Short answer
Red Beach is a small cove on the south coast of Santorini, near Akrotiri, below cliffs of red and black volcanic rock. After the earthquakes of February 2025 the beach and the path down to it were closed because of falling rocks, so the way to see it is from the water: boats anchor in the bay and you swim off the back of the boat. The water is deep, clear and usually calm in the morning.
- Where
- South coast, near Akrotiri
- Access
- By boat; the path is closed
- Swimming
- From a boat in the bay
- Entry
- Free; you pay for the boat
Red Beach is the place guests ask about most when they plan a day on the water with us. It is a small, dramatic cove where red cliffs drop straight into dark blue sea, and for the last few years it has been easier to reach from the water than from the land. Red Beach is the first swim stop on our Gold catamaran cruise, so this is what the bay is like, how the swim works and what has changed since the earthquakes.
Where is Red Beach?
Red Beach, Kokkini Paralia in Greek, is on the south coast of Santorini, just past the Akrotiri archaeological site. From the sea it is a short sail west of Vlychada Marina, where all our yacht cruises leave from. The next coves to the west are White Beach and Mesa Pigadia, both reached only or mostly by boat.
Why is it red?
The cliffs around the bay are among the oldest volcanic rock on the island: layers of lava and ash rich in iron. Over thousands of years, air and water have oxidised the iron, the same process that turns metal to rust, and coloured the rock deep red, with streaks of black where the lava did not change. The beach itself is a mix of red and black pebbles and coarse sand that have fallen from the cliffs.
The contrast with the water is what makes it famous: red rock, a dark strip of beach and, in the bay, clear water that turns from turquoise to deep blue within a few metres of the shore.
Can you still walk to Red Beach?
Not at the moment. During the earthquakes of February 2025, rocks fell from the cliffs and the authorities closed the beach and the path down to it. Even before then, the path from the parking area near Akrotiri was a steep, loose scramble over rocks, with warning signs about rockfalls, and the beach itself sits right below the cliff.
If you are in the area by car, follow the signs on the spot and never walk past a closure. The safe way to get close is from the sea.
Swimming at Red Beach from a boat
On our Gold cruise, Red Beach is the first stop after we leave Vlychada. This is how it works:
- The catamaran anchors in the bay, well away from the foot of the cliffs. Boats do not land on the beach.
- You swim from the steps at the back of the boat. The water is too deep to stand where the boat anchors.
- Masks, snorkels, fins and pool noodles are on board. Take a noodle if you want to float and look at the cliffs.
- The crew tells you where to swim and how long the stop lasts before anyone gets in, and serves appetizers on board while you swim.
- Stay in the water. Don’t swim ashore or under the cliffs; rocks can still fall.
If the sea is too rough to swim safely, the captain will say so and the cruise goes on to the next stop.
Morning or afternoon?
Both work, for different reasons.
- Morning (our 10:00 day cruise): the sea is usually at its calmest, especially in July and August, when the meltemi wind tends to build after lunch. Best for swimming and snorkelling.
- Afternoon (our 15:00 sunset cruise): the sun is lower and the cliffs glow a deeper red. Best for photos.
Not sure which to pick? Our guide to sunset or daytime cruises compares them stop by stop.
Red Beach on our cruises
| Cruise | Red Beach | Other swim stops |
|---|---|---|
| Gold, day or sunset | Swim stop, the first of the day | Hot springs, Mesa Pigadia |
| Platinum, day or sunset | Sails past for photos | Mesa Pigadia, hot springs, Thirassia |
| Private catamaran | Sails past for photos | Mesa Pigadia, hot springs, Thirassia |
| Private motor yacht | Swim stop | Mesa Pigadia, hot springs, Oia, Thirassia |
All our boat tours leave from Vlychada Marina with hotel pickup included. On a private boat tour you choose how long to stay.
White Beach and the rest of the south coast
West of Red Beach the coast is a line of cliffs and coves without roads. White Beach is a strip of pale pebbles below light-coloured cliffs, with very clear water; Mesa Pigadia is a quiet pebble bay further along, where the Gold cruise stops for a swim and lunch. Past the Venetian lighthouse at the tip of the island, the route turns north into the caldera towards the volcano hot springs. For all the beaches on the island, see our guide to the best beaches in Santorini.
Near Red Beach: the Akrotiri archaeological site
Right next to the beach is Akrotiri, a Bronze Age town buried by the great eruption about 3,600 years ago and preserved under the ash. You walk above its streets and two-storey houses under a roof that covers the whole site. Entry is €20 in summer 2026; hours change through the season, so check the Ministry of Culture’s page before you go. Combine the two over two days: Red Beach from the boat one day, the site the next morning.
What to bring
- Your swimsuit under your clothes, so you are ready at the first stop.
- High-SPF sunscreen and a hat: there is no shade in the bay.
- A waterproof phone pouch if you want photos from the water.
Towels, snorkel gear and drinks are on board. For the rest of the list, see what to wear on a catamaran in Santorini.
Is Red Beach worth it?
Yes, from the water. It is a small cove, not a beach for a day on a sunbed, and with the path closed there is nowhere to sit anyway. What makes it worth it is the swim: deep, clear water in front of red cliffs, with the boat as your base. There is nothing quite like it anywhere else in Greece.
If you want to swim there, come by boat, in the morning for calm water or in the afternoon for the colour.
