Kouremenos Beach

Kouremenos Beach: steady wind and shallow water

Kouremenos, 1 km east of Palekastro: over 1.5 km of fine sand and shallow water, famous for steady summer north-westerly winds and a windsurf centre.

By TripToCrete · Updated 20 October 2026 · 2 min read

Quick answer: Kouremenos is a beach of over 1.5 km of fine brown sand about 1 km east of Palekastro and 21 km east of Sitia. A steady north-westerly summer wind, often around force 6, makes it one of the best windsurfing spots in Greece.
Region
Sitia, east Crete
Distance
About 1 km east of Palekastro
Beach
Fine sand, shallow
Facilities
Windsurf centre, umbrellas, beach bars
Kouremenos Beach

The wind

Between Cape Tenta to the north and Cape Plaka to the south, the summer meltemi is reinforced by local effects, typically 4 to 7 Beaufort and averaging around 6 in summer. Close to shore the water is flat, good for learners; further out there are small waves for advanced riders.

A windsurf school on the beach rents equipment; the most-used sail sizes are around 4.5 to 5.3 m.

For swimmers

The water is shallow and turquoise. On windy afternoons the beach is better for watching than swimming; mornings are calmer. Tamarisks give some shade, with partly organised areas offering umbrellas, showers and beach bars.

Nearby

Chiona beach with its fish tavernas is 1.4 km south, next to the Minoan town of Roussolakos. Palekastro village has rooms and tavernas, and Vai is a short drive north.

Open the map location ↗

Questions before you go

Is Kouremenos good for beginner windsurfers?

Yes, the water near the shore is flat, and the windsurf centre offers lessons and rental.

How windy is Kouremenos?

In summer the north-westerly wind is usually 4 to 7 Beaufort.

Is Kouremenos good for swimming?

Yes on calm mornings; afternoons are often windy.

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