Kitesurf spots in Karpathos

Agrilaopotamos, the LUV spot on the Greek island of Karpathos, is a Meltemi-powered classic just west of the airport, prized for its near-guaranteed summer wind. It blows hard and consistently from the north to north-northwest through June, July and August, often 15 to 25 knots and building stronger into the afternoon, with May, September and October offering more moderate shoulder conditions. The cross-shore wind hits a lagoon that mixes flat and choppy water on the inside with rolling swell and breaking waves out near the reef, so it caters to flat-water freeriders, freestylers and wave riders alike but favours intermediates and above. The sandy beach with a slowly deepening, partly pebbly seabed gives a comfortable launch and a forgiving inner bay. The serious hazard is the surrounding reef: razor-sharp rocks and urchins lurk just beneath the surface with only narrow passages to open sea, and there is current to respect. Popular but rarely overwhelming, with a relaxed taverna-side scene on the beach.