It`s a great opportunity for you during your stay in Paros to rent a boat and visit one or more of the Cyclades islands. You may be wondering why western Greece and the Ionian islands are not affected much. High winds in Crete can also be super strong. This is not meant to discourage you though. If you are visiting Greece to go windsurfing or kitesurfing, the meltemi can be your friend. The wind is blowing at a speed of 1 Bf (1.4 mph) from the East (88.0°) and the pressure is 1023 hPa. Forecasting Models. A local’s guide to ordering Greek food in Greece, Food in Greece – Everything you should know about Greek Food, Greek drinks you need to try during your vacation in Greece, introduction to the different groups of Greek islands, 5 Incredible Greek Islands Near Santorini That Might Even Be Better, New COVID measures in Greece November 2020 – January 2021, Why visit Milos? Combined with the strong currents in Greece, the meltemi is not to be taken lightly. I won’t go into more detail here. Apparently, channelling of the wind between the islands causes its speed to increase. Very informative. We have been considering buying property in greece and we have a small yacht. It’s because they want you to have a safe, enjoyable experience on board. ); Lightning, dust and UV forecasts are also … The new Golden Beach of Paros Island in Greece has been hosting the World cup every year since 1993. })(); In fact, on very windy days you may see a red flag on certain beaches. According to the Greek mythology, Poseidon, God of the sea, furious at the Cyclades nymphs, daughters of Oceanus and Tethys, turned them into islands. Why are buildings in the Cyclades painted blue and white? So perhaps the Ioannian better for us. Thank youb,very informative. The Cyclades deriving their name from the Greek word “kyklos”, meaning circle, because they surround the sacred island of Delos, the Cyclades are the most visited islands of Greece. FerryBox. The meltemi helps bring down the scorching summer temperatures and clears the atmosphere, providing great visibility. However, it’s not all bad. If you have any other questions, please ask in the comments below! You can go sightseeing or hiking instead, and spend some extra time in a local taverna. NORTH CYCLADES CRUISEpowered by the Aegean wind and your legs. Previous forecasts. Distance from Rafina 64 nautical miles. If you are visiting Greece during the meltemi season my best advice, that any local will confirm, is to avoid the beaches facing north. A beautiful complex of 52 rooms and suites, “Poseidon of Paros Hotel & Spa” promise their guests the magic of absolute serenity, perfect harmony and Greek hospitality. The Aegean side of Evia island is also very exposed, as is the area between Evia and Andros. { I don’t like pools myself, but I have to admit they can be more relaxing than the beach on a windy day. If you’ve never been to a greek island try Skiathos, personally I love the island, been there 5 times. Generally speaking, there are several windy Greek islands. Your email address will not be published. The traditional village of Oia can be described as a listed monument that unfolds along the volcanic rocks; it is the jewel of Santorini! Poseidon of Paros is a 5* hotel located on the unique Golden beach (Chrissi Akti), 10 km from the airport and 25 km from the port of Paroikia. In extreme cases, some of the high-speed ferries, hydrofoils and other small boats may not depart from the ports. Oia lies at the north part of the island, 11 km northwest of Fira, at an altitude of about 121 meters. Still, if you can only visit the Greek islands in July and August, go for it. Platy Yialosfeatures a beautiful mile long beach with fine sand and a promenade with cafes, restaurants and a few specialty stores. Sail on an island hopping adventure in this mediterranean Greek utopia, or spend your sailing vacation discovering and exploring your chosen island. It has been chosen by the Professional Windsurfers Association as a world cup destination. You can find plenty of information online on what causes these strong seasonal winds. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It can also be affected by rainfall in Central Europe and the Balkans. