Not having received reports from Astipalea for some time, the Captain was delighted to hear from a Barefoot reporter who stayed on the island in September 2004 and 2006 and discovered a beach which is in the neighbourhood of the airport, in the Va bay.

My reporter happened to be there alone or with a few other people, mixture of textiles and naked (including young Greek people and Greek families). He found the beach very quiet and lovely and you can even walk nude in its beautiful surroundings. No facilities at all (no taverna, etc.) so do not forget to take fresh water and food with you. My intrepid reporter rated it 80%. Later Barefoot visitors had the beach to themselves: it was very hot but great, and rated 100%.

2013: September. I am sure the above descriptions and the photo are for Golden Beach (Chrysi Acti Beach). It is a lovely small cove reached by taking the airport road and then turning right 20 yards from the airport gate through the wire fence onto a rough road that crosses the plain in front and skirts to the left of a low hill before reaching some flat rocks just above the beach. The sands are slightly below road level and you cannot be seen from the road or parking area. We were there all day and had the beach to ourselves except for two inquisitive couples who came and left fairly quickly. There is a single tree for shade but no amenities. The water is deep blue and the beach is fine, golden sand. Bliss.