Ververna beach (aka Palio Hano) Παραλία Κάτω Βέρβενα (Παλιόχανο) near the exit from the highway is very shallow and sandy, suitable for kids and beginners.
Atsiganos beach Παραλία Ατσίγγανος is sandy but with bothersome seaweeds, in my opinion is the worst beach for swimming in Paralio Astros, however it is the most crowded beach maybe because the beach bar operators there know how to attract customers, e.g. by holding beach dance parties? free beach lounge chairs? just guessing...
Kalisto beach Παραλία Καλλιστώ near taverna Lagoudera Λαγουδέρα and Plaz Πλάζ is the first organized beach in the Argolic Gulf, and is where sea water sample is collected for "blue flag" testing. The beach has pebbles, but it is mixed with sand just a few meters further into the sea. There is an orange-colored lifeguard post (but no life guard working), a shower, and a change cabin. I have no idea in which month the water sample is taken, but in the summer time the water quality doesn't look as good as it used to be some 10 years ago because Paralio Astros has expanded as a summer resort without good planning and is awaiting for a household sewage connection project to take place. When the tourists and part-time residents are gone after summer peak season the water quality is much better, but then the sea temperature is cooler for swimming.
The main beach of Paralio Astros is quite long, it starts from the shorter dock (Del Mar Cafe-Restaurant Bar) continues to the above mentioned Kalisto area, then to Cafe Bythos, Cafe Movita, Bloom, La Nuna, Camping Thirea, Portes, etc. further to the Moustos Wetland. The most sandy parts of the beach are between the Bloom and Camping Thirea, whereas Portes is considered as the end of Paralio Astros' beach because the very last beach bar is there.
The diver's beach is after the mermaid statue located at the longer dock (i.e. turn left at the center square στρίψτε αριστερά στιν πλατεία), where the open theater of Paralio Astros is located. The mini beach there (and shrinking gradually year after year) is called Brahakia Βραχάκια (meaning rocks). Near the Theater Cafe Bar, there are steps leading to the diving spots - there are approximately 3 levels of heights, this area is a natural training ground for diving. But many kids also dive from the big rock with a Greek flag "Κότρωνα", or some further from the rocks near the area behind the old navy lighthouse without their parents' knowledge or simply seeking risky adventure, therefore, there are diving spots nicknamed "death 1", "death 2", and "mega death", etc. I prohibit my children from diving from these "death" spots.
Here are some photos from diving fun near the Theater Cafe (clicking each picture will give you enlarged view) , to see the rest you may go to this link.
This is the Theater Cafe where you find steps leading to the diving spots
kids as well as adults are lining up for their turns to dive
As you can see, there are 3 different heights of diving
Looking ahead, the scenery is quite beautiful across the gulf
taking off 1 of 3
in the air 2 of 3
splash...plunging into the sea 3 of 3
Looking to the right from the diving spot is the longer dock
Looking to the left is the open sea towards the direction of Island Spetses
more risky diving spot near the wild figs
ask your chilredn and they will tell you all the risky diving spots
dangerous precision diving spot
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