Agios Ioannis Port (Volos) (Pelion)

Shortboard, Advanced riders
Best for
Advanced
Skill Level
Swell
Spot Type
Quiet
Crowd Level

This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.

About this spot

About

Agios Ioannis Port is an exposed Pelion point break on the Aegean coast that can produce both right and left waves. It is considered a regional classic when conditions come together, but surf is also described as notably inconsistent—overall quality depends heavily on the presence of strong Aegean swell (starting to work around roughly 2–2.5 meters) and favorable wind/wave alignment. From the spot-specific guidance, West winds are the key to grooming the swell for cleaner conditions. When winds turn onshore from North or Northeast, the break is reported as messy, and conditions can deteriorate even if swell is present. For larger swells, the spot is reported to hold its shape and remain rideable up to about 4 meters or more. The wave zone is rock- and harbor-affected: rocky structures along the point and harbor wall create hazards, variable currents, and more difficult launch conditions. Sources strongly emphasize that experienced surfers should plan for careful entry and exit, and that local knowledge of the rocky bottom is important for safety. Timing-wise, the spot is associated with a winter/late-autumn swell window. Crowd reports point to empty/quiet conditions on weekdays, with only a few surfers on weekends when swell is good. In terms of services, there are amenities in the village (food and drinks along the waterfront plus basic facilities like toilets and parking), while rescue/lifeguard coverage is not indicated for the immediate spot—so riders should treat it as a safety-sensitive, condition-dependent environment.

  • Exposed point break with right and left waves
  • Working swell from ~2–2.5 meters; holds up to 4+ meters
  • West winds described as providing the cleanest conditions
  • Rock/harbor hazards and variable currents make entry/exit difficult
Great for
Surfing shortboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Exposed point break that can produce both right and left waves when the swell and West winds align.
  • Working swell starts around 2–2.5 meters and can hold up to 4 meters or more.
  • Quiet on weekdays; limited local presence.
Heads up
  • Highly inconsistent; depends on strong Aegean storm swells.
  • Rocky point/harbor wall with difficult entry/exit and variable currents.
  • Wind sports are generally unreliable here.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
W, WNW
Offshore directions
W, WNW
Wind Type
Frontal — Spot-level sources describe the best conditions in relation to frontal/storm systems; wind sports are noted as generally unreliable.
Reliability
Low for wind sports (winds tied to storm systems for surfing swells).
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts
Best Months
October, November, December, January, February, March
Shadow Zones
High mountains of Pelion can create significant wind shadows and turbulence.

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell
Beach
Mixed — Mixed composition (sources also mention sandy with rock in the bottom zone).
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Big — Reported big wave potential; working swell typically starts around 2–2.5m and can hold up to 4m+.
Launch
Medium — Beach access adjacent to the harbor or entry from rocks near the port wall.
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Difficult launch due to harbor proximity, rocky structures, and navigation constraints.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
13–28 °C
Water Temperature
8–32 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 4/3mm + BootsNov–Apr: 3/2mm
Crowds by Season

Quiet and empty on weekdays; a few local surfers may visit on weekends with good swell.

Storm/Rain Season

Rainy season typically occurs from November to March.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed Pelion point break producing both right and left waves; surf requires a significant Aegean swell to work effectively.

Point break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
N, NE, E
Swell Height
2–4 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Sources note low and mid tide as preferable; optimal tide is listed as mid in the spot-level data.
Shelter
Exposed — Open/exposed point break with no nearby protection from swell or wind.
Wind Effect
West offshore winds provide the cleanest conditions; onshore North/Northeast winds make the break messy.
Bigger Swell
The spot holds its shape with larger swells and is reported as rideable up to 4 meters or more.
Wave Quality
Good — Described as a regional classic with good wave quality when conditions align.
Wave Power
Moderate
Wave Shape
Mixed
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Medium — Normal rides are short (<50m), but on good days rides can reach ~150m.
Typical Ride Length
50–150 m
Ride Length Details
Waves typically offer short rides under 50 meters, but on good days with proper swell rides can reach 150 meters.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Agios Ioannis Port (Volos) (Pelion) in the full forecast view.

Agios Ioannis Port (Volos) (Pelion) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
3–11 ktsGusts 28 kts
Direction
N9°
Strongest day
Tue, Oct 2711 kts
Windy days
0/712 kts or more
Waves
0.2–1.6 m4s period
Temperature
13–20 °C

Over the next 7 days, Agios Ioannis Port (Volos) (Pelion) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 0.2–1.6 m with a period of about 4s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

What to know before you launch

Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.

Hazards

  • Rocks
  • Inconsistent swell
  • Sharp harbor structures
  • Variable currents depending on swell intensity and wind direction
  • Rocky bottom near the point/harbor wall
Ability Level: Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitBootsLeashKnife

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguards specifically indicated for the spot.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — Spot-level source indicates rescue availability as no; regional context describes rescue as limited in the broader area with port authority presence.
Emergency Info
Nearest medical facilities are located in Zagora or Volos city. General emergency number 112.
Localism / Vibe
Mild

Rules of the spot

Experienced surfers only; entry/exit is complicated by rocks around the point and harbor structures. Conditions are inconsistent and depend on strong Aegean swells.

Local Tips
  • Wait for West winds to groom the swell for the best surf conditions.
  • Local knowledge of the rocky bottom is essential for safe entry and exit.
  • Expect the spot to be highly inconsistent—surf quality depends heavily on strong Aegean storm swells.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Volos
Nearest Town
Agios Ioannis
Parking
Public parking available within the village of Agios Ioannis near the harbor
Public Transport
KTEL Magnesias bus service provides daily connections between Volos and the Mouresi coastal villages
Access
Accessible by car from Volos to Agios Ioannis via Pelion mountain routes through Hania or Argalasti (about 1.5–2 hours).
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
Greek
Amenities

What's on the beach

Toilets
Parking
Restaurant
Bar
Showers
Accommodation
Nearby town — Numerous hotels, guesthouses, and apartments are available in/around Agios Ioannis.
Food & Drink
Various tavernas, cafes, and bars line the waterfront in the village.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Agios Ioannis Port (Volos) (Pelion)?

The best overall months at Agios Ioannis Port (Volos) (Pelion) are January, February, March, October, November, December. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March.

Which wind directions work at Agios Ioannis Port (Volos) (Pelion)?

Agios Ioannis Port (Volos) (Pelion) works with W, WNW winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW.

What skill level is Agios Ioannis Port (Volos) (Pelion) suitable for?

Agios Ioannis Port (Volos) (Pelion) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.