There are places to swim in the town itself, Ayios Mamas - Town Beach offers gently shelving sand into shallow water with plenty of nearby bars and tavernas for refreshments and snacks but the best beaches are a little further a field.

The road eastwards out of the town takes you to Ayia Marina, home to Paradise beach (Ayia Marina - Paradise Beach) a well organised sandy beach with a lively bar and restaurant in exotic surroundings. There are also water-sports available.

Six kilometres round pleasant curves is lovely Xilokeriza. Down a dizzying descent on a cement road is the fine shingle beach, comprising a myriad of hues, and giving visitors of all ages a chance to enrich their stone collections. There are just a few beds and umbrellas on it. Its waters become deep quite quickly, making it ideal for those of us who hate wading for miles before a swim! There is also a bar selling drinks and snacks. Because the caiques do not stop at Xilokeriza, it is often less crowded than some of the other beaches. You can, however, take the bus from the town beach.

Another six kilometres around, passing the evidence of the 1990 fire and the re-growth of the forest, brings you to Ayios Anargyrios and roughly the half-way mark on the road around the island. This fine sandy beach has full amenities. There are beds, umbrellas and water-sports, and two places to eat. The self-service restaurant is right on the beach itself. You can catch a caique from the Dapia, or the bus from the town beach, which terminates here.

Continuing west, you arrive at Ayia Paraskevi. Many people's favourite beach, Ayia Paraskevi has pine trees coming right down the beach, close to the water. The picturesque church of the same name, is the church which features in an important scene in John Fowles' Classic Book The Magus. The beach itself is a key setting throughout the book as is the Botassi villa between Ayia Paraskevi and Ayios Anargyrios (Anargyri) reputedly the real "Bourani". There are beds and umbrellas, and a recently-added taverna, as well as the only (un-officially) designated nude bathing area on the island. You can get there by road or caique from the Dapia.

Returning now, towards the town, the next area is known as Zogheria Bay. The large bay of Zogheria has twin beaches either side of a small peninsular where the small church of St. George (Ayios Georgios) is situated. Once down in the main bay the first beach is known as Lazareto, which is marked by the small chapel of Analypsi.  Following the path through the shady pines trees behind the beach you come to the main beach of Zogheria where you can alternatively be dropped off by the traditional caique from the Dapia if you prefer not to walk. It is on this beach that you will find a small taverna. There are a few beds and umbrellas.

After Zogheria comes Vrelos Beach a small natural bay, with a great club atmosphere, terrific social scene and good diving. Now that the road has been re-surfaced,it makes for an easy ride or walk down from the top main island road.