Map › Greece › Paros - Golden Beach › Santa Maria
Cicladi · Paros · Paros Regional Unit · Naoussa
Santa Maria
also known as Santa Maria Beach, Σάντα Μαρία, Santa Maria / Paros
Nearby Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti) 14 km · New Golden Beach (Tserdakia) 15 km · Pounta (Paros) 19 km · Pounda Beach (Antiparos) 20 km · Mikri Vigla 21 km · Glyfada (Naxos) 22 km · Agiassos 23 km · Korfos Bay 33 km · Pori Beach 37 km · Ftelia Bay 38 km · straight-line distance
When it fills in
Builds around noon and peaks in the afternoon, the same pattern as the rest of Paros.
The wind
locals call it Meltemi
Direction
Kite sizes
metres · typical quiver highlighted
Character
synoptic
fills in: Builds around noon and peaks in the afternoon, the same pattern as the rest of Paros.
Typical strength
18-25 knots in summer
Thermal or synoptic
synoptic Meltemi, building around midday
The quiver, in words
No local quiver is published. For 75-85 kg in the usual 18-25 knots, a 9 m covers the bottom of the range, an 8 m the middle and a 7 m the days that push past 25. Indicative bands from standard weight-and-wind sizing, not measured here.
Forecast
Month by month
- Jan80
- Feb69
- Mar65
- Apr67
- May49
- Jun, riders' month59
- Jul, riders' month84
- Aug, riders' month57
- Sep, riders' month58
- Oct62
- Nov80
- Dec63
per cent of the month at force 4 or more
Ringed months are the ones riders and schools name: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
- 15Jan17°
- 15Feb16°
- 14Mar17°
- 13Apr18°
- 11May19°
- 12Jun23°
- 15Jul25°
- 12Aug26°
- 13Sep25°
- 14Oct23°
- 14Nov20°
- 13Dec18°
avg knots per month · water °C below · season highlighted
| Month | Force 4+ | Knots | From | Air | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 80% | 15.4 kt | N | 12.9°C | 16.6°C |
| Feb | 69% | 15.3 kt | N | 12.9°C | 16.4°C |
| Mar | 65% | 14.3 kt | N | 13.6°C | 16.7°C |
| Apr | 67% | 13.4 kt | N | 17.1°C | 17.6°C |
| May | 49% | 11.3 kt | N | 19.7°C | 19.1°C |
| Jun | 59% | 12.2 kt | N | 24.6°C | 23°C |
| Jul | 84% | 15 kt | N | 27°C | 24.7°C |
| Aug | 57% | 12.2 kt | N | 26.9°C | 25.9°C |
| Sep | 58% | 12.5 kt | N | 24.8°C | 24.9°C |
| Oct | 62% | 13.7 kt | N | 21.2°C | 23°C |
| Nov | 80% | 14.4 kt | N | 17.8°C | 20.2°C |
| Dec | 63% | 13.1 kt | N | 15.3°C | 17.9°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 (2022-2024), 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 · 2022-2024
The water
Type
sea
Standing depth
Sand off the beach and a gentle, shallow entry you can wade out along, with rock patches mixed into the sand in places, so look at the bottom before you walk. How far the standing depth actually runs is not published anywhere, and in a working Meltemi what you notice is the chop over it rather than the depth.
Tides
Not a factor. Tide on this side of the Aegean runs under 10 cm between high and low water, so the launch and the shallows look the same at any hour; what moves the level here is wind and air pressure.
Temperature
Summer Paros averages 22.5 C in June, 24.2 C in July and 24.8 C in August; 22-26 C is given for Santa Maria.
Winter Paros winter monthly averages are about 16.0-17.6 C.
Wetsuit
Lycra or shorty in peak summer; a long wetsuit is recommended in June/September and shorty in July/August for the main Paros kite season.
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: medium
Somewhere else
Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti), 14 km
Every spot within 40 km is on the map at the top of this page, with its distance under it.
Launch
Sandy beach launch in Santa Maria bay only where clear of swimmers, beach bars, concessions and parked beach equipment.
Space
medium
Rules & access
Access rules drift faster than anything else we hold — check locally, and propose an edit if this has changed.
Rider tips
- Walk the bay before you rig; if swimmers and sunbeds have the sand, drive to Pounta or another legal kite area.
- Only ride here if you can get off the beach fast, because the Meltemi comes in straight onshore.
- Expect short chop and shore pressure in a strong Meltemi, not beginner-friendly flat water.
- Ask the local school or watersports centre what they tolerate at the launch that week.
- Outside July-August bring more neoprene: a long wetsuit for June and September, a shorty in the middle of summer.
- The 200 m distance from swimmers is the rule that decides your day: on a full August beach there is often nowhere legal to launch at all.
- Watch your feet on the way out; the sand has rock patches through it in places.
Getting there
Airport
Paros National Airport (PAS)
Route
Paved road from Parikia through Naoussa, about 14 km from Parikia and about 6 km from Naoussa. With no direct beach service running, take a taxi or walk down from the Naoussa bus junction.
Transfer
About 20 minutes by car or scooter from Parikia, under 10 minutes from Naoussa, and roughly 35-40 minutes from Paros airport.
Cost level
medium
Staying
Small hotels, self-catering apartments, tavernas and beach bars around Santa Maria; broader nightlife, restaurants and accommodation are in Naoussa and Parikia.
No-wind days
Naoussa, Parikia old town and port, Antiparos day trip, sheltered Paros beaches on strong Meltemi days, SUP/kayak in calm mornings, boat trips, restaurants and nightlife.
Photos
FAQ
When is the best time to kite at Santa Maria?
The reliable Meltemi season runs June to September, but kiting is mainly an out-of-season option because the beach fills with campers, bars and swimmers in summer.
Is Santa Maria suitable for beginners?
No, the spot is marked intermediate, since the direct onshore Meltemi, chop and reduced summer launch space make it unsuitable as a normal beginner spot.
What is the wind like at Santa Maria?
The Meltemi blows directly onshore from the north to north-northeast, typically 18-25 knots, building around midday and peaking in the afternoon.
Are there rules for kiting at Santa Maria?
Greece-wide Safe Water Sports rules apply, requiring a clear 100 m launch radius and prohibiting kiting within 200 m of swimmers or other obstacles.
Last updated: August 2026