Katergo Beach

Katergo lies on the exposed southern side of Folegandros, a strip of coarse golden sand and smooth pebble between two headlands with deep clear water and no development of any kind. Getting there is the filter: either a boat from the port at Karavostasi, running in season, or a walk of about forty minutes from Livadi over a bare rocky ridge with no shade and a rough final descent. There is no road, no canteen, no umbrella and no water. Rocks at the eastern end shelter a small pool, and the sea shelves quickly to deep blue. When the southerly wind blows the beach is unusable, but on calm days it is the reason many people come to the island at all.

What you actually see

• The sand and pebble strip - coarse gold between two rocky headlands.
• The deep water - a fast shelf into clear blue.
• The ridge walk - a bare footpath over the hills from Livadi.
• The undeveloped shore - nothing built anywhere on the bay.

When to go

June to September for swimming, with morning best before wind picks up; the boat runs only in the summer months. Southerly winds close it entirely, so check conditions before walking out.

Honest expectations

There is no shade, no water, no toilet and no lifeguard, so everything must be carried in. The walk is rocky and awkward in sandals, and the descent is steep. Boats do not run in wind, which can strand walkers who counted on a lift back.

Nearby

Livadi and Karavostasi are on the eastern shore; Chora sits on the cliff above.