Mikro Amoudi / Amoudaki (Αμμουδακι)
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Formerly the best nude beach on Southern Crete - is over and out. Now with a big parking-lot at the back and only very few naturists, it is extremely crowded. You're laying on the beach shoulder by shoulder. It is 20 percent nude. [This report from September 2014 is left in this prominent position as a pro tempore warning. It is only one report, so please confirm or refute.]
A correspondent on the Barefoot Forum informs us that these beaches, which we have always known as the larger and smaller coves of Micro Amoudi, are properly known as Amoudaki and Micro Amoudaki respectively. The two coves sit between Damnoni and Amoudi beaches, easily reachable from either.
17°C
Larger cove (Amoudaki itself)
Captain's rating: 85%
The more westerly of the two beaches is a superb cove of golden sand (see picture) with hardly a stitch of clothing in sight, despite the advent of beach umbrellas and, unbelievably but very usefully, a free cold shower. Sunbeds and parasols were available at 3 Euros a day each. It is a popular beach, though not large, and gets crowded in high season. The Captain visited this beach for the fourth time and confirms that it is usually 99% nude.
1999: however, the number of umbrellas and sunbeds crammed into what was a Cretan Eden has increased, leaving little room for those of us who prefer to use beach mats and our own parasol on a short visit. This made the beach feel crowded even in late September/early October.
2006 September: When the Captain last visited there seemed to be so little room left that he felt the beach was in danger of being spoiled.
These considerations reduce my rating for the beach from 95% a few years ago to 85%.
Some contributors note a very attractive relaxed atmosphere. It is also visited by all categories of people. Young, middle-aged and old people, different nationalities. There are as many women as men. This is a place where even young single women feel comfortable to go naked. What better recommendation could there be?
2004 / 2005: Contributors confirm all the above; several enjoyed being among a larger group of naturists, rather than having to hide away behind rocks, or seek out unfrequented corners. Another comments that, after Ibiza, it certainly did not feel in the least crowded even at the height of summer! Refreshments are now sometimes available from the girl who looks after the umbrellas. She also often even finds time to take little pottery ash-trays to sunbathers who are smoking!
The doughnut man from Plakias Bay has been a welcome visitor - in 2007 he was arriving around 5pm.
One correspondent found strong winds and reckoned it was only about 50% nude that day, but all other estimates are of 90%+ nudity, whatever the season, day or time; ratings, where given, are from 90 to 100 points.
2009: a "smartening-up" programme got under way. Oh dear. Instead of the perfectly easy dirt footpath down to the beach, there are now neat suburban-style crazy-paved steps, lined with new palm trees! The beach itself hasn't physically changed of course, though all the sunbeds and umbrellas have been replaced with new ones - and they cost €7 each to hire. It felt, to this long-time visitor, as if the atmosphere had certainly changed here, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the proportion of textile visitors increasing, now that it's all more "civilised".
Another long-time semi-regular visitor did not notice any negative effects from the upgrades neither during the 2009 or early 2010 season. The new umbrellas are however not as nice as the old straw type that blended more into the natural environment.
2011 August: A lot of people, 50% nude and all mixed without problem. There is a taverna and many umbrellas
2012 June: About 95% nude but the sunbeds, although now only €6, are quite crammed in. The beach itself is beautiful, but shelves very quickly now so is probably unsuitable for children. Donut man turned up on one of the two days we were there. The beach bar does drinks but no food when we visited
2014 July: In the weekend a lot of textile visitors. Several groups of Greek women. Many of them were topless, as if not to be bothered by Greek men on that beach, maybe?
August: This is a fantastic beach, one of the best on Crete, with a real community and atmosphere! but it will be lost if more and more textiles take over. At the moment there is a balance in high season and more nudes in low. But we don't want it to tip, so there is one clear message: Come on down and get naked! If you are staying in the north it's well worth the trip as the weather can be very different, especially when windy/cold on the north. 99% A Family friendly naturist beach - lets keep it like this!
2015 June: Notwithstanding the larger carpark and other "improvements" there was still a preponderance of naturists here. One lounger €3 plus parasol €1; an attendant girl still active as above from a small taverna/cantina; doughnut man (thinner & younger) calls in for a few minutes from Plakias. Good atmosphere but very crowded (45 parasols on this small area); little towel space for the impecunious or a family picnic.
