Hawaii Beach

Hawaii Beach is a small, sheltered cove on the edge of the Alyko Nature Reserve, about 18 km southwest of Naxos Town. It sits between low golden cliffs and juniper scrub, with soft white sand and shallow, turquoise water that stays calm even when the meltemi blows. There are no buildings, no sunbeds, and no beach bar—just sand, sea, and the scent of cedar.

What to Expect

The beach itself is only about 60 meters wide, backed by low dunes and shaded in spots by twisted juniper trees. The sand is fine and pale, almost Caribbean in color, and the water is gin-clear with a sandy bottom that slopes gently for the first 10–15 meters. Snorkeling is modest—mostly sand and small rocks—but the clarity is excellent. Because it faces southwest and sits in a slight bay, Hawaii is calmer than the big stretches at Plaka or Mikri Vigla when the north wind picks up. You'll share the beach with 10–30 people on a typical summer day, more on weekends. Most visitors are couples or solo travelers who've driven down the rough access track specifically for the quiet.

How to Get There

From Naxos Town, head south on the main road toward Agia Anna and Plaka. After Plaka, follow signs for Alyko or Pyrgaki. Just before the Alyko cedar forest parking area, turn right onto a narrow dirt road (drivable but slow—potholes and loose stone). Follow it for about 1.5 km until you see parked cars near a small clearing; the beach is a 3-minute walk down a sandy footpath. A scooter or small car handles the track fine; larger rental cars should go slowly. No bus service reaches this area.

Tips for Visiting

• Bring everything: no facilities, no shade structures, no water source. Pack an umbrella, food, and at least 2 liters of water per person.
• Timing: arrive before 11:00 or after 16:00 to dodge the midday heat and secure a spot under the junipers.
• Footwear: sandals are fine once you're on the sand, but the walk from the parking area crosses loose, hot sand and pebbles.
• Trash: carry out everything you carry in. There are no bins.
• Combine with Alyko: the cedar forest and the old Alyko salt pans are a 10-minute walk north—worth exploring if you're already down here.

Best Time to Visit

June and September offer warm, swimmable water with fewer people and gentler winds. July and August bring full sun and the meltemi, which can churn up the water at more exposed beaches but often leaves Hawaii relatively calm. Avoid midday in peak summer unless you have solid shade—there's no escape from the sun once the juniper shadows shrink. Weekdays are quieter than weekends, when Athenian visitors and villa renters make the drive.

What's Nearby

The Alyko cedar forest is 1 km north on foot—a rare pocket of native Juniperus macrocarpa, gnarled and fragrant, with sandy trails and the ruins of old resort foundations that were never completed. Pyrgaki Beach, a much longer and more open stretch, is 3 km south by road and has a taverna. Kastraki Beach and its cluster of low-key hotels and fish tavernas are about 6 km northeast.