When I think of the Blue Zones of the world, my mind gravitates to the vast deep, blue oceans surrounding these enigmatic locations. I almost feel you need to dive deep into these waters and Christen yourself with the magic potion of longevity. Ikaria, being the island that it is, has such a diverse shoreline, and the best beaches in Ikaria are nothing short of breathtaking.

Lucky for you (and for me) the beaches in Ikaria boast some of the most vibrant and shimmering turquoise waters *Cough* Seychelles Beach Ikaria. You could say I was a tad naive not having realised this until I was flying mid-way across the Aegean Sea (thank you to Aegeans’ Blue Magazine) but I say better late than never! It was a spontaneous discovery in the Island of longevity.  

Ikaria is still relatively hidden from the thirst of tourists however, I dare say this might change in the future, especially given the exposure of the Islands’ natural gifts. I would suggest researching significant holidays in the Greek Orthodox Calendars that you could pair up with your travels. It adds an authentic spice to the island and shows the true Ikaria lifestyle. *We visited in August during the week celebrating The Feast of The Virgin Mary, ‘Dekapentavgoustos’ known in Greek, and the island was a little short of chaotic.*

Tips on Navigating Ikaria Beaches

On an island with such grandeur, the shores are seemingly endless. There are hidden pockets of paradise scattered among the island, however, due to Ikaria’s prickly terrain, some of these beaches require a short hike down and up or accessible by boat. It will be in your best interest to search up and plan out your trip to these Ikaria beaches as they are vastly scattered.

Pro Tips:

1. Hire a small SUV or 4WD. The roads can be underdeveloped and more often than not, access paths to the more remote beaches are via dirt roads with pot-holes and deep ditches. Drive enthusiastically slow and enjoy the ride.
2. Plan out your beach itinerary based on the locations of your hotels in Ikaria Greece. This will save a lot of the back and fourth, 4-hour-day travels, that no one fancies in 35-degree heat (remember we’re into diving head first, not driving).
3. Be sure to pack food and water as many of these Ikaria beaches do not have amenities, meaning there are no kiosks or taverns on the beach, or bathroom facilities. We’re all about ruffing it out here in the blue zones (although this is quite the standard for remote beaches).
4. Despite the abundance of nature and plant species in Ikaria, there doesn’t tend to be a lot of shade on the beaches. If you are sensitive to the sun, or staying for an extended duration, I would suggest bringing a collapsable umbrella that you can find in the main towns (we love a tan but only when it’s a deep caramel, not tomato red).
5. Unlike many other beaches in Greece, the waters in Ikaria can be rougher and wavy as opposed to the calmness you’ll find say, in Naxos or Paros. Pay attention to the weather in Ikaria to see the wind direction and forecasting to ensure you’re hitting up the beaches least affected by any rough weather conditions (if you aren’t a strong swimmer) or prefer the allure of the known velvety stillness that is Greek beaches.
6. Bring your snorkeling gear. Trust me you’ll want to say hi to the locals under the sea and there is no better place than in the crystal clear waters of Greece.

7 Of The Best Beaches In Ikaria

There is something special about the beaches in Ikaria. Each of them possesses a unique persona and characteristics. It reminds me of how we carry ourselves so differently daily, depending on our moods, what we’re wearing, and our missions. Would you like calm and collected or wild and outspoken today?

These are the beaches I have a profound love for, as well as, those who have been recommended to us by the people of Ikaria. They are easily the 7 of the best beaches in Ikaria for diving headfirst into.

01. Seychelles Beach

Seychelles Beach Ikaria is postcard-perfect. I’d say it even looks too good to be real… *no but really* It is almost like a distant cousin to the picturesque beaches in Zakynthos or Lefkada (The Elite Ionian Island Gods). In all honesty, when I searched up Seychelles Ikaria I thought, this can’t actually be real they must have put filters on this. However, truth behold it is one of the best beaches in Ikaria, and for damn good reason.

It is an absolute jaw-dropper (think shimmering ice-blue water and a white pebbly shore) and the most renowned beach on the island. However, they do say all good things are hard to get (quite literally). Seychelles Beach Ikaria is a little off the Beaten path and deserves to be more than an afterthought.
TIP: There are no amenities here, so pack all you need for your visit.

As one of the most popular swim spots, you can only imagine how many tourists line the shore. There are two ways to access Seychelles Ikaria:

1. By Foot (a moderate hike down some large rocks) the descent is not too bad and will take around 15-20 minutes depending on your pace and fitness level. I will say though, that you’ll be hugging the rock as you walk the last leg and there is a tricky final descent that is equally (if not harder) to climb back up from. If you are not comfortable or confident I would advise option 2 (it’s not as fun though).
2. By Boat (From Maganitis) This boat can be caught from Magnitis, most often, and frequents roughly every 30 minutes. It starts arriving from 10:30 am onwards until the late afternoon. 

I’m not going to sugarcoat how much of a jungle it can be. There is a small alcove, and then people tend to perch themselves on the rocks around the beach shoreline. It is swamped once 11 am hits and people are basically sitting on top of you. I didn’t enjoy this, but being on an Australian timetable, we arrived at the beach before 10 am and were 1 of 3 groups there… PURE BLISS with the whole beach to ourselves. Do not let this deter you but plan wisely.

