Best Beaches & Swimming Spots in Kastellorizo

Kastellorizo isn’t a Greek island you visit for long stretches of golden sand.

In fact, that’s one of the most important things to understand before travelling here.

The coastline is predominantly rocky, and swimming often means stepping or diving into wonderfully clear water from rocks, platforms and small piers. Greece’s official tourism website specifically describes Kastellorizo as an island without the sandy beaches found on many other Greek destinations.

But don’t mistake that for poor swimming.

Kastellorizo has some exceptional places to swim.

The water around the island can be extraordinarily clear, and boat trips open up even more possibilities on nearby islets.

Here are the best beaches and swimming spots in Kastellorizo.

Kastellorizo Swimming Spots at a Glance

Swimming spot	Best for
Mandraki	Easiest beach-like experience
Faros	Convenient swimming near town
Plakes	Clear water & rocky swimming
Agios Georgios Islet	Best swimming excursion
Blue Cave	Most memorable experience
Ro	Remote boat excursion
Megisti Hotel area	Convenient harbour swimming
Kavos	Easy access from the settlement

1. Mandraki

Best for: the closest thing to a traditional beach

If you’re looking for somewhere resembling a conventional beach, start with Mandraki.

Mandraki sits on the other side of the settlement from Kastellorizo’s main harbour and can be reached on foot.

Some travel sources describe it as the island’s only sandy beach, although Kastellorizo’s coastline is generally rocky and the swimming area itself has a rocky seabed.

So don’t imagine a huge organised beach covered in sunbeds.

Think instead of a small, sheltered place where entering the water is easier than at many of Kastellorizo’s rocky swimming spots.

Best for

Families
Less confident swimmers
A convenient swim
Visitors wanting something resembling a beach

2. Faros

Best for: easy swimming near the settlement

Faros lies around the eastern entrance to the main harbour and is one of Kastellorizo’s established swimming areas.

The Friends of Kastellorizo visitor guide specifically identifies Faros as a designated place for swimming.

This isn’t a conventional beach.

You’re coming here to enter beautiful deep water rather than stretch out on a broad expanse of sand.

That’s really the Kastellorizo swimming experience.

Best for

Strong swimmers
Clear water
A quick swim without taking a boat

3. Plakes

Best for: rocky swimming and beautiful water

Plakes — literally referring to the flat rocks — is one of the island’s most attractive swimming locations.

The area lies towards the northwestern entrance of the harbour and can be approached by sea or as part of the walking route towards Cape Agios Stefanos.

Here the appeal isn’t a beach at all.

It’s the combination of flat rocks and wonderfully clear water.

Bring water shoes and something comfortable to sit on if you’re planning to stay for a while.

Best for

Confident swimmers
Snorkelling
Clear water
Combining walking and swimming

4. Agios Georgios Islet

Best overall swimming excursion

If I wanted to devote half a day primarily to swimming, Agios Georgios would probably be my first choice.

The small islet lies opposite Mandraki and is reached by boat taxi.

The Municipality of Megisti describes a beautiful cove with turquoise water beside the little church of Agios Georgios and specifically recommends it for swimming and exploring underwater with a snorkel. There’s also somewhere to eat on the islet.

That combination makes it particularly attractive:

beautiful water,
snorkelling,
a tiny island,
a church
and food.

It’s much closer to the classic Greek-island swimming day that some visitors may be expecting.

Best for

Swimming, snorkelling and spending several hours by the water

5. The Blue Cave

Best for: an unforgettable swim

Kastellorizo’s famous Blue Cave isn’t a beach, but it absolutely belongs in a guide to the island’s swimming experiences.

Small boats travel from Kastellorizo to the cave when sea conditions permit.

Inside, sunlight entering through the opening illuminates the water and cave interior with extraordinary shades of blue.

Hellenic Seaways specifically identifies the Blue Grotto among Kastellorizo’s outstanding swimming locations.

Whether swimming is possible during your particular excursion will depend upon conditions and the boat operator, so ask before departing rather than assuming.

And don’t leave the Blue Cave until the final morning of your holiday.

Weather and sea conditions can interfere with trips.

Best for

The most memorable water experience on Kastellorizo

6. Swimming Around the Harbour

One of Kastellorizo’s unusual pleasures is that you don’t necessarily need to travel anywhere to swim.

There are designated swimming locations around the harbour.

The Friends of Kastellorizo guide identifies areas near Megisti Hotel and Kastellorizo Hotel on the western side as swimming locations.

This is particularly useful if you’re staying nearby.

Wake up.

Have coffee.

Go for a swim.

Return to your accommodation.

No beach expedition required.

However, remember that this remains a working harbour with boat traffic.

Don’t simply swim across it. The local visitor guide specifically warns against swimming across the harbour because of the danger from regular boat movements.

7. Kavos

Best for: another convenient town option

Kavos is another of the established areas around the settlement where platforms and jetties provide access to the sea.

Hellenic Seaways includes Faros, Kavos and Plakes among Kastellorizo’s recommended swimming areas.

