SurfinGR, Cyclades, Mykonos, Ftelia

Activities: Windsurf, SUP
Popularity: Much
Style: Freeride, Wave
Level: Intermediate, Good, Specialist

Mykonos is well-known as the “Island of Winds”, because it's often swamped by north-eastern wind.

Ftelia beach, with amazing water and sand, is an incredible windsurfing spot ideal for incredible jumping and waveriding. It is located in Panormos bay in at the north side of the island. Here, many Greek championships are held every year. It is also a kitesurfing spot.

Best Months: June, July, August
Medium Months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December
Wind Type: Thermal Winds
Best Direction: N
Main Direction: N
Worst Direction:
Wind Factor: 17-21 knots (5 bft), 22-27 knots (6 bft), 28-33 knots (7 bft)
Main Wind Direction: Onshore
Blowing at:
Wave Tack: Port (from the left)

Strong northerly "Meltemi" winds during summer, about 30+ knots. Almost on-shore and a little bit gusty.

Type: Chop, Small Wave (< 1m), Medium Wave (1-3m)
Quality: Crystal Clear
Depth: Average (deepens gently and incrementally)
Seabed: Sand
Attention: Rocks, Garbage

Ftelia only works as a wave spot when the Meltemi howls northerly (swell size 1-3 m most of the times), otherwise it’s a freeride venue.

Sail diagonally into the waves from the flat-water area, but watch out for rocks near the beach in the middle and end of the bay. The best entry is by the restaurant on the left-hand side.

In July and August plastic bags may be floating in the water, as the onshore Meltemi blows every bit of discarded plastic floating off the north coast into the bay. That’s why Ftelia’s nicknamed is “Rubbish Tip”.

Type: Sand
Size: Medium
Bathers Period: June, July, August
Bathers: Sparse
Shade: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Attention:

The sandy beach has lots of space. It is divided in two by the shape of rocks that lead up to the sea, in the center of the bay, where prehistoric installations of the Neolithic settlement have been found in them, whose findings date back to 4,500 BC.

When you are on the west side of the beach the landscape looks like a lagoon, especially when there is no wind.

GPS Google Maps: 37.46228, 25.37294

Access to Ftelia:

To reach Ftelia drive from Chora towards Ano Mera and about 4 km after Mykonos turn left to the Bay. Part of the road is cement and then dirt road in good condition.

If you do not have a private vehicle, reach Ftelia from Mykonos Town by bus. The main road and the bus stop are only 1,5 km away from the beach.

Access to Mykonos:

Arrival by Airplane: Mykonos National Airport (JMK) is located at 4 km from Mykonos town (Chora) and it can take about 15 min. by car to cover that distance. There is no public bus operating on this route and the most common way to reach Mykonos town from the airport is by taxi. Taxis can be found waiting outside the airport.

Arrival by Ferry/Boat: Mykonos Island features two ports; the old Mykonos Harbor, where arrive all the ferries and there is also the New Port of Tourlos, mostly used for Cruise Ships. The main port to take you to Mykonos from Athens is Piraeus, but there are also ferries departures, especially high-speed ferries, from the port of Rafina, which is closest to the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport. To reach Mykonos by sea, there are two types of ferries; the high-speed ferry which takes approximately 2,5 hours (from Rafina Port) and the normal ferry which is much slower and takes approximately 5 hours. You can also travel to Mykonos by ferry from/to main Cyclades Islands, Dodecanese Islands, Crete and Thessaloniki.

Local Transportation: When you arrive in Mykonos, you can either use the public transportation (local bus) or taxis or, even better, rent a car (or a motorbike in the summer). If you land to Mykonos airport, you can take a taxi or ask the rental agency that your car will wait for you at the airport. If you come by ferry, you can rent a car at the car rental agencies that surround the port.

Arrival by Car: Renting a car or a motorbike to get around is common practice in Mykonos and there are many such agencies operating at the airport, the harbor, Mykonos town, as well on certain beach areas like Platis Gyalos and Kalafatis.

Arrival by Bus: Departure points: Agios Stefanos and the New Port, next to Remezzo departures to Ano Mera, Elia, Kalafatis and from Fabrika departures to Plati Gyalos, Paraga, Agios ioannis, Ornos, Paradise beach.

Arrival by Taxi: Taxis in Mykonos are grey in color. They can be hailed on the street or arrive by appointment.