NOTE: There is a large rock near the shore that you can stand on. Why not gather your friends and see who can stand on the longest before getting swooshed off… you can spend hours on end doing this and it was an absolute blast! (Please be careful of the strength of the waves and take care)

02. Nealia Beach (Paralia Nealia)

Nealia Beach Ikaria is another Ikarian Blue Zone Gem. A deserted *so it seemed* pristine icon showcasing a twinkling emerald water and a rolling expanse of lush green hills. This beach is quite a descent down from the road, roughly 10 mins (by car, or longer by foot if you’d like), and at first, you think ‘”where are we going? We better not be driving off the cliff edge.”

No word of a lie, the drive down is BUMPY! It is an undeveloped dirt road with a plethora of potholes… take care. It seems like the longest journey down but once you begin to see the shoreline you almost want to jump out of the car while it’s still rolling. What was interesting (and a little sad) was the closed-down beach club/tavern perched on looking at the water. It would have been the perfect addition, though now that I think back it makes the experience of Nealia Ikaria that much more off the beaten path and laid back. (This may change again in the future).

Dive in and soak in the grandeur that surrounds you. Enjoy the solitude of Nealia Beach Ikaria while you lose track of time… (I sure did)

NOTE: Parking is limited but make sure to drive down to check availability as you can park right at the bottom of the sand (instead of hiking all the way).
As always get in earlier to secure your parking spot and front-row seat.

03. Nas Beach

The little cove of wonders. Nas Beach is among the best beaches in Ikaria and is as picturesque as its neighbours. Nas is the sunset queen and a beach that has a stream of water fed by a river that separates the sand bed. It is the quirky sibling among the rest I would say. Nas Ikaria is among one of the most frequented and liked by all who visit, I’m sure you can see why?

The shores of Ikaria don’t stay shallow for long and while Nas looks small, its wonderfully blue waters can get deep quite quickly. I feel this beach embodies the Ikaria Lifestyle where you can sit for hours daydreaming, from morning to sunset, while being hugged tight by the surrounding nature.

NOTE: Check weather forecasting to ensure the beach is unaffected by strong winds and is safe to swim in.
TIP: End your sun-drenched day with the best seafood in Nas Ikaria.

04. Iero Beach (Paralia Iero)

Before you fly to Athens from Ikaria, why not stop by Iero Beach for a quick dip and savour the Ikaria lifestyle one last time? If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably visit Iero from just about anywhere on the Island because this unique pebbly beach is not often on many peoples ‘best beaches in Ikaria’ itinerary, a restful getaway indeed. It’s a shame actually, but I quite like kicking it with the locals.

Yet again you’ll experience some turbulence throughout the journey (the path of most resistance) but after an exhilarating leap into the deep turquoise water, you’ll forget all about your doubts in an instant. Iero Ikaria is perfect for those who love to snorkel when the water is gracefully still.

05. Kerame Beach (Faros)

Karema Beack Ikaria is on the way to Faros and can be easily missed if you’re not paying attention to your maps or directions. You begin driving down into what feels like a private hotel/residential area (it is not though). The descent to Kerame is easy to travel by car, down a dirt road, and with prime parking right at the ocean’s front door.

We spent hours at Kerame, the water is pristinely clear and you can see some amazing little swimmers below. You will get lost for hours here, pure tranquility and one of the best beaches in Ikaria to veg out (totally unwind and chill). I could get used to living in Ikaria Greece if this was my backyard.

NOTE: There are no amenities on the beach or nearby. Come equipped with your essentials and some shade. You’ll want to stay for hours.
After soaking in the sun and working up an appetite, grab a bite at the most authentic Ikaria Restaurants on the Island.

06. Messakti Beach

Messakti Ikaria is one of the beaches in Ikaria that tourists and locals love equally. It has a beautifully fine golden stretch of sand with emerald waters that envelop the shoreline. The water is much shallower making it ideal for the younger offspring (and adults) to let loose and get involved in beloved beach sports and games.

Have you ever been to Greece and played the infamous ‘Raketa’? (Beach Racket) It is a right of passage, an absolute must, and thanks to Messakti Beach Ikaria, it gives you the perfect arena to show off your skills and battle it out with friends and strangers alike.

07. Trapalou Beach

Last, but certainly just as breathtaking, in our Ikaria beaches guide is Trapalou Beach Ikaria (Trapalo Ikaria). This smaller commune is home to none other than *you guessed it* unspoiled and transparent waters. It is the ideal spot for the solo adventurer, the couple retreat, or the family fiesta.

It is a quiet luxury, encapsulated by a luscious landscape and with some comforts located in the village of Trapalou nearby. You get a taste of isolation while still feeling the Ikaria lifestyle nearby. By this point it is safe to say that the waters will be washing over you, leaving a sheen of Greek blue on your skin.

The All-Star Beaches in Ikaria

Ikaria beaches like to show off. It must be their blue zone charm. As you have laid witness, each of these beaches in Ikaria has its unique charm and appeal, with some being rugged and wild, while others offer a nurturing and rejuvenating experience that keeps you coming back for more.

The Ikaria lifestyle is electric. Just being on the Island you feel this sense of renewal and when you dive head first in these emerald pools, it quite literally feels like a breath of fresh existence.
There’s a lot to unpack on the island of longevity.

The 7 best beaches in Ikaria are revealed, which one are you diving into first?