Kolimbithres (Tinos)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Kolimbithres (Tinos) is a well-known sandy beach-break on the northern coast of Tinos, recognized for being very consistent (reported around ~150 days per year). The bottom is sand, and the water is described as clean and crystal-clear, with generally good wave quality driven by North Aegean swells. For surf, the break is typically worked by North/NE swell and is described as both right and left. Sources indicate it can start working around roughly 1.0–1.5m and hold larger swells (including days that run well above that range). However, on bigger swells it may close out (one source notes closure around ~3.5m), and rocks at the far ends/edges plus shore break can make wipeouts more hazardous. Wind-wise, summer conditions are dominated by the Meltemi/Etesian pattern, commonly strongest in the afternoon. The wind direction reported as North/NE aligns with swell generation for surf, while South wind is described as providing cleaner offshore conditions. Wind consistency in summer is reported as high, and gusts are characterized as moderate. Practical planning: conditions can get quite busy—especially on weekends and in July/August—and designated swimming and sport zones are typically marked/enforced in high season to reduce conflict between swimmers and water sports. Rescue availability is reported as limited and there is seasonal safety coverage; for emergencies, the Tinos Health Center is in Tinos Town (Chora) about 20–30 minutes away and the universal emergency number is 112.
- Very consistent sandy beach-break (~150 days/year)
- Clean/crystal-clear water
- North swell (N/NE) drives the surf
- Good facilities and food/drink on/near the beach during season
- Very consistent sandy surf break reported to work ~150 days/year.
- Clear water quality is reported as clean/crystal-clear.
- Good conditions for North swells with generally good wave quality.
- Facilities and food/drink are available at/near the spot during season.
- Rocks at the edges can create hazards.
- Rip currents can form during big North swells.
- Weekend crowds can be heavy; crowded peak summer days are reported.
- Onshore North wind can make kiting/windsurfing launches difficult; surfing can close out on larger swells.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE
- Offshore directions
- S
- No-go directions
- N
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Summer winds are dominated by Meltemi/Etesian patterns from the north; sources describe a thermal/gradient-driven strengthening through the day.
- Reliability
- High during summer (Meltemi season)
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gusts described as moderate.
- Best Months
- July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach and sandy/sand-bar wave behavior reported.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Surf is described as medium; works starting around 1.0–1.5m and can hold to larger sizes (up to 4m+ reported).
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Onshore wind can worsen conditions; otherwise generally manageable for surfing when swell/wind match.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space for entry and beachgoers.
Through the year
Busy in July and August; quiet and peaceful in May, June, and October.
Rain is most common from November to February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Primarily a surfing spot; kitesurfing may be possible during lighter North winds, but onshore/wave conditions make it challenging for beginners.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Suitable for wave riding when North wind is strong; onshore conditions can make getting out past the break difficult.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.5 m²
Foilable on calmer days or further out, but caution is advised due to shorebreak and shallow sandy areas.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Sandy beach-break on North Aegean swells with generally good wave quality; consistency is emphasized, with workability starting around 1.0–1.5m and holding to larger sizes.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed sandy bay; rocks at the far ends and occasional rocks on the sides can affect safety and ride quality.
- Wind Effect
- South wind provides cleaner offshore conditions for the surf; North wind creates the swell.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swells exceed about 3.5m; additional reports note the break can hold larger swell and remains very consistent.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides reported as medium; some sources note best days can run much longer than average.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Reports include short-to-normal lengths on many days, with best days offering longer rides (some sources mention ranges up to ~150m).
From the spot
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Kolimbithres (Tinos) in the full forecast view.
Kolimbithres (Tinos) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–24 ktsGusts 39 kts
- Direction
- N5°
- Strongest day
- Thu, Oct 2924 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.4 m3s period
- Temperature
- 16–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Kolimbithres (Tinos) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–24 kts, peaking around 24 kts on Thursday, October 29 with gusts to 39 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 0.1–1.4 m with a period of about 3s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
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
- Rip currents during big swells
- Rocks at the edges of the bay
- Crowded peak summer days
- Rocks (noted as a hazard for the break)
- Localism (reported as a hazard)
- Rip currents can form on the sides of the bay during large North swells
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard safety coverage is indicated; no formal public lifeguard service is described for the wider area, with seasonal safety cover via local surf schools during operational hours.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest health center is in Tinos Town (Chora), approximately 20–30 minutes away. Universal emergency number: 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism is reported as a hazard.
Rules of the spot
Designated swimming zones are typically marked during the high season; water sport zones may be enforced in peak summer months to separate surfers from swimmers.
- Water sport zones may be enforced during peak summer months to separate surfers from swimmers
- Park at the top if the beach area is full
- Use a local landmark to check conditions (VW bus bar)
- On weekends, expect more crowded conditions in the water
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Tinos Town
- Nearest Town
- Komi
- Nearest Airport
- Mykonos Island National Airport (JMK)
- Parking
- Parking is available near the beach and along the access road
- Public Transport
- Local KTEL buses run seasonally from Tinos Town to Komi; a rental car or scooter is highly recommended
- Access
- Accessible via a paved road from Tinos Town followed by a short descent to the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Greek
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Studios and small hotels are available in nearby villages such as Kalloni and Komi.
- Food & Drink
- Tavernas and a beach bar directly at the spot are reported.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboards and wetsuits are available for rent at the local surf school seasonally.
- Gear Storage
- Storage is described as available at the surf school for students; the wider area notes limited storage.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs sometimes handled by local schools; major repairs typically require transport.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Tinos blends religious significance with an outdoor sports scene and an authentic Cycladic atmosphere.
A village known for its massive granite boulders and traditional basket weaving.
Famous holy church in Tinos Town and a major pilgrimage site in Greece.
Museum in Pyrgos highlighting Tinos’ history of marble sculpture.
Extensive network of marked hiking trails connecting traditional villages and dovecotes.
Traditional Greek dining in a picturesque village square near the coast.
A walkable, family-friendly area with shops, creperies, and playgrounds.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Kolimbithres (Tinos)?
The best overall months at Kolimbithres (Tinos) are July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Kolimbithres (Tinos)?
Kolimbithres (Tinos) works with N, NE winds. Offshore directions are S. No-go directions are N.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Kolimbithres (Tinos)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Kolimbithres (Tinos): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Kolimbithres (Tinos) suitable for?
Kolimbithres (Tinos) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.