Samos

Barefoot reporters advise that the first thing to get is a ROAD EDITION map of the island - 4.20 Euros from tourist information, this map has great detail and all the beaches and roads are marked. [Hearing that RE have gone bust, the brand to get now is Anavasi.]

NORTHERN BEACHES

Tsamadou

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This is said to be the only official naturist beach on Samos.
From Samos port, follow the northwest coastal road for 12km, passing Kokkari. At the bend in the road, there is a taverna and a car park. A steep but easy path leads to the beach from this point. At the bottom, there is a snack bar that has some basic supplies. The snack bar seems to be the point where the nudist section begins and continues to the right (southeast).

The access path down from the car park and Taverna at the top is mostly concreted and presents no real problems. It is found on the east end of the beach in a sharp bend in the road. The beach is of pebbles and, providing you have something on your feet, getting in and out of the water isn't a problem. The beach, when our Barefooters visited in the first week of May 2006, was totally nude from just to the left of the snack bar, all the way to the right as you look at the sea. The snack bar served good sandwiches, hot and cold drinks and ice creams, this was also the man who hired the sunbeds at a cost of 6 euros per set per day. The toilets were clean and flushed (but watch out for lack of toilet paper) and the fresh water shower was very welcome. A good beach for couples, but not ideal for children because the water went deep quickly. If you like pebbles, it rates 95%.

A short distance along the road from the taverna on the bend there are several alternative routes to various tavernas on the beach.

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The nudist section of the beach is about 75m long and 10m from water to beach top. It consists of large pebbles. Facilities include the aforementioned snack bar and there are also three tavernas to choose from (on the textile section). There are two beach cubicle toilets near to the snack bar. There are sun loungers and parasols for hire at 6 Euros for two people, and the luxury of two fresh water showers. Access to the water is very tricky and painful on bare feet. The combination of the pebbles and the surging waves makes leaving the water as difficult as entering it. On the days we were there, the waves were a few feet high and could cause panic in poor swimmers.

A Barefoot reporter who spent the summer in Samos in 2003 says the beach is divided into 2 parts next to each other: The part on the right side as you approach the beach (a small cantina exactly at the entrance is considered the "border") was totally nudist for 50 metres along the beach. The part on the left was either for textiles or for topless women for 300 metres. From June up to the end of September there were sometimes more than 50 nudists. The textiles could approach the same number but most days, the ratio was 66%-33% or 80%-20% for the naturists especially in September. The age of them was exclusively 40-60, and they were mostly from Germany. The age of the textiles or topless women on the left side was younger.

Tsamadou was the only beach with a large number of sunbathers even at the end of September. The ratio those days was 80%-20% in favour of the naturists.

The background landscape was very beautiful. The very big disadvantage: dangerous rocks which can cut bare feet under the water instead of sand.

The nudist section of this beach was almost 100% nudist. The scenery at this part of Samos is spectacular and the approach to the beach is delightful. The character of the beach was relaxed with the majority of occupants being couples. The facilities at this beach were good and the atmosphere was laid back, but the poor access to the sea and the potential for danger of the sea limited its score to 75%.

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This was a pebble beach; very crowded even in September. It is very long and while steeply shelved at the Kokhari end, this does not apply to the Southern end which is also generally free of the rather strong currents. Our correspondents' experience, two Octobers in succession, was that while the whole beach has a majority of textiles the Southern end had a majority of naturists (at least counting on the basis that a group is naturist if it has at least one unclothed person to signify a sympathetic attitude, and possibly even on a stricter basis). The beach is also fundamentally German, so you can assume a quite tolerant attitude to nudity in any case. Our correspondent gave this beach an 80% rating.

A correspondent spent two weeks there in September 1999 and would say that it was 40/60% naturists, mostly German. and a "nice beach".

Some correspondents rave about this beach. One described Tsamadou as a lovely beach. The atmosphere, sea and beach itself is beautiful. From the taverna / bus stop there is a steep staircase down to the beach (but improved with paving during 1999). On the right hand side the beach is fully naturist, on the left hand side there are textiles. Two reports from May 2001 gave it a rating of 100%, which is truly exceptional. One report confirms that to the right of the staircase it is 100% nudist! The nudist character of the beach seems to be widely acknowledged, since the Swedish Travel Agent Apollo in their general information about Samos mentions Tsamadou as an option for those "who want to bathe naked". The beach is really great and there is some coarse sand here and there in addition to the pebbles.

