About Koufonisia
Koufonisia (specifically Ano Koufonisi, the inhabited island) is the smallest inhabited island in the Cyclades and arguably the most beautiful. This tiny island — you can walk across it in 20 minutes — packs an extraordinary concentration of turquoise bays, natural rock pools, and sea caves into its miniature coastline. The water colour here is genuinely Caribbean — vivid turquoise over white sand — and the lack of development means it stays pristine. The single village is a handful of whitewashed houses, three tavernas, and zero cars. For yacht charter guests, Koufonisia is the ultimate reward for venturing beyond the famous islands.
Pori Beach
Stunning turquoise bay with natural rock pools and sea caves — the most beautiful beach in the Small Cyclades.
Sea Caves
The island's east coast is riddled with sea caves accessible by tender — explore them at water level.
Car-Free Village
No cars, no motorbikes — just whitewashed houses, a few tavernas, and the sound of the sea.
Kato Koufonisi
The uninhabited sister island across the channel — pristine beaches with zero development.
Best Time to Visit
June to September. The island is very small and gets busy in August — arriving by yacht gives you the advantage of anchoring in quiet bays.
Recommended Yachts
Catamarans are ideal — the shallow turquoise bays are perfectly suited to their draft. Sailing yachts work well too. Large motor yachts should anchor in the bay rather than attempting the small harbour.
Anchorages & Marinas
Where to moor your yacht at Koufonisia
Koufonisi Harbour
portSmall harbour with limited space. Anchor in the bay and tender ashore.
Pori Bay
bayStunning anchorage on the east coast. Good holding in sand, exposed to south winds.
Fanos Bay
baySheltered bay on the south coast with beautiful swimming.
Kato Koufonisi
bayAnchor off the uninhabited island for pristine, crowd-free swimming.
Beaches
The best swimming spots at Koufonisia
Pori
Yacht accessThe star attraction — turquoise water, natural rock pools, and sea caves. Unforgettable.
Italida
Yacht accessSmall sandy beach near the village with calm, shallow water.
Fanos
Yacht accessBeautiful south-facing beach with golden sand and clear water.
Kato Koufonisi beaches
Yacht accessMultiple pristine beaches on the uninhabited island — pure, untouched paradise.
Restaurants
Where to eat at Koufonisia
Capetan Nikolas
Seafood$$The best of the harbour tavernas. Fresh fish, simple preparation, feet from the water.
Karnagio
Traditional Greek$Rustic taverna near the boatyard with excellent home-cooked dishes.
Scholio
Modern Greek$$The island's most creative restaurant, set in a converted schoolhouse.
Things to Do
The best experiences at Koufonisia
Explore the sea caves by tender
adventureNavigate the dramatic east coast caves and rock arches — some are large enough to drive a tender through.
Swim at Pori's rock pools
relaxationThe natural rock pools at Pori beach create warm, sheltered swimming spots with extraordinary water colour.
Walk the island path
adventureFollow the single footpath from the village to Pori — it takes 30 minutes and passes every beach on the island.
Anchor at Kato Koufonisi
relaxationSail to the uninhabited sister island for a Robinson Crusoe experience — pristine beaches with nobody else around.
Sunset dinner at the harbour
gastronomyDine at Capetan Nikolas as the fishing boats return and the sky turns pink over the Small Cyclades.
Insider Tip from Our Captains
Arrive early morning before the day-trip boats from Naxos. Anchor at Pori, swim in the rock pools, then move to Kato Koufonisi for a private afternoon. This is the best day in the Cyclades.
Charter to Koufonisia
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