The beach of Koukounaries in Skiathos
The soft sand and shallow water attracts big crowds, especially families, but the area’s protected status has helped curb the worst of tourist development and the beach is as ‘natural’ as it can be given its huge popularity.
There are beach tavernas offering the basics, several watersports centres and a number of kiosks along the back of the beach selling refreshments and snacks.
Behind the beach are some woods and a small lagoon, now a designated protected area for birds and wildlife. Beyond the lagoon is the main road lined with tavernas and low-rise hotels but there is no village here as such.
The lagoon is connected to the eastern end of the beach by a narrow channel crossed by a wooden footbridge to a small harbour.
The hotels on the main have pool bars open to the public and there are a couple of large tavernas that serve meals throughout the day and into the evening.
Koukjounaries beach is on the main south coast road and can be reached from bus stop 22 at its eastern end near the neighbouring Maratha beach or at stops 23 and 24 where dirt tracks head north through woods to Mandraki.
At bus stop 25 is the road junction for Aghia Eleni and Banana beaches while stop 26 is the bus terminus and a large car park right next to the western end of Koukounaries.