Tilos
According to an article in the London Evening
Standard in August 1999 this unspoilt, small island has plenty of opportunities
for nude sunning and swimming. According to the Thomas Cook guide
the best beach is Eristos and nudity is happily tolerated there.
Whether as a result of this publicity or otherwise the Captain had reports that it was changing massively
and has far more tourists as a result. Islanders were less prepared
to tolerate nudism now and because of the greater number of tourists it
is much harder to find any privacy. In 2000, the Red beach (which
is about 40 minutes walk from the town down a steep cliff) was very crowded
with textiles all summer long. Yachts kept arriving in search of
isolated beaches, but again all textiles. Reports came in about every beach (even some of the relatively inaccessible ones, some miles from paved roads) bearing at least one "Nudity Forbidden" sign. My contributor says it seems from casually chatting with locals that the strong ex-pat British community that has done so much to promote walking trails on Tilos has turned against Naturism in a serious way. However prospects may be improving.
Various reports during 2002 and 2003 (which seems to have been a quiet year for
tourism in the Greek Islands generally) are much more positive, notably about
Eristos.
A contributor who re-visited the
island in September 2002 said that with regards to nudity, things were much like
they were in 1998. There was a "no nudity" sign on the beach in Livadia,
otherwise they saw no signs. Both Lethra and Red beach are an easy 45-60
minutes walk from Livadia, and cannot be regarded as really remote. Nudity
varied from 100% nude to almost 100% textile, depending on who visited that day
(just like before). Eristos was mainly nude on the farthest, eastern part,
after the end of the road. Sunbeds and parasols which attracts textiles was
limited to the section by the bus stop. Some secluded coves further on required
more climbing abilities than my contributors had. My contributor thinks
somebody must have given in on their fight against nudity, and it seems that out
of the high season Tilos is still good for the dedicated nude swimmer who is not
afraid of a walk.
So this is the context within which the Captain offers the
reports below.
Eristos A long sand/pebble beach on the south coast of the island
easily accessible by a regular bus service. If you turn left and go down the track behind the beach for about 300m then go on to the beach where there is a
notice stating that this is a "Nudism Area". This is about 200-300m long and
even during August was not crowded - generally 50m between groups/couples. Go to
the far end of the beach where access to the sea is easier - most of the beach
has a rocky outcrop close to the shore.
Report from July 2003 confirms that the beach was still good for nudism, and
as quiet as one regular visitor had known it for 9 years. But it was also
noted during summer 2003 that rubble and sub soil had been tipped on the sand
dunes to the rear of the beach, creating an unsightly mess and wiping out most
of the population of sand lilies, a delightful plant whose white flowers appear
in August. The rest of the beach is almost wholly
textile with topless bathing tolerated. It's now apparently accepted by locals
on the island that 'this was the nudist beach'. Easy access to crystal clear
water. Good snorkelling. Sandy beach. There is a further bay around the headland
and my correspondents had the beach completely to themselves, however getting
there involved a scramble down a slippery path. Many people would not be unable
to make this. If getting down seemed hard, getting back up was more difficult!!
Plaka Plaka beach now has a dedicated nudist section on the left,
according to reports from 2003. At far end of island. No bus service so
have to get a taxi or hire a car. East facing beach, the most northern end of
which had an official sign 'Nudism area. Very quiet other than a number of goats
which seemed very interested in my correspondents and would have taken our
clothes/belongings given the chance. Easy access to sea, pebbles, sand.
Red Beach and Lethra
Fine for naturism in early August 2003. Lethra was 95% nude. A
"tourist boat" visits both beaches on an irregular basis, but there is plenty of
space for naturists and those who prefer to wear a costume.
Other beaches The beach in the main town of Livadia
is a long, narrow pebbly beach but not too crowded even in the peak season.
Being close to the small coastal road, the church, some residences and
tavernas it is almost wholly textile although topless bathing is tolerated
to the eastern end of the beach.
If you are prepared to walk Tilos has some beautiful small beaches.
They are isolated with no facilities so be prepared to a reasonable degree
of caution if you go to them. Particularly, take plenty of water and wear
good footwear. Access to some beaches such as Tholos
and Skafi are for the enthusiastic and fit who don't mind clambering over
rough ground. Access tracks to these beaches have been marked out with
red dots by a tour rep, but be sure of where you are going as the going
can get rough if you wander off them. There is a good map available, which
should help the more energetic visitor. Most are coarse sand and pebbles 200 to
500m long. Shelter is limited on most although at Levthra and Skafi there
are some trees and caves that provide some shade throughout the day.
The chances are good that when you get
to these beaches you'll have the place to yourself or at most the most
a dozen spread out people. Nudism on all these small beaches is common.
If you want a day of almost total peace
and quiet, plus some exercise getting there, they are great.
Beaches reachable only by boat If you can get together a group of
around 8 like minded people Tilos travel at the port will arrange a "fast" (but
not cheap) motorised dinghy boat trip captained by Manos around the island for
the day, stopping at otherwise inaccessible coves where nude bathing from boat
or beach can be practised at will, just take your own lunch and refreshments.
Thoroughly recommended by my contributor! 25 Euros per person during high season
2003. |
