If you are looking for a relaxing and refreshing escape from the busy town of Hydra, you might want to visit some of the nearby beaches that offer clear water, beautiful scenery, and various amenities. In this blog post, we will explore three of the most popular beaches on Hydra island: Saint Nicholas, Mandraki, and Bisti. We will also tell you how to get there by boat or on foot, depending on your preference and budget.
Saint Nicholas Beach
Saint Nicholas Beach is a pebble beach located in a picturesque cove on the eastern side of Hydra island. It is one of the best beaches on Hydra for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. The water is turquoise and crystal clear, and the beach is surrounded by pine trees and rocks. The beach is also equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, and a beach bar that serves drinks and snacks. You can also enjoy some water sports such as sea skiing and windsurfing at this beach.
To get to Saint Nicholas Beach, you have two options: by boat or by foot. The boat trip takes about 30 minutes from Hydra port and costs 18 euros for a round trip. The boat leaves from the left side of the port at 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, and 3:00 pm, and returns at 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm. You can buy your tickets on board or at the kiosk near the port. The boat ride offers a scenic view of the coast and the islands along the way.
If you prefer to walk to Saint Nicholas Beach, you can follow the coastal road that starts from the right side of the port. The walk takes about an hour and a half and is mostly flat and easy. However, it can be hot and dusty in the summer, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and carry enough water. The walk also passes by some other beaches such as Kamini, Vlychos, Plakes Vlychou, and Palamidas, where you can stop for a break or a swim.
Mandraki Beach
Mandraki Beach is the only sandy beach on Hydra island, located on the northwestern side of the island. It is a luxurious beach resort that offers a deluxe sunbathing experience with comfortable sunbeds, large umbrellas, towels, ice buckets with water, and a welcome sorbet. The beach also has a restaurant that serves Japanese, Mediterranean, and sushi dishes, as well as a bar that offers cocktails and refreshments. The beach is ideal for families with children, as the sand is soft and the water is shallow and calm.
To get to Mandraki Beach, you can take a boat or a sea taxi from Hydra port. The boat trip takes about 25 minutes and costs 12 euros for a round trip. The boat leaves from the left side of the port at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, and 6:00 pm, and returns at 4:30 pm, 5:30 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:30 pm, 9:30 pm, 10:30 pm, and 11:30 pm. You can buy your tickets on board or at the kiosk near the port. The sea taxi costs about 25 euros for up to four people and can be arranged at any time from the port.
If you want to walk to Mandraki Beach, you can follow the same coastal road that leads to Saint Nicholas Beach until you reach Plakes Vlychou. From there, you can take a detour to the left and follow a dirt road that goes uphill for about 20 minutes until you reach Mandraki. The walk takes about two hours in total and is more challenging than the walk to Saint Nicholas Beach. You will need good shoes, water, sunscreen, and a hat.
Bisti Beach
Bisti Beach is a rocky beach located at the southernmost tip of Hydra island. It is a secluded beach that offers a natural setting with clear water, pine trees, and rocky formations. The beach is perfect for snorkeling, as there are many fish and marine life to see in the bay. The beach also has sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, and a small taverna that serves salads,
sandwiches, and drinks. You can also explore the caves and pools at the far end of the beach, where you can find sea urchins, starfish, and crabs.
To get to Bisti Beach, you can take a boat from Hydra port. The boat trip takes about 20 minutes and costs 12 euros for a round trip. The boat leaves from the right side of the port at 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, and 3:00 pm, and returns at 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm, and 7:00 pm. You can buy your tickets on board or at the kiosk near the port. The boat ride offers a view of Hydra’s southern coastline and the tiny islets that you pass along the way.
If you want to walk to Bisti Beach, you can follow the road that goes uphill from the port towards the monastery of Agia Matrona. From there, you can follow a path that goes downhill for about an hour until you reach Bisti. The walk is quite difficult and steep, and you will need good shoes, water, sunscreen, and a hat. You will also pass by some other beaches such as Limnioniza and Agios Nikolaos, where you can stop for a swim or a rest.
Conclusion
Hydra island has many beautiful beaches to choose from, depending on your mood, preference, and budget. Whether you want to enjoy a sandy beach with luxury amenities, a pebble beach with water sports, or a rocky beach with snorkeling opportunities, you can find it on Hydra. You can also decide how to get there by boat or by foot, depending on how much time and energy you have. Whatever you choose, you will surely have a memorable and relaxing time on Hydra’s beaches.
