Water sports and leisure activities Iles grecques

Kefalos Bay is home to one of the best windsurfing spots on Kos. In recent years, wingfoil has also developed here: you'll find navigation details in our special report at the beginning of this guide. There's also a reference address for professional lessons and courses and/or for renting quality equipment. There's also a kitesurfing spot at Kohilari, on the north coast of the Kefalos peninsula, though it's less well-known than Psalidi.

Kefalos Windsurfing (+30 697 762 0316 - www.kefaloswindsurfing.com): individual or group lessons.

The Achilleon Diving Center offers to accompany you on a dive in the corners of Palaiokastritsa, the islet of Othonoi and the island of Paxos. For certified divers, twenty-six spots are accessible. For beginners, several options are also available, such as the Messonghi Center, part of Natura 2000, an ecological network of protected areas. Among the staff, you will find French-speaking people. Palaiokastritsa remains the most famous place for Corfu divers.

Nothing to say, here everything slides. It's a very fun park, well designed, with lots of different slide varieties. A water park with a lot of attractions and other wave pools for your toddlers to enjoy. Admission is not free, but you will have a great day. Within the building there are cafeterias, restaurants, ice cream parlours, a bar, a shop... Many deckchairs are available free of charge throughout the park, so that older children won't get bored either!

Diving is the historical queen of aquatic practices in Kalymnos: the marine fauna is particularly rich and the seabed is covered with shipwrecked vessels from all periods. Diving is highly regulated: any archaeological findings must be reported to the authorities. Legislation is being reviewed to facilitate the creation of underwater museums in the island's waters. A club to note, south of Pothia:

Kalymnos Diving Club (+30 693 875 5896 - kalymnosdiving.com) : PADI training, outings and equipment rental.

This is the queen activity of Leros: not surprising when you consider the tragic history of this strategic base during the Second World War. The seabed is littered with shipwrecks of ships that were torpedoed and sunk during the hard battle of Leros, as well as warplanes. The most famous case is the destroyer Queen Olga, which is a unique diving site today. A club to note for your outings, PADI training and equipment rental:

Hydrovius Diving Centre (+30 22470 26025 - www.hydrovius.gr) located in Krithoni

They can provide you with any practical information you may need. Diving all levels. Exit to the island of Gavdos also. Very reliable.

It is the oldest windsurfing club on the beach and, in the area, the most popular with windsurfers near Vassiliki, with a breathtaking view of the mountains to the north, the palm trees and the bay of Vassiliki. Although it boasts international competitions, this club is also suitable for all types of visitors, families or individuals, experienced windsurfers or not (yet). You can take lessons or rent all the necessary equipment on site. The instructors are very professional and helpful

Here you will swim on the beaches of Tsirimbis, Paliokaravo, Loutsa, Aetos and Pisso Aetos. But it is better to discover in caïque Kinos, Sarakiniko and especially Ghidaki and Filiatro. As many beaches and coves are inaccessible by road, it can be a good idea to rent a small boat for a day. Motorized "compass" boats do not require a license, the instructor will show you briefly how to drive it and you will be able to enjoy the crystalline waters of Ithaca's creeks as a little Ulysses!

George and his team offer great dives for all levels in the crystal clear waters of Kythera. You can get your diving diploma, make dives in sea caves, just snorkel and watch the fish with a mask... The welcome is remarkable and you will feel confident for the dives. To discover below: the cannons of an old pirate ship, the giant winches of a contemporary wreck, seals, octopus, groupers, lobsters but also incredible corals and reefs.

The long beach of Theologos is exposed to the meltemi and offers unique conditions for windsurfing, kitesurfing and wingfoiling. The spot is ideal for beginners looking for a flat ride. Freeride and slalom experts can wait for the wind to pick up in the afternoon. There are two professional addresses for training and equipment hire:

WetSkillz (+30 6944 222 689 - wetskillz.com).

Surf & Kite Theologos (+30 224 108 2203 - www.surftheologos.com)

The beaches near the city centre are almost impassable in the summer because they are overcrowded. This is particularly the case of the seafront that runs northwards along the town, in the Lambi area where hotels and deckchairs follow one another. Towards the south-east of Kos-city, the beaches are a little less crowded:

Psalidi, perfect for kitesurfing but beware of crowds too (3 km away)

Aghios Fokas, famous for its clear waters but avoid the resorts section (8 km away)

Embros Therma with its source of sulphurous water that heats up to 40 °C and its beautiful landscapes (12 km away)

The Psalidi spot on the north-eastern tip of the island is one of Greece's most famous for windsurfing, kitesurfing and now wingfoiling. These are actually two separate spots, just 1 km apart. We have detailed the sailing conditions in the special report at the beginning of this guide. Numerous clubs have set up shop here, but we've chosen a friendly, serious address that's well known among professionals:

Windzone (+30 6939117475 or +30 6979723193 - windzone-kos.gr)offers equipment and courses for all three sports.

Managed by an expert team of marine biologists, Blutopia offers since 1995 a complete discovery of the fauna and flora of the Aegean Sea through diving in crystal clear waters. From diving for beginners, in shallow waters, to proposals for the more expert in the open sea among caves and wrecks. Blutopia is a center with a strong commitment to the environment. It also offers educational trips to the marine reserve where you can visit a fish farm, discover the ecosystem that develops around it and the unique benefits of aquaculture, its nutritional value for people and its contribution to the protection of the sea. Don't miss the opportunity to take advantage of the day trips and visit the Alimia and Chalki islands.