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A report from August 2001 confirms the above description.

It is evidently quite cosmopolitan - with a large number of Germans and also people from Scandinavia, England and Holland too, and even some Greek people on both sides of the beach!

A report from May 2002 says this is still a "marvellous" nudist beach. And a report from September 2005 confirms that from the staircase and to the right it is 100% nudist. Mostly gays at the upper right side of the beach.

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A less promising report from 2005, however: at the beginning of June a pair of Barefoot reporters were the only naked people there. But other Barefooters who visited in June and July 2007 said that the nudist section had expanded at least 20m to the left of the cantina. There were sunbeds across the whole beach. Very popular with Germans, but other nationalities present in good numbers too. There must have been more than 100 nude people there and there was a friendly atmosphere. A tiny cable-car provides food and drink service from the taverna at the top of the hill. The colour of the sea is wonderful, a sort of cream-blue. The left part of the beach is textile and the right one is nudist. People are very polite and you can enjoy all the privacy you want. The entry in/out of water can be tricky on most of the days. There are some large rocks (sometimes submerged) in the nudist section.

2010 September: We went this beach for just one day. It was 100% nudists. First of all we should say that this is the best organization we have ever seen. The sunbeds and an umbrella is now 8 Euro. There is a tavern which is located above the beach. But you can buy what you want from the beach because there is a cablecar for food and drinks between beach and tavern. The prices are reasonable.
It was very crowded. There were maybe 80 nudists. Also this is the only beach that we could see lone women. (We guess this is an important criterion for safety and comfortable)…
After all these good comments; we have to say that we couldn't swim. There was a strong wind. The sea is very wavely. And the weather was nearly cold!

A note of warning: There are several cliffs underwater near the end of the beach (to the right) 10-15 m from shore. Cliffs in Greece are lava and sharp as a razor blade, so be very careful here.

Late July 2011: Our favourite beach. Both times we went the Eastern part (right if you face the sea) was full of nude people, about 75 people. If you take the most eastern entrance to the beach (with the steps from the parking area in the hair pin turn) it drops you off at the beach at the point where textile becomes nude. When we were there, the area with the blue umbrellas was totally nude. If you use the sunbeds, there is a charge, and you can order drinks or snacks from a guy who works for the taverna on top of the cliff. The drinks are transported down with a little cable lift. There is wonderful snorkeling around the rocks on the east side of the cliffs, and there are free fresh water showers. It’s a pebble beach and the colours are unbelievable. The trees are a crisp kind of green, and the sea has many shades of the deepest blue. I would rate it 100%.
Another late July 2011: This Barefooter had his first nude beach experience here and loved it! Great to start lost in a large group of well-tanned sunlovers. Freshwater showers on the beach are such a treat after a day in the sun and sea.

This is the second beach driving the road from Kokkari to Avlakia. At the right side of the beach, from the tower of the beach guard, is the clothing-optional and almost 100% nude beach. This was during August 2017. You can hire a couple of sunbeds for €8 and Mister Tsamadou brings you everything you want. This beach is fantastic!

A reporter in July 2018: no changes. Only the average age of the visitors is getting higher, like on other beaches.
Crowded beach. If you don’t want to rent a sunbed, there is just a small space for people at the end of the beach.


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Tsambou / Avlakia

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My correspondent found a "much nicer" beach about two kilometres further away from Kokkari called Tsambou beach (please note that the Captain previously understood it to be called Avlakia beach, but it appears that this is a small and rocky town beach visited only by locals). As the road turns (the entrance to the beach is on a hairpin bend - a correspondent knew it was the right place because of the number of scooters parked by the road), you can go down a cliff (the walk down is dodgy, but well-travelled) and find a beautiful spot (pebbled beach) where there were about 20-30 naturists.

