Seasonal· Karpathos· Greece — Dodecanese, Sporades & North Aegean
Karpathos Strait Winds & Gusts
35° 25.2′ N · 27° 8.8′ E · approximate
Karpathos has some of the strongest summer winds in the Aegean. The north-westerly meltemi funnels between Crete, Kasos and Karpathos, and its 1,215 m mountains throw violent katabatic gusts down into the east-coast harbours.
Practical
Windfinder's long-term station at Karpathos airport (2000–2026) averages 15 kn from WNW, with average gusts of 32 kn. Kasos averages 10 kn (gusts 18) and Astypalaia 12 kn (gusts 22) on the same site. Barbaros warns of sudden katabatic gusts off the high peaks and advises 'extreme caution' and strict anchor watch; mySea reports heavy meltemi downbursts in Pigadia harbour. Wikipedia notes that the west-coast beaches are the most exposed to the meltemi and usable only in light winds. Plan passages for early morning before the afternoon peak, reef early, and expect gusts to come from different directions under the cliffs. Position is the airport wind station.
Best for
Planning safe passage windows
Season
Strongest Jul–Aug; meltemi from late May to Sep
Nearby
- Karpathos Airport (AOK)Right here
- Makrys Gialos (Karpathos)0.6 NM away
- Diakoftis Beach (Karpathos)0.7 NM away
- Afiartis Windsurf & Kite Beaches (Karpathos)1.3 NM away
- Damatria Beach (Karpathos)2.2 NM away
- Arkasa (Karpathos)3.7 NM away
- Kastelia Beach & Reef (Amoopi, Karpathos)3.9 NM away
- Amoopi Tavernas & Minimarkets (Karpathos)4.1 NM away