This totally unspolit island is inhabited by just over 5000 people, who rely mainly on fishing, tending to herds of goats and the cultivation of olive groves. North Karpathos is very mountainous and isolated, further south the pretty Greek port of Pigadia, (Karpathos town) on the west coast, offers a variety of restaurants, bars and even the odd disco. Tucked away at the far end of the island, 12 miles from Pigadia, lies the Bay of Afiartis, tranquillity coupled with a slower pace of life, blue Mediterranean sea and strong consistent wind. There are a few small hotels, shops, tavernas and bars within Afiartis, but it is a very quiet location, the ideal place to unwind and recover from an epic day on the water.

The Meltemi wind, from the north is forced between gaps in the mountainous limestone terrain, emerging at Afiartis in the south, at strengths of Force 4 to 8, between June and September. This blows offshore from the beach, giving a flat water launch with chop increasing as you approach the aptly named Devils Bay, here a Force 8 should challenge your nerve if you like excitement! You can also blast across Chicken Bay, the speed lagoon, which has shallow flat water perfect for beginners or that first waterstart.

lthough the wind is offshore, the layout of Gun Bay makes it a safe venue for all abilities. Many windsurfers who have discovered this spot, return year after year, to enjoy the extreme conditions almost guaranteed here, as a Gift from the Gods. This is the perfect destination if you like hardcore conditions and somewhere to chill out at the end of each day.

There are no direct flights from the UK but the island is well served by an Olympic Airways service from Athens or Rhodes.

Sailing Conditions

Located on the southern end of Gun Bay with a clean wind straight from the beach, you can blast from the Club Mistral centre at Club Anemos, straight across the bay in flat water ending up in Devils Bay where usually there is a bit more chop which can be extreme when a Force 8 is blowing.

The Meltemi, the prevailing wind, is cross-offshore from the left. The best months for reliable winds are from mid June through to late September when on over 70% of the days, the wind averages above Force 4. There can also be long periods when the wind is above Force 6. Be prepared to use a 3.5 or smaller. Unlike many offshore sailing sites, the layout of Afiartis Bay makes it a safe venue for all abilities.

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