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( This is not because they are lazy to take you to the Cyclades. Since Betsy and Dan are both salty, having owned and lived on a sailboat for a time, we knew they would be ideal companions for the challenges of heading toward the Cyclades where the summer meltemi wind can make for interesting, and wet sailing. I’ve spent most of my summer holidays on the windy Greek islands, and no meltemi will ever stop me going. Firstly, what an excellent article, superbly written. event : evt, This means that swimming is not allowed, as it can get dangerous. Paros Island is a renowned windsurf, kite surf and water sports spot in the Cyclades Island Complex. They are the best people to ask. Architecture: Traditional Cycladic Architecture with contemporary decoration and modern facilities. I’ve got some not-so-fond memories of getting stranded on Ai-Stratis island for a whole week, pre-ATM times. Skipper Jimmy’s favourite islands are the Lesser Cyclades, a group of tiny, unspoilt islands south of Naxos, some of which remain uninhabited and hide the relics of an ancient past. Ecosystem Forecast. I hope this article was enlightening. Thank you. The meltemi winds in Greece are seasonal. } Occasionally, they will point you to a pebbly beach, or a rocky outcrop. This is more so if you are lying on a towel right on the beach, rather than a lounger. You don’t want to be caught unprepared. We inevitably ran out of money and had to sneak in the return ferry (at the time they didn’t check you upon boarding), only to be discovered by the crew a half-hour before we arrived to Rafina. Thanks for your lovely words about Greece!! on: function(evt, cb) { Fortunately the islands are relieved by the cooling "Meltemi" winds - sea breezes that blow from the north and north-west. The myth relating to this island is a little complicated. We call them meltemi or meltemia, which is the plural form of the word in Greek. With our boat you will discover a new world full of memories. I’ve been going there since my first visit to Paros in 1983!! Required fields are marked *. If you can visit outside July and August, you have better chances of skipping the windy days. Your email address will not be published. Also during the winter, and particularly when it is at its coldest, a humid wind in the Aegean region, which becomes gradually stronger, accompanied by low skies and rain. Check out the Real Greek Experiences travel guide to Andros and Tinos islands – Now available on Kindle! The meltemi generally blows during the daytime, typically being at its strongest during the afternoon and early evening. The Meltemi wind was known by the old Greek as the Etesian northern winds, and results from a high pressure system (>1025) laying over the Balkan/Hungary area and a relatively low pressure (1010) system over Turkey.Although this katabatic wind can bring about harsh sailing conditions it also provides cooling, low humidity and good visibility. www.poseidon.hcmr.gr – sailing forecast for the Cyclades www.windfinder.com – wind forecast for Greece Of course your best source of information is from local sailors and we are happy to provide complete and detailed forecasts of what weather to expect and what to look out for throughout your sailing holiday in Greece! Families with small children could consider booking a hotel with a pool. The wind will blow up the sand, which can get really annoying. It is worth to admire the medieval Castelo “Agios Nikolaos” which nowadays is in ruins, seventy small and big churches and its districts, each one with its own historical particularities. The Aegean side of Evia island is also very exposed, as is the area between Evia and Andros. Something to keep in mind for when planning water sport activities! The meltemi winds can be difficult to get used to, especially for people who didn’t expect them. Sand getting in your eyes may be annoying, but the most important thing when the meltemi blows are the waves. Well, the Cyclades rarely face this issue! If you want to spend your summer holidays in the Cyclades, you may be wondering about the Meltemi winds. I would NEVER consider going anywhere else than the Aegean islands not for any reason. Meltemi winds can pick up incredibly fast, and they appear seemingly out of nowhere. If it wasn’t for the meltemi, temperatures in the Aegean would be a lot higher, and most people would find it uncomfortable to visit the Greek islands in summer. } Win explosive offers straight to your inbox. Now there are also some smaller islands, like Iraklia, where there are very few protected beaches. According to the Greek mythology, Naxos is linked to the wedding of Ariadne and Dionysus; a union that blessed the island with its fertility and its distinctive wine which was highly prized in … They are strongest during July and August, but you may also come across them in June or September. Between Paros, Mykonos and