Skinaria Beach

Skinaria Beach (also spelled Schinaria or Shinaria) is a small, secluded beach on the south coast of Crete, 33 km south of Rethymno and 3 km south of the village of Lefkogia, in the eastern part of the Plakias area. It is best known for exceptionally clear water over a rocky, marine-rich seabed, which makes it one of the finest snorkelling and scuba-diving spots in the region.

What Skinaria Beach is like

The beach has soft grey-beige sand mixed with fine pebbles and deep, turquoise water. The seabed is mostly rocky, while the northern part of the beach is sandy. Small freshwater ponds sit on the shore, fed by springs that carry water down from the surrounding mountains, and the lush vegetation around them gives the area a tropical feel. The bay is framed by rock on either side, so the sea surface usually stays calm and the entry is gentle.

Skinaria is quieter than Crete’s headline beaches. It sees far fewer visitors than nearby resorts, though the single tavern and the small car park can fill on peak-season afternoons.

Snorkelling and diving

Skinaria has one of the richest seabeds on the island, and its water is clear enough to see more than 40 metres horizontally. Snorkellers and divers share the water with morays, blackfish and octopuses, and divers often describe the rocky seabed as being like an aquarium. A scuba-diving centre operates in the area and draws visitors from across Crete, which makes the beach a reliable choice for a day in the water rather than only on the sand.

Getting there and parking

A narrow road runs down to Skinaria from Lefkogia, roughly 2 km, and the beach is signposted from the village. Along the way, look for a cylindrical cave set inside a rock on your left. There is no direct public bus to the beach, so most visitors arrive by rented car or taxi. A small parking area sits beside the beach; it is enough for beachgoers but gets cramped at peak times, so arriving earlier in the day helps. A rented car is also the most flexible way to reach Skinaria if you want to combine it with other stops in the Plakias area, and you can rent a car in Crete for the trip.

Facilities

Skinaria is only slightly organised. A local tavern serves refreshments and traditional Greek dishes and offers a few umbrellas and sunbeds, which on our last visit were free with a purchase. There is little natural shade, so bringing water and sun protection is sensible. The calm, shallow-entry bay is safe for children, and naturists tend to use the left-hand side, which leaves the rest of the beach for families and other visitors.

Two nearby beaches are within a short drive: the Ammoudi beaches to the west, and the larger, better-organised Damnoni beach a little further along the coast.

FAQ

Where is Skinaria Beach?

Skinaria Beach is on the south coast of Crete, 33 km south of Rethymno and 3 km south of the village of Lefkogia, in the eastern part of the Plakias area. It faces the Libyan Sea.

How do you get to Skinaria Beach?

To reach Skinaria Beach, drive the narrow road, roughly 2 km long, down from Lefkogia; the turn is signposted from the village. There is no direct public bus, so most visitors arrive by rented car or taxi. A small parking area sits beside the beach.

Is Skinaria Beach good for snorkelling and diving?

Yes. The water is exceptionally clear, often more than 40 metres horizontally, and the rocky seabed holds abundant marine life, including morays, blackfish and octopuses. A scuba-diving centre operates in the area, and snorkellers can see plenty from the surface.

What facilities does Skinaria Beach have?

Skinaria is only slightly organised. A single tavern serves refreshments and traditional Greek dishes and offers a few umbrellas and sunbeds. There is little natural shade and no large resort infrastructure, so bring water and sun protection.

Is Skinaria Beach family-friendly?

Yes. The bay is sheltered by rock on both sides, so the water stays calm and the entry is gentle, which suits children. Note that naturists tend to use the left-hand side of the beach.

Is Skinaria a nudist beach?

Skinaria is popular with naturists, who usually gather on the left-hand side. Other visitors and families settle on the rest of the beach.

When is the best time to visit Skinaria Beach?

The swimming season runs roughly from May to October, when the water is warm and the weather is settled. Spring and early autumn are quieter than the July-to-August peak.

Is there parking at Skinaria Beach?

Yes, there is a small parking area beside the beach. It is enough for beachgoers but fills up during peak season, so arriving earlier in the day is wise.

What beaches are near Skinaria?

Ammoudi beaches lie a short distance to the west, and the larger, better-organised Damnoni beach is a little further along the coast. Preveli Beach, with its palm-lined river, is another well-known stop in the wider Plakias area.