Kite destination · Greece

Kitesurfing in Naxos: Mikri Vigla, the Meltemi and Where to Stay

Side-onshore Meltemi on Mikri Vigla's sandy north beach, a hotel on the sand within 300 m of three kite centres, and Mykonos 35 to 50 minutes away by fast ferry.

Meltemi from mid-May to September
Side-onshore wind from the right
Hotel within 300 m of 3 kite centres
Mykonos 35–50 min by fast ferry

Where to stay Wind forecast

Video · 55 s

Kitesurfing Naxos Greece 4K | Mikri Vigla Kite Spot & Beaches

The Mikri Vigla kite spot, the short walk from Mikri Vigla Hotel to the beach, and the turquoise beaches of the Naxos west coast seen from the air.

Kitesurf Holiday on YouTube

In short

Naxos is a summer kite island. The Meltemi blows from the north from about mid-May to September, most steadily from June to August, and the strait between Naxos and Paros funnels it onto Mikri Vigla, on the southwest coast. Its north beach is a sandy bay where the wind blows side-shore to side-onshore from the right, so it pushes you back towards the sand. Expect chop, wind that often reaches 18 to 22 knots on the beach (school figures), and a busy bay in July and August.

Mikri Vigla Hotel stands on that beach, about 100 m from the Thalasea kite centre and 300 m (4 minutes on foot) from Naxos Kitelife and Flisvos. Most visitors come by boat: 35 to 50 minutes from Mykonos by fast ferry, from 1 h 10 from Santorini, 3 h 10 to 7 h from Piraeus, or a 45-minute flight from Athens. More islands in our Greece guide.

At a glance

Naxos at a glance

Spot: Mikri Vigla north beach (Parthena), a sandy bay on the southwest coast
Wind: N to NW Meltemi, side-shore to side-onshore from the right; often 18–22 knots on the beach in summer (school figures)
Season: Mid-May to September, most consistent from June to August
Water: Chop in the bay; sea 18.5 °C in May, 24 °C in August
Wetsuit: Shorty or lycra in July and August, 3/2 mm in May, early June and October
Best for: Confident beginners to freestyle; first-timers with a school
Flights: Athens to Naxos (JNX) in about 45 minutes with Olympic Air or SKY express
Ferries: Mykonos 35–50 min, Santorini from 1 h 10, Piraeus 3 h 10 to 7 h
Time zone: Two hours ahead of the UK, one hour ahead of Paris and Berlin

Verified with the official sites of Naxos Kitelife, Mikri Vigla Hotel, Flisvos Kitecentre, Thalasea Sports, Amouditis, Naxos Kitesurf Club, Golden Star Ferries, Seajets and SKY express, plus Ferryhopper, Direct Ferries, Greeka, surf Magazin, IKSURFMAG, Climates to Travel and Google Maps listings · Updated October 2026

The spots

The kite spots of Naxos

The kite spots of Naxos line the southwest coast, where the strait with Paros squeezes the Meltemi and adds a few knots. Mikri Vigla is the main spot, with a hotel on the sand; Plaka and Glyfada are quieter options a short drive away, and the beach in Naxos Town belongs to windsurfers. Pick by your level and by how much company you want on the water.

Mikri Vigla north beach (Parthena)

Southwest coast, the island's main kite spot

Wind:: N to NW, side-shore to side-onshore from the right
Water:: Chop in a sandy bay, no shorebreak (IKSURFMAG)
Level:: All levels, first-timers with a school
Watch out:: Crowds in July and August, rocks at the downwind end

A headland splits Mikri Vigla in two, and the north side, Parthena, is the kite beach. The Meltemi blows side-shore to side-onshore from the right, and Naxos Kitelife says the shape of the bay keeps it from turning onshore even at the downwind end. If something goes wrong, the wind pushes you back to the sand: Flisvos notes that less experienced riders simply land downwind and walk back. Naxos Kitelife finds the wind here 5 to 10 knots stronger than forecasts suggest, typically light in the morning and filling in by about 1 pm.

In July and August the bay is busy with kiters and windsurfers, so ride early or late in the day (IKSURFMAG, surf Magazin), and keep clear of the rocks at the downwind end (surf Magazin, Amouditis). Three kite centres work this beach, Naxos Kitelife, Flisvos Kitecentre and Kite Center Naxos by Thalasea Sports, and Mikri Vigla Hotel stands on the sand.

