Kaminia Beach
Best for. Walkers, nature lovers and confident swimmers who want a vast natural sand beach over facilities, and who will respect the turtle nests.
Best spot. The northern stretch away from the kantina for space and quiet, swum early when the sea is calmest and with care taken around marked nests.
Know this. It is a protected loggerhead turtle nesting beach, so keep clear of marked nests, take rubbish away and stay off the sand after dark in nesting season.
Kaminia is the antidote to a busy resort beach. It is a long, wild ribbon of golden and reddish sand running along the coast near Skala in the southeast, mostly undeveloped, backed by low vegetation, and big enough that even in high summer you can walk away from people and have sand to yourself. If your idea of a good beach day involves space and a long shoreline walk rather than a row of daybeds, this is your kind of place.
There is a serious reason to tread carefully here. Kaminia is one of Kefalonia's loggerhead turtle nesting beaches, where Caretta caretta come ashore to lay eggs in summer. That means marked nests on the sand, conservation rules, and a real responsibility on visitors. Stay well clear of any marked nest, take all your rubbish away, do not dig or drive stakes into the sand, and keep off the beach after dark in nesting season when the turtles and hatchlings move. It is a privilege to share a beach with them, and it asks a little discipline in return.
For swimming, read it as an open beach. Kaminia faces the sea without the shelter of a tight cove, so on a calm morning it is lovely and easy, but when the wind gets up it can build real waves and a shore break, more so than the tucked away coves further north. Strong swimmers enjoy that energy, while nervous swimmers and small children will want the calm of the morning or a more sheltered beach. Watch the water before you commit.
Facilities are minimal by design. There is usually a seasonal kantina for a cold drink and a snack, and some parking near the access points, but otherwise this is a bring everything beach. Pack water, shade and food, because the wild feel that makes Kaminia special is the same thing that means there is little here. Treat the seasonal service as best confirmed locally.
Who should skip it. Anyone wanting full facilities, guaranteed calm water and an easy organised beach day will be happier at nearby Skala or on the more sheltered beaches. But if you want a vast, natural, living beach and you will honour the turtles that share it, Kaminia is one of the most rewarding in the south.
Clubs on this beach
Kaminia is a wild, protected sand beach with a seasonal kantina at most rather than a daybed club on the sand, so for loungers, pools and table service we point you to the Kefalonia beach clubs directory.
No beach club on this beach
Kaminia is a natural turtle nesting beach with at most a seasonal kantina rather than a club with daybeds and table service, and its undeveloped, wild character is the whole point. For a club style day with loungers, food and drinks brought to your spot, the island options are gathered in the Kefalonia beach clubs directory, where we list what we can verify and mark the rest to be confirmed.
Skala, southeast coast
Kaminia runs along the coast near Skala in the southeast, reached by tracks and small roads off the main route down to the sand. A hire car is the easy way in, with parking near the access points, and Skala itself is a short drive away for food and supplies.
It is a natural, protected beach, so stick to the marked paths, keep well clear of any marked turtle nests, do not dig in the sand and take your rubbish with you. Stay off the beach after dark in nesting season when the turtles and hatchlings are active.
There is usually a seasonal kantina for a cold drink, but otherwise bring water, shade and food. Swim in the calm of the morning for the easiest water, and read the sea before going in, especially with children. Any seasonal service is best confirmed locally.
Photo: Kaminia Beach Kantina via GoogleBook a beach club
Tell us your dates and party size and we will help arrange a daybed or table at a beach club elsewhere on the island, where the club scene lives. We reply by email.
We are an independent editorial resource. Booking requests are passed to clubs and operators, and some may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices, availability and opening status are set by the venue and are to be confirmed at the time of booking.
Common questions about Kaminia Beach
Are there turtles at Kaminia Beach?
Yes, Kaminia is one of Kefalonia's loggerhead turtle nesting beaches, where Caretta caretta come ashore to lay eggs in summer. You may see marked nests on the sand. Keep well clear of them, take all your rubbish away, avoid digging, and stay off the beach after dark in nesting season so the turtles and hatchlings are not disturbed.
Is Kaminia Beach sandy?
Yes, it is a long stretch of soft golden and reddish sand, one of the larger natural sand beaches in the southeast of the island. Its size means you can usually walk away from other people and find a quiet patch even in peak summer.
Is the sea calm at Kaminia?
It varies with the wind. Kaminia faces open sea without the shelter of a tight cove, so on a calm morning it is gentle, but when the breeze gets up it can build waves and a shore break. Swim early for the calmest water and read the sea before going in, especially with children.
Are there facilities at Kaminia Beach?
Facilities are minimal. There is usually a seasonal kantina for drinks and snacks and some parking near the access points, but otherwise treat it as a bring everything beach with water, shade and food. Any seasonal service is best confirmed locally before you rely on it.
How do you get to Kaminia Beach?
It is near Skala in the southeast, reached by small roads and tracks off the main route down to the sand. A hire car is the easiest way, with parking near the access points, and Skala itself is a short drive away for food and supplies.
Is Kaminia good for families?
It can be on a calm morning, with masses of space for children to roam, but the open aspect and possible afternoon waves make it less reliably gentle than a sheltered beach. The turtle nesting rules also mean families should keep to the paths and clear of marked nests, which is a good lesson for children in itself.
