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Vatos, the hidden beach of Samothraki

Vatos, the hidden beach of Samothraki

Vatos Beach isn't one of Samothraki's easy-to-reach beaches. Quite the contrary! It's in an inaccessible area of the island, beyond the mountains and far from any roads.

Vatos is in the south, a few coves away from Pachia Ammos as you go eastwards. The homonymous river flows into the sea here through a picturesque canyon.

Vatos river and the beach
Vatos river and the beach

It's an incredibly wild and beautiful long beach, with sand, white pebbles and clear turquoise water.

Vatos Beach is long and has clear water.
Vatos Beach is long and has clear water.

To the right, seemingly impenetrable rocks border the stretch of sand. An arch opens towards the open sea and lets the waves through. Visitors named it i Trypa tou Vatou ("the hole of Vatos").

An opening in the rocks at Vatos Beach
An opening in the rocks at Vatos Beach

The view from the sea
The view from the sea

Plane trees and oleanders follow the river down to the beach, so you can find shade. There's also fresh water in the form of a small spring nearby.

A splash of color from the oleanders in the Vatos valley.
A splash of color from the oleanders in the Vatos valley.

The only ways of getting to Vatos Beach are hiking or going by boat.

The most popular path starts above Pachia Ammos and cuts through the abrupt cliffs of Mount Saos. The hike is not long (1.5-2 hours at most), but not for the faint of heart. The path is marked with red painted dots. Some portions require mountaineering experience and definitely a lack of fear of heights.

The trail from Pachia Ammos to Vatos Beach, a step away from the abyss
The trail from Pachia Ammos to Vatos Beach, a step away from the abyss

An alternative would be to follow the ascending dirt road that intersects the one that goes to Panagia Krimniotissa. After a 1 km climb, you'll reach the remains of the prehistoric settlement Fylla on a plateau. From that point on, you'll have to make your way 400 meters down to the river bed, which eventually leads to the beach. For the most part, there's no path or markings of any kind and some sections can be somewhat dangerous. Attempt this trail only if you're familiar with the area and have mountaineering experience, bring proper equipment and beware that most of the time there's no phone signal.

Vatos Canyon
Vatos Canyon

Both paths are best to be avoided if you are not an experienced hiker.

Vatos Beach seen from the sea
Vatos Beach seen from the sea

Vatos Beach is considered one of the most beautiful in Samothraki. It's loved by those who desire freedom and living in nature, far from civilization. Some people come here every year, camping for weeks, enjoying silence and relaxation.

Vatos Beach is preferred by nature lovers.
Vatos Beach is preferred by nature lovers.

Comments (18)

Yog
31 Aug 2021, 23:30
Hello, we are coming to Samothraki in 2 weeks. We are also freedivers and I red somewhere that there is a shipwreck. Can you help me locate it?
Thanks and love from Serbia!
InSamothraki.com
01 Sep 2021, 12:00
Hi,
the shipwreck is in the south, in the area of Katarti Beach, as you go from Pachia Ammos towards Vatos.
Yog
01 Sep 2021, 16:18
Thank you so much!
InSamothraki.com
01 Sep 2021, 16:20
You're welcome. Have a nice holiday on the island!
Yog
01 Sep 2021, 16:23
Thanks, can't wait to see all the waterfalls, try local beer and dive around shipwreck. Your website helped us a lot during our planning.
InSamothraki.com
01 Sep 2021, 16:28
It feels good to hear that :)
Anneli
16 Sep 2021, 23:59
Can I get boat to vatos from the port as well. I cannot find any info for boats. Thank you!
InSamothraki.com
17 Sep 2021, 00:06
Hi, this year the boats left from Pachia Ammos, Kipos and Therma, but since it's late in the season I'm not sure they do anymore.
Nik
03 Sep 2022, 22:34
Hi. Is there a video or photos of the trail to Vatos beach from Pachia Ammos beach? If not, why not post a video and photos!
InSamothraki.com
03 Sep 2022, 22:45
Hi Nik. Thank you for the suggestion. I will add some photos when I'll find the time. Even though the path from Pachia Ammos is marked it's way too dangerous in my opinion. People have died on easier paths on the island. It's not something I want to encourage.
Nik
13 Sep 2022, 02:34
Omg! How to get there off high season? End Sept, early Oct?
InSamothraki.com
13 Sep 2022, 10:12
You can try to go by boat with Nick (+30 698 450 8105). You can usually find him on Pachia Ammos, but I don't know if he will be there in October.
Nik
13 Sep 2022, 02:35
What is the distance between the 2 beaches on water?
Sarah
07 Jun 2023, 17:39
My Wife and I did the hike to Vatos Beach today. It is easy to find the way but the path really is highly dangerous and involves a lot of climbing along the cliff. There are ropes to help at some of the hardest parts, but some ropes were missing.
It took us a lot langer than one hour and was exhausting. My wife had fun, but I was afraid for our lives.
InSamothraki.com
07 Jun 2023, 21:27
Hi Sarah,
I totally agree with you.
Anna
21 Sep 2023, 12:56
Hi, I need information for a boat trip this Saturday (23/09/2023). Where can I find up-to-date contacts for such service in Samothraki. Thanks!
InSamothraki.com
21 Sep 2023, 13:13
Hi Anna,
You can call Nikolas from Pachia Ammos: +306984508105
Anna
21 Sep 2023, 13:15
Thank you very much!

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