Again, don’t arrive looking for sand.

Kastellorizo rewards travellers who are comfortable entering the sea directly from the rocky coastline.

8. Ro Island

Best for: remote island adventure

The island of Ro lies west of Kastellorizo and is best known for the story of Despoina Achladioti — the Lady of Ro.

But it can also form part of a boat and swimming excursion.

Hellenic Seaways highlights Ro among the nearby islets offering opportunities for swimming and exploration.

Ro is considerably more than somewhere to swim, however.

Its history and remote location make the journey part of the attraction.

If you’re staying three or four nights on Kastellorizo, ask locally whether an excursion to Ro is operating during your visit.

Best for

History + swimming + boat trip

9. Strongyli

Another possible boat excursion is Strongyli, the small island southeast of Kastellorizo.

Its dramatic setting and lighthouse make it particularly interesting for travellers exploring the wider Kastellorizo island group.

Again, this isn’t somewhere I’d build an itinerary around before arriving.

Ask locally what boat excursions are actually operating and choose according to weather and sea conditions.

That’s much more sensible on an island where boats play such an important role in getting around.

What Is the Best Beach in Kastellorizo?

If by “beach” you mean somewhere with relatively straightforward shore access, I’d choose:

Mandraki.

If you mean:

Where would I most like to spend several hours swimming?

I’d choose:

Agios Georgios Islet.

And if you mean:

What is the most memorable swimming experience?

Then:

the Blue Cave.

Those are three quite different experiences.

Are There Sandy Beaches in Kastellorizo?

This needs a nuanced answer.

Greece’s official tourism site says Kastellorizo doesn’t have sandy beaches and characterises swimming as taking place from rocks and small piers.

Other sources describe Mandraki as the island’s only sandy beach.

The practical answer for travellers is therefore:

don’t choose Kastellorizo because you’re looking for a classic sandy-beach holiday.

Mandraki provides the closest experience, but Kastellorizo’s real attraction is swimming in clear water from rocks, platforms, coves and boats.

If long sandy beaches are essential to your holiday, choose another Greek island.

If beautiful water matters more than sand, Kastellorizo becomes much more interesting.

Is Kastellorizo Good for Snorkelling?

Yes.

Agios Georgios is particularly attractive, with the municipality specifically recommending exploring the seabed there with a snorkel.

The clear water and rocky coastline create much more interesting snorkelling conditions than you might expect from an island without conventional beaches.

I’d pack your own mask and snorkel if swimming is going to be a major part of your trip.

Should You Bring Water Shoes?

Yes.

This is one item I’d strongly recommend for Kastellorizo.

The Friends of Kastellorizo visitor guide warns of sea urchins and extremely sharp rocks and recommends hard-soled swimming shoes.

Water shoes make getting into and out of rocky swimming spots considerably easier.

They’re probably more useful here than carrying a beach umbrella.

Is Kastellorizo Good for Families?

It depends on your children.

Families accustomed to sandy beaches where young children can play at the water’s edge may find Kastellorizo less convenient.

Much of the island’s swimming involves:

rocks,
platforms,
steps,
deep water
and boat excursions.

Mandraki is likely to be the most straightforward option when you want easier access.

For families with confident older swimmers, Kastellorizo becomes considerably more appealing.

Are Kastellorizo’s Beaches Organised?

Generally, don’t expect the kind of organised beaches found on Rhodes, Crete or Mykonos.

That’s part of Kastellorizo’s character.

Take:

water,
sun protection,
water shoes,
a towel,
snorkelling equipment
and anything else you’ll need.

For boat excursions, ask exactly what’s provided before leaving.

Can You Swim From Your Hotel?

Potentially, yes — and this is one reason our Where to Stay guide recommends looking carefully at waterfront accommodation.

The local visitor guide identifies swimming near Megisti Hotel and Kastellorizo Hotel, while Megisti Hotel itself provides direct waterside access.

For someone who loves an early-morning swim, that could be more valuable than staying near a conventional beach.

A Perfect Swimming Day in Kastellorizo

Start early with a swim near your accommodation.

Have breakfast beside the harbour.

Then take a boat to Agios Georgios and spend several hours swimming and snorkelling in its turquoise cove.

Return to Kastellorizo during the afternoon heat.

Later, walk towards Mandraki for another swim.

Then return to the harbour for dinner.

On another morning, take the Blue Cave excursion.

There’s no need to spend eight hours lying on one beach.

Kastellorizo works better when swimming becomes part of exploring the island.

Final Thoughts

Kastellorizo isn’t one of Greece’s great beach islands.

It is, however, a wonderful swimming island.

That’s an important distinction.

Go to Mandraki for the closest thing to a conventional beach.

Swim at Faros, Kavos or Plakes for the classic Kastellorizo experience of entering clear water from rocks and platforms.

Take a boat to Agios Georgios for turquoise water and snorkelling.

And experience the Blue Cave while you’re here.

Don’t judge Kastellorizo according to the number of sandy beaches it has.

Judge it by the colour of the water you’re swimming in.