Kythera has many beautiful and varied beaches. Some are small and some large, pebble beaches and sandy beaches, easily accessible, difficult to access and some can even only be reached from the sea. When choosing your beach the wind plays a big role.
From mid-May to mid-September the Meltemi is the dominating wind, a dry north-easterly wind which cools the air on hot summer days. Normally the Meltemi gathers force at the end of morning and drops at the beginning of the evening. If this wind is very strong, it can cause large waves on the (north) east coast, making it less pleasant to swim there. Exceptions on the east coast are the beaches of Palaiopolis (because they are actually facing south) and the beach of Diakofti that is protected from the wind by a pier and an island just off the coast.
Below is a description of the most important beaches: