The other main beach resort is Perissa, fortunately less developed, still quite pleasant for a more relaxed stay. Toplessness is common here, nudity unknown in the developed section. There are reports of nudity past the developed area, although predominantly of a few single men. The beach is black, and the sea bed consists of smooth rock shelf.

A report from September 1999 concerning Perissa comments that a couple of years ago the beaches of Perissa and Perivolos were crowded with nude sunbathers, but today nudity is completely banned. From Perissa to Ag. Giorgios there are frequent signs telling you "Nudity is forbidden", and these are strictly respected, but still, at the far southern part of the 7 kilometre lava-sand beach when you have passed the former Ya-Ya-club and Popeye Restaurant after some 350 metres, in spite of the signs the swim-suits disappear!

Over the last kilometres of the beach nudity is still quite common. (my correspondent says about 90% of the sunbathers are clothes-free). A road (just south of the road to YaYa Beach Club) leads right to the beach. It is often possible to see nude people on both sides of this parking area and, also, quite a distance to the right (south). Getting into the water is a bit easier in the vicinity of the road than the area to the right. The sand is almost black and gets very hot. Snorkelling is good close to shore. Expect a lot of non-nudists near the end of the road. Fewer as you head further south.

2000 August: no nudes on any part of this beach. In October, though, there was virtually no-one on the far end of Perissa Beach where Perivolos is located. My contributors were able to sunbathe completely nude with no problem. It was beautiful.

2001 August: A contributor followed the directions to the naturist area. There were few visitors to the beach - understandably. Whilst nude bathing is possible the conditions are not pleasurable. The beach becomes very narrow at this point and is backed by litter-strewn scrubland. Only for the desperate, says my contributor.

2003 September: My first contributors passed the former Ya Ya club (now called Taj Mahal - it looks like an old factory with its chimney stack) and on round the slight outcrop found there was nudity there. Would say about 10-12 people. Mainly single men and gay couples. There was one unsavoury incident with a local guy who seemed to think it was the local cruising ground - my contributor spared us the details.

2006 September: confirms nudity is still common here, but some days the area seemed deserted, with only one or two skinny-dippers. A Barefooter who visited in October 2006 understood from other beach users that it was OK to be nude here, but it was quiet and he did not feel comfortable. The beach in part is scruffy with litter (mainly plastic bottles) and it can be hard on the feet to get into the water.

2007 August: A report confirms this, saying that the area was predominantly gay and "cruisy".

Behind the bushes there are buildings under construction and also there is a house on the beach that was occupied when I was there. There is a sign that says nudism is strictly prohibited, near to it. Apparently there are now two such signs.

One evening, my reporter saw the man from the house on the beach walking around with a shotgun. He didn't speak English and he couldn't find out from him what he would shoot at. He did hear a gun going off a couple of times and wondered with the "no nudists" sign near his house whether he was taking pot shots at naked people … but is sure he wasn't and he was friendly.

The second report confirms that at the end of Perivolos beach the umbrellas run out, and move into a quiet area out of direct view - there, for a short length there were up to 10 naturists - a few mixed couples but mainly gay men with some cruising. After a 10 minute walk we start again to run into houses being built and 'nudism forbidden' notices - but no locals were around on several days and there was no hassle. On this secluded section there are some roads coming in from inland and some certainly link into Emporio - but it is much easier to find by following the signs to Perivolos beach and then turning right to end of beach (where there is a car park). It doesn't sound the most reliable bet.

2008 August:  A report found no nudism - just some toplessness - there.

The Captain is indebted to Bill Arnett of Clothing Optional British Columbia for permission to use some of the photographs on this page (marked with a black bar). His web site includes a trip report on his visit to Santorini.