Kanapitsa

Kanapitsa is where the south coast action sits without the party billing. It tucks into a pine backed bay on the Kalamaki peninsula, the sand is a touch coarse but the water is the draw, clear and gently shelving and clean enough that the snorkelling is genuinely good along the rocky edges. It is well organised with sunbeds and a seasonal watersports centre, so this is a beach you come to do something on, not just lie beside.

For active travellers it earns its place. The watersports centre runs jet ski, windsurfing and dives in season, the clear shallows reward a snorkel, and boats slip out from the area to Tsougria and across to Skopelos. The peninsula setting means there is shade in the pines and a couple of tavernas for the long lunch between sessions. If you read the water, the morning is the window, with the bay at its flattest and clearest before the day warms up.

Now the honest read. Kanapitsa catches the breeze, which is exactly why the windsurfers like it, but on a blown out afternoon the same wind raises short waves that knock the shine off a lazy swim and give weak swimmers and small children a workout. The fix is simple. Swim early, save the watersports for when the breeze fills in, and if the bay is properly whipped up walk across the peninsula to the sheltered cove at Tzaneria, which stays glassy when Kanapitsa does not.

Come to Kanapitsa for the clear water, the snorkelling and a full watersports day with pine shade on tap. For the flat calm alternative across the peninsula see Tzaneria, for a sheltered family beach near town try Achladies, and for the south coast watersports scene with more buzz head to Vromolimnos. For verified venues and day passes use our Skiathos beach clubs directory.