I totally agree with you, we were out in August last year and the people who ran the banana beach bar were very rude and impatient, just trying to serve as many people that they could and not listening to you. They had no respect for the tourists what so ever and were putting all the weekend island visitors from the mainland first even though we had been in the line for over 20 minutes. The vromolimnos beach bar is the best - so friendly and helpful.

I only found out yesterday, that the same guys that own the banana beach bar, took on auction also all the umbrellas in Koukounaries beach. Till now as I know umbrellas was the way of the municipality to offer a small income to people that had some health problems and could not do any other job or to large poor families in order to support them and also this way municipality obliged them to keep clean the beaches. Nowdays is not any more like that. By law as i mentioned above beaches (umbrellas - beach bars) go on an auction and anyone from everywhere can participate so that had attracted the faceless big companies which only aim on profit. I dont think the employees of them that are going to be in koukounaries beach will do their best to clean the beach, and for sure they will not care at all if visitors will keep coming back or not. They only want to make money as long as they can from skiathos and then if they manage to destroy this beautiful place they can move and go to the next one. DO NOT RENT UMBRELLAS in koukounaries, even if you want to sit in a place there is an umbrella they are obliged to move it and make space for you. By law (same stupid law that enables anyone to take control of the island) says that umbrellas and chairs should not be on the beach and that they should be moved to the beach when a customers rents one. SO they are illegal when they fill up the beach with their umbrellas and also you can put your own anywhere you like.

If you ever have problems there or if they oblige you to rent an umbrella please do call immediately the port police +302427022017.

Beach bars have destroyed most of Greek beaches. It's next to impossible to have a quiet relaxing swim without listening to deafening music (?) or stepping on a cigarette...

Being in my 20's I still like occasional music being played, but like it to be chilled out relaxed music and not too loud, I need to be able to ready my book withot losing concentration. As for the ciggarettes, smokers on the beach have no respect for non smokers and just put there butts out everywhere - disgusting. When we were there last year a few people who worked at the apartments we were staying at would do volunteer work to go round and clean the beaches. Which I think is great, but we as toursists should respect this beutiful Island we go to each year and do what we can to help and keep it clean.

Well said JaxP

Nireas see personal message

The beach taverna auctions were completed last week. There have been some changes in ownership, and by all accounts some very competitive bidding for the licences. Small Banana is changing ownership, Big Banana remains under the control of the Athens company. Kounistra is reported as changing hands, the small taverna on Abelikia has a large new neighbouring taverna.

Hope someone from the island can post news - Nireas ?

Can you really just move the sunbeds and put your own towel and umbrella up? Having 2 children that will always be in the sea and 1 adult / often 2 with the children, I wonder if it is a waste of 8 euro a day. I can't imagine the people who put the beds out being very friendly if I started moving them ?

Any advice, or just find a bit of beach without a sunbed on!

Nearest beach will be Aghia Paraskevi.

Thanks.

2became4, there is plenty of room on both Aghia Paraskevi & Kolios beaches for you to put out your towels & umbrella without disturbing the sunbeds, and no-one will say anything if you do.

Absolutely correct:-) You can lay a towel on any beach..anywhere..You are not obliged to use the loungers/umbrellas if you don't choose to! I also totally agree re the cigs..Being a smoker myself, it's easy enough to just use one of the water bottles as an ashtray..simple/easy..and keeps it clean! Enjoyin'!

This is my first summer as an ex-smoker, but I always used to dispose of my butts. If you'll pardon the expression.....