Kitesurfing and Windsurfing at Angelochori and Epanomi: A Beginner's Guide
On windy days, driving towards Angelochori, you'll see the sky full of colourful kites. If you've ever thought about trying kitesurfing or windsurfing, this corner of the Thermaic Gulf is one of the most convenient places in northern Greece to start.
The two spots
Angelochori
Six kilometres from the house. The “surfers' beach” by the little harbour has sand, flat to choppy water and plenty of room to launch. It suits all levels and is usually only moderately busy. The village has a watersports school offering windsurfing, SUP, canoeing and snorkelling.
Epanomi
About 20 minutes south. Potamos beach and the area around the cape face the open Aegean and catch good wind. There's also a school here offering kitesurfing and windsurfing lessons, with a rescue boat on standby. See our Potamos guide too.
When the wind blows
We're not meteorologists, but we live here and we know what we see from the window:
- Spring and summer: Thermal winds that pick up around midday, usually from the west. Gentler, good for learning. Schools quote speeds of up to roughly 15 to 20 knots.
- Autumn and winter: Northerlies, stronger and less predictable. Great for experienced riders, not for your first time.
Before you leave the house, check the Windfinder webcam and forecast for Angelochori. It saves a lot of wasted trips.
Stay at Theodoras House
A 91 m² home with a garden and barbecue in Nea Michaniona, for up to 7 guests, with free parking. Everything in this guide is a short drive away.
Your first lesson
You can't learn kitesurfing from YouTube. A kite is powerful, and your first mistakes are much safer on the sand than in the water. A good beginner course usually looks something like this:
- Theory: wind, safety, signals.
- Flying a small trainer kite on the beach.
- Body dragging in the water, without a board.
- First attempts with the board.
On booking platforms, a one-hour private lesson with equipment costs around 150 euros. Prices change, so contact the school directly. Windsurfing is usually cheaper and easier for the first days. If you've never done either, it might be the better place to start.
Safety
- Don't go out alone, and never in offshore wind.
- Stay well away from swimmers. Beaches fill up in summer.
- Ask the school about local rules or kite zones.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and lots of water. The wind hides how strong the sun is.
For the non-kiters: If only one of your group is kiting, the rest get the best swimming beach in the area and, in the evening, the Angelochori lighthouse for sunset.
FAQ
Can I learn to kitesurf with no experience?
Yes, but only with a school and a certified instructor. First lessons happen on the sand with the kite, then in the water with safety gear and a rescue boat.
Which season has the most wind?
Spring and summer bring gentler thermal winds, good for learning. Winter northerlies are stronger and better suited to experienced riders.
Sources: Kitejungle, Angelohori · Greeka, Thessaloniki windsurfing · Manawa, windsurfing lesson in Thessaloniki · Windfinder, Angelochori webcam
