A small, secluded cove backed by pale white limestone cliffs, reachable only by boat or a scramble from Red Beach -- White Beach is Santorini's most remote and least crowded beach, and the effort to get there is part of the appeal.
In this guide
White Beach (Aspri Paralia) sits on Santorini's south coast, just around the headland from Red Beach near Akrotiri. Where Red Beach gets its drama from rust-coloured iron cliffs, White Beach offers the inverse: pale, almost cream-coloured cliff faces rising above a shoreline of dark volcanic pebbles. The contrast is striking, and because the beach is harder to reach, it stays quiet even when the rest of the island is packed.
This is not a facilities beach. There are no beach bars, no restaurants, and minimal (if any) sunbeds. You come here for the scenery, the swimming, and the solitude.
How Do You Get There?
White Beach is only accessible by boat or by a difficult scramble from Red Beach. There is no road access.
By Small Boat from Akrotiri
Small boats run from the harbour near Akrotiri village to both Red Beach and White Beach. The ride to White Beach takes about 10-15 minutes. Some boats run a loop: Akrotiri harbour to Red Beach to White Beach and back. Prices are typically 5-10 EUR per person. Check locally for schedules -- the service is informal and weather-dependent.
By Boat from Red Beach
If you're already at Red Beach, small boats shuttle between the two beaches. About 5 minutes. This is the easiest option if you're combining both beaches.
On Foot from Red Beach
A rough, unofficial path connects the two beaches along the base of the cliffs. This involves scrambling over rocks and is not recommended by local authorities due to rockfall risk from the unstable cliffs above. The same safety warnings that apply to Red Beach's access path apply here, possibly more so. If the water is calm, swimming around the headland from Red Beach is possible but not advisable for weak swimmers.
Take the boat. It's cheap, it's scenic, and it avoids the rockfall risk entirely. This is one of those cases where the "adventurous" option (scrambling over rocks under crumbling cliffs) is genuinely unwise rather than just inconvenient.
What Is the Beach Like?
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Beach type | Dark volcanic pebbles (no fine sand) |
| Cliffs | White/pale limestone rising steeply behind the beach |
| Length | Small -- maybe 50-80 metres of usable shoreline |
| Water | Crystal clear, turquoise |
| Facilities | Minimal to none. A few sunbeds may appear in summer. No food, no toilets, no showers. |
| Shade | Very limited. The cliffs may provide some afternoon shade depending on the time of year. |
| Crowds | Quiet. Most visitors go to Red Beach and don't continue to White Beach. |
The beach is beautiful but basic. The pebbles are rough underfoot (water shoes recommended), and there's nowhere to buy food or water.
What Should You Bring?
This is a "pack everything" beach: - Water -- at least 1 litre per person - Snacks -- there's nothing to buy - Sunscreen and a hat -- shade is minimal - A towel -- to sit on the pebbles - Water shoes -- the pebbles are sharp - A dry bag -- if you're arriving by boat, keep your belongings dry - Snorkelling gear -- the water is clear and the rock formations are interesting
What Should You Know Before Going?
- Check boat schedules before heading out. The boats from Akrotiri harbour to White Beach are not large ferries -- they're small local boats that run on informal schedules. Confirm the last boat back before you go.
- Don't count on sunbeds or umbrellas. They sometimes appear in summer, sometimes don't. Come prepared to sit on pebbles.
- The cliffs are unstable. Don't sit directly below the cliff face. Position yourself towards the water.
- Swimming conditions depend on the weather. On calm days, the water is perfect. On windy days with waves, the pebble beach can be uncomfortable and the boat service may not run.
- Combine with Red Beach. The two beaches are minutes apart by boat. Visit both in a single half-day. Add the Akrotiri archaeological site and lighthouse for a full south-coast day.
When Is the Best Time to Visit?
June-September for swimming. The boat service is most reliable in summer.
Morning for the most peaceful experience. The few visitors who come tend to arrive around midday.
Avoid windy days. The boat service is weather-dependent, and high waves make the beach less enjoyable.
White Beach is accessible only by boat (5-10 minutes from Red Beach or Akrotiri harbour, 5-10 EUR). No facilities. Bring everything you need. Combine with Red Beach for a south-coast half-day.
Planning more adventures on the island? Browse our complete guide to the best day trips from Santorini.
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