Koloumbo beach is said to be a very nice beach (black sand with pebbles) near Oia.

Take the paved road off of the main road out of Oia towards Baxedes on the new coast road (not a dirt track any

more). When the road approaches the water it turns right. Follow it. Go another 3.9 km (approx). When you pass

Paradiso beach you have still 1.8 kilometres to go. A new white building is on the left. A small road and parking area

are just past this building.Coming from Ia the road bends to the right going up hill, as the old road did. Here is the

parking area. Coming from Vourvoulos you can see Cape Koloumbo from afar. You can't see the beach, which is

behind the cape. When you go over the cliff you 'll see the white building below on your right hand side. It's quite easy

to miss the building, so one of my contributors has thoughtfully sent my a picture of it ... There is quite

a bit of space down to the right of the building to park. Note the picture

was taken coming from the Oia direction. It is possible to walk from Oia to the beach. The shortest and most agreeable

way is over a dirt road, which starts at Finikia, the small village near Oia. Finding this road maybe difficult. It starts near

a chapel with a blue dome in the lower east end of the village (close to the mountain). When you reach the steps that go

up to the chapel, you must go left, downward, and you are on the road. This way takes a bit more than an hour.

Coming back from the beach the road is much easier to find. After 1 kilometre coast road you ll see the sign "Pelagos

200m". Just follow this. The beach is down the cliff (there are paths) and about 200 yards up the shore. You will see

some great cliffs at the back of the beach and a large cliff that ends the beach on the south end. A nice mix of people

male-female couples, single men, single women, male-male and female-female couples. There were also two nude

families. The cliffs provide shade for those who want it. The water is very clear and clean. There is a pretty rapid drop

off and the shore is pebbles not sand. On the official island map available in the tourist office and in some hotels it shows

the beach. On the other side of the map is shows a detailed map of the Oia area. It lists Koloumbo as "Nudist beach".

It is without doubt very beautiful. Follow the signs into Vlychada and when you see water, park and walk to

the right, past the umbrellas and chairs. A polite distance (50m or so) later nude use begins and stretches for about

a kilometre until, rounding a point, an inhabited area is encountered. Alternatively, before even reaching Emborio,

once you pass the intersection for the port of Athinios, turn downhill & right at the small sign to 'Vlihada.' You will

pass a couple of tavernas (one of which is excellent) and further down you will find some of the dirt roads that lead

to the remote part of the beach. Vlychada features soft sand and good snorkelling (though you have to swim out a

ways). Almost everybody was nude the day. The sand on the beach is soft, as noted, but black & baking hot as the

day progresses also, it becomes grainy (and painful in bare feet) near the water's edge. Knee deep in water, one

steps on big rounded pebbles. It's best to keep sandals on when walking. And walk the beach you must - the

photo doesn't do justice to the unique weather-beaten pumice cliffs. In a windy moment, you may even be pelted

by a fine shower of dissolving pumice dust if you stand right up against the cliffs. it's a nice sensation on one's bare

skin, but not welcome if it gets in your eyes.