The Best Beaches in Milos Only Accessible by Boat
Milos has some of the most dramatic coastline in the entire Aegean. Volcanic rock carved into arches, caves and cliffs. Water that shifts from deep navy to shallow turquoise within metres. Beaches made of white pumice, black obsidian and orange sandstone all within a few kilometres of each other.
But here is the thing most visitors only discover when they arrive: the best beaches in Milos are not on any bus route. They are not within walking distance of any hotel. They do not appear on Google Maps directions. The only way to reach them is by boat.
This guide covers the five beaches you should not leave Milos without seeing — and exactly how to get there.
Kleftiko — The Crown Jewel of Milos
If you research Milos for more than five minutes, you will find a photo of Kleftiko. Enormous white rock formations rising out of crystal-clear water, sea caves you can swim through, arches big enough to sail a boat under. It is one of the most photographed places in Greece, and it is completely inaccessible by land.
Kleftiko sits on the southwestern tip of Milos. The only approach is from the sea, which is exactly why it remains as wild and unspoiled as it is. The name means "pirates" in Greek — this was where corsairs once sheltered their ships in the natural harbour formed by the rocks.
What to expect: Multiple sea caves to explore by swimming or with a small dinghy. Anchor in the turquoise lagoon, snorkel among the rock formations, and climb the rocks for views across the southern Aegean. Visibility in the water here regularly exceeds 20 metres.
How to get there: Depart from Agia Kyriaki Beach heading west along the southern coast. Around 45 minutes by rental boat. Also the highlight of our 5-hour Kleftiko & Sykia cruise.
Best time to visit: Early morning, before 10am. By midday in July and August the anchorage fills with boats. Arriving early means you have the caves almost to yourself.
Sykia — The Collapsed Sea Cave
Sykia is one of the most unusual natural formations in the Cyclades. It was once a complete sea cave — an enclosed chamber of rock. At some point the roof partially collapsed, leaving an open-sky pool enclosed by towering walls of ancient volcanic stone. The water inside is so still and so clear it looks almost artificial.
To enter Sykia you navigate a narrow passage in the rock — just wide enough for a small boat — and emerge inside a natural amphitheatre. The water shifts from deep green at the entrance to brilliant turquoise under the open sky.
What to expect: A completely enclosed swimming area with no wind and no waves. The light inside the cave changes dramatically through the day — the best photography window is late morning when sunlight hits the water directly through the open roof.
How to get there: Sykia is close to Kleftiko on the southwestern coast. Most people visit both on the same trip. Around 55 minutes from Agia Kyriaki. It is also included in our 5-hour cruise and all 8-hour tours.
Important note: The entrance passage is narrow. In choppy conditions the swell inside can make entry uncomfortable. Check conditions before heading in — your skipper or our team will advise.
Polyaigos — The Wild Aegean Island
Polyaigos is not a beach — it is an entire uninhabited island sitting just off the southern coast of Milos. No permanent residents. No tourist infrastructure. No roads. Just 18 square kilometres of raw Aegean landscape with beaches that look like something from the Caribbean.
The water around Polyaigos is some of the most transparent in the Mediterranean. Turquoise lagoons, white pebble beaches, and a complete absence of noise except for the wind and the water. It is the kind of place that makes you feel like you have discovered something that does not officially exist.
What to expect: Multiple beaches spread around the island's coastline — you anchor, swim, move to the next one. The water is shallow and brilliantly clear. Some beaches have small caves and rock formations. Bring snorkelling gear — the seabed is extraordinary.
How to get there: Polyaigos is a 25–30 minute crossing from Agia Kyriaki or Pollonia. A full-day rental gives you time to explore properly. Also the focus of our 5-hour Polyaigos cruise and the 8-hour full day tour.
Best time to visit: Full day in calm conditions. The crossing can be choppy in strong meltemi wind — always check the forecast.
Gerakas — The Hidden Amber Beach
Gerakas is the kind of beach you stumble across by boat and immediately decide to spend the rest of the day there. Tucked into a small cove on the southern coast of Milos, it is made of extraordinary amber and orange pebbles — the result of the volcanic mineral deposits that make Milos geologically unlike anywhere else in Greece.
The water at Gerakas is completely calm, sheltered by the surrounding cliffs. It is one of the best places on the island to snorkel — the bottom is covered in volcanic rock formations and occasional small caves.
What to expect: A small, intimate cove with amber-coloured pebbles, no facilities, no crowds. The cliffs on either side make it completely sheltered from the wind. Water clarity is excellent. Ideal for a long swimming stop on a full-day route.
How to get there: Gerakas sits on the southern coast between Firiplaka and Kleftiko. Usually visited as part of the full south coast route — depart Agia Kyriaki, stop at Tsigrado, Firiplaka, Gerakas, then continue to Kleftiko and Sykia.
Tsigrado — The Ladder Beach
Tsigrado might be the most dramatic beach in Milos to arrive at — but arriving by boat is the easiest way to do it. From land, access involves climbing down a rope and a narrow ladder cut into the cliffside. By boat, you simply anchor in the turquoise water and swim to shore.
The beach itself is a small strip of white sand wedged between towering pale cliffs. The water in front of it is impossibly clear — you can see the sandy bottom from 5 metres depth. There is a small sea cave at one end of the beach accessible by swimming.
What to expect: A sheltered, intimate beach with dramatic cliff walls on three sides. Completely calm water ideal for swimming. No facilities, no crowds, no noise. One of the most photogenic spots on the island.
How to get there: Tsigrado is on the southern coast, close to Firiplaka. Easy to include in any south coast route. Around 30 minutes from Agia Kyriaki heading east.
How to Reach These Beaches
All five of these beaches share one thing: no road access. The only way to see them is from the water.
You have two options with Poseidon Milos:
Rent a boat and explore independently. The Poseidon Blue Water 170 (no licence required) gives you complete freedom — your own schedule, your own stops, as long as you want at each beach. View our boats and rental options →
Join one of our organised cruises. If you would rather have an experienced skipper handle navigation while you focus on swimming and exploring, our cruises cover all of these beaches across various route options. The 5-hour tours focus on either Kleftiko & Sykia or Polyaigos. The 8-hour tours cover multiple stops including Kleftiko, Sykia, Polyaigos and Kimolos. View all Milos cruises →
Book in advance. Between June and September both rental boats and cruise spots fill up quickly. Call or WhatsApp us on +30 698 79 30 867 to reserve your date.
Poseidon Milos operates daily boat rentals and private cruises from Adamas and Agia Kyriaki Beach. We have been exploring Milos by sea since 2018.