Manoulas Beach Mykonos Resort

Agios Ioannis is one of the quieter bays on Mykonos's southwestern coast, and Manoulas Beach Resort sits directly on it. The resort's beachfront position makes it one of the more practical bases for water sports on this side of the island — you step off the property and you're already on the sand, with the water of the Aegean a few metres away. The bay faces southwest, which means late-afternoon light and clear sightlines toward the low shapes of Delos and Rinia on the horizon.

The hotel itself has been through a renovation that updated the rooms and facilities while keeping what the website describes as an "unpretentious hospitality and carefree Mykonian spirit" — a reasonable summary of the Agios Ioannis atmosphere more broadly, which is calmer than the club beaches on the island's southern coast. For guests who want water activity combined with a less intense beach scene, the location is well suited.

Agios Ioannis is also notable as a filming location: the beach and the bay's general setting were used in the 1988 film Shirley Valentine, which gave this corner of Mykonos a specific kind of low-key fame that has persisted.

What to Expect

The beach at Agios Ioannis is a mix of sand and fine gravel, sheltered enough that the water is generally calm in summer — conditions that suit kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkelling without requiring advanced skill or strong swimming ability. The clarity of the water in the bay is good, with visibility to the sandy bottom in the shallower sections near shore.

Water sports at Manoulas and along the Agios Ioannis shoreline typically include kayaking and snorkelling as the most accessible options; sailing excursions to nearby Delos and around the southwest coast can be arranged through the resort's concierge. The proximity to Delos — the uninhabited archaeological island visible from the shore — makes day-trip sailing from this bay particularly logical.

Kapari Beach, a small and somewhat secluded cove, is within walking distance along the coast, giving you an additional spot to explore on foot if you want a change of scenery from the main Agios Ioannis bay.

The resort's beachfront restaurant is part of the on-site offer, serving Mediterranean food with a focus on fresh seafood and local ingredients. Eating here in the early evening, with the light shifting on the water and the outlines of Delos and Rinia in the distance, is the main draw of the dining experience rather than any specific dish.

The renovation has brought updated rooms and suites with sea-facing terraces, pool access, and design that leans toward pared-back Cycladic style — whitewashed surfaces, clean lines — without the aggressive minimalism found at some newer Mykonos properties.

How to Get There

Agios Ioannis is on the southwestern coast of Mykonos, roughly 9 kilometres from Mykonos Town (Chora) by road. The Agios Ioannis bus stop is close to the resort and operates during the summer season with connections to Mykonos Town, the port, and the airport. Bus frequency increases during peak season (July–August), making this a workable option for day visitors coming from Chora or the new port.

By car or scooter from Mykonos Town, take the main road south toward Ornos and then follow signs for Agios Ioannis — the drive takes roughly 15–20 minutes depending on summer traffic through Ornos. Parking near the beach is limited in August; arriving before 09:00 or after 18:00 makes finding a space considerably easier.

Taxis from Mykonos Town or the airport are available but can be in short supply during peak hours in high season. Booking in advance through the resort's concierge or a local taxi company is advisable if you have a fixed arrival time.

Best Time to Visit

For water sports specifically, late May through early October covers the viable season. June and early September are the most comfortable months: the sea is warm enough for extended snorkelling, the meltemi (the prevailing north wind of the Aegean) is less aggressive than in July and August, and the beach is noticeably less crowded.

July and August bring peak visitor numbers to Mykonos across the board. Agios Ioannis is quieter than Psarou or Paradise Beach, but it still fills up on weekends. If you plan to use the water sports facilities during this period, getting on the water in the morning — before 11:00 — means calmer conditions and fewer people in the water.

The southwest-facing orientation of the bay means the late afternoon and early evening are the best times to be on the beach for light quality. The sunset from Agios Ioannis is frequently cited as among the better ones on the island, with the silhouettes of Delos and Rinia providing foreground interest.

Out of season (November through March), the resort is typically closed, as are most facilities on this part of the coast.

Tips for Visiting

• Book water sports activities in advance in July and August. Equipment and guided excursions fill up quickly during peak season; arrange kayaks, paddleboards, or sailing trips through the concierge at least a day ahead.
• Bring your own snorkelling gear if you have it. Rental equipment is available, but having your own mask and fins means you can get in the water whenever conditions look right, without waiting.
• The walk to Kapari Beach is short but involves some rocky terrain. Wear shoes you can remove easily and watch your footing on the path between the two bays.
• The bus to Mykonos Town runs from the stop near the resort. Check the current timetable on arrival, as schedules vary by season and the last bus in the evening can be earlier than you expect.
• Delos day trips depart from the Old Port in Mykonos Town, not from Agios Ioannis. If you plan to visit the archaeological site, factor in getting to Chora first; the boat crossing takes about 30 minutes from there.
• Wind conditions change quickly in the Aegean. The meltemi can pick up sharply in the afternoon, particularly in July. If you are planning a kayaking excursion to a nearby cove, set out in the morning and return before early afternoon.
• Dining at the resort's beach restaurant for sunset is popular with non-guests too. Reserving a table for the early evening, rather than arriving and hoping for a spot, avoids disappointment during busy periods.
• For boat excursions around the southwest coast, the calm conditions in this bay are a reasonable indicator of what you'll find along the sheltered western shore, but the open sea between Mykonos and Paros can be rougher — ask the captain about conditions before departing.

Activities and Facilities

The core water-based activities at Agios Ioannis and the Manoulas beachfront are snorkelling, kayaking, and paddleboarding, all suited to the bay's generally calm and clear water. The sandy and gravel bottom is visible in the shallows, which helps with orientation while snorkelling.

Sailing and motorboat excursions to Delos, Rinia, and other points along the Mykonos coast can be organised through the resort. The view from the water back toward Agios Ioannis — with the white resort buildings on the shore and the island's low hills behind — gives a sense of the bay's geography that is hard to appreciate from the beach itself.

The resort's pool is an option for days when wind makes the sea less comfortable, and the beachfront restaurant provides a base between sessions in the water. The hotel's renovated rooms and suites with private terraces offer a straightforward place to change, rinse off, and recover between activities.

For visitors based elsewhere on the island, Agios Ioannis is a reasonable day-trip destination for water sports without the aggressive party-beach atmosphere found at some of Mykonos's more famous southern beaches.