Santorini, our boat rentals in the Cyclades are irresistable. I would estimate at least force 10. Have a look here for an introduction to the different groups of Greek islands. Take it from me – there is not much you can do about it. The wind that blows in Small Cyclades is mainly a pure northern wind. Tinos lies very close to the southern tip of Andros. Your hotel owner or other locals should be able to point you to the best sheltered beaches for meltemi days. Address Oia, Santorini 84700, Cyclades, Greece We are located in Paros and also serve you in Mykonos, Naxos, Antiparos, Schoinousa, Irakleia and all the Cyclades Islands. That said, it’s not uncommon to have full-blown meltemi wind even in the early morning or during the night. Leave this field empty if you're human: Win explosive offers straight to your inbox. Poseidon services. On these days, you may want to spend less time on the beach and do other things instead. These were the words through which the great Greek poet Odysseas Elytis expressed his feelings for Oia in his poem “Ode to Santorini”. You can easily imagine the answer to your question “Is it windy in Greece”. In fact, swimming is not allowed on very windy days, as it can be very dangerous. callback: cb The clifftop Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula . The North Cyclades Sail & Cycle adventure stops in the main harbors of seven islands including car-free Delos, the ancient sanctuary. If you are on a bigger Greek island like Naxos or Andros, you can always find a beach that is fairly protected. This web page presents weather, wave, lightning and dust forecasts produced by the Institute for Environmental Research, National Observatory of Athens (IERSD/NOA). I fully understand. If you are familiar with the Beaufort wind scale, meltemi winds can reach around 7-8 Beaufort, or even more. Ocean Forecast - Aegean - Mediterranean. Unfortunately, some of the Cyclades islands are not ideal in that respect, as there are many stairs and hills. The name “Cyclades” refers to the islands forming a circle (in English it means: “circular islands”) around the sacred island of Delos. Located in a scenic area amidst the crystal clear waters of the sea and the blue sky the Poseidon of Paros Hotel & Spa embraces the unique style and the striking architecture of the Cyclades. Legend has it that the Cyclades, which all circle around the central, sacred island of Delos, were once nymphs who angered Poseidon. Moreover, sailing in strong winds is not a pleasant experience by anyone’s standards. Cosmopolitan nightlife for some, tranquility for others, together with perfect weather and golden beaches, the Cyclades have it all. This way, in case of a ferry cancellation, you will still have enough time to get to Athens in time for your flight. Ancient Athens – Combined Ticket For The Archaeological Sites Of Athens, Ancient Athens for free – A walking route through the historic centre, Street art in Athens – Bright colours and political opinions, Tips for staying cool in the summer in Athens, Top 10 tips for visiting Greece in summer, Our favourite beaches in Greece – Popular beaches and hidden gems, Religion in Greece – Churches, Greek Easter and Christian names, Greek Easter Traditions – Greek Orthodox Easter Food and Customs. This is why, in typical Greek fashion, I suggest bringing a light jacket with you, even if you are visiting in summer! Phones: (+30) 22860 81381 & (+30) 698 455 6176 On some years, you may get periods of a few windy days, followed by a calmer week. Once you get to know Tinos, you too will become a believer. People who have visited Mykonos, Santorini or Naxos in summer will be familiar with the Cyclades wind. } Depending on when we leave and the wind/weather we will find an anchorage for swimming and lunch on Kimolos or Polyaigos. Aphrodite (the goddess of love and beauty) fell in love with Adonis (a beautiful demi-god).Adonis had a best friend, Milos, who was married to Pelia. A beautiful body of the wine dark Aegean sea lies between the Saronic Gulf and Cyclades ... relaxing down-wind run to Sifnosallows guests to explore charming Platy ... price of any boat trip and can easily be pre-arranged with Poseidon Charters. Even if you are a strong swimmer, you should be very careful, or even avoid swimming altogether. Then the Meltami struck and boy did it strike. Sea Level Forecast. According to the Greek mythology, Poseidon, God of the sea, furious at the Cyclades nymphs turned them into islands. We hope to visit next year. This might mean that you may need to drive a long distance. Remember