Kipi Afiarti, or known as Afiartis village is the famous windsurf spot in Karpathos island, the number one choice for hundreds of surfers. The three main beaches of Afiartis are Vatha beach in the north, Gun bay in the middle and Makris Gialos beach in the south.
Where to find Afiartis beaches in Karpathos Island
Afiartis (you can meet as Kipi Afiarti on maps, or Κήποι Αφιαρτη in Greek) is the southernmost settlement in Karpathos, located next to the airport and about 12 kilometers away from Pigadia. The area of Afiartis is famous in Greece from its special wind conditions, which make the local bays amazing places for surfers. Almost the whole Afiartis beachfront is exposed to the strong winds, especially on the open water.
There are 3 different large bays among Afiartis beaches, which offer the best windsurfing locations in Karpathos island. From north to south the names of the large bays are Vatha beach (Παραλία Βαθα), Gun bay, and Makris Gialos beach (Παραλία Μακρύς Γιαλός), but there are also a few smaller beach sections such as Prasonnisi Beach (Παραλία Πρασονήσι) and Christou Pigadi beach (Παραλία Χρήστου Πηγάδι).
The best views to these beaches are from the hills between Kipi Afiarti and Amoopi, from where you can see well almost the entire area.
Vatha beach in Kipi Afiarti
The largest bay of Afiartis is called Vatha beach (Paralia Vatha, Παραλία Βαθα), or known as Devil’s bay. This bay is the largest and widest beach of the area, which is recommended primarily for hardcore surfers and professionals.
The winds are usully much more stronger here, than at the other bays, so most of the professional windsurfers choose this place. In 2009 this Vatha beach was the place of ISWC Windsurf Speed World Championship, where hundreds of windsurfers enjoy the speed and the wind conditions.
Vatha beach (Παραλία Βαθα) got its nickname ‘Devil’s bay’ after the strong winds, so it is great for surf, but usually not suitable for a swim. This is the reason, why there are just a few sunbeds and parasols on the long beach. This beach of Afiartis is characterized by coarse sand, with some pebbles and rocks.
Vatha beach (Devil’s bay) coordinates on map: 35.438895, 27.155001
Gun bay in Afiartis
The middle beach is called Gun bay in Kipi Afiarti, but someone call it the big Makris Gialos beach (Paralia Makris Gialos, Παραλία Μακρύς Γιαλός). It is recommended for experienced windsurfers, because the winds are almost as strong as in the area of Vatha beach. The calm waters delivers usually great conditions in this beach, and make it good for intermediate level experiences.
Gun bay is located between Vatha beach and the smaller Makris Gialos beach, in the background with some apartments and studios.
Gun bay coordinates on map: 35.429550, 27.155480
Makris Gialos beach (Chicken bay)
This is the smallest bay among the three beaches of Afiartis, and called as small Makris Gialos beach or Chicken bay. This is the best windsurf spot for beginners in Karpathos island, the nickname ‘Chicken bay’ comes from here. This beach is ideal for children and for everybody, who are just getting started with this interesting extreme sport. The winds of Chicken bay are usually weaker than in the other two, so do not expect strong breezes here.
The small Makris Gialos beach has sandy and shallow waters, which are suitable for everyone. Behind the beach there are some beach bars and taverns, and this is the home of Baja Bar & Windsurfing station, Karpathos Surf Club and Meltemi Windsurfing. One of the taverns of Kipi Afiarti awaits for guests in Makris Gialos beach, it is called Barba Minas Taverna.
This beach is the nearest to Karpathos airport, just about 300 meters away.
Small Makris Gialos beach (Chicken bay) coordinates on map: 35.426790, 27.151611
Prasonnisi beach
The north end of Vatha beach is called by someones as Prasonnisi beach (Παραλία Πρασονήσι), and don’t get confused, it’s totally different than the famous Prasonisi beach of Rhodes island in Greece. The beach has coarse sand and pebbles, and if you are lucky, the winds are shaded by the cliffs of the background.
Christou Pigadi beach
One of the mentionable beaches of Kipi Afiarti is Christou Pigadi beach (Παραλία Χρήστου Πηγάδι), which is the northenmost beach of the village, and the next beach is Damatria about one kilometer away in the north. Christou Pigadia beach is a small, but organized beach with Christou Pigadi Restaurant (Εστιατόριο Χριστού Πηγάδι) on a hill.
Usually this a well protected place from the western winds, which is quite unique among Kipi Afiarti beaches in Karpathos.
