| The
central part of Kamares cove harbors a sandy beach lined with tamarisk
trees and dune grass, but due to the traffic of ferries and other boats
in the harbor, the water here is not so clean.
The
southern end of the island shelters a trio of coves with fine-sand beaches.
The most popular of these is Platis Yialos, where a slew of hotels, tavernas,
and shops have grown up around the beach. More upscale than Kamares, this
town attracts the yachting crowd in summer. From here, it's a half-hour
walk east through the olive groves and intoxicating oregano and thyme patches
over the hill to Panayia Chrissopiyi, a double-vaulted whitewashed church
on a tiny island. There's good swimming at Apokofto, a cove with a long
sand beach and several shade trees just beyond the monastery, where rocky
headlands protect swimmers from rough water. Nude bathing is permitted
at nearby Fasolou.
Until
1997, the beach at Vathi was accessible only by foot or by boat, but a
new automobile road has opened and permits regular bus service. There are
a few tavernas here (but not yet the dense development of Kamares and Platis
Yialos), plus one of the best beaches on the island. |
