White Beach
White Beach
4
About
The cove right next to the Red beach, on the southern side of Santorini, is known as the White beach. It is very similar to the Red beach, with black pebbles on the shore, only that the surrounding cliffs are white. This beach is accessible only by boat or on foot from the Red beach.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
670 reviews
Excellent
234
Very good
197
Average
150
Poor
53
Terrible
37
Julie P
Montreal, Canada1,374 contributions
Jun 2014 • Solo
What you need to know:
* The white beach doesn't have white sand, it's a pebble beach. It's named that way for its stunning white cliffs and white rocks that line the shore.
* It can only be accessed by boat. Shuttle boats cost 5 Euros and leave from Akrotiri pier, near the Archaeological site, and from the Red Beach, which you can access on foot.
* THE BOAT DOES NOT DOCK AT THE WHITE BEACH. It leaves you in the water at waist height, so you will have to wade/swim to shore. Bring water-tight containers if you take electronics, and wear your swimsuit before boarding the boat.
* The beach does not have facilities. Bring a snack and water bottles, plus a bag to keep your trash.
* The sun reflects off the white cliffs and rocks. Wear lots of sunscreen and bring a hat.
* Bring snorkeling gear if you want, the cove is magical! Enjoy yourself, it's a fantastic experience!
* Last boats are at 4:30-5pm-ish. Ask the captain before you disembark!
* The white beach doesn't have white sand, it's a pebble beach. It's named that way for its stunning white cliffs and white rocks that line the shore.
* It can only be accessed by boat. Shuttle boats cost 5 Euros and leave from Akrotiri pier, near the Archaeological site, and from the Red Beach, which you can access on foot.
* THE BOAT DOES NOT DOCK AT THE WHITE BEACH. It leaves you in the water at waist height, so you will have to wade/swim to shore. Bring water-tight containers if you take electronics, and wear your swimsuit before boarding the boat.
* The beach does not have facilities. Bring a snack and water bottles, plus a bag to keep your trash.
* The sun reflects off the white cliffs and rocks. Wear lots of sunscreen and bring a hat.
* Bring snorkeling gear if you want, the cove is magical! Enjoy yourself, it's a fantastic experience!
* Last boats are at 4:30-5pm-ish. Ask the captain before you disembark!
Written July 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aoletsgo
Sidbury, UK170 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Again another disappointment, this beach is not white sand, it is only the cliffs that is white, so should not be called The White Beach. Not worth the walk to get to it.
Written May 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carla R
8 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Was told that the last taxi boat BY the captain would be at 5pm but it was not the case.. It NEVER came.. A boat did come 4pm and passed us.. We waved the boat down but this taxi boat did not stop..
We waited until 5pm and no other taxi boat came. We had to then go through a life to death experience of swimming for the next beach which is the Red beach.
This was so scary and I would NEVER recommend this to anyone.
Thankfully a private boat came to our rescue and took us to the nearest beach were we could get a bus back to town.
If you are planning on visiting this beach make sure you always get the 4pm taxi boat back. The companies who run this business DO NOT CARE if you are left behind. This is not the beach you want to be left behind on. I´m just thankful that kind people stopped and helped us today because the cliff we were climbing was dangerous and not for any persons without rope equipment to complete.
Just go somewhere else that has access to other transportation.
We waited until 5pm and no other taxi boat came. We had to then go through a life to death experience of swimming for the next beach which is the Red beach.
This was so scary and I would NEVER recommend this to anyone.
Thankfully a private boat came to our rescue and took us to the nearest beach were we could get a bus back to town.
If you are planning on visiting this beach make sure you always get the 4pm taxi boat back. The companies who run this business DO NOT CARE if you are left behind. This is not the beach you want to be left behind on. I´m just thankful that kind people stopped and helped us today because the cliff we were climbing was dangerous and not for any persons without rope equipment to complete.
Just go somewhere else that has access to other transportation.
Written October 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ca926
Irvine, CA111 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
Best way to see the Red Beach, White Beach, and/or Black Beach use the 5 Eu round trip Boat Taxis from the beach near the archaeological site Akrotiri. If you like archaeology and mega structures, see that first. Either way park on the street for free or in the pay lot where it is 4 Eu for car. Walk to the water then turn right and look for the small pier with the Boat Taxis. They will take you to the sand on the Red Beach and Black Beach, for the White Beach you will need to jump into the water from the boat. Suggest rock booties for nearly all beaches in Santorini. So many people park their cars and then walk forever to the Red Beach, that is not necessary. The boats go every 15 minutes until around 6pm. You don't have to get off the boat, you can just use it for a photo op and round trip boat ride. Enjoy!!