Mikri Vigla south beach (Limanaki or Sahara)

Round the headland, sheltered from the Meltemi

Wind:: Sheltered from north winds at the headland end
Best for:: Swimming and families on windy days

On the other side of the headland, a long sandy beach runs south towards Kastraki. The headland shelters its northern end from the Meltemi, so this is where non-kiters swim when the north beach is windy (Greeka, Naxos Public Buses). The kite schools teach in the north bay instead: Naxos Kitelife, for one, works only there and only with north wind.

Plaka

The long beach north of Orkos, with boat-supported lessons

Wind:: Slightly offshore and gusty near the shore in a northerly, steadier further out
Water:: Flat close in, bigger chop further out
School:: Amouditis teaches from a boat

In a typical northerly the wind blows slightly offshore over the first 100 to 150 m at Plaka, so it is gusty near the beach and steadier further out (surf Magazin). Amouditis Kitesurfing Center teaches private and semi-private lessons with boat support in the uncrowded water off the beach, and lets rooms a minute's walk from the sand. Its own spot guide warns that the narrow beach and the gusts make launching and landing harder, and that there are rocks and a reef at the end of the beach.

Glyfada (Kastraki)

About 1 km south of Kastraki, roughly 4 km from Mikri Vigla

Wind:: Almost side-shore in the Meltemi
Water:: Flatter on the right, small chop in the middle, small waves on the left (school figures)
Space:: Wide sandy beach with room to freeride

Where the shore curves south of Kastraki, the Meltemi arrives almost side-shore over a wide sandy beach with plenty of room for freeriding and only a little chop (surf Magazin). Naxos Kitesurf Club, which teaches to IKO standards, describes shallow, flat water in the first metres on the right side for beginners, small chop in the middle and small waves on the left. The wind can be gusty further upwind (surf Magazin), there are rocks and a reef at the end of the beach (Amouditis), and the club lets rooms a few steps from the sand and runs a restaurant.

Agios Georgios, Naxos Town

The town beach: a windsurf lagoon

Water:: Partly shallow lagoon behind a reef, smooth even in strong wind
Best for:: Windsurfing and swimming

Naxos Town's beach has a partly shallow lagoon sheltered by a reef, where the water stays smooth even on strong days and waves break on the reef further out (surf Magazin). It is a windsurf and swimming beach with plenty of bathers on the shore. The kite schools are on the southwest coast instead: Flisvos, which has a station here, runs its kite centre at Mikri Vigla.

Pyrgaki, Agiassos and Amitis

Wave and winter spots for experienced riders

Wind:: South winds at Pyrgaki and Agiassos, onshore wind at Amitis
Level:: Experienced riders, never alone

Pyrgaki and Agiassos, further south, are spots for southerly winds, which blow mostly outside the Meltemi season; Agiassos gets gentle waves in winter (Amouditis, surf Magazin). Amitis, about 10 km from Naxos Town, is an onshore wave spot with a mix of sand and rock: IKSURFMAG recommends it to experienced riders only, and Amouditis points out that no school keeps an eye on you there.

On the spot

Where to stay right on the kite beach

Mikri Vigla Hotel stands on Mikri Vigla's north beach, the kite side of the headland: its own site gives the distance to the beach as 0 m, and Greeka lists 30 m to the sand. Our video on the hotel's page times the walk from a room to the kite spot: 1 min 57 s. From the hotel it is about 100 m to Kite Center Naxos by Thalasea Sports on the beach, and about 300 m, a 4-minute walk, to the Naxos Kitelife centre across the beach road and to Flisvos Kitecentre (Greeka's map distances and the centres' map pins).

The 3-star hotel has a pool, a separate pool and a playground for children, a restaurant and a snack bar, you can book it all-inclusive, and its rooms have a balcony or terrace facing the sea, the pool or the garden. The sheltered south beach is about 600 m away round the headland. Flisvos Kitecentre also runs its own 47-room Kite Hotel a few steps from the shore, and at Plaka, Amouditis lets rooms a minute's walk from its beach.

