Pack a picnic and hire a traditional fishing boat, or caique, and take a trip around Hydra Island, stopping at various secluded bays to swim in sparkling blue waters.
Read More›Hydra has a variety of swimming spots and beaches, some close to town, some remote and secluded, accessible only by boat. In addition, you can pack a picnic and hire a cacique (a traditional fishing boat) for a day on the water or go for a scuba dive in the waters of the island.
In the descriptions below, all distances to beaches are approximated from Hydra Harbor.
Beaches in Hydra Town
Spilia Swimming Rocks (3–5 minutes’ walk)
Spilia Cafe at Spilia Rocks
Spilia, Greek for “cave,” is a largish area of swimming rocks, paved in places with concrete platforms, on the west corner of Hydra Harbor up by the canons. Bathers at Spilia, the closest public “beach” to Hydra Town, will enjoy the deep, clear, azure water as well as access to the Spilia Café, with outdoor seating and fabulous views of the sea, the mainland, and Hydra Harbor.
Hydronetta Swimming Rocks (3–5 minutes’ walk)
Hydronetta swimming rocks and beach bar
Hydronetta provides a picturesque spot for swimming off the rocks or sunbathing on the concrete platforms. After an afternoon of swimming, watch the sunset from the terrace. The water here is delicious, the views spectacular, and the beach bar offers food and drink all day.
Beaches Heading West along the Coast Road
Avlaki Bay (5–10 minutes by foot)
Avlaki, the first beach as you leave Hydra Harbor
Though not technically in Hydra Town, Avlaki Bay is just another two minutes or so past the canons at Spilia along the coast road. Located in a sheltered cove, the Avlaki swimming areaprovides a small pebble beach and a concrete platform at the bottom of a fairly steep flight of stairs. The water here is deep, calm, and clear, and Avlaki tends to be less crowded than Spilia. Climbing up and down can be a bit demanding, making Avlaki less appropriate for those with mobility issues or small children. Swimmers should bring all refreshments and any other necessities with them as shops and cafes are not close by.
Kamini Beach (15–20 minutes by foot)
Kamini Beach outside Castello
Located about 1 kilometer from Hydra Town just past Kamini Harbor, this pebble beach is situated just in front of the old armory, recently restored as a restaurant and bar called Castello. The strip of beach closet to the water and the surrounding rocks remain open to the public, whereas Castello rents the chaises longues with umbrellas stationed out front to its customers (5 euros per day). The clean, crisp water here is shallower as the beach shelves gently, making this a good spot for children and families. Do, however, bring some sort of swimming sandal as the stones getting in and out of the water can be very hard on tender feet. Two tavernas in closeby Kamini Harbor provide a more affordable alternative for refreshment if the prices at Castello are higher than anticipated.
A putt-putt boat runs to Kamini hourly; it docks just in front of the clock tower on the Port. Alternatively, you hire a water taxi (€10) or get there by foot along the coast road.
Vlychos Beach (25–30 minutes’ walk)
Vlychos’s pebble beach
Located 2 kilometers from Hydra Town along the coast road, this tiny village has a larger (for Hydra) sand and pebble beach. There are also two tavernas, one overlooking the beach (Enalion) and the other overlooking the sea (Marina’s), as well as a small refreshments shop. The clean, crisp water here is shallower as the beach shelves gently, making this a good spot for children and families. Do, however, bring some sort of swimming sandal as the stones getting in and out of the water can be very hard on tender feet. Views from the beach of the mainland and surrounding islands are lovely. Chaises longues and umbrellas are available for rent.
A putt-putt boat runs to Vlychos hourly; it docks just in front of the clock tower on the Port. Alternatively, you hire a water taxi (€15) or get there by foot along the coast road past Kamini.
Four Seasons (Plakes Vlychos) (35–45 minutes’ walk)
Plakes sand beach in Vlychos
Operated by the Four Seasons hotel, Plakes Vlychos offers a long, white sand beach with panoramic views of the mainland and surrounding islands over a clear, aquamarine sea. The beach shelves gently here, providing shallow water ideal for waders and children. A taverna right on the beach offers traditional fare all day long, and chaise longues and umbrellas are available for rent. Four Seasons operates a putt-putt boat that runs every hour between Plakes and Hydra Harbor; it docks just in front of the clock tower on the Port. Alternatively, you hire a water taxi (€18) or get there by foot along the coast road, past Kamini and Vlychos proper.
Bisti Bay (by boat)
Bisti Bay with its shady beach
Located in a south-facing bay backed by pines, this stunning white pebble beach with emerald and aquamarine seas is accessed by boats that run back and forth on a timetable (~every 2 hours between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.). Umbrellas and chaises longues are available for rent, and refreshments and snacks are available. The shallow water makes Bisti a good option for families. Visitors planning to spend the day might want to pack a lunch and additional refreshments. In addition to swimming and sunbathing, Bisti, with its small bays, provides great snorkeling.
