#27 European Rank Blue Flag Certified
Xi Beach
Lixouri, Kefalonia, Greece•Ionian Sea• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Tigerente (CC BY 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.77/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
25.9°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€42/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Shallow & Gentle
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Calm & Glassy
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces W (260°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Optimal Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces W (260°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
W (260°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 10°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the W-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for Xi Beach: Minimal chop, safe for wading, snorkeling and paddleboarding. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. 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) · Lixouri, Kefalonia, Greece
Warm Bathwater
Early August
25.9°C
Air ~35°C
Optimal thermal comfort; zero cold shock
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 · 25.9°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15.9°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 15.3°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 15.2°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 16.2°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 18.9°C | 30°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 22.4°C | 33°C | Ideal Swimming |
| July | 24.5°C | 35°C | Ideal Swimming |
| August | 25.9°C | 35°C | Warm Bathwater |
| September | 24.9°C | 33°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 22.7°C | 30°C | Ideal Swimming |
| November | 20.2°C | 26°C | Refreshing |
| December | 17.6°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 3 Jun – 5 Nov (>21°C) · 155 days
Planning around peak water warmth (25.9°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Xi Beach for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Xi Beach (Lixouri, Kefalonia, Greece)
🌊 Water temperature: 25.9°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/xi-beach-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: ExcellentCertified Blue Flag
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Excellent Quality
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 & Setting4.5 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness5.0 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.8 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.6 / 5
About Xi Beach
Brick-red sand and warm shallows beneath white clay cliffs that bathers use as a natural spa. Kefalonia's strangest shore.
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (100%)Private Concessions (0%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
Free (100% Public)
No commercial loungers; bring your own parasol and beach mat.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: 100% open public coastline. No commercial sunbed concessions or umbrella installations permitted.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Morning Shade • Late Afternoon Golden Hours
Faces westward into the open horizon, offering bright afternoon sun and prime sunset vantage points.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
YesShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
NoGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
NoLifeguard on Duty
YesSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
NoWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
NoNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Lixouri, Kefalonia. Accessible via regional coastal roads (38.161°N, 20.413°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Xi Beach involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Very shallow and family-safe a long way out.
•Low chalk-white clay cliffs on the Paliki peninsula south of Lixouri; bathers daub themselves in the clay.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Lixouri, Kefalonia, Greece.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Xi Beach?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Xi Beach
What is the water temperature at Xi Beach?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Xi Beach averages 25.9°C (79°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Xi Beach?
Xi Beach is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Lixouri, Kefalonia, Greece.
Is Xi Beach good for families with kids?
Yes, Xi Beach is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Xi Beach?
Free parking is available. Restroom facilities are present.
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