The spot in short: Elafonisi is a stunning pink-sand beach on the southwest coast of Crete, connected to a small island by a shallow lagoon. The combination of crystal-clear turquoise water, reliable Meltemi winds, and a natural flat-water lagoon makes it an exceptional windsurfing spot.

Conditions: The dominant wind is the Meltemi (northwesterly), which funnels along the west coast of Crete and hits the beach side-shore to side-onshore. The shallow lagoon between the beach and Elafonisi island provides flat water ideal for freestyle and freeride, while the open sea beyond offers small to medium wave sailing.

Season: The Meltemi season runs from June to September, with July and August being the most consistent months. Wind typically builds from late morning, reaching 15-25 knots by early afternoon, with stronger days pushing into the low 30s. Sail sizes range from 4.5 to 6.0 depending on the day.

Hazards: The lagoon is very shallow in places — watch for rocky patches and sea urchins. The beach is a protected Natura 2000 site, so respect the environment and stay within designated launch areas. The drive to Elafonisi is along narrow mountain roads, so plan extra travel time.