(July 2009) Some confusion here, “Avlakia” is the one stated here as above “(the entrance to the beach is on a hairpin bend - a correspondent knew it was the right place because of the number of scooters parked by the road), you can go down a cliff (the walk down is dodgy, but well-travelled)”. Whilst “Tsambou” is a little further west with road access [& umbrellas], very nice but 100% textile.

A July 2000 report confirms this beach was 100% nude, and an August 2000 one says 98% nude. In June 2001 it was described as a very nice beach, more intimate and smaller than Tsamadou. It gets its character from its first visitors of the day, so it is best to be first! One day it was 100% nude, another 50%. There is shadow on the western side if you would need it. My contributor rated it 90%. In August 2001 it was 100% nude with about 20-25 people there when it was there, all couples. The trek over the cliffs to get to the beach is certainly not for the less agile and could be dangerous if you slipped. Shade is available from the cliffs but take plenty of water to drink.

A contributor spent one week on this beach in June 2003 and found it very quiet and relaxing with no more than 20 people on the beach each day. Between 0930 and 1100 the beach was 100% nudist (4-5 people) and again between 1700 and 1800. At weekends the Greek families visited the beach (usually for 1 hour) and sat amongst the nude sunbathers without complaint.

A contribution from September 2005 reports only a few couples were nude, but it is a beautiful beach. Unfortunately another Barefooter found it completely textile in July 2007, with umbrellas and sunbeds.

Some Barefoot reporters say that the description of the beaches as being made of pebbles is something of an understatement. They are in fact sizeable stones, and could be uncomfortable if you do not have a mat to lie on.

July 2011: Beautiful beach with the chairs and the umbrellas and completely textile except for one person at end of beach.

On this beach were in August 2017 no nudists to find and the beach is now filled with sunbeds and 100% textile.
This is the first beach driving the road from Kokkari to Avlakia.


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Lemonakia Beach

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Lemonakia beach is just before you come to Tsamadou but is a bit more crowded, and also not as accessible (you have to walk down 50-100m on a wooden path). Only the western end is nude, but as you can see the water just off the beach is wonderful! A report from August 2000 suggests that nudism is now prohibited here, so caution is advised, and a report from May 2001 reports no nudism being practised there (confirmed in 2003).

This beach is now in August 2017 100% textile.

Another nice beach, but not suitable for nudism, was at Psili Ammos, just off the road to Pythagorion. A superb view of the coast of Turkey. This side of the island can be rather hot and there is less shade. (There is another beach of the same name which is suitable for nudism - see below.)


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Megalo & Micro Seitani

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Word reaches me that these are marvellous beaches but you have to walk. They are west of Karlovasi on the north coast. Drive west to Potami. Drive as far as you feel able according to the state of the road (most recent reports suggest it is not really problematic). Going or driving on the car track from Potami look for a cairn on the right side. One stone in the cairn is painted red. Here you go down from the car track and will find the path which is then easy to follow (wonderful scenery through the pine woods). Here and there along the path, stones are marked with red dots. The Seitani beaches are roughly 40 minutes plus another 30 minutes walk. Micro is first and is a great place to strip off and swim and rest before going on to Megalo Seitani where there is much more space to get lost in. The walking is on the rough side. Finding the path was difficult even on my correspondent's 3rd visit in 1998 but on a still day the walk is outstandingly beautiful and the beaches idyllic. If you go there once you will want to return.

A contributor who visited in August 2000 tells me that this beach can now be accessed easily by small boat from Karlovassi port. The boat is called Alexander the Great. Therefore in August about 40 people were on the beach, 75% Greek, and the beach 100% textile! In August swimming nude only at the eastern end of the beach and only in the morning. At 12 o´clock the beach is crowded with textile Greeks and you do not feel comfortable. However sunbathing nude is possible in the dunes. So in high season unfortunately this beach is not a good nude beach. My contributor agrees the beach is beautiful, very idyllic, but at least in high season it does not look like a good bet for nudism.

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A report from June 2001 says the walk to Micro Seitani is marvellous. It is worth every step, 30-40 minutes' experience of Greek island nature. Unfortunately my contributors could not go further to Megalo Seitani but that walk is surely of the same quality. Micro Seitani was 75% nudist when my contributors were there and rated 95%.

