Map › Greece › Kos - Mastichari/Marmari › Kefalos
Greece, Turkey (Aegean coast) and Cyprus · Kos - Kefalos · Kos Regional Unit
Kefalos
also known as Kochylari, Kochylari Beach
Nearby Kohilari 3 km · Marmari (Kos) 15 km · Mastichari 20 km · Tigaki West Beach 24 km · Akyarlar 34 km · Psalidi 35 km · Fener (Turgutreis, Bodrum) 35 km · straight-line distance
When it fills in
Builds towards midday, peaks through the afternoon, drops away in the evening.
The wind
locals call it Meltemi
Direction
Kite sizes
metres · typical quiver highlighted
Character
thermal
fills in: Builds towards midday, peaks through the afternoon, drops away in the evening.
Typical strength
15-25
Also on record
15-25
The quiver, in words
10-12m most useful; 9-14m typical for Kos depending on rider weight and wind
Direction to shore
side-shore to side-onshore
Forecast
Month by month
- Jan79
- Feb75
- Mar79
- Apr71
- May, riders' month61
- Jun, riders' month75
- Jul, riders' month90
- Aug, riders' month77
- Sep, riders' month72
- Oct, riders' month58
- Nov67
- Dec73
per cent of the month at force 4 or more
Ringed months are the ones riders and schools name: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
- 16Jan19°
- 16Feb18°
- 16Mar18°
- 15Apr18°
- 13May20°
- 14Jun23°
- 16Jul25°
- 14Aug27°
- 14Sep26°
- 13Oct25°
- 14Nov22°
- 15Dec21°
avg knots per month · water °C below · season highlighted
| Month | Force 4+ | Knots | From | Air | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 79% | 16.2 kt | N | 13.3°C | 19.4°C |
| Feb | 75% | 15.7 kt | N | 13.3°C | 18°C |
| Mar | 79% | 15.5 kt | NNW | 13.9°C | 17.7°C |
| Apr | 71% | 14.6 kt | NW | 16.9°C | 18.3°C |
| May | 61% | 12.7 kt | NNW | 20.1°C | 19.9°C |
| Jun | 75% | 13.6 kt | NW | 24.3°C | 23.3°C |
| Jul | 90% | 16.4 kt | NNW | 27.3°C | 25.3°C |
| Aug | 77% | 13.9 kt | NW | 27.1°C | 26.7°C |
| Sep | 72% | 14 kt | NNW | 25.2°C | 26.3°C |
| Oct | 58% | 12.7 kt | NNW | 21.7°C | 24.8°C |
| Nov | 67% | 13.9 kt | NNW | 18.3°C | 22.4°C |
| Dec | 73% | 14.7 kt | N | 15.7°C | 20.5°C |
modelled
A weather model's cell over this place, not a station on it. Good for comparing places, weaker for one beach.
Modelled from weather reanalysis on a 10–25 km grid (2020-2024), not a ground station: reliable for trade and synoptic winds, understates thermal sea breezes and valley winds. The typical daily max and the direction are columns of the table above, month by month. Highlighted months are the riding season from the spot record.
ERA5 reanalysis grid point (modelled) · Open-Meteo historical weather API — ECMWF ERA5/ERA5-Land reanalysis, not a ground station · 2020-2024
The water
Type
flat, chop, small waves
Standing depth
Shallow for the first stretch off the sand, then depth comes on gradually - the near-shore shallows are where lessons run. No measured depth or distance was found.
Tides
Effectively tideless. The daily swing is on the order of 10 cm, so the launch, the shallow strip and the sandbank look the same all day; wind and air pressure shift the water level more than the tide does.
Temperature
24°C summer
Wetsuit
summer: no wetsuit or lycra; autumn: shorty; winter: wetsuit
Currents
A moderate current runs along the coast. Reported once and unconfirmed.
Your level
The scene
What riders come here for
Launch and rules
three ways on to the water, and what each one asks of you
With a school or a boat
2 schools name this spot
On your own
Room to launch: Large beach with lots of space, though the cove itself is more restricted than Kefalos main bay.
Somewhere else
Kohilari, 3 km
Every spot within 40 km is on the map at the top of this page, with its distance under it.
Rescue
Launch
Long, soft sandy beach north of Kefalos with a mobile kite center; roughly 2 km of beach, with the wider beach area described as much larger and obstacle-free.
Space
Large beach with lots of space, though the cove itself is more restricted than Kefalos main bay.
Rules & access
Access rules drift faster than anything else we hold — check locally, and propose an edit if this has changed.
Rider tips
- Confirm the exact launch with the school before you drive out; Kefalos is used as a name for more than one beach on the peninsula.
- Bring sun cover. The beach is exposed and has almost no natural shade.
- Come with a car, or arrange the spot shuttle from Mastichari; there is no other practical way to move gear here.
Getting there
Airport
Kos International Airport (KGS)
Route
A car is recommended: drive west on Kos and follow signs to Kohilari. Kohilari is also served by a spot shuttle from Mastichari.
Transfer
40 min
Cost level
medium
Staying
Kefalos has hotels and studios nearby, with accommodation 1.6-2.0 km from Kohilari Kite Centre.
No-wind days
SUP rental at Kohilari Kite Center, nearby Kefalos beaches, Paradise Beach, Camel Beach, Agios Stefanos basilica, and wider Kos sightseeing.
Photos
FAQ
When is the best time to kite here?
The main season runs June to September, with May and October as shoulder months and 80-90 percent wind reliability in high summer.
Is this spot suitable for beginners?
Kite schools operate on the beach and describe the shallow water near shore as suitable for beginners, though it is also rated for experienced wave and freestyle riders.
What is the wind like?
A thermal Meltemi from the northwest, typically 15-25 knots and building around noon, with gusts to 30 knots or more on strong days.
Are there kite schools nearby?
Yes, Kohilari Kite Center and a mobile KitesurfingKos center both operate at the beach.
Last updated: August 2026