Agios Ioannis beach is located 6 km northwest from Karave port-settlement in Gavdos Island and 3,5 km far from Sarakiniko beach. This is on the north side of Gavdos, facing Crete. Board the community bus from the tiny port to Agios Ioannis (roughly once every hour).

The bus passes from Sarakiniko beach (now lost to "civilization") and continues on a gravel road until it reaches a taverna/mini-market. This is the campers’ sole source of water, food and supplies. Agios Ioannis beach is a further 15 min walk towards the west (keeping the sea to the right).

Many people rates this as definitely one of the top 3 beaches he has ever visited (including the Caribbean and Red Sea). Other reporters have listed it as their favourites. It was voted as second most beautiful beach of the world by the Travel Channel in 2007. Agios Ioannis (St John's beach) is situated next to the tiny village with a population of ten, and it is home to several impressively large caves. It’s about 500 metres long, and quite wide.

The water is crystal clear with blue-green hues and it's all sandy at the bottom. If you start walking towards the back of the beach, the first 20 metres are flat sand, then there are sand dunes with cedar trees, then pine trees and rocky cliffs towards the back of the beach. In some ways it reminds him of Elafonissos. There are dozens of old cedars one can use as shade. People on the beach are usually friendly (if you make the first step), but he suggests you keep your money on you - a waist pouch is very useful.

Agios Ioannis gets crowded during the last week of June until the 20th of August. People even set up tents in the blazing sun in the middle of the beach. Best time would be before or after that.

Walking distances (See hiking routes and image galleries from Gavdos):
Karave to Korfos = 60 min
Karave to Sarakiniko = 30 min
Karave to Kastri village = 45 - 60 min
Korfos to Tripiti = 60 - 120 min
Korfos to Vatsiana village = 60 min
Korfos to Kastri village = 60 min
Sarakiniko to Agios Ioannis Beach = 60 min
Sarakiniko to Lavrakas = 90 min
Kastri to Ambelos village = 90 min
Kastri village to Vatsiana village = 90 min
Ambelos village to Potamos = 90 - 120 min
Ambelos village to Pirgos = 120 - 150 min

Gavdos: Agios Ioannis beach Gavdos: Agios Ioannis beach Gavdos: Agios Ioannis beach Gavdos: Agios Ioannis beach Gavdos: Agios Ioannis beach Gavdos: Agios Ioannis beach Gavdos: Agios Ioannis beach

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