoys, Rocks
The spot is it pretty safe for windsurfing, as it is located in the Bay of Navarino. The water is warm and shallow for the first few meters from the beach, deep water in the rest of the bay.
There are a few hazards: half sunken ship completely downwind, small boats in front of the camping.
Size: Small
Bathers Period: July, August
Bathers: Average
Shade: Average
Kid Friendly: Yes
Attention: Rocks, Trees
Narrow, but beautiful long beach with enough space to store your kitesurf. A lot of windsurfers.
There are some houses directly at the beach. Look out for pieces of glass bottles, as some people from the campsite drink at the beach during the night.
Access to Gialova: Gialova is about 7,5 km distance by car from Pylos. 1-1,5 hour drive from Kalamata, which is also the nearest airport.
From Athens International Airport: Enter Attiki Odos and drive to the end of it (at Eleusis). After you exit Attiki Odos you will automatically enter National Highway Corinth - Patras. Continue on Route E94, following the signs for Patra/Tripoli/Korinthos onto Route E65, follow the signs for E62/E952/Kalamata/Tripoleos, turn right towards Kalamata Airport 4 km before Kalamata, drive 45 km towards Pylos turn right towards Gialova.
From Patra (Port/Peloponnese): Proceed south on Route 9/E55, turn slightly left toward Kolokotroni, proceed 150 km on E55 towards Kyparissia/Pylos.
From Kalamata: Proceed east on Airport Road, follow the signs towards Messini-Koroni-Petalidi-Pylo, pass the airport and proceed 45 km to Pylos, turn right towards Gialova.
From Pylos: Proceed north towards Gargalianon/Gialova.
Access to Messenia: Achaea is accessible through a highway from Athens, by private vehicle or public transportation in the following ways:
Arrival by Airplane: The new airport of Athens “Eleftherios Venizelos”, one of the best airports in Europe, (IATA: ATH, ICAO: LGAV) is located in Spata Town and serves flights to Greece daily from several international airlines from all over the world. You can take a charter flight, so you can carry your windsurf equipment with you as well.
During summer months there are regular flights from Athens and Thessaloniki to Kalamata International Airport (KLX) as well as certain charter flights from major European cities.
You can flight also to the airports of Araxos (180 km northern) and Andravida (140 km northwestern).
Arrival by Car, Moto, Camper Van: In order to go to Messenia by car from Athens, the distance is about 250 km, from Thessaloniki the distance is about 740 km,
and from Patras the distance is 220 km.
From Athens: To get to Messenia by car from Athens, coming from the capital, select the new National Road Athens - Corinth onto Route E94, continue on Route E94, following the signs for Patra/Tripoli/Korinthos onto Route E65 and follow the signs for E62/E952/Kalamata/Tripoleos.
From Athens International Airport "El. Venizelos"(ATH): The travel distance is approximately 270 km. From there you can take a taxi or rent a car. Starting from the airport enter Attiki Odos and drive to the end of it (at Eleusis). After you exit Attiki Odos you will automatically enter National Highway Corinth - Patras. Travel Time is about 2 hours and 45 minutes (driving distance may be affected by local conditions and traffic).
From Patra (Port/Peloponnese): Proceed south on Route 9/E55, turn slightly left toward Kolokotroni, proceed 150 km on E55 towards Kyparissia/Pylos.
From Kalamata: Proceed east on Airport Road, follow the signs towards Messini-Koroni-Petalidi-Pylo. The travel distance from Kalamata International Airport (KLX) is approximately 45 km. From there you can take a taxi or rent a car.
Arrival by Ferry/Boat: If you are coming from the European continent and you prefer to take the ferry from an Italian Port, you need to head towards Italy and the Italian ports of Ancona, Venice Bari or Brindisi. Those ports have daily connections to Corfu, Igoumenitsa and Patras New Port: When you exit from the new port, follow the signs to Pyrgos.
Arrival by Bus: From the airport of Athens “Eleftherios Venizelos”, the metro and the Proastiakos-Suburban railway, as well as taxis and buses to and from the centre of Athens are to be found opposite the main exit of the airport. The distance is 44 km. The bus journey takes between 35 and 45 minutes to the city centre at Syntagma (Parliament) Square (of course depending on the time and traffic), therefore the best way is to take the “Athens metro” that connects the airport with Athens and Piraeus. There are also car hire agencies at the airport, in case you want to rent a vehicle.
The bus E93, which leaves from the main building of the airport (ports 4-5) get off Kifissos bus station from where you change and take Intercity bus running daily from Athens to Kalamata.
Bus (KTEL) itineraries running daily also from Thessaloniki, Ioannina and Patra to Kalamata, very frequently.
Windsurf Lessons
- Windsurf Rental
- Kitesurf Lessons
- Kitesurf Rental
- Surf Lessons
- Surf Rental
- SUP Rental
- Repair
- Rescue
There is no rescue service, but during the summer there are a lot of people on the campsite with boats and they're mostly kind to help windsurfers - Equipment Store
- Events
Parking
Parking space available- Toilet
- Shower
- Beach facilities
- Food
Great places to eat after your session - Market
- Acommodations
- Camping
Two - Nightlife
There are some bars in Gialova, close to the spot. Some more nightlife in Pylos, but a car or taxi is needed. Don't expect too much of it. Tourism in this region is growing every year though - Internet Access
- Medical Center
Regional Clinics in Pylos (8 km S), in Koryfasi (8 km N), in Iklena (9 km NE) & in Chandrinos (13 km E)
