Messakti
A sandy beach at the mouth of a stream, on Ikaria's north coast.
Messakti, next to the village of Armenistis, is a golden-sand beach with a lagoon behind it, open to the northern Aegean. With the meltemi it gets fairly powerful windswell.
Ikaria is a quiet island, and Messakti is its surf beach par excellence.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | N, NW |
| Best wind (offshore) | S, SW |
| Tide | No noticeable tide |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | June to September |
| Crowd | Light |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
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Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A funboard, shortboard or fish. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Messakti
The water is around 15 °C in winter and 24 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.
View on AmazonFor water from 17 °C.
View on AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonThe classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.
View on AmazonWarm-water wax won't grip in this water.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
Few people outside August.
Surfing style
Windswell beach break.
Hazards
Strong currents during the meltemi; lifeguards in summer.
Map
Other spots nearby
Tinos (Cícladas)
The Cyclades' surf bay, on the north of Tinos, with waves when the meltemi blows.
Kissamos (Creta)
The big beach at Crete's western tip, open to the Ionian Sea and its westerly swells.
Metochi (Acaya, Peloponeso)
A long beach among pine woods in the north-west Peloponnese, near Patras.
Agios Nikitas (Lefkada)
A white-sand beach below cliffs on Lefkada's west coast.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.