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Vasiliki / Lefkada kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot
Greece
Overview
Vasiliki is a legendary windsurfing and kitesurfing spot at the southern tip of Lefkada island in the Ionian Islands. The village nestled at the bottom of a south-facing bay is world-famous for its thermal wind "Eric" – a unique meteorological phenomenon where air funnels through mountain gorges and accelerates downward into the bay.
The "Eric" thermal wind rises every summer afternoon from NW/WNW, regularly reaching 20-30 knots. It's one of Europe's most reliable windsurfing spots with an almost guaranteed wind schedule: calm in the morning, thermal builds around 1pm, peak intensity between 3pm and 6pm.
Spot forecast for Vasiliki / Lefkada
Sunrise 07:51 · Sunset 18:53
Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo
Vasiliki / Lefkada: when to go?
Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)
127h
in July · 23.5 rideable days
The season runs from June to September, peaking in July: 17 rideable days a month and 127 hours of usable wind, at 31 °C. The low point is January, at 1 day.
Rideable days per month
Wind strength when it is rideable
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 91% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 15 °C. The wettest month is November, with 278 mm.
Monthly averages: Vasiliki / Lefkada
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.0 | 6 h | 15 °C | 133 mm |
| February | 1.0 | 6 h | 15 °C | 105 mm |
| March | 7.0 | 42 h | 17 °C | 78 mm |
| April | 10.0 | 73 h | 21 °C | 19 mm |
| May | 8.5 | 67 h | 24 °C | 27 mm |
| June | 13.5 | 61 h | 31 °C | 1 mm |
| July | 23.5 | 127 h | 33 °C | 0 mm |
| August | 18.0 | 79 h | 32 °C | 5 mm |
| September | 13.0 | 76 h | 28 °C | 39 mm |
| October | 7.0 | 48 h | 22 °C | 64 mm |
| November | 2.5 | 20 h | 19 °C | 278 mm |
| December | 3.5 | 20 h | 16 °C | 145 mm |
Photo gallery of Vasiliki / Lefkada
Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.
Technical details of Vasiliki / Lefkada spot
The spot works with winds from W, WNW, NW, NNW.
Spot functioning
Calm mornings are perfect for beginners and lessons. Afternoon is reserved for intermediate and advanced riders when the thermal builds. Several historic windsurf schools and kite centers offer lessons and rental.
The bay offers a wide water area with enough space for everyone. Kitesurfing is generally practiced in a designated zone to avoid conflicts with windsurfers (very numerous here). Check authorized zones.
Spot opening date · Required level
- Spot opening date
- Open all year round
- Required level
- Intermediate
On the water
Semi-flat to choppy water in the bay. The cross-shore wind from NW creates short chop but no big waves thanks to bay protection. Progressive depth from the beach. Ionian Sea water, clear and warm (23-26°C in summer).
Towards open sea (south), water becomes choppier. Best riders exit the bay to sail in open sea.
Parking
Parking in Vasiliki village. Numerous hotels, tavernas and windsurf/kitesurf centers. The village lives around water sports. Equipment rental and lessons available at several centers. Access by road from Lefkada town (35km).
Wind specificities
The "Eric" thermal wind is Vasiliki's signature phenomenon. Every summer day, solar heating of surrounding mountains creates suction: cool air from the Ionian Sea is drawn through mountain gorges northwest of the bay and accelerated by Venturi effect.
Typical daily schedule: calm morning (ideal for beginners), wind builds around 12-1pm, 15-20 knots by 2pm, peak at 20-30 knots between 3pm and 6pm, decline at sunset. Wind arrives from NW/WNW cross-shore onto the south-facing bay. Exceptional reliability from June to September (>90% of days).
Hazards
Wind can build suddenly in early afternoon – beginners should return before the thermal builds. Windsurf/kitesurf cohabitation – respect each discipline's zones. Ferry and excursion boat traffic in the bay.
Wind descends from mountains and can be gusty with intensity variations. Cliffs north of the bay create turbulence in very strong wind. The Ionian Sea south of the bay is more exposed.
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