the occasional heatwaves in Europe? You can rest assured that it’s still worth visiting – all these other travellers can’t be wrong! A group of local tour reps where hoping to travel to Athens for the concert there. On some days, staying on the beach will not be as relaxing as you hoped. The name “Cyclades” refers to the islands forming a circle (the name in English means: “circular islands”) around the sacred island of Delos. If you are visiting Greece in spring or late September, you will probably miss them, though it’s not certain. In fact, windsurfing is a fairly big thing over here. relaxing down-wind run to Sifnosallows guests to explore charming Platy Yialosport. In all seriousness, you may get swept away on a windy day. Distance from Pireas 86 nautical miles. See the lesser-known side of the Cyclades on this 16-day island itinerary. Meteorology buffs will find it interesting that the meltemi wind is connected to the Indian monsoons and the Azores anticyclone. (I have been very lucky I have travelled all over the world. Also have mobility to consider. Subscribe to our newsletter(function() { How many days in Santorini do you really need? Wave forecasts are provided for the Mediterranean waters as well as for the Greek Seas. the temple of Poseidon and the island where the Venus of Milo was discovered. Naxos is the largest and greenest island in the Cyclades with impressively high mountains and fertile valleys. Crete’s long sandy beaches are very open to the winds. Adored by everyone for its eternal exquisite beauty and unforgettable sunsets, Oia seduces visitors with her picturesque traditional village, her narrow paths and her different perception of aesthetics. Weather forecasts are provided by three models: BOLAM, WRF and MM5, for Europe and Greece. Cyclades sailing; a 14 days Athens-Mykonos-Santorini sailing itinerary. Plus, as mentioned earlier, not everything about the meltemi wind is negative. I was also storm bound on Mikonos for the same reason as above, took two days to blow out. The early Cycladic culture developed in the Bronze Age and has inspired artists ever since with its white marble figures. In this case, you should consider spending at least one night in Athens before you fly out. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the meltemi winds can affect sailing trips in Greece. This is even more so if you are not familiar with the area and the speed that the winds can reach. Email: papaioannoukonstantin@gmail.com, Oia, Santorini 84700, Cyclades, Greece According to the Greek mythology, Poseidon, God of the sea, furious at the Cyclades nymphs turned them into islands. } According to the Greek mythology, Poseidon, God of the sea, furious at the Cyclades nymphs turned them into islands. TINOS ISLAND - CYCLADES. This is part of exploring the islands though, so for most people it shouldn’t be an issue. After sampling the street foods of Athens, you'll ferry off to the Cycladic islands that deserve just as much of the spotlight as their more-famous siblings. Many visitors take a ferry to Piraeus, and fly back home from the Athens airport. - Cyclades - Ionian - Dodecanesse. Queen of Aegean pulses and wings with the words to convert the infinite, with fire with lava with smoke, you found the great lines of your destiny”. 2017-2019: POSEIDON team's participation in the BigDataOcean ICT Project Deployment of the EMSO Hellenic Arc Deep Water cabled seabed Observatory at 1540 meters depth, in SE Ionian Sea, 20Km off Pylos coast - May 2018 Km. If you find that summer in Greece is too hot, imagine what it would have been like without any wind. Other islands that can be impacted by the meltemi are the Sporades, the islands of Northeastern Aegean and the Dodecanese. This is the holy island of Our Lady, which in August is swamped by pilgrims who have … Again, keep an eye on the weather, and do not compromise your safety. In certain parts of the country, the winds may occasionally be exceeding speeds of 100 km / hour! Other islands that can be impacted by the meltemi are the Sporades, the islands of Northeastern Aegean and the Dodecanese. The weather conditions recorded for Spartia on Wednesday, December 16 at 10:36 am are: Few clouds with 20% clouds and the temperature is 16.0°. Even the bigger Greek ferries can be delayed – we were stuck in Andros port for over an hour, while our ferry was trying to dock. Your instructor will explain what to be aware of, and you should follow their advice. These two islands are among the windiest in the Cyclades. During the winter, the winds blowing in the Aegean