Velanio is acknowledged as the island's nudist beach on the "official" Skopelos web site and also in numerous promotional leaflets about the island. Some Barefooters also recommend Babi's taverna at the top of the hill opposite the bus stop. Perfect place for a beer or two after the gruelling return climb up from Stafilos.

There is a rocky outcrop about a third of the way along Velanio. The beach is mostly (but not exclusively) textile before that; and mostly (but not exclusively) nude beyond. There was a beach bar which also hired sunbeds and parasols for use either side of the great divide; unfortunately it was swept away in a storm (apparently the guy who owned it didn't have enough money to rebuild it and got a job in Skopelos Town). A new beach bar, at the bottom of the steps at the textile end, is now open.

The beach is composed of sand and fine shingle and has some of the clearest water and best swimming I know of. Highly recommended: easily rates 95%. Some reports suggest that on windy days the waves can be quite big and entry to the water difficult because the seabed shelves quickly.

Beware: since the sand and shingles are dark it can get really hot in the hotter days of the season. Don't underestimate your need for shade or refreshment. As the beach faces SE and is surmounted by a hill, the sun disappears a couple of hours before sunset. In the afternoon, from 4pm on, there is plenty of shade.

The textile invasion does seem to be creeping further and further up Velanio, notwithstanding the island's clear acknowledgment that this is the nudist beach. The Captain's advice: stick with it - the textiles have plenty of places to go and we have relatively few. This beach is too precious to be lost to the unenlightened ones. The Captain hears that a "nude beach" sign has now appeared on the beach itself. The beach is invariably predominantly nude in the area beyond the rocks.

One complaint I have heard about Velanio is aggressive hornets and bees. This may be a seasonal phenomenon. The Captain hears that they are most abundant after the plum harvest.

Further along the beach is another small rocky area after which the beach bends around to the left. Here it is wild and beautiful and if you walk far enough you will find a natural spring on the cliff, which provided water for my correspondents who were "wild camping". The taverna near the textile beach provided other necessary amenities.

The beach faces south-east, so the sun goes over the cliff and shadow builds from about 5pm onwards, depending on the time of year.

2001 June: The Captain re-visited and was delighted to discover that Velanio beach, one of our favourites in the Aegean, retained much of its old character, with the section after the rocks predominantly nude. New sunbeds are in use before and after the great divide. You can get there by bus: get off at the stop for Stafilos and walk down the hill past the Ostria Hotel. Don't be tempted to pass the taverna at the bottom of the hill: it has smashing views and it's well worth taking some fluid on board.

2003 July: A report says the beach was spotless with new sunbeds and brollies but beware 2 beds plus brolly is 8 euros/day and the guy comes around collecting till about 3 in the afternoon and still charges full price. You can buy a brolly in the supermarket for around 8 euros!

2005 July: it was reported that the rocks and small bay beyond the rocky outcrop at the end of Velanio was 100% nudist too. This area seemed to be popular with single males.

2006: One Barefoot reporter, visiting this beach for the first time, described it as the best he had been on and recommended it for everyone - with a rating of 100%!

2007: Various reports confirm that even in late July, although the peak period, Velanio beach was uncrowded and peaceful. No more than 20-30 people on the beach that stretches for a couple of hundred metres. 80-90% nude. Mostly couples (surprisingly half of them Greeks) and small companies of locals and tourists in their thirties. Clear and deep waters - just perfect. There are umbrellas and chaises-longues in the nude section of the beach for 7 euros (run by the nearby beach bar located on the clothed section). Sadly during this time of the year this proved to be the only suitable beach for naturism on the island.

2008 June: as before the first half of the beach was exclusively textile, the second half, past the painted "Nude Beach" sign was pretty much 100% naked. The beach bar had yet to open but a friendly chap wandered over twice a day to collect the 7 euros for the sunbeds and umbrellas.

2009-2010: Sunloungers and parasols on 1st (clothed) section and past the rock in skin section all nude. Probably 20 couples and a few singles, male and female. Beach clean and no seaweed.

2011: end June beginning July: no loungers or parasols (not even on Stafilos on the the way in). Very quiet with 10 couples (50/50 Greek and ex-pat). Beach lovely and clean.

2012 February: Great news for nudists regarding Velanio beach. The municipality of Skopelos has decided to make Velanio "official"!!

July/August: two correspondents have been several times in Velanio between the last week of July and the first of August. No more parasols and other facilities either in the nude or textile sections (take all you may need! The nearest facilities are now in Stafylos beach, not very far, but not a pleasant walk in the hottest hours). The beach is very often 100% nude after the rocks (and sometimes mixed before the rocks), and never crowded except on weekends. There's a lot of space for everyone, anyway, and if you like being alone, you just have to walk. Water is always clear and clean with lots of different small fishes. No water sports (thank God!). Just the sound of waves and cicadas. Wonderful.

The first week of September: 8-10 nude couples and some single people. Plenty of space for everyone. But no sign to say Velanio is an official nude beach.

2013 September: nothing seems to have changed. Still no facilities, either in the naturist and textile section (the closest being in nearby Stafylos); no parasols nor sunbeds. Still 90 to 100% nudes after the rocks. The core of beach users is quite stable, with people occupying their favourite sites day after day. Occasional comers on Skopelos-beach-tour often take advantage of the beach's relaxed atmosphere to strip off too. Just back from the Sporades. Velanio beach on Skopelos island is just a fantastic place to be. Fairly quiet now with about 10 - 12 couples soaking up the warm sunshine. so relaxing.

2016 September: no beach chairs, no umbrellas. 100% nude. 5 to 20 people. Couples and singles. Very quiet.

2017 June: A rare example of a nudist beach which is better than the adjacent textile beach. 100% nude and fairly quiet. No facilities. Three visits in 2 weeks all wonderful.

2022 July: The south part of Velanio has now a beach bar and parasols with mostly textiles and some topless women. However, this has not spoiled the place. The north part (beyond the huge rocks) is almost strictly 100% nude and fairly quiet and relaxed. A few parasols have been installed in this side by the adjusted beach bar but they are practically free of charge and used by nudists. There are no other kind of services though (drinks, food etc). During mid of July there can be a few dozens of nudists every day (mornings).

2023 September Car can be parked in the street towards Stafilos, Velanio easy accesible by walking along Stafilos beach up to the end. At the entry point of a small, easy hike are two big flags indicating "Velanio". 10-15 min walk from the car. First part is textile with little beach bar, behind the huge rock is almost 100% nude. Many couples (straight and gay) and some male singles in September. Walking further over some rocks you come to a very private area with mostly no other people.