Check out the Tinos surf, which is hailed as the best in central Greece and comes backed up by charming Cycladic villages
An introduction to Tinos surf
Tinos has established itself at the forefront of the Greek surf scene thanks to a series of north-facing coves that suck up any N-NW wind swells that come across the Aegean in the summer months. We’ll stop short of waxing lyrical too much because this is hardly the Algarve or Basque Country. Sitll, there is something to be said for the regular knee-high crumblers that hit these beaches. They are easygoing, the water is warm, and there’s a fantastic surf school set up to help you enjoy. As vacation destinations with some potential surf on the side go, this one is right up there, especially when you factor in the charming villages and traditional tavernas that also make an appearance.
Of course, you’re limited to just a few spots and will often be playing a big waiting game for swell, even if you rock up in the hotter and windier summer swell months. That’s just to be expected. We’ll reiterate: Come here for a holiday and some surf now and then if you’re lucky. Look elsewhere if you want to paddle out every day without fail into peeling lefts and rights. It’s not like Europe is short of options!
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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Greece
Tinos surf at a glance
The good:
- Warm water
- Great for surfing while on holiday
- Beginner friendly
The bad:
- Not reliable
- You can go months without ridable waves
- Hardly ever over shoulder height
What’s in this guide to Tinos?
Where is Tinos?
Tinos is a gem-shaped isle between Ermoupoli and Mykonos at the north end of the Cyclades chain. It’s nowhere near as visited as some of the others in the region (Mykonos, Santorini) but still has a healthy array of ferry connections. They come in from Andros and Siros, along with a high-season boat link to Rafina, the main port on the eastern side of the Athenian peninsula.
A guide to the Tinos surf spots
Here’s a look at the main spots to hit the surf on this Greek island, most of which cluster around the north and east shores (the more exposed during the summer wind season).
Kolymbithra
This is the wave that put Tinos on the map. It’s the usual playground of the surf school that first started lessons in this corner of Greece. Facing north into the Aegean Sea, it’s perfectly positioned to get hit by the full force of the summertime Meltemi, a wind system that originates in the Balkan highlands and blows strong over the home of feta and moussaka. When it’s strong enough, the wind swells lip into the bay at Kolymbithra to create a frothy crumble for learners, and also a nice left-hander when it’s larger. Sand at the bottom means this is a very safe sport, and the relative consistency of the waves makes it a top learner location in Greece as a whole.
Livada
Another of the north-facing beaches that get the full whack of the May-August winds, Livada poked out of the far east coast of the island. It’s remoter than Kolymbithra and not so often used by the local surf club, so a good option for dodging the crowds. The wave is virtually the same, though – think a sloppy wind swell wedge that breaks over the sandbanks. Usually small but can be fun if you couple it with some sailing or a beach trip to this less-seen corner of the island.
Agios Fokas
We’d recommend making the trek to the southern beach of Agios Fokas even if you’re not trying to seek out the Tinos surf. This is one seriously gorgeous bay and 100% worth the effort on the winding southern coast roads. That said, it’s not really for us non-wind-powered boardies. It’s a windsurf and kiteboard mainstay, though, with some pretty strong swells during the midsummer northerlies.
Where to stay when surfing in Tinos?
IntrTinos might not be as popular as the other Greek mainstay islands of Mykonos and Crete but it’s still a much-loved family getaway in the midst of the fantastic Cyclades. That means there’s no short supply of hotels, which run the gamut from family B&Bs by the beaches to more upscale pads for honeymooners. We’ve focused on the ones that get you close to the best surf breaks on the island – AKA up on the north shore!
Ursa Major Suites
A very highly rated hotel option that’s on the zigzagging roads leading north to Kolimvithra, the main surf bay on Tinos. Ursa Major Suites channel enough Greek rusticity to turn on the charm but keep things feeling luxurious throughout. We especially love the gorgeous views of the mountains and the suites with the outdoor hot tubs, along with the traditional Cycladic architecture.
Livadi house Tinos
Well placed for reaching Livadi and the northern beaches, this pad is perfect for a small family or group of friends on a Greek surf mission. It’s got three bedrooms and a large communal space where you can gather and dine together, along with generous outdoor spaces to boot.
Tinos Dove Suites
Tinos Dove Suites are the only option here that is further south in Tinos, so you will need to drive a bit further to hit the waves. However, we make a mention of the hotel because it’s utterly fantastic. Part chic stay, part old-world Greek villa, it has exquisitely stunning suites with swim-out infinity pools overlooking the hills. Just imagine waking up to that!
Step-by-step guide to planning your Tinos surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the Tinos surf…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 Tinos?
Tinos bucks the overall trend of Greece by hoovering up the wind swell systems created by the dominant summer winds called Meltemi. They start in May and wind up around September, usually hitting a peak in July. They are what roll the sets into the northern shores of Tinos and offer the crumbly beginner waves that the surf schools here have made their name on. Winter offers more action on the south coast, but there can also be days with a little bit of N-NW swell and an offshore from the south. One thing to note: Tinos isn’t Portugal. Waiting for surf here often means just that…waiting. Luckily, you do have stunning beaches and taste-bud-tingling tavernas to get you through.
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!
