What it's actually like

You will hear the meltemi before you see it, rattling the tamarisks behind the beach. It is our word for the dry summer wind that comes down the Aegean from the north, and at Kouremenos it arrives with interest.

The bay sits just outside Palekastro in the far east of Crete: a long curve of sand and fine pebble, olive groves and low hills behind, the red cliffs of Kastri at the south end, and on a proper day a scatter of sails right across the blue. I have sailed this bay every summer I can remember, and that first run of the day still gives me the rush.

Most people rig 4.5 to 5.3 metres in high summer, so if you are overpowered, come in and change down.

Your month

When it's good

The climate record and a finer forecast model disagree by 22 per cent here, and no nearby shore weather station can settle it, so rideable days are not shown.

At a glance

Is it for you?

Skill levelBring your A-game

WaterBit of chop

Crowds · JunRoom to ride

Local vibeFriendly enough

Water qualityClean

NightlifeA bar or two

CostMid

When it gets busy

Crowds

Aug · Medium

Even in July and August the water stays uncrowded, with no mass tourism in the area. Mind the swimming area close to the beach, and give way to learners inside.

On the water

What June usually does

Wind directionNWThe meltemi, side-shore from the left with a touch of offshore across an enclosed bay.

Wind strength4 to 7 BftThe range the centres and guides give for the summer. Most windsurfers rig 4.5 to 5.3 metres.

When it blowsAll dayThe centres describe wind all day in season. An older guide has it easing from about 5 pm.

Your playground

Launches & safety

Local intel

Getting there & on the ground

Nearest airportSitia (JSH)About 15 minutes by car, with daily flights to Athens. Heraklion (HER) is the long way in, 147 km to Sitia.

On the groundJune to OctoberThe NW meltemi months, July and August the windiest. Gone Surfing opens from 1 May.

Getting aroundCar or busA local bus runs from Sitia to Palekastro, about 20 minutes. The beach is about 1.5 km from the village.

Stay, schools & kit

Who works this beach

Gone Surfing CreteSchoolWindsurf · WingSmall owner-run centre on the beach. Windsurf, wing foil and wind foil lessons for all levels.Photo: Gone Surfing Crete Windsurfing & Wingfoiling Center via Google

Did I miss something out?Send it straight to me. I wrote this page.