Mikri Vigla Hotel - Kitesurf Hotel in Naxos, Greece

On the kite beach

3-star beach hotel

Naxos, Greece

Mikri Vigla Hotel

About 150 m, 2 min on foot to the kite station

3-star hotel on the sand of Mikri Vigla, Naxos' main kite beach: 2 min on foot from room to kite spot, pool, children's pool, all-inclusive on offer.

BeachfrontPoolChildren's pool

Schools

Kite schools at Mikri Vigla

Naxos Kitelife Kitesurfing Center (Naxos Kitelife for short) is an IKO centre opened in 2015 by Petros, a local IKO instructor. Its base is on Mikri Vigla's main street, a few metres from the beach on the other side of the road, with hot showers, lockers and a shaded area under the trees where families are welcome; a kitevan and spare kites wait on the sand. Lessons are private or for two students sharing one kite, coached by radio, from first flights to foil and surfboard, and you can finish with an IKO card. The instructors speak English, Greek, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

Teenagers from 14 can learn with a parent's permission if they weigh at least 35 kg, helmets and impact vests are compulsory, and a safety boat stands by. The centre opens daily from April to November and is rated 5.0 out of 5 on both Google and TripAdvisor. Flisvos Kitecentre and Kite Center Naxos by Thalasea Sports also teach IKO courses on the same beach.

Naxos Kitelife - Kite School in Naxos, Greece

IKO

A few metres from the beach

Naxos, Greece

Naxos Kitelife

IKO kite centre by Mikri Vigla beach, Naxos: private lessons from €85 an hour, radios, a rescue boat and six languages. Open April to November.

8 services

English, Greek

Wind forecast

7-day wind forecast at Mikri Vigla

Updated 2 Nov, 13:47

Today
2 Nov
7kts
Gusts 18
SSE · 12m+
LIGHT
Tue
3 Nov
15kts
Gusts 28
SSW · 12m
OK
Wed
4 Nov
11kts
Gusts 20
N · 12m+
LIGHT
Thu
5 Nov
18kts
Gusts 33
N · 10m
GO
Fri
6 Nov
20kts
Gusts 38
N · 9m
GO
Sat
7 Nov
19kts
Gusts 39
N · 10m
GO
Sun
8 Nov
8kts
Gusts 25
N · 12m+
LIGHT

GO16–24 ktsOK12–15 ktsSTRONG25 kts and moreLIGHTunder 12 kts

Strongest wind and gusts of the day, in knots. Kite sizes are a rough guide for a rider of about 75 kg. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com.

Season

Is Naxos windy? Wind and water month by month

Yes, in summer. The Meltemi, a dry northerly, sets in around mid-May and blows for days on end in July and August, usually strongest in the afternoon (Climates to Travel). Naxos Kitelife finds it most consistent from June to August, almost daily, and calls May and September the quieter sweet spots; surf Magazin counts a planing wind of over 12 knots on about 60% of midsummer days on the west coast, with 30-knot days not uncommon. From November to April the island is still windy, but the direction keeps changing and few centres are open.

Naxos kitesurf season month by month
Month	Wind	Sea	Air (max)	Wetsuit
May	Meltemi starts around mid-May; quieter beaches	18.5 °C	24 °C	3/2 mm
June	Season under way: light mornings, wind from about 1 pm	21.5 °C	28 °C	3/2 mm early, then a shorty
July	Peak: wind almost every day, often 18–22 knots at the beach (school figures)	23.5 °C	30 °C	Shorty or lycra
August	Peak, the busiest month; 30-knot days are not uncommon	24 °C	30 °C	Shorty or lycra
September	Still reliable, and quieter on the water	23.5 °C	27 °C	Shorty
October	Late season: less predictable wind; some centres close at the end of the month	21.5 °C	23 °C	3/2 mm or a 4 mm short-sleeved suit
November to April	Windy but changeable; few centres open	15.5–19 °C	14–19.5 °C	n/a

Sea and air temperatures are monthly averages for Naxos (Climates to Travel). Wind notes come from Naxos Kitelife, surf Magazin and Climates to Travel; wetsuit advice follows surf Magazin and our Greece guide.

