“I love Keros because it gives me all the space I need to try new tricks and at the same time my friends and girlfriend can learn and progress at one of the easiest spots for kitesurfing.” NICOLA ABADJIEV, RRD PRO RIDER
GOOD FOR:
Experiencing the spirit of Limnos with its classically Greek turquoise waters, steady winds, fascinating culture and fantastic food.
Keros is a super safe sandy kitesurfing bay with a variety of conditions, suitable for all. The whole set up is within a protected ecosystem where you can spot wildlife such as rabbits, flamingos and rare species of flora. Here you can experience the real Greece as it was 30 – 40 years ago before mass-tourism, with friendly people, good food, tradition and originality. Limnos island is unspoiled with amazing landscapes and there's much to see and do off the water.
Boosting big & upside down / PHOTO: Surf Club Keros
Crystal clear, clean waters with a soft sandy bottom / PHOTO: Pantelis Ladas / www.arteliz.eu
Relax at the surf camp just a stroll from the beach / Pantelis Ladas / www.arteliz.eu
Yep, the water is so warm it will make you want to do this! / PHOTO: Pantelis Ladas / www.arteliz.eu
THE SET-UP
The main spot at Keros on the eastern side of the island of Limnos is a safe, sandy, three kilometre bay with a variety of conditions to suit all abilities. The famous Meltemi winds blow from the left across postcard-perfect turquoise waters with everything from flat conditions on one side of the bay, to small but shred-able waves on the other side. In the middle of the bay it’s flat, sandy and comfortably shallow for the first 200 metres, making it great for learning. Go beyond that and there’s small chop for boosting off. Due to the way the bay wraps round, if you get in trouble you’ll usually just drift to land at the far end and the smooth winds and obstacle-free seabed make Keros a perfect place to work on your foiling.
You can put in long days on the water here too because the wind’s usually in by about 9 or 10am and carries on until 4pm, before dropping off. It can switch slightly offshore later in the day too, so keep an eye out for a direction change around then.
There are other kite spots around the island and Surf Club Keros run a two hour downwinder trip that cruises down the east coast of Limnos back to Keros Beach - where a beer will be waiting!
WIND, WEATHER & WATER
There’s wind in Keros from April to October with June through August being the peak months when the Meltemi trades blow down from the north / northeast. In early and late season (April and October) you’ll get other wind directions and once the wind is properly in during the day, nines are the most regularly-ridden kite size.
There are up to 280 days of sun each year and mid-summer water temperatures are around 23 – 24°C / 73 – 75°F. Bring boardies in July and August, a shorty for May, June and September and a 3/2mm wetsuit in April and October. Due to Limnos’ location in the northern Aegean, the climate is slightly milder than on the islands further south, so it never feels oppressively hot but still averages 30°C / 86°F through the day with a drop in temperature in the evening.
SCHOOLS
SURF CLUB KEROS LODGE AND SPA are IKO accredited and teach all levels from June to October at 2:1 max ratio. The latest 2020 RRD gear is also available for hire or sale. Rescue cover is provided to clients, plus there are daily refresher clinics and regular downwinders. Windsurfing, SUP and mountain biking are also offered. Languages: English, Greek, Bulgarian, German, French and sometimes more. www.surfclubkeros.com
SIROKO WIND CLUB teach on Keros beach using radio helmets. Everything from hardware to harnesses and wetsuits are available for hire and they also have the latest Cabrinha gear in stock as well as foils if you don’t want to travel with your own. A rescue boat is in operation and you can also store your gear on-site. Languages: English, Bulgarian, German, Polish, Russian, Hungarian, French and Italian
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres.
Visiting Keros is like taking a trip back to how Greece was before mass-tourism. There are accommodation options right on the spot and Surf Club Keros offer the ‘glamping’ experience in luxury safari tents of various sizes.
The tents are fully equipped with luxurious furniture, spacious WC / showers, TV, A/C and other amenities. Situated on a hill they offer a great view to the beach, which is about 500 metres away. You can either walk to the spot or take Surf Club Keros’ free shuttle service, which runs every 20 minutes. Surf Club Keros serve up awesome traditional Grecian cuisine, but there are other good options for local food elsewhere.
There are also many self-catering properties to rent, from apartments to traditional farmhouses in the surrounding villages, such as Kalliopi, which is just a five minute drive away.
Luxury tents ALL PHOTOS: Surf Club Keros
Double beds/luxury tents
Tents light up like lanterns at night
Washroom in the luxury tents
TRAVEL AGENTS
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres.
Besides sightseeing there are plenty of other windless activities. You can surf in the early mornings, go on moonlit SUP tours, go kayaking, snorkelling, mountain biking and hiking, do yoga or take a spa day. There’s also a pink flamingo colony on the lake right behind the kite spot.
A trip to Limnos’ capital Myrina, with its Byzantine castle overlooking the town, is also worth doing and you’ll find shops, restaurants, bars and more there. It takes about 40 minutes to reach Myrina and there are buses and taxis available.
Beach volleyball at Surf Club Keros
Yoga at Siroko Wind Club
Smaller waves are great
GET AROUND
Kontopouli is the main village close by, Kalliopi is the nearest main town three kilometres away and Moudros is a ten minute drive, with ATMs and supermarkets. The distance from the Surf Camp to the beach is about an 800 metre walk. Most rent out mountain bikes or scooters, but it's worth hiring a car for at least a few days to take a trip around the island. A scooter will do the job too, though.
CURRENCY
Euro (€) - £1 = €1.2 / US$1 = €0.8 The closest ATM is at Moudros or the airport, around a ten minute drive away. Most places do not accept credit or debit cards so cash is essential. Surf Club Keros can accept PayPal and online credit/debit payments.
FOOD & DRINK
People usually eat at Mama's restaurant within the Surf Club camping grounds, which serves traditional Greek food, buffet or a la carte, but there are lots of other options in the area with amazing fish and local cuisine.
AIRPORT
Limnos International Airport (LXS) is ten minutes from Keros and regularly served by direct charter flights. Otherwise, fly budget airlines into Athens (ATH), Thessaloniki (SKG), Rhodes (RHO) or Lesvos (MJT) and catch a domestic connection to Limnos via Aegean Airlines, Sky Express or Astra Airlines (from SKG).
Flat water upwind, bump and jump in the middle and small waves downwind in a super safe bay
SURF CLUB KEROS LODGE AND SPA are IKO accredited and teach all levels from June to October at 2:1 max ratio. The latest 2020 RRD gear is also available for hire or sale. Rescue cover is provided to clients, plus there are daily refresher clinics and regular downwinders. Windsurfing, SUP and mountain biking are also offered. Languages: English, Greek, Bulgarian, German, French and sometimes more. www.surfclubkeros.com
