The Caribbean may be famous for its crystal clear waters but the summer holidays in Greece will convince you that our country does not fall short of this exotic destination in terms of beaches. There are Greek beaches with Caribbean-like waters combined with trees that almost touch the water. They are the so-called exotic beaches of Greece that you can find scattered in many parts of the country. The Ionian Sea certainly has its fair share since there, the waters in many cases are literally transparent.
In exploringgreece.tv we gathered the five Greek beaches that have waters like those of the Caribbean Islands…
Butumi – Antipaxos
When you see pictures of this Greek beach, you are impressed. When you see it up close, you can’t imagine that reality goes far beyond what you have imagined. A small bay with shallow, crystal clear, turquoise waters, vegetation that’s leaking the waves and a beach that is inside it with white sand and pebbles. It’s Butumi in Antipaxos. Apart from the water that does not fall short of its Caribbean counterpart, one characteristic that makes this beach stand out is the vegetation, with cypress trees reaching up to the sand.
Ballos – Crete
Photo Source: balos-travel.com
A beach that rivets you with its colours. It is the pink beach in Greece as it has pink sand that you rarely find worldwide. It’s Ballos in Crete. White fine sand and turquoise waters are the first images you’ll see if you go there. This magical image of the crystal clear waters of the sea and the pink sand you will see only on one more beach in Crete, the one on Elafonisi. It is a distinct colour of sand which has been created because of the thousands of broken shells. If you find yourself in Ballos, you will feel as if you were in… The Caribbean Sea.
Bella Vraka – Sivota

You must see this beach from above, first, in order to reach it. This way, you will be easily persuaded to descend into this earthly paradise in Sivota. Actually it’s not one but two beaches. They’d touch each other in a strange way if they weren’t separated by a narrow, perfectly turquoise strip of sea-water. The exotic Bella Vraka connects Sivota with the islet of Mourtemeno and is a sight for shore eyes. From one exotic beach to another you can walk through the water, which barely reaches knee-hight. Such images are not always easy to find on Greek beaches so if you go there, you have to enjoy it all you can.
Seychelles – Ikaria

The name of this Greek beach, of course, is not accidental. It is the aquamarine of Ikaria, one of the most beautiful beaches of the island and the whole of GreeceIt was created several years ago by the landslide of rocks during the opening of a tunnel to create a road to and from the village of Magganitis. It is an exotic beach as its name implies. This is why the white sand, its blue waters and the impressive rocks surround it creating an idyllic environment! The beach has fine pebbles mixed with sand and is not organized. Apart from its beauty, which is seen at first glance, Seychelles Beach has many underwater caves next to it. It’s a real dream…
Myrtos – Kefalonia

The Ionian Sea strikes again and it is at its best. Myrtos beach has been singled out as the best and most famous beach of Kefalonia and is undoubtedly on the list of Greek beaches. It is of no coincidence that they call it “a small piece of heaven”. The all-white pebbles combined with the unique blue colour of the sea, due to the currents of the area, make the landscape look like a painting. It’s like being in a part of the Caribbean Islands. The landscape is unparalleled from above. You will see green rocks that end up on a fairly long beach with white pebbles. And when you dive into the – not so warm – water, you’ll have just completed one of the most shocking experiences in your life.
Great beaches of Attica where you can have a comfortable swim
Frequently Asked Questions
Several Greek beaches rival Caribbean destinations in terms of crystal clear waters and exotic beauty. The five most notable are Butumi in Antipaxos, Ballos in Crete, Bella Vraka in Sivota, Seychelles in Ikaria, and Myrtos in Kefalonia. These beaches feature turquoise waters, white sand, and stunning natural surroundings that make them perfect alternatives to Caribbean islands.
Ballos beach in Crete is famous for its unique pink sand, making it one of the rarest beaches in the world. The pink color comes from thousands of broken shells. Another beach with similar characteristics is Elafonisi, also located in Crete. Both beaches combine pink sand with turquoise, crystal clear waters reminiscent of the Caribbean.
Bella Vraka in Sivota is actually two beaches separated by a narrow strip of turquoise water. The beaches connect the town of Sivota with the islet of Mourtemeno, and visitors can walk between them through shallow water that barely reaches knee-height. The exotic landscape is best appreciated from above before descending to this earthly paradise.
Myrtos beach in Kefalonia is renowned for its unique combination of white pebbles and distinctively blue sea created by local water currents. The landscape is often compared to a painting, with green rocks framing a long beach overlooking the Ionian Sea. It's considered the best and most famous beach in Kefalonia and offers a shocking, unforgettable swimming experience.
The Ionian Sea hosts several exceptional beaches with Caribbean-like waters, including Butumi in Antipaxos, Bella Vraka in Sivota, Seychelles in Ikaria, and Myrtos in Kefalonia. These beaches are characterized by transparent waters, exotic vegetation, and stunning natural beauty that rivals tropical destinations worldwide.










