SurfinGR, Paros, Pounda

Activities: Windsurf, Kitesurf, SUP
Popularity: Very high
Style: Freeride, Freestyle, Slalom, Speed
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Good, Specialist

Pounda is one of the most popular kitesurfing destinations in all of Europe! In 2005 it was included in the PKRA World Tour (Professional Kiteboard Riders Association) and it is included in the KPWT 2006-2008 World Tour (Kiteboard Pro World Tour). Also, very often the National Slalom Windsurfing Championship takes place in this spot.

In the heart of the Cyclades Islands, Paros offers year-round steady strong winds and perfect flat waters thanks to the small distance between Paros and the neighboring Antiparos Island.

This nice beach of Pounda is the only viable spot in the west of Paros. It is situated in front of the homonymous settlement, at a distance of 9 km southwestern to the town of Paros (Parikia), facing Antiparos.

Best Months: May, June, July, August, September
Medium Months: April, October
Wind Type: Frontal Winds
Best Direction: N, NW, NNW
Main Direction: N, NW, NNW
Worst Direction: NE
Wind Factor: 11-16 knots (4 bft), 17-21 knots (5 bft), 22-27 knots (6 bft), 28-33 knots (7 bft)
Main Wind Direction: Side Shore, Side Onshore
Blowing at: Morning, Midday, Afternoon, Evening
Wave Tack: Starboard (from the right)

The N/NW "Meltemi" wind is always constant, stable and side-shore, with a strength that is just a little weaker than that of the winds that prevail on the eastern beaches. It has an average of 4 to 5 windy days per week during all year, from 12 to 35 knots (83% >3 Bft during summer). Not good conditions with light NE winds and heat.

Pounda is also good during southerly winds.

Warm weather, you will not need to wear a wetsuit during summertime, just during winter a wetsuit makes it more pleasure. The average temperature is 25-35°C in summer and 10-20°C in wintertime. It rains rarely.

Type: Flat, Chop
Quality: Crystal Clear
Depth: Shallow (walking several steps not to step on)
Seabed: Sand
Attention: Kitesurfers, Reefs, Ferry

The 1,3 km wide strait between the island and neighboring Antiparos offers superb blue flat water and constant wind. When the wind gets above 20 knots there is a bit of chop that comes from the north, parallel to the beach.

There is a shallow side, offering a perfect kite spot for experienced riders and a quick and safe learning for courses. On the northern entrance of the channel, about 500 m northern of the kitesurfing centers, there is the ferry line connecting Paros with Antiparos. It is forbidden to stray there.

Follow the local regulations that the kite schools have posted to separate windsurfers from kitesurfers.

The prevailing wind blows out to the open sea, so if you are a beginner make do not sail alone in the early morning hours or after sunset, but choose the open hours of the centers that there is rescue service.

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

Nice long, white-soft sandy beach. In high season it gets very busy, like all over Paros.

GPS Google Maps: 37.030419, 25.097573

Access to Pounda:

Arrival by Car, Moto, Caravan: Once arrived in Paros, you can get to Pounda in a 10 minutes’ drive. The beach is located at the western part of Paros Island, opposite to Antiparos, 8 kilometers from Parikia, the port of Paros.

Arrival by Bus: There is also public bus from Parikia to Pounda.

Access to Paros:

Arrival by Airplane: Paros Island features its own airport with daily flights to “Eleftherios Venizelos” Athens International Airport and all major International Airports. Paros Airport is located at 10 km from Parikia. From Athens airport, there are daily flights to Paros (half an hour flight). The number of flights and their time-table depend on the time of the year (2 or 3 daily flights in summertime).

Arrival by Ferry/Boat: Paros is also connected to most Greece’s ports by Ferry Boats. It features one port, Parikia port. There are two types of ferries; the high-speed ferry which takes approximately 3 hours and the normal ferry which takes approximately 4 to 6 hours.

The main port to take you to Paros from Athens is in Piraeus. Ferries leave every day, starting at 7 in the morning. From the airport, you can get to Piraeus by taxi or by bus (about 1 hour, depending on the traffic). From Athens, you can get to the harbor by subway (25 minutes from the city center). There are also ferry departures, especially high-speed ferries, from the port of Rafina, which is closest to the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, but not so many. If you fly to Athens, you can go to Rafina port by bus or taxi. You can also travel to Paros by ferry from/to main Cyclades Islands.

Local Transportation: When you arrive in Paros, 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 Paros 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 in Paros and there are many such agencies operating at the airport, the harbor, Parikia and Naoussa.

Arrival by Bus: Travelling by bus within Paros is safe, but it can be tricky as sometimes the timetables change without prior notice. During summer, the buses depart approximately every 1 hour from several towns all over the island. Departure points: Buses leave from Parikia, Lefkes, Dryos, Naoussa, Alyki, Pounta and Kolimbithres, going to several locations around the island and back. During the summer period buses also leave from and to Santa Maria and Ampelas.

Arrival by Taxi: You can also get around Paros by taxis; you will find the main taxi stand in Parikia central square and in Naoussa. Taxis in Paros are pretty expensive. You are advised to ask for the fare before getting in the taxi in order to avoid bad surprises. They can be hailed on the street or arrive by appointment.