Mandraki Beach

Mandraki beach is, quite literally, the only sandy beach on the whole of Hydra. Every other swimming spot on the island is pebbles, rock platforms or small stones mixed with black sand. That exception makes it the obvious destination for families with small children and for anyone who needs a restful day with full services without giving up on being on an island where cars do not come in. It sits in Mandraki bay, about 2.5 kilometres east of the main harbour, and it is run by the Mandraki Beach Resort, the island’s only beach resort hotel.

The beach is around 100 metres long and the sand is pale and fine, with a few scattered pebbles. The entry into the water is very gentle for the first few metres, which makes it safe for children and for people who are not strong swimmers. It faces north east, so it gets sun for practically the whole day and fills with golden light at dusk. The water is clear, with a sandy bottom in the first stretch and rocks with posidonia meadows further out: good for gentle snorkelling (take a mask and snorkel if you want to see the transition from sand to meadow, plenty of small fish turn up there).

The beach operates as a resort service and that has advantages and drawbacks. The advantage is that everything is organised for you: double sunbeds with an umbrella (around 25-30 € for two), changing rooms with lockers, fresh water showers, clean toilets, and a restaurant right on the water with Mediterranean cooking and a broad menu (not just sandwiches: there are full dishes, salads, pasta, fresh seafood). Staff bring food and drinks to your sunbed so you never have to move. For anyone travelling with children who needs a changing table and a toilet nearby, that is worth its weight in gold. There is also paddleboard, kayak, snorkel and jet ski hire (the only legal engines on Hydra), all at resort prices (paddleboard 15 € an hour, jet ski 80 € for 15 minutes, to give rough examples).

The drawback is the price. If you are not a hotel guest, there is a minimum spend or day rate of around 20-25 € per person, normally redeemable against food and drink over the course of the day. In July and August the place fills up, especially at weekends, and it is worth booking a sunbed by ringing the resort in the morning or doing it online. If you turn up on a Saturday at midday with no booking, you may well find there are no sunbeds left, which leaves you sitting on the sand with your towel (something the resort allows but which is not the optimal experience under the midday sun). In low season (May, October) it is far more relaxed and there is usually availability without booking.

On the pain points: there is no natural shade at all, it all runs on rented umbrellas, so be ready for the expense if you come with a family. The resort’s background music plays all day (soft electronica, lounge); if what you want is absolute silence, go to Bisti instead. The minimum charges are compulsory even if you consume nothing, so build the cost into the plan. Lastly, the walk back in the afternoon crosses stretches with no shade at 19:00, when the sun is still strong: if you have tired children with you, better to book a water taxi for the return. Even so, for many families and couples who want a “quiet and comfortable” day on a genuinely unspoilt island, Mandraki is the most sensible option on Hydra.