Written July 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane B
Alexandria, VA331 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
First you should know that white, black, and red beach are adjacent to each other and to walk from the end of the first to the end of the third takes about 7 minutes at most. It is interesting to the see the three colors of rock next to each other and at sunset they do glow beautifully, but I would not make a special trip to see this geological phenomenon. For us it was a side-trip on our way to the Archeological Museum of Akrotiri, which is definitely worth it. They are not very wide beaches and in the middle of the day they are scorching hot because the heat reflects from the gravely/rocky sand and the steep cliffs behind them. Without shade (that you can rent) I could not have spent more than a few minutes on these beaches, but lots of other people were sunbathing. Access to the sea is over rocks, so bring water shoes, although lots of people didn't. Chartered boats drop off tourists at this crowded beach for a few hours throughout the day, but you can also reach it from a parking lot by climbing over uneven terrain. We did the latter and it was fine. There is one restaurant on the beach that we did not check out, but in the parking lot are a couple of food vendors. We ate the gyros for dinner and enjoyed them. About 10 minutes from the beach past the parking lot are lots of cute restaurants on the beach. We ate at the Cave of Stolidas at lunch time and thought that its fixed price 10 euro mid-day meal of fresh grilled fish was a real steal. We checked all the menus of all the restaurants and this was the best deal.
Written July 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jake23
New Jersey6,855 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
There is no land access to white beach so seeing it can be a bit of a challenge. You can take a water taxi from red beach to reach it though. Seeing this beach was interesting and you will pass it if you take a catamaran tour.
Written July 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whitters80
Osaka, Japan238 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
There are NO taverns.
There are NO shops.
There are NO restaurants.
There is a nice little beach. There is a boat taxi service at a cost of 5 euros that takes you to the three beaches Red, white and finally black.
My advice stick with White. Red is over crowded ( in summer anyway) and black is just no fun because of the rocks. Unless your feet can take it.
White has soft sand, and it's pleasant to swim in.
The downside of going in August is the amount of tourists who all try and fight their way onto the boat and have no regard for lining up. There isn't really a system in place while waiting for the boat, but it's like a cattle market when that boat comes and people just act like total idiots. So be prepared. A little "line here" sign would make all the difference. Maybe.
There are NO shops.
There are NO restaurants.
There is a nice little beach. There is a boat taxi service at a cost of 5 euros that takes you to the three beaches Red, white and finally black.
My advice stick with White. Red is over crowded ( in summer anyway) and black is just no fun because of the rocks. Unless your feet can take it.
White has soft sand, and it's pleasant to swim in.
The downside of going in August is the amount of tourists who all try and fight their way onto the boat and have no regard for lining up. There isn't really a system in place while waiting for the boat, but it's like a cattle market when that boat comes and people just act like total idiots. So be prepared. A little "line here" sign would make all the difference. Maybe.
Written August 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael L
Düsseldorf, Germany140 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
Sorry, not worth the trip in our personal view. Plenty of good taverns but the beach is a disappointment. As always, Greek hospitality wins, so maybe you shouldn't totally write the place off.
Written June 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smsfrancis
London51 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
We visited this as part of a boat-bus type service from the harbour just to the east which visited the White, Red and Black beaches.
Just €5 to visit all three is excellent value. However, I'd recommend that you stay on the White Beach longer than the others.
The Black Beach is small and the sea isn't very friendly due to the cliffs stirring up the sea. The Red Beach is the last one on the way back, and you'll wish you stayed at the White Beach where it's just as amazing but much less crowded.
The White Beach has a very large shallow area of sea infront of it which allows you to easily drift to one of the many rocky islands in this cove. Perched on our rocky outcrop with the blue sea around us and looking back at the White Beach... we were very happy! :)
Just €5 to visit all three is excellent value. However, I'd recommend that you stay on the White Beach longer than the others.
The Black Beach is small and the sea isn't very friendly due to the cliffs stirring up the sea. The Red Beach is the last one on the way back, and you'll wish you stayed at the White Beach where it's just as amazing but much less crowded.
