Kokkari Beach – Tarsanas (Long Beach) on Samos

🏖️ Kokkari Beach – Tarsanas or Long Beach on Samos

Kokkari’s long pebbly beach with clear deep water, an open horizon, frequent waves and immediate access to all the village’s services

Kokkari Beach is the long main beach extending along the northern and western side of the picturesque seaside village of Kokkari.

In local and tourism references, it is also known as Tarsanas and Long Beach, names used for the long pebbly shoreline in front of and west of the village’s central area.

It is one of the most recognisable beaches in northern Samos, as it combines:

🌊 Clear and deep water

🪨 Small and larger pebbles

🌬️ Frequent northerly wind

🌊 Dynamic wave conditions

🏄 Particularly good conditions for windsurfing

☂️ Organised sections with umbrellas and sun loungers

🍹 Beach bars and cafés

🍽️ Restaurants and tavernas

🏨 Accommodation directly beside the shoreline

🚶 Immediate access on foot from the centre of Kokkari

The beach has a strong Aegean character, open views towards the northern Aegean Sea and a different appearance depending on the weather conditions.

On calm days, the sea becomes clear and impressively blue. When the meltemi blows or the local thermal wind strengthens, the beach develops waves and becomes a dynamic location for windsurfing.

📍 Location

Kokkari Beach is located on the northern coast of Samos, in front of and west of the village of Kokkari.

It is approximately:

🚗 10 km from Samos Town

🚗 Approximately 22–23 km from Karlovasi

🚗 Approximately 22 km from Samos Airport

The exact distances vary depending on the starting point and the section of the beach the visitor is heading towards.

The shoreline lies directly beside the village, allowing access:

🚶 On foot

🚗 By car

🛵 By motorcycle or scooter

🚲 By bicycle

🚌 By bus as far as Kokkari

🚕 By taxi

🧭 Tarsanas, Long Beach and Kokkari Beach

The names:

🏖️ Kokkari Beach

⚓ Tarsanas

🌊 Long Beach

are used for the main long beach area of Kokkari.

The name Long Beach describes the considerable length of the shoreline, which extends along almost the entire northern and western side of the village.

The name Tarsanas also appears in local references, accommodation names and individual parts of the beachfront area.

For accurate geographical and tourism presentation, the listing may use the main title:

Kokkari Beach – Tarsanas or Long Beach

This covers the different names visitors may use when searching for it.

📏 Length and available space

The main Kokkari Beach is approximately:

📏 900 metres to 1 kilometre long

The actual width is not the same along the entire shoreline.

Some areas are wider and more comfortable, while others become narrower because of:

🏠 Buildings located close to the shoreline

🍽️ Beachfront dining venues

☂️ Organised umbrellas and sun loungers

🪨 Accumulations of pebbles

🌊 Seasonal movement of coastal material

🚶 Pedestrian access points

🏄 Areas used for windsurfing equipment

Despite the high number of visitors, the significant length usually allows visitors to choose between:

☂️ Organised sections

🏖️ Free areas

🍹 Lively areas close to beach bars

🤫 Quieter sections towards the ends

🏖️ The form of the shoreline

The shoreline consists mainly of:

🪨 Small pebbles

🪨 Medium-sized pebbles

🪨 Larger pebbles in certain areas

🏝️ Coarse gravel

🐚 Crushed shells and finer material in limited sections

This is not a sandy beach.

Pebbles dominate both the shoreline and the first metres of the seabed.

The form of the beach may change after:

🌊 Strong winter wave action

🌬️ Prolonged northerly winds

🏞️ Natural movement of coastal material

💨 Summer periods with a strong meltemi

The pebbles create a characteristic sound when moved by the waves, particularly on days with strong northerly wind.

🌊 Clear and intensely blue water

The water at Kokkari Beach is clean and generally particularly clear.

Depending on the sunlight, depth and wave conditions, the sea displays shades of:

💎 Light blue close to the shore

🌊 Turquoise-green in the clearest first metres

🔵 Intense Aegean blue

🌌 Deeper dark blue towards the open sea

The best visibility is usually observed:

🌅 During the morning hours

☀️ With strong sunshine

🌬️ When the wind is light

🌊 After several consecutive days of calm sea conditions

When strong waves are present, foam and the movement of the pebbles may temporarily reduce visibility close to the shoreline.