A contributor who visited in September 2005 did the walk to Megalo Seitani and cautions that it's a 2 hours long walk, probably not something to undertake in the hottest weather. The Captain notes the differences in these reports! On the other hand they found the beach almost empty - worth every step. Lots of space - but also a beach that clearly has a look of having been used a lot in high season (toilet papers behind bushes in the back of the beach, deserted camp fires, ropes and garbage). But the beach is beautiful - and the above comments shouldn't dissuade you from going there.

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A Barefooter who visited in July 2006 found it tough going in the heat to Micro Seitani, but it was 60% naturist. At weekends, however, it becomes textile. Another report from July 2007 said there were only a few people on Mikro Seitani, most of them nude. Entry to the water was tricky because of unpredictable strong currents.

There is the taxi boat from Karlovasi (Alexander the Great), but if the sea is rough he won't leave. Cost €10 and leaves at 09.00 & 11.00 hrs.

July 2011: this was much easier to find than the descriptions suggest. Continue on the road after Potami on the gravel road. The road is in OK condition, so don’t worry. Just follow the ‘main’ road until the start of the footpath to the Seitani beaches. This footpath was indicated by a sign that did not look very permanent. It was easy to recognize though, because other cars were parked there as well.
The hike alone is worth going, even if you don’t go to the beaches. You will have wonderful views of the unspoilt and spectacular coastline of this part of Samos.

It took us 20 minutes to reach Micro Seitani beach, and another 30 minutes (so total 50 mins) to reach Megalo Seitani from the trailhead. The hike is not too difficult, but does require scrambling up and down some rocky parts.

Megalo Seitani is spectacular. It is a very long coarse-sand beach with a spectacular backdrop with a gorge. Behind the beach there is a sort of dune area. When we were there (late July) there was hardly anyone on the beach. There were some yachts (with textiles) on the far end, and some clothed people on the middle part. There were some people camping in the dune area, some were naked, others were not. We settled on the near end of the beach.

Micro Seitani was a little busier, and mixed (textile/nude) when we passed it going to Megalo Seitani. On the way back the textile crowd had disappeared and there was only one other nude couple on the beach. It is a pebble beach, and I thought the setting was even more spectacular than Megalo Seitani. Especially the underwater beauty was stunning. One of the best places I have ever snorkelled.
Obviously bring your own supplies.

Megalo Seitani - finally made it there in July 2009, but by a different route. Travelled to the village of Nikoludes near Leka and about a mile past the village, Megalo Seitani is well signposted. It still takes about 30 to 40 minutes on foot along a goat path and would rate this as 70%, but again at weekends it would be quite extensively used by the locals, so be sensible.

We were in Mikro and Megalo Seitani in August 2015. For Mikro Seitani I can confirm what has been said, at noon it was about 50%, at sunset 75%. In Megalo Seitani the south-west end of the beach (where boats arrive) was only textiles, in the dune area few naturists and in the other end a bit mixed. Both beaches are wonderful and the path is amazing but it took us much more than what is said here: 35 min. for the Mikro, 45 fron there to Megalo Seitani. It was also extremely hot so we didn't rush.

A reporter in July 2018:
Micro Seitani: In the morning a couple and a group of 5 textiles. I undressed, and the couple did the same. Later two more nude couples. Later when I came back from Megalo Seitani one nude couple and a single man.
Megalo Seitani: A group of textiles, but the beach is long enough for naturists also.

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SOUTHERN BEACHES

West of Samos

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Another correspondent did a quick tour of the West of Samos by motor bike (well mid-West actually because the very West coast is a long way from anywhere and probably only realistically achieved by boat). The Northern coast offered nothing and the Southern coast yielded a single cove achieved by a steep descent. This was gloriously sandy with shallowish (3 ft) water out for a considerable way. A lovely place for children with a number of separate shallow caves to provide shade. It could accommodate about half a dozen small groups without feeling over-crowded and its seclusion gave it a narrow majority of naturists during this visit. The resorts in this part of Samos didn't seem to have anything official by way of naturist beaches, and the location of this one cove is difficult to explain and its approach rather hazardous. It is immediately below an isolated taverna before the main resorts of the South West are reached - a bit vague I fear, our correspondent wasn't planning to contribute to a newsgroup (or a Web page) at the time!


