WINDS IN LATE JULY?
 

We are going to Santorini and were considering Naxos before going to Athens. We are prepared for wind on Santorini. Not crazy about wind the whole time with three kids. Would it be advisable to maybe go somewhere on the mainland or maybe Kefalonia? Or is there less windy places on Naxos? We will be flying.

I don't know where you got this impression, but wind is not a constant fact of life on Santorini. I wouldn't let it deter you.

Meltemi winds come from the north, and are strongest during July and August on islands in the middle of the Aegean. Many people consider it a blessing, because that's what keeps the islands cooler than the mainland in mid-summer. If you would rather have scorching heat than wind, go to the mainland. Corfu and Kefalonia do have a lower av wind speed than the Cyclades (see http://www.waterways.com/weather.html) but getting from Santorini to there won't be easy.

To clarify, I should have said, "Winds that would be strong enough to ruin your vacation are not a constant fact of life on Santorini." And Heimdall's spot-on correct when he says the wind can be a blessing in the scorching heat.

Naxos and Paros form a funnel to concentrate that northern summer wind, at least on parts of their east and west sides. This is a famous godsend for windsport folks, but shouldn't necessarily be something you should run away from or expect in tourist areas.

As I understand it, you are not asking about Santorini because it is a must, but about other islands. I could give you 100 hours of reading about every nuance, but start with the summary "wind" section at bottom of http://www.greeka.com/greece/greece-windsurf.htm

Viking you are right. We are meeting people in Santorini and then moving on to another location.

I have been to Greece several times in September but not the Cyclades...mainland and Ionian Islands with no wind really. So when I read "despite the wind..." and ferries cancelled because of wind. I would like to find a spot with less wind than other places, that doesn't mean no wind.

Wherenext, every July and August the Cyclades are packed with people enjoying their holidays. Strong Meltemi winds aren't always present - when they come, they last for a few days and then subside. For me, they are more of a problem in May or September when the wind can bring temperatures too low for comfort. Here is another website on the Meltemi: http://tinyurl.com/y2ja6e.

If you wish, You could move on from Santorini to the mainland or the Ionian, but it would be easier to stay somewhere near Santorini. How about the south coast of Crete? I have no experience of that area, but perhaps someone else can advise.