🌡️ Cool water temperature

The sea at Kokkari is often described as clean and relatively cool.

The water may feel cooler:

🌅 Early in the morning

🌬️ After days with strong northerly wind

🌊 After prolonged wave action

📅 At the beginning and end of the summer season

↘️ In deeper areas

During the main summer months, the temperature is generally pleasant for swimming, especially for visitors who prefer cooler and regularly renewed water.

↘️ Depth and rapid deepening

The seabed becomes deep relatively quickly along much of the beach.

There is no extensive shallow sandy zone.

The rapid deepening is a positive feature for:

🏊 Experienced swimmers

🌊 Visitors who want immediate access to deeper water

🤿 Snorkelling when the sea is calm

🏄 Windsurfing

Particular care is nevertheless required for:

👶 Young children

🏊 Beginner swimmers

👵 People who do not feel comfortable in deep water

🌬️ Days with strong wind

🌊 Periods with strong shore break

Parents should not assume that the water remains shallow for a considerable distance from the shore.

🪨 Seabed and entry into the sea

The seabed consists mainly of:

🪨 Small and medium-sized pebbles

🪨 Larger stones in certain areas

🏝️ Coarse gravel

🌿 Limited areas with marine vegetation

🏞️ Rocky surfaces towards the ends

Entry into the sea is easier when conditions are calm.

With waves, it may become more difficult because:

🌊 The water moves the pebbles

🪨 Rounded stones shift beneath the feet

↘️ The slope of the seabed increases relatively quickly

🟢 Some wet stones may be slippery

💨 The shore break affects balance

Entry and exit should be made without rushing.

👡 Water shoes

Water shoes are particularly useful.

They provide:

👣 Greater comfort over the pebbles

🪨 Protection from larger or unstable stones

🟢 Better grip on wet surfaces

🌊 Easier entry and exit in wave conditions

👶 Greater safety for children

👵 Better stability for older visitors

🚶 More comfortable walking along the beach

They do not, however, eliminate the risk of losing balance when the waves are strong.

🌬️ Exposure to northerly winds

Kokkari Beach is open towards the northern sea horizon.

It is frequently affected by:

🌬️ Northerly winds

💨 Northwesterly winds

🌊 The meltemi

🏞️ Local thermal winds strengthened by the terrain of Mount Karvounis

Even when there is no strong general meltemi across the rest of the island, a local air current may develop in the area.

Conditions often differ between morning and afternoon.

The sea may be milder in the morning, while the wind may strengthen after midday.

🌊 Waves and shore break

Kokkari Beach frequently experiences waves.

Their intensity depends on:

🌬️ The strength of the wind

🧭 Its direction

🌊 How long it has been blowing

🏞️ The shape of the seabed

🪨 The interaction between the water and the pebbles

With strong northerly wind, an intense shore break may develop, making the following more difficult:

🏊 Entering the sea

↩️ Returning to the shoreline

👶 Keeping young children safely in the water

🧍 Maintaining balance

🤿 Visibility for snorkelling

The impressive waves are a characteristic feature of the beach, but they are not always suitable for relaxed swimming.

🛟 Swimming safety

A permanent daily lifeguard presence along the entire length of the beach and throughout the whole summer season has not been confirmed.

Visitors should assess:

🌬️ The strength of the wind

🌊 The height and direction of the waves

↘️ The rapid deepening

🪨 The stability of the pebbles

🏄 The presence of windsurfers

🚤 Any movement of small boats

🏊 Their own swimming ability

Children must remain under continuous and direct supervision.

🏄 Windsurfing

Kokkari is one of the best-known windsurfing locations on Samos.

The area is affected by clean cross-shore thermal winds, which may develop even when there is no strong meltemi across the rest of the island.

Conditions may include:

💨 Steady cross-shore wind

🌊 Small to moderate waves

🏄 Dynamic sailing along the shoreline

🧭 Cross-shore or cross-onshore wind

☀️ Greater intensity during the midday and afternoon hours

Seasonal windsurfing services, equipment rental and lessons operate along the wider beach area.

⚠️ Windsurfing for beginners

Beginners may try windsurfing only with organised guidance and under suitable conditions.