Gear

What size kite for Naxos

Pack small: kitetrip-planner advises small kites for the strong high-season wind, Naxos Kitelife says a forecast of 12 to 14 knots often turns into 18 to 22 knots on the beach, and surf Magazin notes that days over 30 knots are not uncommon. The rule of thumb in our Greece guide applies: a 7 m for strong Meltemi days and a 12 m for the lighter gaps.

If you travel light, the centres rent full sets from about €55 an hour. Naxos Kitelife charges €55 an hour, €120 a day or €550 a week for a full Eleveight set, and Thalasea rents Duotone and Cabrinha kites from 5 to 13 m from €55 an hour. Rentals are for independent riders only: Naxos Kitelife asks for a rental check first, and Flisvos for an IKO level 3 card or a short test.

Lessons

Kite lessons in Naxos: schools and prices

Naxos Kitelife charges €85 for a private hour and €95 an hour for two students sharing one kite and instructor, and Thalasea's prices start at the same figures (school websites, checked in October 2026, no year shown). Naxos Kitelife sells 11 hours for €850 private or €950 for two, split into 5 or 6 sessions over 3 to 6 days, with all gear, radios and insurance included; Thalasea's Google profile lists an 11-hour semi-private course from €450 per person. Confirm prices with the school when you book.

At Mikri Vigla, Naxos Kitelife, Flisvos Kitecentre and Thalasea all teach to IKO standards, and Naxos Kitelife and Flisvos keep a rescue boat ready. Flisvos may move courses to early morning or late afternoon when the water is busy, especially in August. For more room, Amouditis at Plaka coaches from a boat, and Naxos Kitesurf Club teaches at Glyfada.

Families

Naxos for families and non-kiters

Mikri Vigla suits a family that splits the day. The north beach is windy most summer afternoons, while the sheltered south beach, round the headland, is calmer for swimming, and mornings are usually lighter (Naxos Kitelife). The village has tavernas, cafés, mini-markets and car and bike rental (Naxos Public Buses), and the kite centres have shade and food: Naxos Kitelife welcomes students' families in its shaded centre with free coffee and water, and Flisvos and Thalasea run restaurants by the beach.

On no-wind days:

Naxos Town (Chora): the Portara, the marble gateway of the Temple of Apollo, the Venetian castle quarter and the Archaeological Museum
Mountain villages such as Halki, Filoti and Apeiranthos, and the Cave of Zas near Filoti
A hike up Mount Zas, at about 1,000 m the highest peak in the Cyclades
Alyko, south of Kastraki, for its sandstone rock formations and beaches
Kayaks and SUPs for hire at Thalasea on no-wind days, and trainer kites for children at Naxos Kitelife
Ferries to the Small Cyclades, such as Koufonisia, about 40 minutes by fast boat

Travel

Getting to Naxos and Mikri Vigla

Most visitors arrive by boat at the port of Naxos Town. You can fly direct to Mykonos or Santorini and take a ferry, or fly to Athens and continue by ferry from Piraeus or Rafina or by a short flight to Naxos airport (JNX). The high-speed boats and the Rafina sailings run mainly in the summer season, while Blue Star's conventional ferries from Piraeus also sail outside it.

Ferries and flights to Naxos
From	Operators	Time	When
Mykonos	Seajets and Golden Star Ferries (high-speed), Fast Ferries (conventional)	35 to 50 min by fast boat, about 1 h 15 by conventional ferry	Summer season; fewer sailings outside it
Santorini	Seajets (high-speed), Blue Star Ferries (conventional)	From 1 h 10 by fast boat, 2 h to 2 h 35 with Blue Star	Fast boats from about March to October
Piraeus (Athens)	Blue Star Ferries (conventional), Seajets (high-speed)	5 h 15 to 7 h with Blue Star, 3 h 10 to 4 h 25 with Seajets	Blue Star outside summer too
Rafina (Athens)	Golden Star Ferries, Seajets, Fast Ferries	About 4 h to 5 h 30	Seasonal, about April to October
Athens by air	Olympic Air and SKY express	About 45 min	Daily, all year

Crossing times from Ferryhopper and Direct Ferries, checked against the operators' own pages (Golden Star Ferries, Seajets, SKY express) where they publish them. Timetables change every season: check before you book.