Votsalakia

Island links


For more information about Samos try:
Samos Beaches

The little village of Votsalakia is said to be nice, not busy, and tolerant. There is a beautiful quiet beach where my contributor has gone for two years. The easiest way to find it is to follow the coast in Votsalakia westwards. After a busy textile beach you walk straight on, just keep the sea on your left, and notice that the beach is getting more and more quiet. After about 15 minutes you reach 4/5 little beaches, all separated by rocks. There were only three or four couples, mostly my contributors were alone. Sometimes there were some people walking by, but this posed no problem at all.

As you leave Votsalakia you pass the café bar Mystic Ocean (2015: Bar now closed) and about 100 yards on the left there is a small path to the beach. I would rate this as 60% suitable, but forget weekends. Shallow waters for a considerable distance, so be sure to take an inflatable to just soak that sun and float away. I wish I knew about this one before. 2015: Girl + 2 Kids now living on beach in tent.
As a matter a fact you can walk over the beach (over rocks and stones) to the beaches described under Fournaki (the ones you reach from the bridge at the end of Votsalakia village). The walk takes about 15 minutes.


Fornaki / Fournaki

See here on Google Maps

In the south-west of Samos, there is a small beach called Fornaki Beach next to Votsalakia and Marathokampos.

It is much smaller than Tsamadou, but many Barefoot reporters think much nicer. Typically 10-20 people on beach generally nude. There is a lovely little beach bar near the end of beach. Good swimming and snorkelling although the entrance to the water is over pebbles, so beach shoes are recommended. There is fairly easy access. The beach is backed by cliffs so tends to go into shade from early evening (about 6.30 when my reporters were there). There is no shade during the day.

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There is a long stretch of isolated beach in front of sand cliffs. If you walk as far west as possible, you will reach a sand beach, sparsely populated, and with a totally different character to either Tsmadou or Avlakia. The beach was 100 metres long, 100% sand extending out into the Aegean for 100-200 metres. No chairs, no taverna, nothing. During the last week of August 2003, there were 4 to 5 couples and 2 or 3 single women lying in the sun on this beach. 100% naturist, very relaxed, and friendly. there is a nice taverna up on the cliff which has fantastic views of the beach. A scooter, or car, is mandatory, or you'll spend your whole day walking.

It is easy to find: there is a sign down to the beach just after the village of Kampos. It is said to be about 70% nude, but there are other beaches nearby where you can go nude (report dating from July 2000). A report from June 2001 confirms that Fornaki is about 60% nudist. There are several coves, so walk further if one is textile.

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The stones aren't so smooth here, but if you keep on walking another couple of hundred metres there are some little beaches that were being used by naturists - only two or three couples. My contributor found these to be very rocky and evidently was slightly concerned lying under the cliffs which didn't look that safe as they were mud and stone.

A keen Barefooter says that those who say the beach(es) is (are) rocky and not nice haven't walked far enough. The last one has a very nice sandy beach with shallow water and some nice cliffs for snorkelling to the west. This part can also be reached from the road: Drive along the cliff side, when the road turns inland and a telephone line crosses over, turn off the road and park. Walk down a dry riverbed through an ancient olive grove. Someone has painted signs that say "Nocted is forbitten". My intrepid Barefoot reporter made sure he did not do any nocting, nor did he see anyone enjoying this activity, whatever it is. During the first two weeks of Sept 2003, there were every day 4-5 couples at this part, all nude. There were scattered nudes along the rest of the beach towards Kampos, with 6-7 couples in the first cove after the abandoned taverna.

This beach is located at the west end of Votsalakia village, the official name of which is Kampos. There’s a bridge at the end of the village and behind it there’s a sign on the left and a path down to a still closed tavern. Following this path, partly leading through the dry river bed, you come to the beach. It is quite big, mostly covered with pebbles and some sand. After the first 300m long section there is one beautiful cove where a pair of Barefooters spent a marvellous holiday. Further on there are two other coves with a little worse access into the sea. All sections (coves), including the first biggest one were used by naturists for all two weeks. The first one was 80-90% nudist with about 10 to maximum 30 people on the beach, the second and the following ones were completely nudist. There were mostly people from Holland, Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Czech Republic. The atmosphere on the beach was very friendly. A few people walked around during the day which caused no problems. They mostly went to see the scenery of the coves towards the west of the island. The beach is surrounded with rocks consisting of stones and sand. These rocks look very dangerous like they would collapse every moment, but not even a stone came down while we were there. My reporters found this beach an ideal place for a naturist holiday.

