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There are two tavernas here. Although a part of the big sweep of Plakias Bay the western end called Souda Bay is a definitely separate section. There is now a good road from Plakias, about 4km from the centre of Plakias to the tavernas at the Western end of Souda. It is possible to walk (about 45 mins) but this beach has the distinct advantage of being served by tour boats.
The beach is excellent - a mix of sand and shingle - and clean, with very very clear water (blue flag!). Umbrella + 2 sunbeds cost €5 per day (2010). It is partly shaded by the cliff at the western end during the late afternoon. It is well sheltered, and makes a good alternative to Plakias & Mikro Amoudi on windy days.
The naturist end is the east (left facing the sea). How many naturists you will find seems to depend on who gets there first: if it's mainly textiles then not many, if mainly naturists then 70-80%. There's an overall "do your own thing" feel. (There was a report in 2000 of a sole male naturist being angrily abused by locals; obviously hard to know what that can have been about, but nothing like it has been reported since.)
The nude part is visible from the road, though some reports say this makes little difference. Some contributors find this beach uninspiring after visiting those at Mikro Amoudi.
16°C
1991: About 70% of those on the beach were nude (Captain's rating: 65%).
1994: There was a good nude usage in the mid section to eastern end, but towards the latter part it was increasingly dressed. Possibly the increasing wind strength had driven people away. There are a number of building sites overlooking the bay and it may be quite different in a year or two.
2000: June: One report tells of a sole male naturist being angrily abused by locals; obviously hard to know what that can have been about. There were still nude people on the beach at 6pm together with some textiles. The nude part had a different type of beach umbrella from the textile part.
2001 May: Relatively few people on this beach, with perhaps 30% nude, mainly in the middle stretch where there is a bit of protection from the road.
2003 September: We preferred Amoudi (west) but high northerly winds were swirling into Amoudi to a degree that they found it uncomfortable. At this time, Souda was relatively sheltered.
The nudist end of the beach is the east end, the part of the beach you first come to as you come from Plakias. There were a different set of umbrellas at this end than at the other parts of the beach. Nudity seemed to be well accepted and practised here. Most of the sunbeds & umbrellas at this end of the beach were occupied, about 90% nudist, plus a number of other nudists using their own beach mats. Mostly couples on this beach. Umbrella + 2 sunbeds was €5 for the day. This beach is a good alternative if it is too windy at Plakias or Amoudi.
2004: Souda is usually good for naturism early in the day, especially at the eastern end, but becomes increasingly textile later. Weekends were 100% textile, and there is a fair amount of new building overlooking the beach. It sounds as if nudity may be on the way out here, sadly.
2008 June: Souda beach remains nudist at the eastern end (nearest Plakias) where there are 30 or so sunbeds. Mainly middle-aged couples: English, Swedes & Austrians. On Sunday there was no problem: most people were nudist.
2010 May: On a short weekday visit there was an amiable mix of nudists and textiles towards the eastern end (we didn't explore further). Compared to the huge sandy expanse of nearby Plakias it seemed crowded and stony, but it does seem a lot better sheltered from the on-shore wind that can sometimes mar the Plakias experience.
The eastern end is visible from the road, as noted above, but the road is far from busy: it's really only useful for getting to Souda itself, and through traffic would have no reason to go this way. It didn't feel particularly overlooked by nearby buildings.
late September: Souda was not busy at all. We went there because of very strong wind at Plakias Beach. The middle part was a mixture of nude and textile. The eastern part is almost completely nude.
My wife and I prefer this beach above Plakias for the very, very clear water (blue flag!). There are several steps to the beach so you don't have to go to the end. The prices of sunbeds and umbrella are the same as in Plakias (€5) and the visibility from the road wasn't a problem.
2011 August: On a first visit - a weekday around noon - it was busy with no naturists and it would not have been adapted to be nude. 3 days later - coming early - 50% of the 20 people were nude, mainly in the centre of the beach between the umbrellas. We went east and nude but it was not a good choice: the many incoming people after 11am stayed clothed, and only in the centre of the beach was naturism comfortable at the end of the morning.
This is a very pleasant beach, well protected from wind and recommended: come early, regroup and try to keep part of it nude!
2012 June: Eastern end of the beach about 75% nude under the umbrellas, and also to the east of the umbrellas. Beach clean but very rocky. Nice beach but would only use if windy in Plakias and Mikro Amoudi.
2013 July: A local young person informed us that the beach is not for naturists!! There is also no sign for this! He also told us that twice this summer ('til now) the coast guard was informed and threw all naturists away from the beach. He threatened us that he would call the coast guard again if we wouldn't put anything on or didn't leave the beach!! As proved, he did call the coastguard!! They came and threw us away! We almost got arrested! After these incidents, absolutely not recommended for practising naturism! Better off in Mikro Ammoudi or Plakias (East section).
2014 July: No problems on the beach, the naturist section on the first day was almost to the middle of the beach but the second day was a weekend but we still were able to bathe naked. Very friendly and laid back.
October: Eastern half almost entirely nude and quite crowded. Sea lovely and warm. Big 'Nudism Forbidden' at Western end, near tavernas. However, naturist end accessed by 3 sets of steps - no signs there! Still love this beach, great for a swim at sunrise after run from Plakias.
2015 August: All textile and we went another beach. Almost 100% textile. Sat next to two couples that were naked in the parasol section. Nice sea. Fairly crowded. Went for a climb up the rocks.
September: 50% of beach nude, all at Eastern end. Even on a Sunday it was cool with (clothed) locals happy to use sunbeds next to us. Signs of development above nude area … but hey, we were here first, from 1980!
2016 June: Half of the beach, eastwards from the big central boulder was 95% nude. Wonderful.
August: No nudity at all… beach is very nice, but very crowded (still a nice place), and visible from the street in each part, so no hidden places for nudists. Not because of being afraid to be seen, but to offend people not expecting to see naked creatures so close to street and accommodations.
September: We spent the best part of 2 weeks of our holiday coming to this beach after problems with sun loungers at the Far End. During that whole time the left hand end of Souda beach was between 90 & 100% naturist with a mix of nationalities partaking. We had experienced problems here 2 years ago in July of that year with having to wear bathing suits, but it appears that once the Greek holidays are over and in general only holiday makers are at the beach, nudity is not an issue. During our stay the water was incredibly clear for good snorkeling and not affected by the wind like the main beach in Plakias.
October: East End still 99.9% naked and also possible to be nude in mid section which is a mixed zone …. good if your travelling companions don't feel like getting their kit off but don't mind if you do.
2017: Iris reports on forum: "Please watch out that Souda has now a sign for the whole beach: NUDISM forbidden!!!!!" It remains to be seen how much notice will be taken of it.
September: The eastern end 99% nude. No issues. Forum reports that during July/August it was non-nude because of complaints from Greek/Italian holiday makers. The police got involved and a compromise was reached ….
2018 September: The 'Plakias' end 99% nude. No issues. Amazing beach. great swimming. Spoke with the sunbed guy, he said that August was a 'no no' for FKK just because of so many non-FKK visitors. July was 'OK'.
2019: Police raid in June meant that that July/August were not nudist. However, the sunbed guy at the eastern (nudist) end told me that there had been an agreement and Souda is now OFFICIALLY NUDIST, and Plakias beach as well.
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