WINDSURFinGreece, Attica, Rafina

Activities: Windsurf, Kitesurf, Surf, SUP
Popularity: Low
Style: Freeride, Wave
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Good, Specialist

Rafina is a sandy beach, situated within the homonymous settlement, just beside the port, at the south. It is an alternative wave spot instead of Nissakia when the winds are northerly or northeast.

The port town serving ferries to the southern part of Evia as well as most of Cyclades Islands. It is the second largest port of Attica, after that of Piraeus.

Best Months: January, February, March, November, December
Medium Months: April, May, September, October
Wind Type: Thermal Winds, Frontal Winds
Best Direction: N, NE
Main Direction:
Worst Direction:
Wind Factor: 11-16 knots (4 bft), 17-21 knots (5 bft), 22-27 knots (6 bft)
Main Wind Direction: Onshore, Side Onshore
Blowing at: Morning, Midday, Afternoon
Wave Tack: Port (from the left)

The spot works with the northern winds. Best with completely N direction. Usually it’s blowing one beaufort less than in Nissakia. If the wind comes from the port (NW) it’s too much gusty, especially at the north side of the beach.

Keep in mind that as you approach the big ships going in and out of the harbor, you might be left without wind or turbulences may have been created around them. Also, during the summer, ship traffic increases. With very strong winds there are no ferry services so there is no problem!

Type: Chop, Small Wave (< 1m), Medium Wave (1-3m)
Quality: Unsuitable
Depth: Average (deepens gently and incrementally)
Seabed: Sand, Rocks
Attention: Ships/Boats, Rocks

Rafina's waves are bigger than at Nissakia (also fewer people on the water), although the wind's never as strong here. The waves have max 50 m length. Moderate northerlies are good for freeride. Not many riders at the same time, on average there are about five windsurfers and one kitesurfer.

Although the onshore conditions and large & messy waves close to the shore, very often kitesurf lessons take place there as there are not many spot-options in Attica.

When the winds are north and over 6-7 bft, also some surfers visit this spot (and Vravrona Chamolia). Strong wind for days is the only way you’re going to get a ridable wave here. The wind has to blow strong from N-NE.

The dangers that are associated with this spot are hidden rocks, hidden debris and pollution due to its close proximity to a port.

Type: Sand
Size: Much
Bathers Period: June, July, August, September
Bathers: Average
Shade: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Attention:

The small and sandy beach of Rafina, some 600 meters long, is pretty well protected both from the northern and from the southern winds.

In wintertime the coast guard officers may come and ask from you to leave. There are too many swimmers in summertime, better chose another spot on that period!

GPS Google Maps: 38.01889, 24.01219

Rafina is a town located on the eastern coast of Attica. It lies on the Aegean Sea, east of Penteli Mountains and northeast of Mesogea Plain.

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.

The metro and the Proastiakos-Suburban railway, as well as taxis and buses to and from 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 car hire agencies at the airport, in case you want to rent a vehicle.

If you want to go directly to Rafina by car or taxi, the airport is 13 km away, with quick and easy access. The metro and the Proastiakos-Suburban railway do not serve this area!

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. 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.

The Port of Rafina gathers significant share of traffic to the islands of Cyclades (Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Amorgos, Ios, Santorini and Koufonisia) and has the exclusive connection to Marmari Evia, serving both passenger – tourist and freight traffic to these destinations.

Arrival by Car, Moto, Camper Van: If you’re coming by Ferry from an Italian port, Patra is about 211 km away from the center of Athens and Igoumenitsa is about 445 km. There are some good highways a like the Corinth-Athens and the Athens-Larissa, Corinth-Tripoli and the Egnatia highway.

Rafina is about 33 km away from Athens and 47 km away from Piraeus and 52 km from Lavrio. If you come from Thessaloniki -Greece's second largest city- the distance is about 519 km.

The town can be accessed through Greek National Road 54 (Athens – Pallini – Rafina), Greek National Road 83 (Athens – Marathon – Rafina) and Greek National Road 85 (Lavrio – Rafina). The beach is situated just beside the port, at the south: As you enter Rafina from Marathonas Avenue you make a right at the T which is the "center" of the town. Make a left at the first traffic light. You can’t miss the beach it in front of you. You will see a walking bridge that crosses a polluted stream. Cross this little bridge and continue walking towards the beach. You will see how the waves form off of the rocks that follow the coastline before the sand.

Arrival by Bus: Access is easy by intercity buses (KTEL) from Pedion tou Areos (near Victoria Station), connects Athens with Rafina as well as the areas in the wider region (Nea Makri, Marathonas). During the summer months the services are more frequent for the better service of the passengers.

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.

If you choose to come to Attica by train, when you’ll arrive to “Stathmos Larissis” station, you’ll get the metro Line 2 with direction to “Agios Dimitrios” and after two stops you’ll arrive to Omonia. Then you’ll get on the "Electric" Line 1st having direction towards "Kifissia" and you get off at "Viktoria". Coming out of the station you go to Pedion tou Areos from where you can take the intercity bus (KTEL) that goes to Rafina.

If you stay in the town, the beach is accessible also on foot.