Vacations in Greece can become fascinatings with water sports. Especially if you have children, water sports are ideal to keep them busy, while you are relaxing on the beach. On the touristic islands, such as Crete, Zante, Rhodes, Santorini and Mykonos, there are many water-sports facilities, schools and centres on the well-organised beaches. Read here the top islands for each type of water sport according to their characteristics, nature and weather.
Sailing
You can sail, if you rent a boat or rib, in every island complex of Greece, such as the Cyclades, the Dodecanese or the Ionian islands. The Cyclades need demanding skills in sailing due to the strong winds that constantly blow, while the Saronic Islands and the Ionian Sea are ideal for beginners. While sailing, you can go by your boat from one island to another and discover unspoiled beaches that are inaccessible by car or on foot.
Surfing
Naxos and especially the beach Mikri Vigla is the most popular wind- and kitesurfing spot in Greece. The water sports centres and schools there are numerous thanks to the northern wind that blows in the area. Paros is also a great Cycladic island if you love wind sports. On beaches, such as Pounda, Santa Maria, Golden Beach and Tsoukalia, there are top water-sports facilities and the weather is ideal all summer long. Remember that in Golden Beach in Paros is being organised every year the world championship of wind surf. The distance between Paros (from the small port of Pounda) and Antiparos is ideal to try your skills in wind-or kite surf.
Scuba diving
Santorini has one of the most impressive sea beds in the world, as it is a volcanic island. The seabed of the island is a part of the volcano, which is located in a close distance to the small islet of Thirassia. Black sand, rocks, underwater gorges and other imposing formations make this island the paradise for scuba diving lovers, who can see how a volcano looks underwater. Kalymnos, the sponge-divers island, is also a scuba-diving paradise. Every July is organised in Kalymnos the Diving Festival, where you can visit underwater museums, take underwater photographs, do seminars to learn how to dive and play water games. During this festival, all facilities are free.
Canoeing
For the water sport of canoeing, calm waters are must, so the Cyclades must be avoided. We recommend you choosing islands with shallow waters, such as the Saronic islands. For example, Aegina and Poros have waters without waves and a very interesting coastline with impressive rocky formations, which you can explore by your canoe. Perfect are also the Ionian islands. In Zakynthos, while canoeing in Laganas Bay, you may see a sea turtle caretta caretta swimming around you!
