Swimming in the Sea

Swimmers cool down on a hot day at Paraga Beach.

Mykonos offers plenty of beautiful beaches to choose from, and Paraga Beach is no exception. Paraga Beach is located on the southern part of the island between two other popular beaches, Paradise Beach and Platis Gialos. On a Saturday afternoon, there was music playing but it wasn't too crowded, and if you went further away from the restaurants and bars, the music wasn't obnoxiously loud. Paraga Beach is one of the few beaches where clothing is optional, so you may notice some nude sunbathing.

Where the sandy beach meets the calm blue water.

In the middle of the water, there's a few large rocks that you can swim out to and climb on. The water is shallow for several feet, before dropping down to being almost waist-level. The sand at the beach isn't too soft (a little rough under the feet), but it proved to come off of the towel effortlessly when it was time to leave.

According to seatemperature.info, the water in the Aegean Sea averages about 18°C/64°F during May. Even though the frigid water gives you a bit of an initial shock, it can be quite refreshing after sunbathing for a while. It seems cliché to describe the water as "crystal clear," but the water was very transparent—even more so than some of the Florida springs.

Don't let the sparkling clear water fool you—it's quite cold!

If you're hungry, there's a couple restaurants or bars you can get a bite to eat, such as Tasos and Kalua Beach Bar. If you just want a snack or don't want to spend too much money, you can get something from a small market by the Paraga Beach Hostel.

To get back into town, the easiest and cheapest way is by public bus. The fare is only 1.80€. You'll have to check the bus schedule for exact times as it may fluctuate depending on the time of year. During May, it came about every two or three hours. It'll make another stop at Paradise Beach before heading back to Chora, where the bus will drop you off behind the windmills. You can also call a taxi and split the 15-20€ fare among friends.