Lefkada

Why Visit?

If you could see my face right now, you’d be laughing your head off and deep in thought as to what sort of face that is. My answer would be “why on earth would you not visit!?” This place is the most wind reliant place I know! In summer, the location couldn’t be better with sun and thermal wind every day (pretty much). The Greek culture is fascinating and the kitesurfing spots are beyond fabulous.

Wind and Weather

For five solid months a year, this area of the Ionian sea has the wonderfully smooth Maistro wind. This reliable daily wind starts to build around midday and then drops off at sunset, giving speeds between 15 to 20 knots.  In the mornings the sea conditions are like a mill pond, so you can either have a lazy morning or go SUPing before the Maistro arrives.  In the evenings you can kite until the sun goes down, which not only gives you a good long kiting session, but also some wonderful photo opportunities!

The wind starts in mid-May with about 75% probability, however, from June to the middle of September there are very few windless days, giving approximately 95% probability during these months!  The wind continues through until the end of September, but again, like in May, we are looking at about 75% probability as it declines to come into October.

Holly shredding up the flats!

Due to the combination of the clean Maistro wind and a thermal acceleration, coming over open sea to the beach, the spots do not suffer from gusty winds; it is clean, smooth and friendly as there are no obstacles for it to pass over on its way to you and your kite.

The weather during the summer months is what I would say is “scorching” (hot hot). But definitely bearable! In the evenings it cools down, although I still didn’t feel the need for a jumper or jacket. I would recommend taking a jumper for those less hardy than my Scottish self ! The water temperatures are very reasonable during the summer months. I wore anything from a wee (little- wee is the Scottish word for little or small) bikini to a 2.5mil shorty wetsuit. Glorious!

Getting Around

If you want to make the most of your holiday I would fully recommend renting a car at the airport. While all kite spots are within a few kilometres of each other, it is too far to walk and there is no public transport option. The island boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe and getting to them is also only possible via car.

Such a beautiful location!

Talking of spots – yes there is a total of 3 spots to choose from, and if you count the flat water lagoon and the Church by the Wooden Bridge, we are looking at five spots that Lefkada has to offer. Depending on the forecast and temperatures, the conditions vary and not every spot will work equally well. I was lucky to have Mark from alwayswindy.com transport me around in his roadster with my North kites and board strapped onto the back! The looks we got turning up to the beaches were pretty funny really, but then he has driven down to Dakhla with the same car!

Getting There

The nearest and most convenient airport is Preveza (Preveza – PVK) which is only 20 minutes away.   Many charter and budget airlines fly directly to Preveza (British Airways, EasyJet, Monarch Airlines, Small Planet Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines, Thomson Airways, Titan Airways, Air Berlin, Austrian Airlines, Condor, Niki).

Corfu is also an option (Corfu International Airport -CFU).  From the airport you can take a bus (€1,50) or taxi to the ferry terminal and jump on a ferry to Igoumenitsa.  There are three types of ferry and they run every hour:

Plenty of room to get set up!

• Open-deck: these only sail during good weather conditions and take 1 hour 45 minutes.
• Close-deck: these work in all weather conditions, are bigger and take 1 hour 10 minutes.
• Hydrofoils: these only take 45 minutes

On arrival in Igoumenitsa we can have either an airport transfer or hire car waiting with the drive being an easy 1 hour 15 minutes.

Another option is Ioannina National Airport (IOA) which is a 3-hour drive to Lefkada.

Although a long drive (approximately 5 hours on a good day) Athens is also an option if you fancy a stop over to explore this wonderful historic city.  An internal flight (Olympic Air) can then bring you down to Preveza or Corfu.

Flat water heaven!

Alternatively, the bus service is frequent with a return ticket costing €63, however do book in advance as during peak times and weekends this service fills up quickly!  (on-line bookings: Ktel Lefkadas).  On booking you will pay for a return but only state your first journey.  Your return is booked at the bus terminal.

From the airport take the X93 to Kiffisou bus terminal.  The ticket office at the airport is outside between Exit 4 and 5.  Once in the bus terminal go to the small office at the Lefkada (Λευκάδα) bay and hand over your printed ticket and state your return bus date and time, it will be booked then and there.

Food and Drink

Mmmmm gyros! Of course the Greek cuisine has more to offer than just the rotisserie meat, cut into fine slices and rolled in a toasted pita bread… mmmmmmmm… So yes, there is also pretty much anything from the grill, loads of sea food and pretty much anything else you would get around Europe. The huge choice also means low prices – you can have a full meal for under 6 Euros (a Gyros is only 2.50 Euro and will pretty much fill you up after a long day on the water).

Freestylers paradise!

Nightlife

In the main summer months, you are spoilt for choice! While there are many bars and restaurants in Lefkadas old town, you can find various nightclubs along the seafront that start to get lively well after midnight. If you want to venture even further, Nidri is a 25-minute drive on the east coast of the island and even boasts an Amnesia club (of Ibiza fame).

No Wind?

Lefkada is well worth a visit even if you do not kite or just need a break (more likely as it really is very reliably windy from June-September). The stunning white pebble beaches, turquoise waters and imposing cliffsides on the west coast should not be missed. In Nidri there are multiple, specialised biking and hiking tours as well as SUP tours for all the water rats. Further inland you can also visit the local wineries that offer free tasting tours for their visitors.

Internet

You can get solid ADSL wifi pretty much anywhere. There is not a single café, bar or restaurant that does not offer wifi for free. You can even connect at the local A/B supermarket as it offers free wifi for its customers. Alternatively, you can get a pay as you go plan with 1GB of data for around 15 Euros at any of the telecom shops in town.

Heading down to shred town!

Accommodation

Lefkada has many accommodation options but it books out quickly for the main holiday months starting mid-July and running up until the end of August. It is very advisable to book early if you are planning to come during those months. The wind is good starting the second week of May and will blow reliably until mid-September so if you can book around July and August you will not only find much cheaper accommodation but also empty beaches.

It is advisable to find something around the north of the island, in Lefkas town or close to Frinni (that’s near the kite beach in Agios Ioannis). From here it is only a few minutes drive to any of the kite spots, and you will be the first to see when the thermal kicks in.

Stoke-ville!