Published 23 January 2026. Last reviewed 26 April 2026
Kalafatis is the beach for people who want to do something more than lie down. Tucked into a sheltered cove on the east coast, it is the island's main watersports base, with a long established centre for windsurfing, kitesurfing and diving that uses the same meltemi wind that the south coast tries to hide from.
That wind is the key to the place. The inner cove stays reasonably calm and is backed by trees and a couple of tavernas, so a swim is usually fine, but on a blowy midsummer day the water beyond the shelter gets choppy and the boards come out. If you want guaranteed glassy water for a lazy float, the sheltered south coast is the safer bet.
What Kalafatis offers instead is space, quiet and a more local feel. It is well away from the party beaches, rarely crowded, and the kind of place where an active family or a couple who like to sail and dive can happily base a few days. The tavernas are relaxed and the pace is slow.
Who it suits: windsurfers, kitesurfers and divers, active families, and anyone who wants a quieter, more natural beach away from the south coast scene.
Who should skip it: if you want reliably calm water, glamour or a club day, head back to the south at Elia for calm or Psarou for the scene.
Beach clubs near Kalafatis Beach
Kalafatis is a watersports and taverna beach rather than a club beach, and we will not dress it up as something it is not. The draw is windsurfing, kitesurfing and diving in a quiet cove, with the daybed and party scene left well to the west at Paradise, Super Paradise and Paraga. For the island club lineup and to send an enquiry, use our Mykonos beach club directory.
Kalafatis Beach, Mykonos
Kalafatis sits on the east coast about twenty to twenty five minutes from Mykonos town, reached on a quiet road with a car park behind the beach. Public transport is limited on this side of the island, so a car, quad or taxi is the easiest way in. The cove is backed by trees and tavernas, with the watersports centre on the sand.
- Check the wind forecast, as a breezy day is great for boards but choppier for swimming.
- Drive, take a quad or use a taxi, since buses are limited on the east coast.
- Book lessons or gear at the watersports centre ahead in peak weeks.
Photo: Michał Borkowski via GoogleBook a Beach Club
Tell us your dates and party size and we will match you to a club near Kalafatis Beach and pass on your enquiry.
Kalafatis Beach questions
What is Kalafatis Beach known for?
Kalafatis is known as the main watersports beach on Mykonos. Its sheltered east coast cove and the reliable meltemi wind make it a base for windsurfing, kitesurfing and diving, and it is quieter and more local than the south coast beaches.
Is Kalafatis good for swimming?
Yes, in the sheltered inner cove, which stays reasonably calm. On windy midsummer days the open water gets choppy, so if you want guaranteed glassy conditions the south coast beaches are more reliable.
Can you windsurf at Kalafatis?
Yes. Kalafatis is the island's main windsurfing and kitesurfing beach, with a long running watersports centre that offers lessons and gear, taking advantage of the meltemi wind that funnels along the east coast.
Is Kalafatis Beach crowded?
Rarely. It is well away from the party beaches and has a quieter, more local feel, so even in high summer it tends to be calmer than the busy south coast coves. It suits visitors who want space and activity.
How do you get to Kalafatis Beach?
Kalafatis is about twenty to twenty five minutes from Mykonos town on a quiet east coast road with a car park behind the beach. Public transport is limited here, so a car, quad or taxi is the easiest way to arrive.