2016 August: Lots of textile visitors, 20% nude from 7yrs to 70yrs. Crowded, no shade at midday, bring your parasol or rent one! Nice taverna situated a few metres above the beach.
2017 July: Lots of textiles, especially teenagers and young adults, but a sizeable proportion of nudists (maybe 50%) - very relaxed.
2018 September (beginning): There are two beaches, Ammoudi 1 and 2, already listed on the site, suitable for naturism. Indeed they are officially listed as such on the maps.me app. The small (very small) is Klisidi Beach, just west of Ammoudi Beach (5 minutes walk). The largest and most organized with umbrellas, parking and tavern is Ammoudaki Beach. The other nearby beaches, West (Damnoni) and East (Ammoudi Beach and Schinaria Beach) are not naturist. There are explicit prohibitions.
2019 July: most of the people were naturists here (75% - 90%). Very relaxed and civilized place, even if quite crowded: there are sunbeds, cold showers and a nice bar. There's enough place also to park the car. Highly recommended. September Crowded and a bit of a ghetto imho. Plakias or Souda a better bet.
2020 August: Greek people have their holiday, and it was a Sunday, so the small beach was crowded with about 150 people. Still there were 6 nudists on the right end. Not nice when you don’t want to show off.
Smaller cove (Paralia Kleisidi)
Captain's rating: 98%
The more easterly Mikro Amoudi beach is a tiny cove. Reaching it involves climbing down a short but almost vertical cliff - be careful, we bear the scars; it is certainly not easy and stout footwear is essential. This cove is surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides. A rocky pinnacle stands out of the water. Everyone in this little cove was naked (September 1997). As in many parts of Greece the water was beautifully clear. Swimming around the pinnacle was utter bliss. On revisiting this beach this year I found myself thinking that if I were to give 100% to any beach I personally know this would be it. But the difficulty in getting down to it must knock off a point or two. (Rating: 98%).
Apart from swimming around the rock, there were other activities which correspondents say they have enjoyed: Sitting nude on the rock in the sun, with your feet in the water / Jumping from the 6m high surrounding cliffs into the water, by young textile locals in the afternoon (NB the Captain does NOT recommend trying this yourself).
1998: A report described the smaller Micro Amoudi beach as nice, but sometimes textile. Various reports suggest that the first visitors of the day determine its textile or nude character; equally, however, once somebody strips others seem quick to follow. The site is well protected and has a real "naturist community" effect.
Stronger swimmers will normally have no difficulty in swimming between the two coves. One of my contributors even describes walking back by the road to descend to the smaller beach naked and on bare feet - the Captain would not recommend that, though; the route is rocky and stony.
2005 June: One day there were no less than 18 people who had dressed up to come here, and only 2 upholding naturism - that did feel rather crowded, and in the wrong sort of way, but was fortunately an exception. The larger beach was much to be preferred that day.
The Captain has received a number of similar reports suggesting a proportion of textiles in this idyllic little cove, but it is quite clearly still very much a place for nudists.
2009: During most of the season the place was occupied mostly by textiles.
One recent contributor has found an “underwater door” on the right hand side, connecting to the larger beach, which he says was easy to swim through. The Captain does NOT recommend this unless you are a very confident and strong swimmer - we do not want to lose any naturists this way!
2014 July: A few nudists, but mainly a place for young Greek men (textiles) who like to jump off the rocks into the sea.
2017 July: Still a great, if small, place to be nude - lots of young textiles (especially young Greek men) still doing the jumping off the rocks thing - annoying, but doesn't seem to put too many nudists off.
2019 July This nice little beach is near the Ammoudaki beach, having only a rocky offshot separating the two. Here you can find naturists or not, mostly depending on who comes here first. If you want to be sure, go to Ammoudaki beach: you can always reach this little beach with a very little walking (or swimming, but only if you're confident).
2020 August End of August 2020 the micro beach was full, only textiles.
However, a word of warning. The pictures here suggest a picture of calmness and tranquillity, and indeed that is a true image of the state of these beaches during much of of the summer. But occasionally the sea does become lively. The sea bed slopes quite quickly and there are rocks to the sides. It is said that in certain conditions there is an undertow. In rough conditions great care should be taken while swimming, and if you have children with you the much shallower beach at Plakias might be a safer bet at such times.
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