Since Santorini is a vulcanic island most of the beaches are not brilliant. Normally the beaches on Santorini consist of small black pebbles and they are usually not very large. Exception to the rule are the beaches that are situated in the southeast of the island. There are sometimes some negative reports about the beaches on Santorini but personally I think they are not that bad. There is something for everyone. Too bad that most beaches are dark in color, but they're really not all bad and they are not all just pebbles. The beaches of Perissa and then further south are quite beautiful and close to Fira and Oia you can also find nice (and sometimes large) beaches if you just look around. And yes, sometimes a beach is in the wind, but that happens on all the Greek islands. If you are smart you then go and look on the other side of the island. There is always a beach to be found that is not affected by the wind. Nor are all beaches on Santorini are crowded, what you might think of an island that attracts so many tourists. Everybody can find a beach that suits him / her.

- Perissa and Kamari Beach - The beaches in the south eastern part of the island, Perissa and Kamari are much wider and larger and these are the two places where most of the accommodations can be found. Perissa is more a village for the independant traveller and there are hostels, pensions and rooms for rent. It lies next to the village of Emporio and is well protected from the Meltemi wind that can blow over the Cyclades in the summertime. Perissa is protected from an any wind that comes from the north because it is placed next to the Profitis Ilias mountain. Kamari is more a place for expensive hotels. Because the beaches are colored black it can get very hot when the sun is shining on it. Maybe it is a good plan to bring your beach sandals.

The beach at Perissa is actually very big and wide and not bad at all. It runs along the coast and flows unnoticed into other villages such as Perivolos and Agios Georgios beach where it is no less beautiful, but it does become more quiet. In short Perissa beach is just a good and sandy beach.

The beach at Kamari is more a sort of pebble beach instead of sand, but with fine stones. If I was free to choose then I would prefer Perissa, because here in the evening there is a very relaxed atmosphere and is so cozy. You can hang out on a terrace with a drink and watch the people walking by. It is a bit more untidy and I think there were more young people in this village than in Kamari. The promenade also does not seem completely finished, and it is not well-paved everywhere (2011). On the boulevard there are not that many cars since the main road that runs into the village lies behind it. Here you will also find some more supermarkets and restaurants. Along the promenade you find really just restaurants, souvenir shops and two diving schools.

In Kamari, it all looks a bit more tidy, both the shops and the promenade. Here the center of the boulevard is completely closed to traffic so there are no anoying cars bothering you. Kamari is also a nice village to sit on a terrace on the beach and relax.

- Red Beach - More beaches can for instance be found in the south near the village of Akrotiri (Red Beach and White Beach). Picturesque Red Beach or Kokkini Ammos has reddish sand and a steep and highrising black and red rock / lava cliff behind it. The beach is not so very large so it can get crowded quickly. Small boats leave from Perissa and from Akrotiri and bring you to Red Beach. From all the people that come to Red beach not everybody is staying. Some of the visitors just want to take a look, make a picture or two and then go on to do other things. The Red Beach is a sight on its own. It is favorite by many visitors because of its natural beauty and cristal clear water, and because it is not so over-commercialized with tavernas yet.

You can also reach Red Beach by car from Akrotiri and there is a bus stand a little bit further at Akrotiri Beach. You will see a beautiful small church against the red rocks and here is the parking. Around the corner of the parking lies the beach. Just before the beach there is one small cantina that sells drinks (nothing more beyond that) and a couple of people with small stands selling local products and jewelry. You walk over the path and then make a descend down to the beach. Red Beach is unorganized zo there are no parasols and sunbeds.

- White Beach - Next to Red Beach is the smaller White Beach or Aspro Paralia which is only accessible by boat (sometimes you read you can get there on foot but you would really need a parachute for the last part down the cliff). This beach is is a a pebble beach - an many of these pebbles are quite large - which is surrounded by high white cliffs. Note: since I have see White beach I am not sure if it is impossible to get there on foot because I saw houses on the hills behind it and it seems there is a path leading down to the beach.

These beaches (Red and White - two of the most famous beaches of Santorini) can be reached by kaik (a traditional Greek wooden boat) or Red Beach also on foot from the village of Akrotiri in about ten minutes (or from the parking with the church only a few minutes). Red Beach and white beach are not far away from the ruins of the Minoan city. In the area of Red Beach there are some hotels, whereas at White Beach there are none at all.

- Akrotiri Beach and Bella Bay - These are two more beaches on the edge of the village of Akrotiri. Bella Bay seems to be te better of the two. It is situated at the entrance of the village when you head for the direction of the Faros lighthouse (so on the right hand side), next to a small parking where people can park their cars to enjoy the breathtaking views you have here over the vulcano crater. The beach is reached by steps. Akrotiri beach can be reached by car and is a bit further away from the village (close to ancient Akrotiri). It lies next to Red Beach and White Beach. It is a long pebble beach with quite large pebbles and rocks. There is a small cantina on the beach with a large terrace. Here you can order a drink or a simple snack. There is also one hotel. There is a bus connection to Akrotiri Beach. There are also a couple of "syrmata" on Akroriri beach, small houses that are caved into the rock. It looks like they were used to store boats in case of very bad weather.