In Grikos itself, you can swim on a small, busy beach before walking along the enormous bay to the rock that closes it off on a sandy isthmus. It is said to possess magnetic healing powers. The bay of Petra extends across the isthmus: good swimmers should head for the islet of Tragonissi (beware of currents!). Walkers will prefer the path dotted with wild coves that continues south to the shipyard. It's a magnificent, unspoilt walk in this corner of Patmos, between sea and sky.

Created in 1993, this 5-star PADI center for beginners and experienced divers is located in the Nea Hora district and has offices in the old Venetian port. Instructors of different nationalities focus on safety. Excursions are made on board their recent 25m boat. It allows families and friends to accompany the divers. The brands Mares, Cress, Sherwood, Scubapro are sold in the shop at interesting prices. The centre is open in season, from April to October, depending on the year.

As you stroll along the beach, heading south, you may come across this small agency that rents out water sports equipment, including surfboards and, if available, a glass kayak. The surfboards allow you to take advantage of the beautiful waves on this beach. But the best surprise is the transparent kayak, which is incredible to maneuver when the sea is clear and beautiful. The owners are very friendly and approachable, and offer fair prices for this equipment.

Since 1995, the Kissamos Diving School, one of the first in Hania, very professional, offers PADI, Dan Europe... courses, in complete safety and for all levels. Beginners start in the small fishing port next door. Activities all year round on request. Also offers a shop for material and equipment. Diving points: 70 miles from the bays of Kissamos and Hania to Paleohora via Elafonissi, Livadia, etc.

Probably one of the best known in Santorini. Apostolos, the founder, has over 20 years of experience on the island and was the first Cousteau Divers instructor in Greece. Explore the impressive underwater landscape around the caldera of Santorini and search for the remains of the lost city of Atlantis, as many explorers, adventurers and scientists have done before you. The centre is also very active in the preservation of the environment, and is fighting to create a protected marine area around the caldera.

A very professional and multilingual diving centre offers you the opportunity to discover the dazzling underwater richness of Crete. Excursions are frequent as there are caves to visit and 25 dive sites around Agia Pelagia. If you book on the website at least one week in advance, you will receive a discount. The transfer is assured but limited to the area between Fodele and Gouves. Possibility of diving at sunset.

Dutch scuba diving school, experienced and very serious, open from April to October, for all levels. For beginners or confirmed divers, in small groups and in complete safety: dives, certification, training courses, equipment rental. French-speaking team. A half-day program is set up for beginners who are welcome as well as the whole family. A really enjoyable and well organized experience in the world of scuba diving.

It was a great experience to dive in this club, which is quite big, but perfectly organized and has enough staff for a very safe supervision. Safety, yes, but also conviviality. There is indeed an excellent atmosphere and the instructors (many of whom speak French) know how to put you at ease. Let's go over the numerous Padi courses available (the whole range in fact) to appreciate the diversity of the spots proposed. There is really something to satisfy the most demanding divers.

Reliable centre for all levels, which organizes dives on very interesting sites, in small groups and under the guidance of an experienced and professional instructor-guide. It also offers programs and courses for beginners or advanced PADI training, Open Water courses (first level of scuba diving), Scuba Diver courses for beginners, among others. Rental and sale of equipment. Book well in advance in July and August!

The bays of Ixia and Ialyssos offer ideal riding conditions, with spots of varying difficulty. Kremasti is more suited to kitesurfing, while the bay of Ialyssos is geared towards windsurfing and wingfoil (the spot hosted the European wingfoil championships in 2022). Two professional addresses to remember for your lessons and equipment hire:

Windsurfers' World: +30 22410 24995 - windsurfersworld.gr

ProCenter Rhodos: +30 22410 96177 - www.procenter-rhodos.com

A spot recommended by windsurfers from all over the world: new equipment rental, lessons from French-speaking instructors and good atmosphere. The spot, created in 2004 by Hannes and Davina, respectively of Austrian and English origin, is frequented by many fans from Europe and elsewhere. Evenings are frequently organised in the centre for a convivial moment. The centre offers yoga sessions, on the beach, for beginners as well as... yogis! Climbing and mountain bike tours are also organised.

Installed on the left side of Vaï beach since 1992, this water sports club guarantees your entertainment and safety. It is one of the best yacht clubs in Crete and with good reason. A team of experienced professionals is behind the great list of water sports and games on offer: jet-skiing, water-skiing, towed buoy or banana, floating sofa, crazy octapus, flyboard, windsurfing, among others. Windsurfing courses start at the beginning of May. Several offers are proposed on the site.

ASS is located in Almyrida, an old fishing village famous for its beach and excellent traditional tavernas. The structure offers single and double kayaks, paddles, windsurf boards and catamarans (hobbie cat 16) for hire. The ASS offers individual rentals, private lessons and even the possibility of joining groups for supervised activities. The staff are professional and very pleasant. A guarantee of quality: ASS is a partner of UCPA, and all our instructors are state-qualified.

Dive center open since 1998 in the Ionian Islands, operating from May to October. Boat trips, caves, PADI, shop. Beginners welcome. Non-divers are also welcome in the calm and warm waters of the resorts of Laganas and Tsilivi. The dive boat is specially designed with toilets, a small snack bar and a dive platform. This multilingual dive center is also able to teach and communicate in many European languages, including French.

This scuba diving centre, created in 1987, is located in the heart of the Minos Beach Hotel. In addition to diving courses, the renowned Pelagos centre also offers water sports equipment for hire: sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, etc. For those who like to be more adventurous, the centre also offers "donut" and "banana" outings, as well as motorboat trips to Mochlos, the island of Spinalonga or the bay of Mirabello. Boat rentals without a licence for the day are also available.