Follow the path down to the beach - signposted as Fournaki beach - turn left for the main Kambos/Votsalakia beach and right for a series for pebble beach coves. All of these seemed to have a mixture of textiles and naturists. Mostly quiet, for several days out of the week Barefooters had a beach to themselves.

The village of Kambos/Votsalakia is stretched out along the beach for a couple of kilometres with no real centre so you will find yourselves spending a lot of time wandering up and down the mostly quiet road.

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Barefoot reporters tell me that as of July 2006, the western end of the beach was used mainly by nudists, of various countries. The first part of the beach had sun beds on and was used by textiles. There were up to 14 nudists using the beach. The beach was a mixture of large and small pebbles but was sheltered to a certain extent by the cliffs from the winds which seemed to come mainly from the North of the island. My reporters rated the beach 75%.

The Beach bar is up and running and serves drinks and light snacks. It is run by a friendly young couple and is a nice place to escape the very hot sun and get a bit of shade.

But reports from early July 2007 say that Fornaki beach now has sunbeds, all textile, so Barefooters went to the next bay over the rocks and were sometimes alone or with a maximum of eight people, all naturist. Good swimming and snorkelling. Beach shoes were essential.

Used this beach several times during 2011, no sun beds, 90% naturist then and as described above with difficult access to the sea, several coves along this area - just keep walking till one suits you.

Late July 2011: although high season, these beaches were very quiet. You can either walk from the textile beach at Votsalakia, or park (as described) at the end of town right after the bridge accross the dry riverbed. Both are probably a 5 min walk to the beach. The clothing optional section starts west of the mouth of the dry riverbed. There are a couple of bays west of here, all suitable for nude swimming and relaxing. When we were there (in July) there were very few people here, and often a mix of nude and clothed, bet there were nude people each time. If you continue to the third beach (pebbly), you probably have the entire beach to yourself.
Because it was so quiet, at first it was hard to determine what was nude, and what was not. But if you take it all off, you’ll likely start a trend. Bring your own supplies. I would rate this 80%.

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First week of June 2012: situation has remained the same. Spectacular scenery, pebbly but great beach.

At Fornaki beach in mid-August 2017 were some nude couples, and one family camping on the end of the beach. We were there three times in one week. Sometimes there were non-nude or topless young couples, women or men visiting the beach but this was not annoying. There are no facilities at the nude section of the beach but this is one of the best places to be. When you walk several metres into the sea the stones disappear and there is only sand! You can walk 100 metres into the sea because it is real flat!
The best place to park is at the parking of the now closed “beach bar” Mistic Ocean”:- https://goo.gl/maps/RaWZBTpibEr
Walk here https://goo.gl/maps/k9Lu5Abvoco downwards where the road turns right a path for some metres and go right and follow the sometimes steep path through the ancient olive grove.

Here you can find the beach on Google Maps:- https://goo.gl/maps/pfCgvBCUg3q

A reporter in July 2018: For me the description of the beaches in Votsalakia and Fournaki was a bit confusing.
Actually: starting from the western end of the textile beach in Votsalakia there is a range of 5 smaller and bigger beaches called Fournaki. The easiest way to get there is to walk from the western end in Votsalakia. They can all be reached by walking over the rocks and pebbles. Or you can start at the last beach, near the parking place of the closed beach bar as mentioned above.
The first beach has beach beds and umbrellas and is textile. On the next (small) beach there was a nude couple. The third beach is larger and more beautiful, also a nude couple. Nobody on the next two beaches. Next day the same numbers. Number of tourists has decreased the last few years.

About the painted words "Nocted is forbitten" can I say: This must be a mix of English and German and you can interpret it as “Nacktheit ist verboten” but the painter did not speak German or English well. The painting is more than 20 years old and I saw it also in 1995 and 2009.


