Prasonisi: riding to the wild southern tip of Rhodes

Prasonisi is the full stop at the end of Rhodes: a small rocky islet joined to the mainland by a wide strip of sand, with the Aegean on one side and the Mediterranean on the other. On a summer afternoon one side is flat and calm while the other is covered in kites and windsurf sails. It is a long ride from Rhodes town, and one of the most memorable.

Getting there

About 90 km from Rhodes town via the east coast: Lindos, Lardos, Gennadi, then Kattavia and the final straight road to the sand. Allow two hours on the ODESS 650cc ATV or a 300cc–400cc scooter without stops; a 125cc scooter is possible but tiring for two. Make it a full day, or better, stay overnight in the south.

The two seas

The east side of the isthmus is usually calm and shallow, good for swimming and children. The west side takes the wind and the waves, which is why kite and windsurf schools set up here from late spring to autumn. Walk across the sand to the islet when the water is low; in high summer the strip is dry, in spring it can be flooded.

When to go

• Wind: strongest in July and August, especially in the afternoon. Great for watching the kites, less great for sunbathing.
• Light: late afternoon, when the sun drops over the west bay and the kites are lit from behind.
• Quiet: May, June and September. Fewer people, warm sea, softer wind.

Stops on the way

Pefkos, Glystra and Gennadi for a swim; the village of Kattavia for a coffee under the trees; the abandoned Italian village of Agios Pavlos near Kattavia if you like quiet, strange places. For the return, consider the west coast road via Apolakkia and Monolithos castle, described on our Discover Rhodes page.

Practical

• Fill up in Gennadi or Kattavia. There is no fuel at Prasonisi.
• The last stretch is exposed; hold on when the wind picks up and read our ATV driving tips before a long day.
• Bring cash, water and a windbreaker. Tavernas at the isthmus are seasonal.

Ready for the long ride? Our ATVs and scooters are available online; two-day rentals give you time to enjoy the south properly.