The White Beach has a very large shallow area of sea infront of it which allows you to easily drift to one of the many rocky islands in this cove. Perched on our rocky outcrop with the blue sea around us and looking back at the White Beach... we were very happy! :)
Written September 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Davide G
Palermo, Italy3,680 contributions
Jul 2020
Nice beach reachable only by boat. Taxi boats are cheap and they come often. A unique experience to be done!
Written August 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Il biglietto per il taxi boat si può acquistare online o solo fisicamente di fronte alla taverna?
Written August 7, 2024
Bonjour,
Ou se situe le taxi boat ? Je ne trouve aucunes infos
Written April 18, 2024
Hey, my parents who are 60+ years are visiting Santorini this month. What is the best way to cover white, black and red beaches? TIA
Written September 16, 2019
A trek of about twenty minutes on a rough path is necessary to access Red Beach from the parking area. Then, due to the potential for falling rocks, it's probably best to view it from the edge without entering the beach proper. My husband did that and said it was better that I hadn't tried it. We're seventy-ish.
White Beach is then accessed via water taxi from Red Beach but I don't think it's running any longer.
It's probably best for them to view these magnificent formations from the water. We took a wonderful sailboat tour that passed them. I do wish I could have actually "gone to the beach" but we got close enough and traveled slowly enough for a good look.
There are several black beaches that are easily accessible. (Car, taxi, tour bus)
We enjoyed swimming from the boat despite the icy May water but it's supposed to be warmer in September and October. Air temp was perfect.
We stayed on the Caldera side rather than on the beach and enjoyed those views more than the black beaches. A trail from Fira to Oia is a great way to take it in.
It's an amazing island and we hope to return.
Written September 16, 2019
Hola. Estaremos en Julio. Cómo y desde donde contrato el barquito para estas playas? Gracias
Written March 10, 2019
Da perissa come posso arrivare alla red e alla white beach?
Written July 30, 2017
Alla White beach si arriva solo via mare, alla red beach con un sentiero che parte da un parcheggio che si trova ad Akrotiri mare.Da Perissa alla White beach via mare con una delle imbarcazioni che partono dal moletto.
Written July 31, 2017
Ho letto che per raggiungerla anche con il taxi boat bisogna fare l ultimo tratto a nuoto.quindi non si riesce a portare sulla spiaggia nemmeno un asciugamano???
Written July 28, 2017
Si! la barca ti lascia quasi a riva.
Una volta in mare l'acqua sarà alta all'incirca un metro quindi puoi portare asciugamano.
Io avevo lo zainetto e non si è per niente bagnato.
Written July 28, 2017
l' unica soluzione per arrivare a questa spiaggia è il taxi boat?se si da dove si prende e quanto dura il tragitto?
Written July 27, 2017
esatto, lo devi prendere al porticciolo di akrotiri, costo 5 euro. sappi che non è attrezzata, puoi però proseguire, e scegliere in quali delle 3 spiagge stare, rossa, bianca o nera, noi preferivamo la nera (mesa pigadia), leggi i miei commenti a proposito. ciao!!!
Written July 28, 2017
salve, a luglio andrò per una settinana a santorini ma visto che i commenti sulla white e Red beach non sono ottimi volevo sapere se per caso il taxy boat partiva anche nel primo pomeriggio così da fare la mattina nella red beach e il pomeriggio nella white beach.grazie mille in anticipo per le risposte.
Written June 29, 2017
Ciao Sara, il taxy boat fa avanti e indietro per tutta la giornata. Magari quando lo prendi la mattina chiedi quando effettuano l'ultimo giro di ritorno.
Buone vacanze!
Written June 30, 2017
Io dovrei andare a santorini e quindi visitare anche la spiaggia bianca e rossa con mia figlia di 8 anni......ho letto che lo sbarco è proprio uno sbarco.....mia figlia non riesce e sinceramente mi avete fatto paura......ma eventualmente si può chiedere di non scendere e faccio solo le foto?
Written May 7, 2017
Oggi dopo un ora e mezza sulla spiaggia rossa in attesa della barca siamo dovuti andare via in quanto non è passato nessuno a prenderci.
Ci sono degli orari o altri punti di partenza?
Grazie
Written July 17, 2016
Non ci sono orari prestabiliti tuttavia le navette nell'arco di mezz'ora si dovevano far vedere. Forse bisognava attendere di piu,il servizio funzionava
Written July 18, 2016
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