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Psili Ammos, nr Votsalakia

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The road from Kampos continues to the west on the edge of the cliffs and after 2.5 kilometres you reach Psili Ammos Beach. It is a wide beach of fine sand which gently shelves into the sea. Half of the beach is umbrellas (to the left as you enter the beach), about a quarter of the other half towards the end at the right is naturist, up to 20 people while my correspondent was there at the end of September 2002. Although the road runs at the back of beach this is at an elevated level and this section of the beach is not easily visible from there.

My contributor would rate this beach highly (95%). The setting, with the mountains behind and the Bay of Marathokampos in front, is probably one of the best he has seen in Greece.

Barefooters who visited in June 2006 recommend Psili Ammos - a lovely sandy beach with with shallow water with a sandy bottom - so, unlike Tsamadou, it is easy to get in and out of the water. It is roughly 45min walk from Votsalakia (don't confuse it with the one to the south of Samos Town). Taverna and toilets are available by access point, about 250 metres from nudist section which is at the extreme right as you look at the beach. Sunbeds are available for 6 euros per set per day. This pretty little nudist area (apparently it used to be a larger section of the beach) had 5 couples and two families on it with room for a few more, most were English, all were friendly. It was also interesting that a lot of people my reporters talked to had been to Samos year after year.

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Barefooters who visited in June 2005 found the beach a pleasant surprise. There were some 30 nudists at the west end, and the beach was very pleasant, the water clean and good for swimming. Beware of the slope leading down to the beach - the taverna washes cars and lets out the soapy water on the slope making it very slippery.

Barefoot reporters who were there in June 2007 described it as a sandy beach with a small nudist section. On my reporters' visit there were 5 or 6 other nude couples. They rated it 60%.

100% textile in 2009 & 2011, shame really, would have been perfect.
Some good news. At our visit in the first week of June 2012 the sunbeds guy said: nude is no problem, the last 5 sunbeds and the beach beyond are for the nudists. Indeed when we were there (on a Sunday) there were 4 nude couples and a woman alone.

2015 - West end still nudist OK.
We also visited this year (August 2015) Psili Ammos near Votsalakia, nice beach but it's a pity about the shitty music from the restaurant, west end was 100% nude but it's in the shade early in the afternoon so you have to move and the rest of the beach was too crowded.

July 2018: On two afternoons no nudists, but the end part was empty, so I saw no problem in stripping off.


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The Third Beach

(possibly known locally as Klima). Again, as you leave the village of Votsalakia and head towards Limnionas, take the road for The Taverna at the End of the World, continue past the Taverna, up the hill where you come across three roads. Take the middle road and keep right. At this point the road narrows and becomes quite rough with no immediate passing places for other vehicles, we used a motorbike so no problem. Arrived at a natural parking area and followed a goat track down to the beach. This can be identified by a cave in the cliff face and very large boulders on the beach. 100% suitable for Barefooters, could be comfortably suitable for six couples or more if they cleared the kelp and other debris from the beach. (July 2009)


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Mikali / Mykali

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Almost deserted beach west of the eastern Psili Ammos. Barefooters found a kilometre just for themselves in July 2007. They even found a nice beach shelter made of natural materials.

A huge pebble beach very close to Pythagorio. Take the road from Pythagorio to Vathi and turn right when you see the sign to Psili Amos. Mikali beach is divided in two parts by a taverna. The part right from the taverna is completely empty. So that might offer an alternative for people staying in Pythagorio or Vathi when it is too windy for Tsamadou beach. My contributor rated it 50%.

It must be noted that to reach the empty area of the beach you have to walk away from the tavernas, shower and toilet facilities but, once there, you can virtually do your own thing as you may not see anybody else all day. To find the beach travelling from Pythagorio to Samos town, look out for a small turning to the right, not far after passing a large petrol station that looked like a BP garage. You are generally turning back towards the coast and just follow the road for a few kilometres and you will eventually pick up signs for Mikali Beach.

July 2018: long but narrow beach. No enclosure, I prefer a bay with rocks on the background.
Only one man came for a short nude swim.


