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This is on the north side of Gavdos, facing Crete. Board the community bus from the tiny port to Ag. Ioannis (roughly once every hour). The bus passes from Sarakiniko beach (see above) and continues on a gravel road until it reaches a taverna/mini-market. This is the campers’ sole source of water, food and supplies. Ag Ioannis beach is a further 15 min walk towards the west (keeping the sea to the right).
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My contributor rates this as definitely one of the top 3 beaches he has ever visited (including the Caribbean and Red Sea). He is not alone; other reporters have listed it as their favourites. It’s about 500 metres long, and quite wide. The water is crystal clear with blue-green hues and it's all sandy at the bottom. If you start walking towards the back of the beach, the first 20 metres are flat sand, then there are sand dunes with cedar trees, then pine trees and rocky cliffs towards the back of the beach. In some ways it reminds him of Elafonissos. There are dozens of old cedars one can use as shade. People on the beach are usually friendly (if you make the first step), but he suggests you keep your money on you - a waist pouch is very useful.
Ag. Ioannis gets crowded during the last week of June until mid-August. People even set up tents in the blazing sun in the middle of the beach. Best time would be before or after that. Nudism can be as low as 70% during peak period, but is close to 100% at all other times.
2015 July: Quite a lot of people, but not busy, most people lay in the shade under a tree, smoking. Popular with young Greek hippies who camp on the beach, with dreadlocks, clothes from Nepal or India and reggae music.
2018 September: 100% naturist. Uncrowded. To find such a beautiful island with almost 100% fellow naturists was truly a life changing experience. The temperature was very hot, about 32 degrees celsius and the beach was not crowded. The bushes around Agios Ioanis were packed with people camping in the nude. We stumbled across several spots where people sell or trade their handcrafted stuff like necklaces and bracelets for food and groups of people playing music, cooking food and finding shade in the bushes, setting up camp.
The walk from Agios Ioanis to Lavraka following the coastline is highly recommended due to the wonderful views. Caution is to be advised due to the steep slopes and rocky road up and downwards. During the walk you will encounter several small idyllic beaches where at the time was no-one around.
2019 August: Reported by Paris on the forum: I went for vacations at Gavdos Island and I stayed for 2 weeks in Agios Ioannis beach. The beach was very crowded but quiet, 95% nude, ages mostly 20 to 40. Nationality of people mostly Greek and few German. Very warm and talkative people, both men and women. There were also some families. Great place, fantastic sandy beach, camping free and a perfectly clean sea!
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Erik
As of 2023: 50-70 % naturist in peak season (first 3 weeks of August). Otherwise 90 % naturist. Mainly Greek tourists, but also backpackers/island-hoppers from all over Europe. People are generally friendly. In peak season, space is more limited. There is no shade on this beach, which is very hot. Bring your own umbrella or beach tarp, and lots of water.