Surfing in Crete isn’t going to match other European gems like Portugal, but it’s a decent place to seek out waves while you’re on a sun-soaked holiday.
An introduction to surfing in Crete
Crete isn’t Bali. As if you needed to hear that! This island is better for chilled hols in the midsummer, hiking trips to the Lefka Ori mountains, and lazy days by the pool in the villa. However, there are some spots where you can surf, which means there is potential on these shores. The best region is out west, which is where you can pick up windswell waves from the western Med, but you might get some northerly options when the Meltemi winds are blowing strong in the summer months.
The wave quality is generally poor when compared with other surfing hotspots around Europe – Portugal, Spain, France – but, then again, you didn’t come here with the 5’4 shorty in tow expecting barrels right? Right. The main breaks are Falasarna, a blustery beach set beneath mountains and tomato plantations on the western shore and the wide, east-facing bay of Golden Beach close to Chania.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Greece
Surfing in Crete at a glance
The good:
- Great for surfing while your on holiday
- Very beginner friendly
The bad:
- You can go MONTHS without rideable waves
- Always windy
- Hardly ever over shoulder height
What’s in this guide to surfing in Crete?
Where is Crete?
Crete is the southernmost island of Greece. It sits on the cusp of the Libyan Sea and the Aegean Sea, with Africa the next landmass over to the south. It’s not a part of any island group, since it sits way out on its own, but you can catch ferries in from famous Cyclades spots like Santorini and Mykonos. The better way to get to Crete is by plane. There are two airports, one in Chania and one in Heraklion, and they both host LOADS of low-cost flights in from other EU city hubs, along with UK connections from London, Manchester, and Bristol.
A guide to Crete’s surf spots
The main places to surf in Crete stretch around the western part of the island, starting in the lovely Venetian-era city of Chania (you simply have to visit!) and finishing up at the south-coast town of Palaiochora (a hippy town that can hoover up rare SW swells).
Golden Bay/Chrissi Akti
One of the first beaches you come to when you cruise west out of Chania, this one’s the home of the well-rated Chania Surf Club. It’s our pick of the best surf schools on the island, since it has ISA-certified trainers in both surf and SUP (though the SUP classes are generally the focus).
That rental spot faces a wide bay with a rocky headland at its eastern end. There’s usually pretty good northerly winds in the summer which can churn up strong windswells – at least enough to offer short rides. However, it’s very much a beginner spot with crumbly rollers for the groms and the learners.
Kissamoss
There’s sometimes a wave that makes its way into the large bay of Kasteli Kissamoss, a port town about an hour’s drive west of Chania. It’s usually well protected from W winds, which can help keep it clean, and it breaks towards the western end of the bay. The town itself is a sleepy charmer where you can head for Greek coffee and cold beer after a session. It’s also got loads of bargain hotels.
Falasarna
Falasarna sits out on the exposed wesrtern haunch of Crete. The first thing that will hit you is just how stunning it is! The beach is overlooked by mighty mountains and swathes of tomato farms, and there’s even an ancient fishing town in ruins at its north end.
The pull for surfers here is mid-winter westerly wind swells, which can kick up some of the largest waves on the island (we’re talking shoulder height). It’s mainly over a sand bottom but watch out for the bits where the boulders spill into the Med.
Palaiochora
As Palaiochora pokes out of the south side of Crete, it offers a due-west facing beach that can occasionally get a nice wave for beginner to intermediate riders. This one pretty much only ever works in the winter months with big storm swells. There’s no rental or surf school around, so you’ll need to come on an organised surf trip or have your own gear.
Where to stay when surfing in Crete
Hotels, B&Bs, beach villas – there’s all sorts on offer in Crete. This isle isn’t one of the best places to vacation in south Europe for nothing, you know. We’ve picked out some stays that are right by some of the best surf breaks in the region.
Sun Beach Apartments
Sun Beach Apartments are just a couple of meters’ walk away from Chrissi Akti Beach, which is one of the main Cretan surf spots close to Chania. They’re comfy, cozy, charming family apartments that are centered on a pool, offering R&R even if there’s no waves, along with good access tot he historic VBentian city of Chania itself.
Panorama Hotel
Panorama Hotel is a classic Greek beach B&B that gazes straight down at the waves and rocks of Falasarna Beach. You’ll be able to wake up and check if there’s any surf right away. If not, then laze byt the pool and explore the bay for ancient ruins and tomato plantations.
Amphitheatre Suites
There might be some winter-season surf down in the south-coast town of Palaiochora. Stay there by choosing the stunning Amphitheatre Suites, which spill onto wide, sun-kissed terraces that have private pools overlooking the bay.
Step-by-step guide to planning your Surfing in Crete trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the Surfing in Crete…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step four: Enjoy!
When to surf in Crete
There are some Greek surf spots that rely on the northerly Aegean Sea swells and dominant N winds to get waves throughout the summer months. Crete isn’t one of them. The best locations here are in the west, along from Gramvousa and down, which means winter as actually the top time. December-March can bring in the most powerful Mediterranean windswell conditions, but can also be too blustery. Our sweet spot is sometime around November and then again in April. Some people might be tempted to search for surf in the high summer but there are two issues on Crete then. First, the sea is usually still. Second, it can be TOO windy in the hottest months and any waves will be chopped into a messy froth.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
