Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on February 21, 2023
Nestled in a small, sheltered bay, protected from wind and waves, Agia Anna Beach offers great snorkeling in Mykonos. Its fish-rich, clear and shallow waters make it a popular spot for families and beginners, while more experienced snorkelers can venture farther off the beach and look for more specific species, such as the Mediterranean parrotfish.
Agia Anna Beach (Paralia Agia Anna) is a beach located in Kalafatis, on the south coast of the island of Mykonos. It is easily accessible by car from the four corners of the island. Count, for example, a 20-minute drive (about 10 km) from the port of Mykonos. In high season, and especially in July and August, it can be difficult to park nearby.
We advise you to enter the water from the western end of the beach (in front of the Agia Anna Beach Bar & Restaurant), which will allow you to easily reach the snorkeling area recommended on the map above. Getting into the water is very easy, via a gently sloping beach.
The best snorkeling in Agia Anna Beach is found west of the beach, along the rocks that border the bay. You can of course explore other areas, for example, the sandy areas facing the beach, or the rocks on the east side, below the church.
In the vicinity of the beach, the seabed is mostly sandy with some large rock slabs (↕2-8ft/0.5-2.5m). These form a very beautiful environment, enhanced by excellent underwater visibility.
In these open areas, saddled seabream and striped red mullets are easy to see, and you may also be lucky enough to encounter wide-eyed flounders, these flatfish which are known for their bottom-dwelling lifestyle.
Then swim towards the rocky drop-off that lines the shore, down below the Spilia Restaurant. You can snorkel along the drop-off for about 200 to 250 meters, which will allow you to visit the most beautiful parts of the site (↕2-12ft/0.5-4m).
The rocky reliefs, offering many hiding places, are the playground of the ornate wrasse, which have very bright colors. You may also encounter in this area the Mediterranean parrotfish, although shyer.
At the foot of the rocks, you will see lots of seabreams, salema and dusky spinefoot (an invasive species now very common in Greece). The density and variety of species, moreover not very fearful, make Agia Anna Beach one of the most recommended free shore access snorkeling spots in Mykonos.
The Anastasia Village hotel, which overlooks the bay, is the closest accommodation to the spot. Around fifteen other hotels and guesthouses are available less than 1 km around Agia Anna Beach. Two seaview restaurants, the Agia Anna Beach Bar & Restaurant and the Spilia Restaurant, allow having lunch on site.
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