Independent practice without experience is not recommended when there are:

🌬️ Strong winds

🌊 Large waves

↘️ Rapid deepening

🪨 Large or unstable pebbles

👥 Many swimmers

🏄 Increased athlete activity

Lessons should take place:

✅ With a professional instructor

✅ With suitable equipment

✅ In a controlled section of the beach

✅ Away from the main swimming zone

✅ With continuous assessment of the wind

🤿 Snorkelling and observing the seabed

On days with calm sea conditions, Kokkari Beach offers good conditions for light snorkelling.

With a mask and snorkel, visitors may observe:

🐟 Small fish

🪨 The pebbly seabed

🌿 Limited marine vegetation

🏞️ Rocky surfaces towards the ends

🌊 The rapid change in depth

💎 Reflections of light in the clear water

Snorkelling should be avoided:

❌ When the waves are strong

❌ In areas used by windsurfers

❌ Far from the shoreline without experience

❌ When visibility is limited

❌ Close to rocks where waves are breaking

🎣 Fishing

Fishing is possible at suitable points, mainly towards the ends of the beach and outside busy visiting hours.

It should take place:

✅ Away from swimmers

✅ Away from organised sun loungers

✅ Without fishing lines crossing windsurfing zones

✅ From a safe point

✅ In accordance with current legislation

It should be avoided:

❌ In front of beach bars

❌ Among children

❌ At the main entry points into the sea

❌ During periods of intense sports activity

🌳 Natural shade

Natural shade is limited and does not cover the entire beach.

In certain areas, shade may be provided by:

🌳 Trees and tamarisks

🏠 Buildings close to the shoreline

☂️ Structures belonging to dining venues

🏞️ The form of the beachfront area

The natural shade:

🕐 Moves during the day

☀️ Is limited during the midday hours

👥 Is occupied quickly during the high season

🏖️ Is not available in every section of the shoreline

Organised umbrellas are the most reliable option for protection from the sun.

☂️🪑 Organisation, umbrellas and sun loungers

Kokkari Beach is organised along a large part of its length, although the entire shoreline is not covered with sun loungers.

During the summer season, the following are available:

☂️ Umbrellas

🪑 Sun loungers

☕ Coffee

🥤 Soft drinks and cold beverages

🍺 Beer and alcoholic drinks

🍹 Summer drinks

🥪 Snacks

🍽️ Full dining options

🚿 Showers at certain organised sections

🧴 Changing rooms at certain organised sections

🚽 Toilets through beachfront businesses

The exact arrangement, price or minimum consumption may differ by venue and tourist season.

🍹 Beach bars and cafés

Many seasonal beach bars and cafés operate along the beach.

Visitors can find:

☕ Coffee

🥤 Soft drinks

💧 Water

🍺 Beer

🍷 Wine

🍹 Summer drinks

🥪 Snacks

🍨 Ice cream and desserts

The atmosphere differs from one area to another.

There are:

🎵 Livelier places with music

🤫 Quiet places for relaxation

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Areas with a family-oriented character

🌅 Options suitable for afternoon coffee or drinks

🍽️ Restaurants and tavernas

One of the greatest advantages of Kokkari Beach is the wide variety of food available directly beside the sea.

Along the beachfront area, there are options for:

🐟 Fish and seafood

🍽️ Greek cuisine

🥗 Salads

🍖 Grilled and cooked dishes

🍕 Light and international dishes

🥪 Quick meals

🍨 Desserts and ice cream

The beach allows visitors to combine easily:

🌊 Swimming

☕ Coffee

🍽️ Lunch or dinner

🚶 A walk through the lanes and around Kokkari’s small harbour

🏨 Accommodation beside the beach

Along and behind the beach, there are:

🏨 Hotels

🏠 Rooms to rent

🛏️ Small guesthouses

🏡 Tourist apartments

Some accommodation properties have direct access to the beach or are located only a few metres from the shoreline.

The area is suitable for visitors who want:

🌊 To be beside the sea every day

🚶 To move around without a car

🍽️ To have many dining options

🍹 To be close to cafés and drinks

🏄 To have access to windsurfing

🏘️ To stay within a lively seaside village

🚿 Showers, changing rooms and toilets

At organised sections of the beach, the following are recorded:

🚿 Showers

🧴 Changing rooms

The facilities are not unified and are not necessarily available along the entire length of the shoreline.

Toilets are mainly available through:

🚽 Beach bars

🚽 Cafés

🚽 Restaurants

🚽 Hotels and organised venues

Visitors should not assume that a single public facility complex serves the entire beach.

