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There’s a reason Dave White and our gurus Peter Hart and Jem Hall decamp to the Med. every summer – sun, wind and the glorious menus to rack up their expenses up on! Offering the perfect mix of windsurfing, beautiful food to fuel on and plenty of activities and culture to satisfy, families, partners and even party hungry single sailors, the Med. has it all and at only a few hours flight time from the UK too. If all this sounds too good to be true, you’re right, it is – we tear up Harty and Jem’s expenses every year! If your passport is tempted by the lure of crystal blue seas and reliable thermal winds, read on for our look at some of the Med’s best spots to get your windsurfing fix in.

Location: Rosas Bay – wide bay, 5km long.

Open: End of March – September.

Best Time: May to September.

Launch: Sandy beach, shelving slowly.

Sailing Area: Large bay with area of shallow water and expanse of flat water.

Wind type: Spring/Autumn – Tramontana – air stream from Pyrenees. Summer – Garbi thermal.

Wind Direction: Spring/Autumn – Cross-shore from the left. Summer – cross on from right.

Shore break: Normally slight all season.

Water Conditions: Waves formed during Tramontana. Flat water slalom with Garbi.

Suitability: Ideal for all levels including children and complete beginners.

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Location: Valdevaqueros, on western end of huge crescent 11km Tarifa Bay.

Open: Year round.

Best Time: April – September.

Launch: Sandy beach, with some rocks at exposed times.

Sailing Area: Flat water with wind chop during Levante, waves with Poniente.

Wind type: Strong cyclonic winds.

Wind Direction: Generally cross on from left with Levante. Cross on from right with Poniente winds.

Shore break: Moderate / strong.

Water Conditions: Slalom to wind chop with mast high waves further east.

Suitability: Intermediate & above, although small sheltered area for beginners.

Location: Kouremenos Beach close to Palekastro.

Open: May – Mid October.

Best Time: June to September.

Launch: Sandy beach, shelving slowly.

Sailing Area: Large bay with flat water inshore and some wind chop on the outside.

Wind type: Meltemi accelerated by local thermal. Generally force 4 to 7.

Wind Direction: Cross-shore from the left.

Shorebreak: None to slight shorebreak.

Water Conditions: Flat water, perfect for slalom and freestyle. It is an ideal location to practice gybes and freestyle moves on the small waves found on the outside.

Suitability: Ideal for all levels.

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Location: In Afiartison, south west side of Karpathos.

Open: May – Mid October.

Best Time: June to September.

Launch: Sandy beach, shelving slowly into deeper water.

Sailing Area: Speed Lagoon with flat water across whole sailing area of Gun & Paradise Bay.

Wind type: Meltemi, strong and consistent all season.

Wind Direction: Cross off from left. Due to geography of coast – safe offshore venue.

Shorebreak: None/slight shore break.

Water Conditions: Flat water, slalom blasting in extreme conditions.

Suitability: Advanced Intermediate and above. Beginners in Chicken Bay.

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Location: Large open bay on the south west coast of Kos Island.

Open: May – October.

Best Time: June to September

Launch: Sandy beach, shelving quickly into deeper water.

Sailing Area: Wide open sailing area with flat water.

Wind type: Meltemi, light in the mornings; midday strengthens due to thermals.

Wind Direction: Cross offshore from the right.

Shore Break: None / slight shore break.

Water Conditions: Flat water slalom blasting.

Suitability: All levels.

Other local spots: Local wave spot Theologos on the west coast with up to 3m waves.

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Location: On the eastern coast, just south of Kos Town.

Open: May – October.

Best Time: June to September

Launch: Sandy beach, shelving quickly into deeper water.

Sailing Area: Slight wind shadow depending on wind direction inshore. On the outside the wind creates waves up to 1m high.

Wind Type: Meltemi, strong and consistent all season. Force 4-6 up to 7-8 in July and August.

Wind Direction: Cross offshore from the right.

Shore Break: Slight shorebreak.

Water Conditions: Slalom blasting in good conditions.

Suitability: Early Intermediate to experts.

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Location: There are three centres in Ialyssos, Rhodes: two set on Trianda Beach, Ialyssos Bay and located next to the Blue Horizon Hotel. The third is the Windmill Centre for more sheltered conditions suitable for beginners.

Open: April – Sept.

Best Time: Mid-June to September.

Sailing Area: Large open bay with clean winds.

Wind Type: Meltemi, accelerated by thermal in afternoon. Force 2-3 in morning, for less experienced. More gusty afternoons with 1.5m chop on outside and often Force 5 and above in July/August.

Wind Direction: Cross on shore from the left.

Shore Break: Moderate, occasionally strong.

Water Conditions: Inshore small waves with wind chop, on the outside waves with swell.

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Location: On the southernmost point of Rhodes, with a natural sand bar creating unique conditions.

Open: April – October.

Best Time: June to end of September.

Sailing Area: West of sand bar, wave breaks. To east, shallow flat water.

Wind Type: Meltemi, accelerated by venturi giving 1-2 Beaufort stronger than rest of Rhodes.

Wind Direction: Onshore over wave area. Very strong offshore on downwind side.

Shore Break: Moderate on wave launch. Slight on slalom area.

Water Conditions: Waves on sand bar. To east, speed area.

Suitability: Advanced Intermediate and above.

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Location: Wide bay, clear blue waters and stunning mountainous backdrop, 20 minutes walk from Kokkari town centre.

Open: April – October.

Best Time: Mid June until mid September.

Launch: Pebble beach – shoes recommended.

Sailing Area: Protected bay.

Wind Type: Meltemi – regular afternoon thermal. A shallow, wind protected area near centre allows beginners safe starts; further out stronger wind, increased wind chop and sometimes ramps up to 2m.

Wind Direction: Cross-on from the left.

Shore Break: Normally slight all season.

Water Conditions: Flat water. Wind chop on outside.

Suitability: All levels.

Location: Situated on small protected bay with access to larger bay/open sea.

Open: May – October.

Best Time: Mid June to mid September.

Launch: Sandy safe launch from in front of the windsurf centre.

Sailing Area: Sheltered 500m area for beginners. Outside the bay – flat water & chop.

Wind type: Meltemi and southerly ‘Lodos’ wind.

Wind Direction: Side-shore from the left. (Sometimes right in Spring/Autumn).

Shore Break:  None to slight.

Water Conditions: Flat water slalom area. In Spring/Autumn, small waves in outer Bay.

Suitability: All levels including children and complete beginners.