reach a force of 8-9 Beaufort, while greater intensity is observed in the Kafireas straits (Cavo Doro) and in the Cyclades. Poseidon of Paros is a 5* hotel located on the unique Golden beach (Chrissi Akti), 10 km … The day after Carol’s Mom and Aunt left, Kent’s cousin Betsy and husband, Dan arrived to join us on Destiny. People planning to rent a boat or yacht should keep an eye on weather conditions on an hourly basis. Ends in Lavrio. Mid-May to Mid-September is very dry, while July and August are unlikely to see any rainfall at all. Your safety is far more important than reaching a windy island. Every ferry in the Aegean was pulled into port, even the largest, as you can imagine the tour reps where NOT amused. If you have booked a summer sailing cruise around the Aegean, the company may warn you that the itinerary is subject to weather conditions. According to the Greek mythology, Poseidon, God of the sea, was so furious at the behaviour of the Cyclades nymphs that he turned them into islands. Ten things to know about Greece before you travel, How to speak Greek – The Greek alphabet and 20 useful Greek words. Millions of Greek and foreign visitors come to the Cyclades every year to enjoy the dazzling light and the crystal blue waters, in the quest of the paradise on earth. POSEIDON mobile ... Poseidon Weather now on Android Market. This is because of the tall mountain ranges in mainland Greece. Finally, if you are visiting mainland Greece, some areas will be windier than others. Greek cats – Beautiful, independent, happy, unique! There are several beaches in Greece that are ideal for these sports. HF Remote Sensing. Email: papaioannoukonstantin@gmail.com. forms: { These act as a wind-stopper, protecting the Ionian side and the west coast of Greece. Top Reasons to visit Milos Island in Greece, Hiking to Kleftiko Bay in Milos Greece – Updated September 2020. Last updated on October 20th, 2020 at 06:10 am. Take a look around you: 750 chapels and churches (Catholic and Orthodox), 600 ornate dovecotes, 34 settlements and the Temple of Poseidon, where the ancients were purified before they visited the sacred island of Delos. Kalamata and the nearby areas are very interesting (and overall flatter)! Day 6: Thursday Dinner: There is a Greek taverna restaurant and wine bar along the beach, but do not miss the wonderful Often there is a prohibition to sail, so we need to plan meticulously and pay lots of attention when we sail in these seas. The groups of islands that are more affected by the meltemi are the ones in the Aegean. Lucky for them it eased just in time. We went kayaking in Mykonos just before the start of the Meltemi, and were blessed with calm waters in June. Paros, Antiparos, Naxos, Mykonos, Tinos, Andros, Ios, Milos, Kimolos, Rhodes, Karpathos, Crete and Evia are just a few of the Aegean islands where you can go windsurfing. Sailing cycling in Karystos (Evia), Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Delos, Syros, Kythnos. Bottom line – don’t worry too much about the meltemi winds, but do be careful when it comes to swimming. You could consider the Peloponnese as another option? Good luck and take care with that pesky metami. I was on Paros at the time of the free Nelson Mandela concerts, which where huge. Never now would I go anywhere else. Data Base. Millions of Greek and foreign visitors come to the Cyclades every year to enjoy the dazzling light and the crystal blue waters, in the quest of the paradise on earth. Oil Spill Drifts. listeners: [], And they can affect your holiday in Greece, but only if you let them! DAY4: Today we sail to Mykonos. Destination guide of the Greek islands Paros & Antiparos: accommodation, 120 rooms and apartments rentals, 50 hotels, 50 villas, restaurants, greek ferry schedules, paros car rentals, webcams, real estate, paros island maps, videos, photos There’s no guarantee over how many days the meltemi will go on for. Oia, Santorini 84700, Cyclades, Greece Phones: (+30) 22860 81381 & (+30) 698 455 6176 Email: papaioannoukonstantin@gmail.com 2 week tour around the Cyclades with a sailboat Starting from Alimos, set sail for the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades, among Kea, Kithnos, Serifos, Sifnos, Milos, and even Paros. The islands were the cradle of the Cycladic civilization (3000-1000 BC). If you have been to Andros or Tinos, you may have experienced some of the strongest meltemi winds. Fun times . It is only right that a 7-day Cyclades itinerary would include one of the more popular islands, so start your island-hopping adventure on Mykonos.