🚗 Road access

Access is easy through the main road connecting Samos Town with Kokkari and Karlovasi.

The beach lies within the village and does not require:

❌ A dirt road

❌ A four-wheel-drive vehicle

❌ A long hike

❌ A difficult descent

❌ Special equipment

Care is only required:

🚗 Along the narrow roads of the village

🚶 Because of pedestrian movement

🅿️ When looking for parking during the high season

🏄 When carrying large sports equipment

🚫 On roads with traffic or parking restrictions

🚶 Access on foot

From the centre of Kokkari, the beach can be reached very easily on foot.

Depending on the accommodation location, the walk may take only a few minutes.

Visitors can move:

🚶 Along the beachfront area

🏘️ Through the village lanes

⚓ From the small harbour towards the main beach

🍽️ Between restaurants, cafés and accommodation properties

The immediate connection with the village is one of the beach’s most important advantages.

🅿️ Parking

Parking is available within and around Kokkari.

It may include:

🅿️ Public parking areas close to the village

🚗 Spaces along roads where parking is permitted

🏨 Private parking at accommodation properties

🍽️ Limited business parking for customers

The available space is not unlimited.

During the main summer months:

🚗 The closest spaces are occupied quickly

🚶 A short walk to the shoreline may be required

↩️ Turning in narrow roads may be difficult

🚫 Parking restrictions must be respected

🚑 Emergency access routes must remain open

Arriving in the morning makes parking considerably easier.

🚌 Public transport and taxis

Kokkari is served by bus routes connecting it with:

🚌 Samos Town

🚌 Karlovasi

🚌 Intermediate villages along the northern route

The stop is located within or close to the village, and the beach can be reached on foot from there.

Visitors should check:

🕐 The current KTEL timetable

📅 Differences between weekdays and weekends

🚌 The last return service

📍 The exact location of the stop

Taxi access is also easy because of Kokkari’s tourism development.

♿ Access for people with disabilities

The beach lies beside roads, shops and accommodation properties, so reaching the beachfront area is easier than at remote shorelines.

However, the shoreline itself is covered with pebbles.

No unified specialised infrastructure has been confirmed along the entire length of the beach, such as:

❌ SEATRAC

❌ A continuous dedicated pathway to the water

❌ A ramp for entering the sea

❌ A specialised beach wheelchair

❌ A stable level surface over the pebbles

Access to individual beach bars or accommodation properties may be easier, but it should be assessed separately from access to the sea.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Is the beach suitable for families?

Kokkari Beach can be a good choice for families, mainly on days with calm sea conditions.

Positive features:

✅ Easy access

✅ Many food and drink options

✅ Umbrellas and sun loungers

✅ Showers and changing rooms at organised sections

✅ Toilets through local businesses

✅ Shops and a pharmacy within the village

✅ Immediate access to accommodation

✅ Long shoreline

Greater care is required because:

❌ The water becomes deep relatively quickly

❌ The shoreline is covered with pebbles

❌ Waves are frequent

❌ A permanent lifeguard presence has not been confirmed

❌ Windsurfers may be moving nearby

❌ The shore break makes entry and exit more difficult

For families with babies or very young children, visiting during the calmer morning hours is preferable.

👥 Visitor numbers and activity

Kokkari Beach is one of the busiest and liveliest beaches on Samos.

Visitor numbers increase:

☀️ During July and August

📅 On summer weekends

🕛 From midday until the afternoon

🏄 When conditions are suitable for windsurfing

🍽️ During restaurant operating hours

🌇 In the late afternoon for coffee, food and walking

Quieter areas may be found:

🌅 Early in the morning

🚶 Towards the farther ends of the shoreline

📅 Outside the high tourist season

🤫 Away from the livelier beach bars

🏝️ Seclusion and character

Kokkari Beach is not secluded.

It lies:

🏘️ Within the village

🍹 Beside beach bars and cafés

🍽️ In front of restaurants and tavernas

🏨 Close to many accommodation properties

🚗 Beside the road network

🚌 Close to a bus stop

Despite the considerable tourism activity, the combination of the mountain, the open Aegean Sea and the traditional architecture maintains a strong island character.

The beach is best described as:

Lively, organised, easily accessible and directly connected with the traditional village of Kokkari.

🏖️ Naturism

Kokkari Beach is not an established or officially recognised naturist beach.