Transfer

From the port or the airport to Mikri Vigla

Mikri Vigla is 11 to 13 km from Naxos Town and its port on the coast road via Plaka and Orkos, which has an unpaved stretch, about 15 minutes by car; the paved inland road via Vivlos is 16 to 17 km (Naxos Kitelife; the hotel gives 11 km to the port). Naxos airport, about 4 km from the port, is 9 to 13 km from Mikri Vigla depending on the road.

Taxis at the airport are few, so book a transfer or rent a car, which you will want anyway for the island (Greeka). In summer, KTEL buses on lines 1 and 3 run from the bus station by the port to Mikri Vigla; buy your ticket at the bus office first, as drivers do not sell them.

Map

Location

Honest notes

Good to know before you book

Mikri Vigla gets crowded in July and August: schools may move lessons to early morning or late afternoon.
Naxos Kitelife reports that the wind at Mikri Vigla is often 5 to 10 knots stronger than forecasts show, so bring a small kite.
Keep clear of the rocks at the downwind end of the bay.
The coast road from Naxos Town via Orkos has an unpaved stretch; the inland road via Vivlos is paved.
Buy KTEL bus tickets before boarding: drivers do not sell them.

Our take

Our verdict

Great for

Riders who want a reliable summer Meltemi blowing side-onshore over a sandy beach
Families who want a hotel on the kite beach with a pool, and a sheltered swimming beach round the headland
Riders who want to combine a kite week with Cycladic island hopping by ferry

Think twice if you are

A total beginner who wants flat, waist-deep lagoon water: Mikri Vigla has chop, so look at Lo Stagnone
Anyone who wants an empty spot in July and August
Winter trips: from November to April the wind keeps changing and few centres are open

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Kitesurfing in Naxos

Is Naxos good for kitesurfing?

Yes, in summer. From about mid-May to September the Meltemi blows from the north, and the strait between Naxos and Paros funnels it onto Mikri Vigla, where it blows side-shore to side-onshore over a sandy bay. Three kite centres work the beach, and July and August bring the most reliable wind and the biggest crowds.

Why is Naxos so windy?

Because of the Meltemi, a dry northerly that blows across the Aegean in summer when high pressure over the Balkans meets low pressure over Turkey, and because the channel between Naxos and Paros squeezes it and speeds it up on the west coast. Naxos Kitelife reports that Mikri Vigla often gets 5 to 10 knots more than forecasts show.

When is the best time to kitesurf in Naxos?

From June to August for the most consistent wind, with July and August the busiest months. Naxos Kitelife calls May and September the quieter sweet spots, still windy but with more room on the water. The sea is warmest, about 24 °C, in August.

Is Mikri Vigla good for beginners?

Yes, with a school. The side-onshore wind pushes you back towards the sand, and riders who drift downwind land on the beach and walk back. The water is choppy and busy in July and August, so book lessons for the lighter mornings or late in the day.

How much do kitesurfing lessons cost in Naxos?

At Mikri Vigla, a private hour costs €85 at Naxos Kitelife and at Thalasea, and a lesson for two students sharing one kite €95 an hour in total. Naxos Kitelife sells 11 private hours for €850 (prices on the schools' websites, checked in October 2026, no year shown). Confirm with the school when you book.

How long is the ferry from Mykonos to Naxos?

35 to 50 minutes by high-speed boat with Seajets or Golden Star Ferries, or about 1 h 15 on Fast Ferries' conventional ferry. Sailings are most frequent in the summer season, so check the timetable outside it.

Where can I stay right on the Mikri Vigla kite beach?

Mikri Vigla Hotel stands on the north beach, the kite side, 0 to 30 m from the sand: our timed video shows 2 minutes on foot from a room to the kite spot. It is about 100 m from the Thalasea kite centre and about 300 m (4 minutes on foot) from Naxos Kitelife, and it has a pool, a children's pool and a playground, with all-inclusive on offer.

Do I need a wetsuit to kitesurf in Naxos?

In July and August a shorty or a lycra is usually enough, with the sea at 23.5 to 24 °C. In May, early June and October, take a 3/2 mm full suit or a 4 mm short-sleeved one: the Meltemi makes it feel cooler than the temperature suggests.

Sources

Last checked October 2026

We only publish facts we could confirm with the official website or two independent sources. Spotted something out of date? Write to info@kitesurf.holiday.