Xetrypiti

Xetrypiti is one of the most secluded beaches on Anafi, the small Cycladic island that sits southeast of Santorini and receives a fraction of its neighbour's visitors. The coordinates place it on the island's coastline away from the main settlement of Chora, which already has fewer than 300 permanent residents. Getting to Xetrypiti requires a degree of effort — and that effort is precisely what keeps it quiet.

Anafi itself sets the tone for a beach like this. There are no beach clubs here, no rows of sunbeds for hire, and no beach bar playing music at volume. The island's beaches reward self-sufficiency: bring water, food, and shade if you need it. What you get in return is Aegean water in shades that run from pale turquoise near the shore to deep cobalt further out, and a stretch of coast where the main sounds are wind and waves.

The name Xetrypiti is distinctly local — the kind of place-name that only exists on maps used by islanders and returning visitors who have moved beyond the handful of beaches closest to the port. That alone tells you something useful about the crowd levels you should expect.

What to Expect

Anafi's beaches generally fall into two shore types: fine sand and mixed pebble-and-sand. Based on the terrain visible around Xetrypiti's coordinates, the shore here is likely to include natural pebble or coarse sand rather than the groomed fine sand found at more developed Cycladic resorts. The water clarity at undeveloped Anafi beaches is consistently high — there is very little boat traffic along most of the coastline, and no run-off from large settlements, so visibility in the water tends to be excellent.

Expect no infrastructure at Xetrypiti. There are no permanent facilities: no toilets, no taverna, no sunbed rental, and no fresh water. The surrounding landscape is typical of southern Anafi — dry, rocky terrain with low scrub, occasionally sheltered by low cliffs that can provide natural shade in the morning or late afternoon depending on the beach's orientation.

The sea conditions on this side of the island are generally calmer than the north-facing shores, though the Cyclades are exposed to the meltemi wind that blows from the north in summer. On days when the meltemi picks up, south-facing beaches on Anafi can be considerably more sheltered than anywhere on Santorini or the northern Cyclades.

Swimming here is best suited to confident swimmers who are comfortable entering the water from a natural, unimproved shoreline. The water depth is likely to increase relatively quickly from the shore, as is common on pebble beaches throughout the Cyclades.

How to Get There

Anafi is reached by ferry from Piraeus (Athens), with journey times ranging from roughly seven to ten hours depending on the route and vessel. There are also connections from Santorini, which takes approximately two hours. Ferry frequency is limited — typically a few times per week in summer, less in the shoulder season — so planning ahead is essential.

From Anafi's port of Ag. Nikolaos and the main village of Chora above it, reaching Xetrypiti will require either a vehicle or a solid walk. Anafi has very limited public transport, and a small number of scooter and ATV rental operators in Chora serve visitors who want to explore beyond the walking trails. The island's road network is minimal, and some coastal access points require navigating unpaved tracks.

Check locally on arrival — at your accommodation or in the port area — for the most current directions to Xetrypiti. Islanders and accommodation owners are the most reliable source of up-to-date access information, including whether any track has deteriorated or a route has changed season to season.

Parking, if you arrive by scooter or vehicle, will be wherever the track ends. There are no formal parking areas at remote beaches on Anafi.

Best Time to Visit

Anafi's visitor season runs from late June through early September, with July and August being the peak months. Even at peak season, the island as a whole sees modest visitor numbers compared to the rest of the Cyclades, so a secluded beach like Xetrypiti is unlikely to feel crowded even in August.

The meltemi wind is most consistent in July and August, typically building through the afternoon and dropping by early evening. South-facing beaches are generally better sheltered from this wind than north or west-facing ones. Morning visits — before the wind builds — tend to offer the calmest water and the clearest light for seeing into the sea.

Shoulder months, particularly late May, June, and September, bring lighter winds, warm enough water for comfortable swimming, and even fewer people. The sea temperature around Anafi is typically around 22–24°C in July and August, cooling to around 20°C by late September.

Avoiding the midday sun between roughly 12:00 and 15:00 is advisable in high summer. With no infrastructure for shade, this matters more at a beach like Xetrypiti than at a developed beach with umbrellas.

Tips for Visiting

• Bring everything you need. There are no facilities at Xetrypiti — carry enough water for the full visit, sun protection, food, and a rubbish bag to take your waste back with you.
• Verify the route before you leave Chora. Ask at your accommodation or a local rental shop for current directions. Tracks on remote Anafi beaches can be unmarked and conditions change between seasons.
• Rent a scooter or ATV if walking distances are a concern. The small rental operators in Chora are the practical solution for reaching beaches beyond the main port area.
• Visit in the morning for the calmest conditions. Wind picks up through the afternoon in summer; early visits give you the best swimming conditions and a cooler walk or ride.
• Pack a snorkel. With no boat traffic and high water clarity, Anafi's undeveloped beaches reward underwater exploration. Rocks and pebble shorelines typically support more marine life than bare sand.
• Check the ferry schedule the moment you arrive. Anafi's ferry connections are infrequent and can change — knowing your departure window in advance avoids the stress of missing the only boat for two days.
• The beach is unsupervised. There is no lifeguard and no one nearby if conditions change. Check sea conditions before entering, especially if there is swell from the south.
• Respect the environment. Remote beaches on small islands like Anafi absorb the impact of visitors acutely. Leave the shore exactly as you found it.

Activities and Facilities

The primary activity at Xetrypiti is swimming and snorkelling in clear, undisturbed Aegean water. The absence of motor boats and permanent development means the underwater environment is relatively undisturbed, and rocky sections of the shoreline are worth exploring with a mask.

Anafi more broadly offers some of the best walking in the Cyclades. The marked trail network connects Chora to the monastery of Zoodochos Pigi at the island's eastern end — a several-hour walk that passes through dramatic landscape and ends at one of the most striking monastery settings in Greece. If you're based on the island for more than a day, combining a beach visit with one of the walking routes gives you a full picture of what makes Anafi distinctive.

There are no water sports operators, no kayak hire, and no organised activities at Xetrypiti itself. This is a beach for people who are content with the sea and the landscape without additional programming.