The presence of:

🏘️ The village

🍹 Beach bars and cafés

🍽️ Restaurants

🏨 Accommodation properties

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

🚶 Continuous visitor movement

completely limits the privacy required.

It should not be listed as suitable for naturism.

🌅 Morning and afternoon atmosphere

The beach is generally quieter in the morning.

The morning hours offer:

🌊 Often milder sea conditions

🌬️ Weaker wind

☂️ Greater choice of umbrellas or free space

🅿️ Easier parking

📸 Clear light for photography

During the afternoon, the atmosphere becomes livelier.

Notable features include:

🏄 Windsurfers

🌊 Waves

🍹 Beach bars

🚶 Activity along the beachfront area

🍽️ The possibility of eating after swimming

☀️ Warm shades of light over the village and mountain

📸 Photographic interest

Kokkari Beach offers particularly recognisable photographic scenes.

Notable features include:

🌊 The long curve of the shoreline

💎 The clear blue water

🪨 The light-coloured pebbles

☂️ Rows of straw umbrellas

🏘️ White houses with red roofs

⛰️ The impressive mountain behind the village

🏄 Windsurfers on windy days

🌊 Waves breaking over the pebbles

☀️ Reflections of the afternoon light

📸 The panoramic view from the higher points of Kokkari

🧭 What to see and do

🌊 Swim on days with calm sea conditions.

👡 Use water shoes for the pebbles.

🏄 Watch or try windsurfing with organised instruction.

🤿 Bring a mask for snorkelling when the waves are not strong.

☂️ Use the organised umbrellas and sun loungers.

🍹 Combine swimming with coffee or a refreshing drink.

🍽️ Enjoy food directly beside the sea.

🚶 Walk along the beach.

⚓ Visit Kokkari’s picturesque small harbour.

🏘️ Explore the village lanes.

📸 Photograph the beach with the mountain in the background.

🌇 Stay until the afternoon for the lively atmosphere.

💡 Useful tips

🌬️ Check the wind forecast before visiting.

🌊 Observe the waves before entering the sea.

🌅 Choose the morning for milder conditions.

👡 Bring water shoes.

🛟 Supervise children continuously.

🏊 Do not move far from the shore unless you are an experienced swimmer.

🏄 Keep a safe distance from windsurfers.

☀️ Use sunscreen, wear a hat and use an umbrella.

💧 Carry water, even though many service options are available.

🅿️ Arrive early for easier parking.

🚫 Do not park in prohibited areas or in front of entrances.

🚌 Check the last bus service.

🚿 Showers and changing rooms are not available along every section of the shoreline.

📅 Outside the summer season, some businesses and organised sections may not be operating.

🗑️ Use the available bins and keep the beach clean.

🏷️ Characteristics of the beach

🏖️ Kokkari’s main long beach

⚓ Also known as Tarsanas

🌊 Also known as Long Beach

📍 Northern Samos

🏘️ Directly beside the village

📏 Approximately 900 metres to 1 kilometre long

🪨 Small, medium-sized and larger pebbles

🏝️ Coarse gravel

🏖️ Not a sandy beach

🌊 Clean and clear water

🔵 Intense Aegean blue

🌡️ Relatively cool sea

↘️ Rapid deepening

🌬️ Frequent northerly wind

🌊 Frequent waves

👡 Water shoes are useful

🤿 Suitable for snorkelling when the sea is calm

🏄 Particularly well known for windsurfing

🎓 Seasonal lessons and equipment rental may be available

🌳 Limited natural shade

☂️🪑 Organised in many sections

🍹 Many beach bars and cafés

🍽️ Many restaurants and tavernas

🏨 Many accommodation properties beside the shoreline

🚿 Showers at certain organised sections

🧴 Changing rooms at certain organised sections

🚽 Toilets through beachfront businesses

🚗 Very easy road access

🚶 Immediate access on foot from Kokkari

🅿️ Parking within and around the village

🚌 Bus access as far as Kokkari

♿ No confirmed unified specialised access to the sea

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Suitable for families mainly when the sea is calm and with continuous supervision

🛟 No confirmed permanent lifeguard presence along the entire length

👥 High visitor numbers during the high season

🏝️ Not secluded

🏖️ Not established for naturism

📸 Particularly photogenic shoreline

💎 Crystal-clear water