Popularity: Low
Style: Freeride, Freestyle, Speed
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Good, Specialist
Amvrakikos bay is one of the largest enclosed Bays in Greece. The Bay is 40 km long and 15 km wide. Here you can find here great spots for kiteboarding and windsurfing thanks to perfect wind conditions. The two main spots are called Koronissia and Fakir. Koronissia lies on the opposite side of Vonitsa.
The island of Koronissia, surrounded by the Ambracian Gulf, seems as if it were the centre of the whole world, since everything is gathered there: the two lagoons, the most picturesque lane lands, the islets and its whole life and activity that have kept it alive for so many centuries. Everyone in Arta, when they talk about the Ambracian, immediately thinks of Koronissia.
This is a picturesque little island, which is separated from the plain of Arta by the lagoon of Logarou, but also is connected through a sandy "suture" to the neighbor Salaora. The last few years the sandy “suture” was paved road that allows easy access to Koronissia, while it is offering a fascinating journey watching the traditional "Ivaria" (fishery facilities) of the lagoons where fish and shrimps are caught.
On the way to Salaora, shortly before the island of Koronissia narrow islets are dominated, connecting with the mainland the former limestone island. A path connects the wooden bird observatory at the top with Salaora Information Center which is located on the coast and is used as a research station for ornithologists.
It is one of the most beautiful, pure and virgin parts of Greece while the topography of the landscape of the island combines the beauty and wildness of the Greek mountains with the mild and shallow beaches of Amvrakikos Bay and the fertile valley of river Arachthos who crosses. The main characteristic is the abundant greenery and the strong presence of the natural element which in harmonious combination with the sea breeze gives the visitor all the information seeking, with an escape from the daily routine.
Medium Months: April, May, August, September
Wind Type: Thermal Winds, Local Winds
Best Direction: W
Main Direction:
Worst Direction:
Wind Factor: 17-21 knots (5 bft)
Main Wind Direction: Onshore
Blowing at: Midday, Afternoon
Wave Tack:
Koronissia spot is similar to Gribovo kite-spot, in Nafpaktos. It works from the end of April until early September. Blows usually around 20 knots. Best months June & July, where almost every day after midday the usual Western strengthened enough for sail size around 4.8-5.2. Looking at the forecast for Preveza, counting approximately +10 knots, and often puts even more. Works with all western and southern directions. The spot works if temperature is not too high, and with forecast at least 8-10 knots Western.
Quality:
Depth: Shallow (walking several steps not to step on)
Seabed: Sand, Rocks
Attention:
Koronissia waters are very warm and the beach slope is very gentle (shallow water up to 100 m from the shore) and sandy bottom; ideal spot to learn kiteboarding. Conditions generally choppy. The spot is ideal for small children.
Size: Small
Bathers Period:
Bathers:
Shade: No
Kid Friendly:
Attention:
There are three beaches around Koronisia. The first one is lined with seashells and it's right before you get into the village. On the other side of the harbor there is the wide kite-beach, with a cafeteria. If you drive around the hill and the village, you will come across another small beach that has a cantina (kiosk).
Koronissia is located NNW of Antirrio, Messolongi and Agrinio, NE of Preveza, SSE of Ioannina and nearly SW of Trikala.
Arrival by Car, Moto, Camper Van: The spot is most accessible from Arta and it is reachable only by car. The city of Arta is linked with the GR-5 (Antirrio - Ioannina) and the GR-30 which links with Peta and Trikala. There are some good highways, like the Corinth-Athens and the Athens-Larissa, Corinth-Tripoli and the Egnatia highway. Koronissia is about 378 km away from Athens, 330 km from Thessaloniki -Greece's second largest city, 178 km from Patra, 119 km from Igoumenitsa and 63 km from Preveza.
One of the highlights of Koronissia is the half-hour drive over the causeway that connects the island to the mainland. In order to get to Koronissia from Preveza, we follow the road to Kostakii (first traffic lights after the bridge, on the left). If you’re coming from Arta, Kostakii Village is on your way just after Arta Town. After 18 km of a trip in the valley, we stop at the uninhabited hill of Salaora to admire the landscape of Tsoukaliou lagoon and the wide and relatively shallow beach on the right, at the bridge of the drainage ditch. After Salaora we travel on a meandering lane land having Logarou Lagoon on our left and the Ambracian Gulf on our right and after 5 km of an exceptional trip we get to picturesque Koronissia.
Keep in mind that there is also a boat ride from Vonitsa. The journey takes only 15 minutes.
Arrival by Bus: Regular bus lines connect Arta with all bigger Greek cities (bus to Athens departs several times a day and trip takes about 5 hours). Then you have to take a taxi.
Arrival by Train: Train travel is not so much in fashion anymore due to the complexity of the journey through the Balkans. Rail services link Thessaloniki with Athens, Thrace and Patra. The line through what was once Yugoslavia provides connections with Central and Western Europe. The line through Bulgaria connects to Eastern Europe and the line through Istanbul, Turkey with the countries of the Near East.
Arrival by Airplane: There are flight connections to the nearest airport Action-Preveza, approx. 72 Km from Koronissia. In the summer you can get a flight directly with charter planes from many countries. Winter is hard to get here.
A good way also to reach Koronissia is by plane to Corfu, the neighbor island. Flights to Corfu are available from almost every European airport. The distance from Corfu to Koronissia can best be travelled by ferry boat from Corfu to Igoumenitsa. Ferry boats to Igoumenitsa leave Corfu daily between 06.00 and 22.00. It takes about 1-1,5 hours to reach Igoumenitsa.
Many travelers choose a flight to the new airport of Athens, “Eleftherios Venizelos”, one of the best airports in Europe (IATA: ATH, ICAO: LGAV). It is located in Spata Town and serves flights to Greece daily from many international airlines from all over the world. There are domestic flights to Aktion - Preveza Airport several times per week.
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 Patra. The port of lgoumenitsa is the first big gateway for Western and Central Europe. The port of Patra is the second one.
If you are coming from Aegean Sea (from a Greek Island, Turkey or Cyprus) you will reach one of the Attica’s Ports in Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio Town.
Windsurf Lessons
Kitesurf Lessons
Kitesurf Rental
Surf Lessons
Surf Rental
SUP Rental
Storage
Washing
Rescue
Equipment Store
Events
Parking
There is ample space for parkingToilet
Food
Cafes, TavernsMarket
Supermarket, Bakery, Fruit market, & Grocery stores in the areaAcommodations
A few apartmentsRoom for Camper Vans
Medical Center
General Hospital in Arta, 27 km away