The Port Authority of Thira has decided which beaches will be designated as busy for 2026, as well as which will not be subject to this specific designation. The decision concerns both lifeguard coverage and ensuring the safety of bathers during the summer season.
Three popular beaches on the island are designated as busy beaches, as they meet the criterion of more than 300 bathers during peak periods. This concerns the beach of the municipal community of Emporio, in the section extending from “SEA SIDE” in Agios Georgios to “DEMIL MAR” in Perissa, Kamari beach, in the section from “Mesa Vouno” to the hotel unit “Costa Grand Resort & Spa”, as well as Vlychada beach, in the section located east of the “D. Nomikos” tomato industrial museum.
On these three coasts, it is planned to hire lifeguards under the responsibility of the Municipality of Thira, in order to cover the section of the beach from the beginning of June to the end of September. Lifeguard coverage will be provided daily from 10:00 in the morning to 18:00 in the afternoon. In particular, on the beaches of Emporio and Perissa, the presence of lifeguards will cover the area from “SEA SIDE” to “DEMIL MAR”, on Kamari beach from “Mesa Vouno” to “Costa Grand Resort & Spa”, while in Vlychada it will concern the section from the height of the “D. Nomikos” tomato industrial museum and a length of 400 meters west.
On the contrary, for 2026, the beaches of Kamari from the “Costa Grand Resort & Spa” to the former “AVIS” factory, Exo Gonia from the biological treatment to the former “AVIS” factory, Karterados, Vourvoulos, Vothonas, Agios Georgios Exomytis, Exo Gialos Fira, Megalochori, Apothikes Akrotiri, Mesa Pigadia Akrotiri, Kerkezos Akrotiri, Kambia Akrotiri, Kaminia Akrotiri, Agios Nikolaos Akrotiri, Aspri Paralia Akrotiri, Koloumpos, Pori, Katharos, Paradisos and Baxedes will not be classified as crowded. The reason is that these specific beaches do not attract a number of bathers that exceeds 300 visitors during peak periods, while at the same time no accidents have been recorded in previous years.
Special mention is made of the Red Beach of Akrotiri, which is not classified as crowded, as the ban on bathers and visitors by the Municipality of Thira is still in force, due to the increased risk of landslides. The ban is accompanied by relevant signs that have been placed in the area. However, if the ban is lifted in the future and access is allowed again, then the Red Beach will be classified as a crowded beach.
The decision of the Port Authority of Thira forms the map of the beaches that will have an enhanced lifeguard presence in the summer of 2026, aiming at the safety of bathers and the smooth operation of the island’s beaches.
