Kavourotrypes (Orange Beach): Sithonia's White-Rock Coves Near Sarti

Kavourotrypes is a string of small coves framed by smooth white rocks, with water the colour of sea glass and sand that looks almost snowy next to the stone. It is one of the best-known beaches on this side of Sithonia, and it is also one of the easiest to get wrong, in two ways. First, it is often placed near Vourvourou. It is not there; it is close to Sarti. Second, it is sometimes described as a red-rock coast, when the rocks are white.

This guide covers where it is, which cove is which, how the dirt road and the short walk work, and what you will and will not find when you arrive.

Where is Kavourotrypes?

Kavourotrypes (Καβουρότρυπες) lies on the east side of Sithonia, between Armenistis and Platanitsi, with views towards Mount Athos. The coastline runs for about 5 km, within the community of Agios Nikolaos, and it is one of the beaches closest to Sarti.

By car it is about 7 km from Sarti, roughly 10 minutes in free-flowing traffic, to the beach itself. You will see figures from 6 to 10 km quoted, depending on whether people count to the turn-off or to the sand. The dirt-road stretches are slower, so allow extra time.

And to settle the Vourvourou question: by road, Kavourotrypes is about 23 km, around 26 minutes, from Vourvourou village, and about 22 km from Karydi beach. It is a different part of the coast. If it is Vourvourou you are after, see our guide to Vourvourou and Diaporos Island, and for Karydi, see our guide to Karydi beach.

On the main road from Sarti towards Vourvourou, you pass Orange Beach first and reach the turn-off for Paradise after about 7 to 8 km.

What the name means, and why it is called Orange

Kavourotrypes translates as "crab holes". Nobody seems to know for certain how the name came about, so we will not tell you a story about crabs in the rocks.

"Orange" is a separate matter. The central and most famous cove is called Portokali (Πορτοκάλι), which is Greek for orange, and the name Orange Beach comes from it. Three explanations circulate:

• The cove is named after the beach bar there.
• The largest beach, Paralia Portokali, is named after the "Portokali (Orange) shop".
• The name comes from round stones that "resemble oranges".

The first two are the usual explanation, and they amount to the same thing. Whatever the truth, "Orange" refers to the central cove, while "Kavourotrypes" covers the whole stretch.

The coves: Portokali, the small ones, Mega Portokali and Paradise

The coast works best if you think of it as a short walk along a row of bays.

• Portokali (Orange Beach) is the most famous cove and the one with facilities. It is about 6.7 km and 10 minutes from Sarti.
• Four to five more small coves lie to the right of Portokali.
• Mega Portokali is the next beach along, about 6.8 km and 10 minutes from Sarti.
• Paradise (Dukina) has two coves separated by a rocky promontory. It is about 7.0 km and 8 minutes from Sarti. It has flat white rocks for sunbathing.

For comparison, Platanitsi is about 4.8 km and 6 minutes from Sarti, and Armenistis about 13.7 km and 17 minutes.

Orange and Mega Portokali are also good calmer alternatives when Sarti's own beach is rough, which we cover in our Sarti beach guide; our guide to beaches for windy days looks at the wider region.

White rocks, sand and water

The rocks are white, not red. Sculpted, smooth, rounded white rocks frame the coves, and the seabed is made up of small rocks in places.

The sand varies from cove to cove. Orange Beach has fine, almost snowy white sand, while the wider Kavourotrypes stretch mixes stones with small sandy bays.

The water is clear and turquoise. At Orange, shallow water extends about 30 m from the shore.

Blue Flag

Kavourotrypes is not on the official 2025 Blue Flag list, and it is not on the official 2026 list announced in May 2026. You may see older listings from 2015 that include it, but they are out of date. Flags are awarded season by season, so check blueflag.gr (opens in a new tab) if it matters to you, or read our guide to Blue Flag beaches in Sithonia and Chalkidiki.

Getting there: the turn-off, the dirt road, parking

Plan for a slow last stretch. The road is dusty and unpaved, with some stretches only passable at about 20 km/h. There is a parking area beside the main road, plus roadside parking, and then a walk of 3-4 minutes through a grove to the sea.

A few things to know before you go:

• The turn-off is poorly marked, and a few hundred metres of bad road follow it.
• There is no visitor signage at the beach; parked cars and the Portokali shop mark the spot.
• Finding parking is hard in peak season.
• Access is challenging for people with mobility issues, and parking is limited.

The surface varies from season to season, so drive the dirt section slowly.

Facilities: what is and is not there

• Organisation: only the central Portokali cove is organised, with sunbeds and umbrellas, though not enough for the crowds. Neighbouring coves are not organised.
• Food and drink: a canteen above the beach sells fast food and drinks, with coffee, water and snacks. There is no permanent infrastructure.
• Toilets: a portable toilet near the parking. No showers or changing cabins.
• Lifeguards: none on duty.
• Shade: limited, so an umbrella is advised.
• Cost: entry is free. Sunbed and canteen prices change through the season, so ask before you settle in.

There are informal nudist stretches next to Portokali and at a cove called Little Paradise, so you may come across them.

Snorkelling and swimming notes

Snorkelling is possible along the rocks, but this is not a dedicated snorkelling spot, so do not come expecting much in the way of fish life.

Swimming is the main event. With flat white rocks to sit on and clear water, it is a place to settle in rather than rush through. As with any rocky shore, sturdy shoes help on the rocks. Our guide to sea safety, urchins, jellyfish and sun has more on swimming from rocky shores.

When to go and how to beat the crowds

The canteen and sunbeds are seasonal. Crowds are the thing to plan around: it is very popular in summer, especially at noon, and in peak season it fills up early. Our advice: go early or late, not at midday.

What to take: water, an umbrella, sturdy shoes for the rocks, and cash for the canteen. Our guide on what to pack for a beach holiday in Sithonia has a fuller list, and Sarti in July and August describes the peak season.

Where it fits among the other beaches

If you are choosing between beaches, our best beaches near Sarti puts the options side by side, and the best beaches of Sithonia widens the view to the whole peninsula.

If you would like a base nearby, Sarti Thea Boutique Rooms sits in Achlada, on the hill above Sarti harbour, a short drive from these coves, with free parking on site.

FAQ

Is Kavourotrypes near Vourvourou? No. It is close to Sarti, about 7 km by road, and about 23 km from Vourvourou village.

What does Kavourotrypes mean? "Crab holes". The origin of the name is not known for certain.

Are the rocks red? No. The rocks are white.

Is there a Blue Flag? Not on the official 2025 list, and not on the official 2026 list announced in May 2026.

Is it organised? Only the central Portokali cove, with sunbeds and umbrellas.

Are there lifeguards or showers? No lifeguards and no showers, though there is a portable toilet near the parking.

Is it free? Yes, entry is free.

Is the road paved? No. It is a dusty dirt road, slow in places.

Practical info

• From Sarti: about 6.7 km, about 10 minutes by car, then a dirt road and a 3-4 minute walk.
• Bring: water, umbrella, sturdy shoes, cash.
• Best time of day: early or late.
• Worth knowing: facilities are seasonal, prices change each season, and the dirt road varies from year to year.