Santa Maria Windsurfing Center

Santa Maria Windsurfing Center has operated at New Golden Beach (locally known as Tserdakia) on the northeast coast of Paros for more than 30 years, making it the longest-running windsurf school on the island. The center is co-founded by a Greek national windsurf champion, holds PWA Official Spot status, and sits directly on a Blue Flag beach that averages over 320 windy days per year — one of the most consistent wind windows in the Aegean.

The setup covers windsurfing, wingfoiling, and stand-up paddleboarding, with courses designed for all skill levels from first-timers to riders looking to progress beyond the basics. What separates this center from others in the Cyclades is a concrete safety standard: every rider carries a GPS tracker during sessions, and two rescue Zodiacs are on the water at all times. No other windsurf center on Paros operates at that level of on-water supervision.

With a 4.9-star rating across more than 200 Google reviews, the center's reputation is built on consistent instruction quality and equipment that is kept current. If you're planning a sailing or wind-sports trip to Paros, New Golden Beach is the address to build it around.

What to Expect

New Golden Beach faces northeast, which means it sits squarely in the path of the Meltemi — the summer northerly wind that blows hard and reliably through the Cyclades from late June into September. When the Meltemi is running, conditions here produce steady, cross-shore wind with manageable chop, which is exactly what makes it a PWA-recognized spot and ideal for learning or advancing.

The center's equipment fleet is described as the latest available, covering windsurfing rigs, wingfoil setups, SUP boards, and canoes. Courses run for all ability levels: complete beginners work through the fundamentals of balance and sail handling in shallow, supervised water, while intermediate and advanced riders can rent equipment and head out independently or book technique-focused sessions.

The GPS-on-every-rider system is worth emphasizing — it's a real-time monitoring tool, not a post-session download. Combined with two safety Zodiacs, it means instructors and safety crew can respond immediately if a rider drifts or needs assistance. For anyone who has taken wind-sports lessons at smaller or less-equipped schools, this level of infrastructure is a notable step up.

Accommodation packages are available through the center, which is useful for anyone planning a multi-day wind-sports stay. The beach itself carries Blue Flag certification, meaning water quality, safety facilities, and environmental standards are independently verified each season.

How to Get There

New Golden Beach is on the northeastern coast of Paros, roughly 10 kilometers from Parikia (the main port) and about 6 kilometers north of Naoussa. The center's address is registered as New Golden Beach, Paros 844 00.

By car or scooter, follow the road from Naoussa toward Santa Maria and New Golden Beach — the route is well-signposted and takes under 15 minutes from Naoussa. Parking is available along the beach road. From Parikia, allow around 20–25 minutes by car.

Bus service connects Parikia and Naoussa regularly during summer; from Naoussa, taxis or a short rental-vehicle trip cover the remaining distance to the beach. If you're staying in Naoussa, cycling to New Golden Beach is a practical option on quieter mornings. There is no direct ferry access to this part of the coast.

Coordinates: 37.146°N, 25.2458°E — accurate for GPS navigation directly to the beach.

Best Time to Visit

The Meltemi wind season runs from late June through August and into early September, and this is when New Golden Beach is at its most active. Wind speeds during this period are strong enough for experienced riders to get genuinely powered sessions, while the training area closer to shore remains manageable for beginners under supervision.

June and September offer the same wind window with fewer people on the beach and water. July and August are the peak crowd months across Paros, and the beach fills up, but the center's structured session management keeps the water organized.

Mornings tend to be calmer before the Meltemi builds through midday — useful for absolute beginners who want flatter conditions to start. By early afternoon, the wind is typically at full strength. If your goal is to log as many sessions as possible, a stay of four to seven days mid-season gives the best statistical chance of consistently windy days.

Outside the June–September window, wind is less predictable, and it's worth contacting the center directly before booking travel if you're visiting in May or October.

Tips for Visiting

• Book lessons in advance for July and August. The center is consistently well-reviewed and fills up during peak season; walk-in availability is not guaranteed.
• Contact the center by email or phone before arrival to confirm which activities are running on your dates and to discuss your skill level. Email: [email protected] / Phone: +30 694 598 8628.
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen. New Golden Beach is a Blue Flag beach, and standard chemical sunscreens are environmentally damaging in protected water areas.
• Wear water shoes or sandals to the beach. The shoreline at New Golden Beach is sandy but pebbled in sections; footwear makes the walk from parking to the waterline more comfortable.
• The GPS tracker is included in every session — you do not need to supply your own safety equipment beyond what the center provides, but ask about wetsuits if you're visiting in late May or October when the water is cooler.
• If you're staying multi-day, ask about accommodation packages. The center offers combined stay-and-sessions arrangements that can simplify logistics compared to booking separately.
• Wingfoiling is a separate discipline from windsurfing — if you want to try it, mention that specifically when booking, as not all time slots may include foil equipment.
• Check the center's Instagram (@paroswindsurfcenter) for recent conditions updates and to get a realistic sense of daily wind and sea state before heading out.

Activities and Facilities

The core offering is windsurfing instruction and rental, structured into courses for beginners through to advanced levels. Wingfoiling — riding a board lifted off the water by a hydrofoil, powered by a handheld inflatable wing — is a newer discipline that the center has integrated alongside its traditional windsurf program. It's technically demanding but increasingly popular with riders who want the next step beyond conventional windsurfing.

SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) and canoe rentals are available for visitors who want to be on the water without the wind-sports learning curve. These are also suitable for children and for calmer morning sessions before the Meltemi builds.

Safety infrastructure includes GPS tracking on every rider and two rescue Zodiacs on the water during all sessions — a standard that the center explicitly highlights as unique among Paros wind-sports operators. The beach itself provides standard Blue Flag facilities including supervised swimming areas, sanitation facilities, and maintained foreshore.

Accommodation linked to the center is available for multi-day wind-sports packages, making New Golden Beach a viable base for a dedicated kitesurfing and windsurfing trip rather than just a day-trip activity.