- Monolithos Beach - The beach of Monolithos is close to the airport a little north of Kamari Beach. It is one of a row of quite nice beaches on this part of the east side of Santorini. Here it is more quiet than on some of the nearby other beaches. Monolithos is a large and sandy beach with only a few small pebbles, also as you go into the sea (no pebbles). The sand is black and there is a bit of seaweeds on it that is blown ashore. There are a few hotels in the area, but unfortunately although the beach is nice, there is very often a strong wind blowing here. Monolithos Beach has fine black sand and it is shallow, so it is also suitable for families with small children. Monolithos Beach is an organized beach with facilities and there are sunbeds and umbrellas for hire (probably in the high season only because we did not see them end May). There is taverna and there are possibilities for all kinds of watersports on Monolithos Beach (also in high season). For the people that love the shade but don't want to immediately rent an umbrella there are also some trees on the beach you can lie under (limited shade because the trees are more like bushes). Striking is the old tomatoe factory you can see right behind the beach and the high cliffs that surround the beach that are smoothened by the wind. On the other side of the beach is the small village where you find some more tavernes and shops. Here you can find a beach where there are sunbeds and parasols for rent.

- Agia Paraskevi Beach and Avis Beach are the two beaches south of Monolithos Beach in between Monolithos and the village of Kamari. Agia Paraskevi Beach is the most north of the two and it is more sandy but also with quite a few pebbles, and it is more quiet than Avis Bach. There were no facilities when we were there. Avis Beach is a pebble beach where you do find some parasols and facilities. On both beaches there are trees in case you want to sit in the shade. On both beaches you will see airplanes fly over because they are not far from the airport.

- Kouloumbo Beach or Kouloumpos Beach - Cape Columbo of Kouloumbo Beach in the northeast of the island is one of the most isolated an quiet beaches. It consists of a large strip of black sand. High waves beat down on the coast here. This is one of the beaches on Santorini which is not organized (no beachchairs and umbrellas). Of all the beaches in this part of Santorini Kouloumbo Beach is the best and the prettiest. An option for the visitors that want to avoid the big crowds and don't care about the extra luxury of sunbeds and umbrellas. Since there is nothing on the beach (except sand and the sea of course) it is very wise to bring at least one big bottle of water and some sunscreen if you don't want to return home feeling dehydrated and looking red as a lobster.

- Paradise Beach - This beach is situated on the east side of Santorini, north of Kouloumpos (Kouloumpos and Paradise are actually one very large beach divided in two sections with its own name). Paradise beach seems to have more pebbles than Koulompos and it is is bit more difficult to get into the water because of this. North of Paradise Beach is Baxedes Beach. The Aegean Meltemi wind can sometimes blow over the beach. At those days there are high waves on the beach. Paradise Beach is a long and quiet beach with few facilities (recently there are a few umbrellas and sunbeds etc. in high season). The color of the sand on Paradise Beach is more gray than black. On the beaches in the northeast of the island of Santorini it is very quiet compared to other tourist spots like Perissa and Kamari. Bring a bottle of water with you when you go to Paradise Beach and do not forget your sunscreen.

- Pori Beach - Pori Beach is also located in the northeast of Santorini, just south of Kouloumpos Beach and north of Vourvoulos. The distance to the capital Fira is 10 km. It is a small and quiet beach with mostly sand, surrounded by red rocks. Pori Beach is situated near the village with the same name. Pori itself is a pretty village with traditional houses, fish tavernes and a row of windmills. From the village there are beautiful views over the bay. This beach is a good option for people who want to avoid large crowds and prefer a little more privacy. Parasols and sun beds are not for rent. The beach of Pori can be reached by car or taxi. You have to descend a stairs with fifty steps to get there.

- Perivolos Beach - The beach of Perivolos is not far away from Perissa beach and here it is also reasonably quiet. Actually Perivolos Beach can better be looked at as some sort of extension of the beach of Perissa and the beach of Agios Georgios Beach which lies south of it. The long beach of Perivola has more a dark grey kind of sand instead of the black and it consists of both pebbles and sand. The last three beaches are organized beaches with facilities. There are beachchairs and umbrellas for rent and there is a good choice in tavernas, kafenions and accommodations. There are possibilities to do all kinds of watersports as well. The distance to Perissa Beach is three kilometer and it can be reached by bus, taxi or if you like you go on foot.

- Agios Georgios Beach - Agios Georgios Beach is situated in the south of the island at a half a kilometer distance of Perivolos Beach. There are plenty of small tavernas and a good choice in different kinds of accommodations set along the beach and beyond. The distance to Perissa Beach is aproximately three and a half kilometers and Agios Georgios is more quiet than its nearby neighbour - it is all one very large and sandy beach. Who said that the beaches were not that good in Santorini??? Like the other beaches Agios Georgios is also organized and so you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas and you can try out all kinds of watersports. On this part of the island it is one large stretch of sand and one beach will smoothly turn into another. Sometimes it can be hard to see where the first beach ends and where the second beach begins.

