Sailing, again and again
Sailing is THE practice par excellence in the Aegean: historically, the islands in the north of this sea have developed fleets - merchant, pirate or fishing - to survive or to take advantage of their strategic location, at the crossroads. What could be more essential than discovering the islands of the North Aegean by sailing: fast sailing boats, languid catamarans, solid and reckless caiques... there is no lack of sailing options in these lands defined by the sea. And there is something for every level and every project: from quiet coastal sailing to lazy cruises and sporty regattas. However, be careful to respect the sea which can be severe in the region, especially around the islands of the North Aegean, close to the Turkish coast, which are regularly swept by the force of the meltemi in summer and by powerful currents.
In contrast to these eastern islands, the waters around the Sporades, Thassos and Samothrace tend to offer a gentle sailing experience, particularly suitable for families with children and less experienced sailors. The Sporades are particularly ideal: close to each other, Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos offer easy sailing opportunities during a sailing holiday. Moreover, the coasts of these islands with their beautiful beaches are often only accessible by sea. This is the case of the north of Skiathos and Alonissos and the most beautiful coves of Skopelos, in the west of the island. Skyros is a little bit different as far as sailing is concerned: being a little bit far from all the other islands of the North Aegean, beginners should avoid going there without making sure that they can handle the crossing.
Experienced sailors will be able to discover the eastern islands of the North Aegean, exposed to the meltemi: wrecks are numerous on this side of the North Aegean, which is certainly ideal for scuba diving enthusiasts, but less so for beginner captains... In the most visited islands, it is possible to hire professional skippers to discover this region subjected to winds and waves.
Kitesurf, windsurf and wingfoil
Lemnos is one of the most famous Greek islands for wind and surf sports: together with Naxos and Paros in the Cyclades, and Kos and Rhodes in the Dodecanese, Lemnos has become an international spot for windsurfing and especially for kitesurfing. More recently, the island has become known for the practice of wingfoil, which is still not very common elsewhere in the country. Lemnos, due to its location at the very north of the Aegean Sea, is swept by a moderate but almost constant meltemi in summer, which blows at a speed of about 16 to 25 knots, and strengthens in the afternoon. Ideal conditions for beginners (in the morning, when the wind is milder) or advanced riders (in the afternoon when the wind strengthens). July and August are the best months to practice these sports. The Surf Club Keros, on the beach of the same name, is a pioneer in the island, especially in kitesurfing and wingfoil, but also offers windsurfing courses and equipment: riders from all over Europe come here to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the professionalism of the teams.
Lemnos has three distinct spots:
The Keros spot itself, the most important one on Lemnos, stretches along a sandy beach and offers a virtually flat, shallow water surface (up to about half size). Ideal for freeride and freestyle, it is also safe for beginners who would like to learn the basics of kitesurfing or wingfoil. The Keros spot extends over several kilometers and offers several sections. In the center of the bay: an extra flat area, with turquoise and shallow waters where the shadow of the riders is drawn on the white sandy bottom, sometimes with a light chop that allows to have nice kickers to practice jumps and freestyle figures. More to the south: a zone of small waves is ideal for the beginners in the matter, with a perfect cross-shore wind also in improvement of aerial figures. On windy days, the waves can reach 1.5 meters.
The spot of Red Rock Beach or Kokkinovrachos, in the south of Keros Bay, is known for its waves up to 2 meters and offers a side-shore wind and a nice stretch of sand for freeriders, freestylers and wave riders a little more experienced.
Finally, the spot of Gomati Beach, north of Lemnos promises waves in the dune landscape of Ammothines - spectacular!
Another spot in the North Aegean islands to practice kitesurfing and windsurfing: the spot of Sigri, north of Lesbos is much less complete and known than the spots of Lemnos but it begins to make followers among freeriders and freestylers. It offers excellent sailing conditions, with a wind that strengthens in the afternoon, as usual with the meltemi (11-18 knots in the morning, and up to 25 knots by mid-day). It is a safe place to ride , ideal for beginners.
Finally, we have to mention Samos which offers a small windsurfing spot, in Kokkari, on the north coast of the island, at the Samos Windsurfing Center. The spot is perfect for freeriders of all levels, freestylers and speed lovers. The wind picks up offshore, allowing the more advanced riders to enjoy themselves while the beginners stay close to the coast. The sailing areas offer bump and jump conditions in the open sea, with ramps that can reach up to 2 meters high. Near the school, beginners and children can practice all day long, in complete safety, even when the wind picks up in the afternoon.
