Vassiliki / Ionian Islands / Greece

Vassiliki bay, located on the South coast of Lefkada island and measuring a good 2 kilometers across, is considered by many to be the perfect place to learn windsurfing and sailing, as well as have all-round fun on the water. Its stable weather conditions,easy access and well-developed infrastructure, coupled with a laid-back atmosphere of a Greek village, make it a favorite among water sport enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels. The spot caters primarily to windsurfers, but catamaran and dinghy sailors are also welcome, and there are also SUP boards and kayaks available for rent.

All the fun here is to be had on a roughly 1.5 kilometer stretch of shingle beach, located between the towns of Vassiliki and Ponti. While the area closer to Vassiliki town is mostly occupied by swimmers, the further away from the center you go, the more windsurf-friendly you will get.

Once in the water, you will find a nice sandy bottom with no rocks or any other obstacles. The water near the shore is very shallow, and the bottom has a very gradual slope, so you will have to walk out quite a bit to be able to launch without burying your fin in the sand. Since the beach has no designated swimming areas, starting further off the shore is also a good idea if you want to avoid "pedestrians" in the water.

His name is Eric and he is a man of habit. From May to October, the thermal wind will pick up in the early hours of the afternoon on the Ponti end of the beach, and blow consistently sideshore to side-onshore in the direction of Vassiliki harbor, peaking at around 6pm, and normally reaching about 15-20 knots, although 40-50 is not unheard of.

In the mornings, before Eric kicks in, a light onshore breeze of up to 6 knots provides ideal conditions for beginners.

The bay is usually waveless, with a little chop in stronger winds. Offshore wind days are very rare here, but when they happen, the water is mirror flat.

The beach is dotted with windsurfing and sailing schools, with a couple of them specializing in catamaran sailing. All the schools have lessons ranging from absolute beginner to advanced, and there are several international associations' teaching methodologies available.

Most of the schools also offer new quality equipment for rent, provided by a wide range of manufacturers. That said, in the high season months of July and August it is advisable to reserve your equipment or lessons at least a couple of days in advance, as schools are usually packed with reservations and will not have room for random drop-ins from the beach.

For those traveling with their own gear, there is storage space available both in the schools and the adjacent hotels, but this can be rather pricey in high season.

If you prefer cheaper accommodation, there are self-catering studio apartments and a camping site situated directly on the beach. There is usually no problem with finding a parking space.

There are no public bathrooms or showers on the beach, but generally, everything you might need can be found in the schools or their partner hotels. Don't hesitate to ask for help, since friendly and supportive people are an extra-special feature of this town.

Vassiliki bay is protected from open sea, and its sandy bottom with no rocks or other obstacles makes it a very safe place. All windsurf bases monitor the bay area closely, have a communicate by radio and operate lifeboats. They also keep logs of everybody who is in the water with their equipment, but even if you use your own gear, it is always wise to sign in.

Although the shipping lanes into Vassiliki follow the Eastern side of the bay without crossing it, beginners should be especially cautious of the changing wind direction around noon, as there is a risk of being carried into the harbor by the sideshore current.

In the peak season, especially in August, the beach and the bay itself can get overcrowded with swimmers, windsurfers and sailors struggling for space, especially before noon when every school along the shore runs several group lessons for beginners simultaneously. Always keep a safe distance from others and obey the rights of way to avoid collisions!

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  Irish   11 September 2011

  One of the best locations in europe!