- Vlihada Beach - Next to Agios Georgios and the last in the row is the beach of Vlihada or Vlychada. This is a very picturesque beach which is surrounded by high rising white/ yellowish cliffs. Vlihada Beach is situated next to a harbour with small traditional wooden kaiks and some modern and axpensive yachts. Ducks swim around in the water and fishermen kill time mending their nets. The beach of Vlihada is also an option for people that like it a bit more quiet, because you will not run into as many people here as you might do on Perissa Beach or Kamari Beach. The facilities are limited but there are a few taverns near the beach and there is a minimarket in the harbour. Maybe not a bad move to bring a large bottle water with you when you go here because the beach is long and it is a long walk if you are in the back. There are sunbeds and umbrellas for rent but only at the beginning of the beach and only in the high season. A beautiful beach and recommended.

- Mesa Pigadia Beach - This beach is situated in the southwest of the island of Santorini off the main road to Akrotiri close to the lighthouse. You can reach the beach over a dirt track. You can get there on foor but also with a good car or for instance a quad. The distance from the main road is aproxemately 1 kilometer. On Mesa Pigadia it is a little bit more quiet than on some of the other beaches because it is more out of the route. The beach is not very large and in consists of sand with (mostly) pebbles and also with larger stones on it. Mesa Pigadia Beach is surrounded by high white cliffs. There are a couple of cave-houses that are sometimes used to house fishing boats (during the winter time) and "syrmata", houses that are built into the rocks. You can also reach Mesa Pigadia Beach by excursion boat from Akrotiri. On the beach of Mesa Pigadia there is also a taverna and there are a couple of sunbeds. In our point of view a very picturesque and secluded, lovely quiet beach, one of our favorites.

- Amoudi Beach and Armeni Beach - These two beaches are two popular beaches that are situated below the village of Oia. Amoudi Beach is one of the most charming beaches of the island of Santorini and it can be reached by stairs (214 wide steps). It is set at the foot of high rising red cliffs and has a spectacular view over a rock that is standing in the cristal clear water. Amoudi Beach comes with a small harbor and there are fish tavernas and kafenions. Both beaches are easy to reach from the village of Oia. From the port of Amoudi you can also take the small boat that will take you from Santorini to the oposite island of Thirassia. Armeni Beach is a small beach that is a little bit more difficult to reach than Amoudi. It is 286 steps down (by donkey or by foot). Don't forget that after you have gone down you need to climb back up.

- Katharos Beach is a beach near Oia. You can get there by car but you could also easily walk. To walk there from Oia takes you about fifteen minutes. Actually this is the best beach near Oia. It's a pretty big beach with black coarse sand and pebbles. Katharos is a quiet beach, situated in between rocks and cliffs. The last part down to the beach you have to walk, but it is over a good path. There are no facilities such as parasols and sunbeds on the beach, but just before the descent down the path begins there is a tavern.

- Vourvoulos Beach - Vourvoulos Beach is situated in the east of the island of Santorini at 7 kilometer distance of Fira. It is one of the least touristic beaches of the island simply because most of the people don't know that it is there. Vourvoulis Beach itself has beach chairs and umbrellas (in high season maybe? We didn't see them) and there is a small harbour with tavernas. Around the village of Vourvoulis there are a number of beaches. The most northerly is a small pebble beach called Xiropigado Beach. Further south is narrow Kanaraki Beach with small black pebbles. The next beach is Exo Gialos with some some small caves. No facilities on the last two beaches. The last beach is the best beach and is called Karterados Beach, a large beach with black sand and a couple of fish tavernas.

- Kanakari Beach is situated on the east side of Santorini and can be reached by taking a street in Fira towards the camping. After that it is a bit of a zigzag, but if you try and keep heading for the coast you will get there. It is in between the beaches of Vourvoulos and Exo Gialos. Kanakari consists of two beaches on each side of a small fishing harbour. On the south side is a narrow and long pebble beach and on the north side is a better and larger sandy beach which has also some pebbles on it. In the water of the smal harbour there are a lot of swans and a couple of ducks. Just above the harbour stands a very cute church.

- Karterados Beach and Exo Gialos Beach - The beaches of Karterados / Exo Gialos are situated on the east side of the island of Santorini between the beaches of Vourvoulos and Monolithos. It is about six kilometer distance from the capital Fira and four kilometer away from the village of Karterados itself. The beaches are quiet and have black sand and small pebbles. At the beach of Karterados sometimes a small cantina is opened and there are accommodations nearby. You can reach the beach by car but there is also a connection by bus. The beach is organized and there are umbrellas and sunbeds for rent. In Exo Gialos there are square storage areas cut into the rock which are used to house the wooden fishing boats during the winter time.