Klima Beach

- near Posidonio

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A report comes in from August 1998, in the high season when many beaches are overcrowded, but my correspondents still managed to find their way to a very nice little beach near the village of Posidonio. It was not easy to find on the far south-east coast. They bought a very detailed map, hired a car and asked the locals. As they came closer, they also found small wooden signs pointing towards the beach. They really just wanted a beach that was not overcrowded, and found it was also good for nude sunbathing on the right side. It was a very small beach with not too many people. On the left-hand side stood a very nice a little Greek taverna with excellent food, lying more-or-less on the water, as well as free Sunbeds! On the right side there are some bigger trees to rest under. They visited this beach then for many days in a row and found empty sunbeds even at 12 o'clock. Beside Tsamadou this was the best beach if they did not want to be too close to their neighbours. They rated it 90%. Be aware that a report from 2000 suggests that nudism is now prohibited here; caution is therefore advised. An email from June 2001 reported that when my contributors were there, there was one other, textile, couple and since the beach is quite small they felt it was impossible for them to be naked.

Klima beach was very nice but 100% textiles on 14th August 2015.


Ireon

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West of the airport. Drive to the west through the village of Ireon. Follow signs to "sauber strand" (clean beach in German). Follow the dirt road past "pappas beach", about 150m past the parking lot, a track goes down to a pebble/rock beach. 3-4 couples each day, all nude (Sept 2003), sun goes down early.
2015 - That is a really steep track down. About 25m of steep climbing.


Pototaki / Potokaki

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West of the airport. Drive through the village of Pototaki. There is a rough dirt road that follows the beach. Follow this road almost all the way to the western end. You will notice houses and some small farms appearing. Sand/pebbles by an abandoned pillbox. Not many people around, some gay men and gay activity in the afternoon. Not a very pleasant beach, but not far to go from Pythagorion. A local farmer came every afternoon to collect sand with his "triketor" and usually took a nude swim afterwards. Rating: 50%.

2016 - West part of the beach still seems deserted. But it is next to the dirt road which is not very busy but still used by locals. No signs of nudism.


Aspropetra

Follow the road further through a very nice terraced olive grove. When you're just inshore of the small island (Petra), turn left and go/drive past a ruined house down the hill. The road looks a little bit risky, but a rental Hyundai Atoses made it both down and up. Park and follow the track down to a very nice pebble/sandy beach. Sheltered from everything but westerly winds, sun late in the evening. You can swim through "The Pearly Gate". 2-3 couples everyday, mostly nude, the textiles didn't seem to mind.


Kaladakia

Located to the east of Ormos/Balos on the south west, and accessed off the main road to Ormos and Votsalakia, at where the new Panorama Villas are. Follow the road down past the villas to arrive at the very small pebbled beach. Rated at 70% as you must be the first to set the standards, weekends I would have thought would be a no no.


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Ag Ioannis

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A Barefoot reporter declares that this resembles paradise.

It is located in the most SW part of the island. Take a road from Votsalakia. There must be a monastery somewhere nearby, but my reporter didn't see it. The last kilometre is a dust-road, but a rented Matiz made it without problems.

You will see a small bay with a tiny island in the middle. You have to pass a few metres through a sort of a jungle. There you will find a small, seemingly deserted house and a wonderful bay. Small, white pebbles. You can get as much shade as you want. Entry in/out of the water is perfect.

In July 2009 very good and directions nearly as described above, all I would add is head for the village of Palaiochorion, but don’t enter the village as just before it take the left road at the top of the hill. The beach where the monastery referred to is, is in the next bay; just continue driving up the hill a little more and park on top and you're overlooking the bay. Shelter if required, using the cave nearby. No private or commercial boats are allowed into this bay. Would rate this beach as 80%. Unfortunately I did not take any photographs of this beach.

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July 2018: The beach with the boat on the picture is actually Klima Beach, next to Ag Ioannis. There a more of these small beaches here as can be seen from above. Not sure how to get there, by boat or car.
I am surprised that someone did it with a rented Matiz. With a mountain bike I went down using only my brakes, going up I could only walk, it took 45 minutes. Nobody there of course.

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