Reaching the water

On an island this size, the sea is always close and getting to a beach is part of the pleasure. Most of Halki's coves are reachable on foot from the harbour village along easy coastal paths, while the more remote ones are served by little caiques and taxi boats that shuttle out from Nimporio through the summer. Expect short walks over light, rocky ground rather than long expeditions — pack comfortable sandals or trainers for the approach and keep a bottle of water with you, as facilities on the smaller beaches can be limited.↗↗↗

Getting to Halki itself is straightforward from Rhodes: ferries and hydrofoils leave from the small port of Kamiros Skala (and from Rhodes town), taking anywhere from about half an hour to two hours depending on the vessel, with fares typically starting in the low euros. A handful of sailings run each week in high season, fewer in winter, so check timetables before planning a beach-hopping day trip. Once you're on the island, the beaches are easy to explore at your own pace by foot, by taxi boat, or with a rented scooter or small vehicle.↗↗↗

More than just the sand

The beauty of a beach day on Halki is how much else fits around it. A couple of kilometres from the harbour, the abandoned old capital of Chorio hides behind the ruins of the medieval Castle of the Knights of St John, with old frescoes and panoramic views across the islands; reaching it is a rewarding uphill walk. Further inland, the hilltop Monastery of Agios Ioannis Alargas makes a longer, scenic hike past dry-stone walls and prickly-pear trees. Both pair naturally with an afternoon swim.↗↗

If you're feeling expansive, take a boat to the little islet of Alimia in the water between Halki and Rhodes for swimming and diving on a big, clear beach, or simply return to the harbour in the evening, when its neoclassical pastel houses, clock tower and waterside tavernas come into their own. Halki is a place built around fresh seafood, handmade pasta and ouzo-drinking by the quay — a beach like Tripiti gives you the daytime, and the village gives you the sunset.↗↗↗

A note on the name

Worth knowing before you book: 'Tripiti' (or Trypiti) is one of the most common beach names in Greece, found from Crete's Asterousia coast to Donousa and Paros. The beach described here is the one on Halki in the Dodecanese, anchored to the village of Irakleides — so when you're comparing listings, double-check the island to make sure you're reading about the right cove.↗↗