#302 European Rank
Red Beach
Santorini, Greece•Aegean Sea• Best Season: May, June, July, August, September, October
Photo: Rt44 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.56/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
24.4°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€40/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Volcanic Black Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Mild Chop
Calm & Glassy
Moderate Cross-Breeze & Light ChopCove aspect: Faces S (180°) · Wind: W (270°)
Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming.
Significant Wave Height
...
Optimal Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · CROSS-SHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces S (180°)
Cross-shore Breeze • Mild surface chop along the bay
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
S (180°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 90°
Spatial Geometry: Breeze out of W blows obliquely across the S-facing cove, generating manageable lateral drift.
Morning Coastal Brief for Red Beach: Minimal chop, safe for wading, snorkeling and paddleboarding. Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Santorini, Greece
Ideal Swimming
Early August
24.4°C
Air ~35°C
Comfortable, prolonged bathing for all ages
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 24.4°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.4°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 16.1°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 16.2°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 16.8°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 18.8°C | 30°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 22.0°C | 33°C | Ideal Swimming |
| July | 23.6°C | 35°C | Ideal Swimming |
| August | 24.4°C | 35°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 23.9°C | 33°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 22.1°C | 30°C | Ideal Swimming |
| November | 19.7°C | 26°C | Refreshing |
| December | 17.5°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Greece Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 5 Jun – 29 Oct (>21°C) · 146 days
Planning around peak water warmth (24.4°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Red Beach for the optimal May–June–July–August–September–October swimming window.
Share with your group
Send today's water temperature, wind shelter, and beach access straight into your chat.
Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Red Beach (Santorini, Greece)
🌊 Water temperature: 24.4°C
⛱️ Beach access: 80% free public sand • Sunbeds: €20–€40
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces S (sheltered from N winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/red-beach-santorini-gr/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Excellent
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.7 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.5 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.6 / 5
About Red Beach
Blood-red lava cliffs and pebbles at the foot of ancient Akrotiri.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Reached via a footpath from Akrotiri village or by excursion boat from Akrotiri port
•Protected Status / Environment: Unique volcanic geological formation adjacent to the ancient Akrotiri Minoan archaeological site
•Notable Feature: Soaring terracotta-red volcanic cliffs contrasting with dark volcanic sands and azure Aegean waters
Official Tourism Authorities:visitgreece.gr
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (80%)Private Concessions (20%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
€20low season→€40August peak
Daily set (2 loungers + umbrella). Front-row loungers may command premium surcharges.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: Volcanic cliff bay with mostly open gravel; minimal rustic umbrella clusters near the path entrance.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Typical Rate: ~€5/day
Free Verge / Unpaved RoadsideCash-Only Attendant / Guardian
Carry €5–€10 in cash coins; attendants in remote coves often lack POS card terminals.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Direct Sun Cutoff: ~16:30 in August
Limestone walls cast shade over the sand 2 to 4 hours before sunset. Arrive early morning for warm swimming light.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Mandatory Karst Water Shoes
Sharp limestone edges and potential sea urchins on karst shelves. Essential for safe entry.
Sea Taxi & Boat Tender
Departs: Akrotiri Pier
Round trip shuttles run regularly in summer (~€10/person return). Book morning slots in July and August.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Santorini. Accessible via regional coastal roads (36.348°N, 25.393°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Red Beach involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Clear, watch rockfall.
•Red lava cliffs.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
JTR · 20m drive15-20 min ride from Santorini Airport (JTR) with direct cliffside shuttle.
Ferry Connection: Athinios Port
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Red Beach?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Red Beach
What is the water temperature at Red Beach?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Red Beach averages 24.4°C (76°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Red Beach?
Red Beach is classified as a volcanic black sand shoreline located in Santorini, Greece.
Is Red Beach good for families with kids?
Yes, Red Beach is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Red Beach?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
Head-to-Head Destination Matrix
Crete vs Cyclades: Greek Island Beach Guide
More Beaches in GreeceRegional Guide
4.8
Crete (Chania / Akrotiri), Greece•Aegean Sea (Cretan Sea)
3rd Highest scenery score in Aegean Sea
26.4°C sea
25/day
White Sand
31°C• Scenic
Stays from €25/n
4.8
Antipaxos (Paxoi Municipality), Ionian Islands, Greece•Ionian Sea
2nd Clearest water in Ionian Sea
26°C sea
48/day
White Sand
30.5°C• Kids
Stays from €48/n
4.8
Ionian Islands (Corfu / Afionas), Greece•Ionian Sea
3rd Clearest water in Ionian Sea
26.4°C sea
30/day
White Sand
30°C• Scenic
Stays from €30/n
4.8
Lixouri, Kefalonia, Greece•Ionian Sea
Clearest water in Ionian Sea
25.9°C sea
42/day
Golden Sand
35°C• Kids
Stays from €42/nWarmest European Beaches this SeasonNOAA Climatology
4.7
Alanya, Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
29°C sea
44/day
Golden Sand
37°C• Kids
Stays from €44/n
4.5
Antalya, Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
2nd Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
29°C sea
43/day
Pebbles
37°C• Kids
Stays from €43/n
4.8
Antalya (Kalkan), Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
3rd Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
28.9°C sea
45/day
White Sand
32°C• Kids
Stays from €45/n
4.8
Antalya (Kemer), Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
3rd Longest swim season in Mediterranean Sea · 200 days
28.9°C sea
20/day
White Sand
33°C• Kids
Stays from €20/n