Catch the put-put from in front of the clock tower in Hydra Harbor. Alternatively, you can hire a water taxi for €60 one way.
After Bisti beach, there is another little beach under the little chapel of Agios Georgios. The beach is not accessible by land.
Ayios Nikolaos (by boat)
A pristine beach with umbrellas for shade
On western coast of Hydra, Ayios Nikolaos is a secluded pebble beach situated in a large bay surrounded by piney slopes. Accessible by boat, it provides facilities for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling, as well as food and drink, during the season.
Put-put boats leave for this beach from in front of the clock tower in Hydra Harbor. Alternatively, you can hire a water taxi for €70 one way.
Beaches Heading East along the Coast Road
Mandraki Bay (20–30 minutes’ walk)
Formerly Hydra’s military port, Mandraki, situated about 2 kilometers from Hydra Port in a small cove, provides a small pebble beach. The Mire Mare beach resort is currently closed, meaning that it no longer provides food and drink, accommodation, or beach facilities. Beach-goers are still more than welcome to use the beach, however. The Mandraki 1800 Taverna is still open during the summer and serves traditional taverna fare. There is a small beach with some chairs just below the taverna.
Mandraki can be reached by foot along the coast road or by boat. The walk along the coast road will take you past lovely villas and charming cottages and offers gorgeous views of the Saronic and the mainland, but there’s little shade, so be sure to bring water and a hat. Alternatively, you can take either a put-put, which leaves from under the clock tower in Hydra Harbor, or you can take a water taxi (€15).
Remote Beaches without Facilities
Molos Bay (by boat or hike)
Nearly inaccessible by land, Molos is a delightful desintation for boat picnics.
Difficult to access both by land and sea, thus nearly deserted, Molos remains one of the least developed, thus most pristine, beaches on Hydra. Nestled into a large, sheltered bay and banking gently into shallow water good for wading, the beach is backed by a large, privately owned property; you can wander along the footpaths on either side however. Consider packing a picnic, hiring a water taxi (€40) or renting a caique, and visiting Molos for a private day of swimming. Remember that you must bring all provisions as there are no public facilities at the beach.
Kaoumithi (by hike or boat)
Koumithi from the water (Photo from ExploringGreece.gr)
About 20 minutes (1.6 km) by foot south of Molos along the coast, Kaoumithi offers crystal blue waters and shady pine trees.
As there are no facilities, you must pack a picnic or bring any refreshments. If you opt to take a water taxi, be sure to arrange to be picked up at a certain time.
Nisiza (by boat or hike)
(Photo by Spilios Spiliotis)
Located on the southwestern side of Hydra, this pebble beach looks out onto the Myrtoo Sea. A small peninsula jets out into the water, ending in a tiny island. About 100 meters to the east of the peninsula, you will find the cave of Nisiza, whose ceiling is said to have collapsed and buried a shepherd 150 years ago. The area is the site of an ancient settlement.
To reach Nisiza, you will need to hike (several hours) or take a water taxi (be sure to arrange to be picked up). You’ll also need to pack a picnic or take any refreshments and snacks.
Klimaki (by hike or boat)
Next is Klimaki, a pebbled beach on the northwestern side of Hydra with crystal waters, as well as a few cottages and small churches.
As there are no facilities, you must pack a picnic or bring any refreshments. If you opt to take a water taxi, be sure to arrange to be picked up at a certain time.
If you wanted, you could walk there, following the route to Limnioniza and Karalis (see below) and continuing along the road.
Limnioniza (by boat or hike)
Looking down on Limnioniza
Situated in a long cove, Limnioniza’s deserted pebble beach provides shallow, clear water. This sole beach on the southeastern side of Hydra is accessed either by boat or on foot from Hydra Town. You can take one of two routes to get there: either walk to Mandraki and follow the road past the now-closed Mire Mare resort or walk to the back of Hydra Town to the Kala Pigadia neighborhood and trek over the mountain past Agia Triada. The walk down to the beach is quite steep along a very narrow, winding, rocky trail, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes.
Alternatively, you can hire a boat to drop you off and fetch you at a prearranged time.
Remember to bring refreshments and any umbrellas, chairs, mats you’d like to have as none of these things are available in Limnioniza.
Karalis (by boat or hike)
Looking down on Karalis (Photo by Spilios Spiliotis)
Like Limnioniza, Karalis lacks any facilities, so you must bring pack a picnic or take any refreshments with you.
To get there, you will need to follow the route to Limnioniza, but rather than heading down to that beach, you will continue along the road toward Riga.
Alternatively, you can hire a water taxi. As you won’t get a signal there, be sure to arrange for your pick-up.
Diving and Water Activities
In Greece, scuba divers must be accompanied by a licensed guide by law, and Hydra Diving Center will take divers out both during the day and at night.
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