Surfin' the Aegean
Ikaria is known for its relaxed and chill atmosphere, so it's not so surprising that a small handful of surfers decided to open a surfing center there, on the spot of Messakti beach, on the north coast of the island. Of course, you won't find very interesting waves for the most advanced among you, but the surf school is perfect for beginners. Summer (June-September) offers the best conditions for surfing, when the offshore winds stay light on this coast: the fetch is too weak for a big swell to form, and the sandy beach breaks create nice lefts and rights. On days when the waves aren't there and the conditions for surfing aren't right, you can opt for a paddle day, also available for rent from the surf school. Yoga sessions on paddleboards are also available, ideal for working on your balance before heading out to the waves.
Sea kayak safari expeditions
Sea kayaking is an ideal way to discover the rugged coasts and inaccessible coves of the North Aegean, especially in the calmer and less windy waters of the Sporades. This is especially the case in Skopelos, with the guides and instructors of Kayaking Greece, whose base is set up in season on the beach of Milia. You can learn to kayak and go on a trip for several days. You will have the opportunity to discover the shores of Skopelos, and its caves accessible only by sea, but also to go on an expedition to the marine park of Alonissos, on the neighboring island. You will meet an exceptional and protected marine fauna and flora. If you are lucky, you may even spot the rare Mediterranean monk seal that lives in the area. The less experienced can also join these expeditions: the crossing to Alonissos is only a few kilometers long, with two islets in between. Huge cliffs overlook the west coast and are home to a host of seabirds to watch. For families with young children, half-day sea trips are also available, either in the cool of the morning or in the soft light of the setting sun. The little ones can learn to row at sea, without having to go far from the coast of Skopelos, which is also full of surprises, bathed by an emerald sea.
Scuba diving
The North Aegean is a diving destination suitable for beginners as well as for experienced divers: the Greek seas offer ideal conditions in Europe, with visibility up to 40 meters. The water temperature does not drop below 26°C until 22 meters deep, and then settles between 18 and 20°C until 40 meters: dives are usually done in a 5-millimeter wet suit, with booties and fins, and without the need for a hood or gloves. Scuba diving is practiced almost everywhere in the North Aegean islands, especially during the summer months: whatever island you choose, you will find a diving center, or you can practice snorkelling freely.
But the amateurs in possession of their PADI will be particularly delighted in the waters of Alonissos, the island of Sporades which shelters the largest natural marine park of the Mediterranean. It covers about 2,260 km², between land and sea, straddling several islands and islets around Alonissos. The underwater caves that have formed in these limestone coasts are home to the last monk seals of the Mediterranean, an endangered and protected species. In these waters also evolve turtles, scorpion fish, cuttlefish and nudibranchs in abundance.
Beyond the exceptional underwater fauna and flora, the depths of the marine park of Alonissos hide the famous "Parthenon of the wrecks", a shipwrecked vessel of the5th century BC, sunk in the sea with thousands of preserved amphorae. Transformed into an underwater museum since 2020, this wreck can be visited with a diving guide, and lies off the islet of Peristera, more than 20 meters underwater. It is a remarkable archaeological find, and divers interested in wrecks will have a unique opportunity to see an ancient ship and its cargo.
In addition to the underwater museum of Peristera, Alonissos offers many diving sites, depending on the level of each diver. From the most accessible to the most difficult, we will retain in particular:
The site of the blue cave. It is a large cave with an outdoor surface that offers a real diversity of underwater landscapes. At a depth of 5-10 meters, you can admire the blue halo of the cave entrance: it is really impressive and you are hypnotized by its bright blue light. More experienced divers can explore a drop-off at the exit of the cave: at 15-20 meters, you can easily find nudibranchs, scorpion fish and groupers among sponges and anemones, hidden in the rock.
The southern reef of Aghios Georgios. The dive site consists of two rocky peaks: the dive starts with a vertical descent in a long chimney that leads to a cave covered with anemones. There you can admire gorgonians and many nudibranchs, before going deeper, where you can see groupers, morays and scorpion fish. It is not necessary to dive too deep on this site (about 20 meters), but the currents are quite strong and you have to pass through several arches and tunnels, which implies a certain control from the divers. An intermediate level is recommended, with an efficient finning technique, and a good control of your buoyancy.
The garden of gorgonians is well named, as we can admire an exceptional density of red gorgonians, in a limited area. A deep dive certification is required (the exploration site is 41 meters deep), which excludes beginners but will delight experienced divers.
