Small Santa Maria Beach
Tiny sheltered cove near Naoussa, shallow water and sunbeds
Small Santa Maria Beach is a compact, sheltered cove just beyond Naoussa on the north-east coast of Paros. It has soft sand, very shallow water and a line of sunbeds and umbrellas that make it feel like a small, organised pocket of calm. Many people treat it as the quieter little sister of Santa Maria Beach, ideal for couples and families who want an easy, protected swim within a short drive of Naoussa.
Small Santa Maria Beach at a glance
- Type: Small, organised sandy cove with sunbeds and shallow water.
- Location: North-east side of Paros, a short drive from Naoussa, next to Santa Maria Beach.
- Vibe: Relaxed but can feel busy in peak season because the bay is small.
- Best for: Couples and families, especially with younger kids, who want a sheltered, easy swim close to Naoussa.
- Sea & sand: Soft sand on the beach, mostly sandy seabed with very gentle entry.
- Wind: One of the most protected north coast beaches in Paros on strong meltemi days.
- Access: Car or scooter is easiest, some people use taxis or private transfers in Paros from Naoussa.
- Services: Sunbeds and umbrellas, a beach bar or restaurant, and basic facilities nearby.
- Nearby: Santa Maria Beach, Laggeri Beach, Naoussa and other north-coast spots from the wider best beaches in Paros guide.
Where Small Santa Maria Beach sits on the island
Small Santa Maria Beach is on the north-east coast of Paros, a little further around the bay from the main Santa Maria Beach and within easy reach of Naoussa.
- From Naoussa: about 10–12 minutes by car or scooter in normal traffic.
- From Parikia: roughly 20 minutes by car.
- From Paros airport: around 35–40 minutes by car.
- From the Golden Beach and New Golden Beach area: about 20 minutes by car.
The last stretch follows local roads out of Naoussa towards the Santa Maria area, then continues a little further along to reach the cove of Small Santa Maria. If you do not want to drive yourself, it is very easy to arrange Paros private transfers via your accommodation or our services section.
How Small Santa Maria Beach feels through the season
Because Small Santa Maria Beach is physically small, the feel of the place changes a lot with the season.
- May & June: Calm and relaxed, with a mix of early season visitors and locals. Very pleasant if you want an organised but quiet north coast spot near Naoussa.
- July & August: The cove can feel busy and compact, especially in the middle of the day when sunbeds fill and the water is full of swimmers.
- September & early October: Softer light, warm sea and a noticeable drop in crowds. A sweet spot for couples and slow travellers.
Daytime is when the beach is active, with people swimming, playing and eating at the nearby bar or restaurant. In the evening, most people shift to Naoussa for sunset drinks and dinner, so the cove itself becomes quiet again. You can use the wider Paros beaches guide to see how Small Santa Maria fits into your overall wind and season planning.
Sea, sand and layout of Small Santa Maria Beach
Small Santa Maria Beach is a classic small Cycladic cove with an easy layout that suits children and anyone who likes gentle, shallow entry into the water.
- Beach shape: Compact, curved bay with sand from end to end.
- Sand: Soft, golden sand on the shore, comfortable for towels and sand play.
- Water entry: Very shallow and gradual, ideal for younger kids and people who like to wade slowly.
- Seabed: Mostly sandy close to the beach, with a few scattered rocks on the sides that give nicer colours and some simple snorkeling.
- Space: Because the beach is small and part of it is occupied by sunbeds, it can feel full quickly in July and August.
If you like the idea of an organised small cove rather than a huge bay, this layout works very well, especially if you arrive earlier in the day or combine it with a stop at larger nearby beaches like Santa Maria or Kolymbithres Beach from our main beaches in Paros guide.
Wind, meltemi and when Small Santa Maria works best
On a windy island like Paros, Small Santa Maria Beach is one of the more reliable north-coast choices.
- Strong northerly meltemi: The cove is relatively well protected compared with more exposed north and north-east beaches. You still feel the breeze, but the sea is usually calmer than you expect for this side of the island.
- Calm days: Perfect light for photos, very clear water and an almost lagoon-like feeling in the shallows.
- Southerly winds: When a strong south wind hits, you might prefer to flip to more sheltered options like Krios Beach, Marcelo or south-coast spots from the best beaches in Paros overview.
- Best time of day: Mornings and late afternoons are most comfortable. Midday sun is strong and the small bay can feel crowded.
If you are staying in Naoussa and wake up to a windy forecast, Small Santa Maria and the wider Santa Maria area are usually smart options to check first.
Access, parking and services at Small Santa Maria Beach
Access to Small Santa Maria Beach is straightforward if you have your own wheels or arrange a short transfer.
- Access: Easiest with a car or scooter from Naoussa. You follow signs for Santa Maria then continue to the smaller cove area.
- Parking: Limited parking near the beach, plus informal roadside spots. In July and August it is wise to arrive early or park slightly back from the front line.
- Public transport: In high season, some buses from Naoussa serve the Santa Maria area. Check locally and be ready to walk the final stretch.
- Taxis & transfers: You can use standard taxis or book private transfers in Paros from Naoussa or Parikia if you do not want to drive.
- On-beach services: Lines of sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, plus at least one beach bar or taverna for food and drinks.
- Facilities: Basic facilities depend on the business operating in each season, so do not count on full changing rooms and showers like a city beach.
Bring your usual beach kit and some extra water, even if you plan to eat at the local taverna. If you are planning to explore other parts of the island as well, consider arranging car rentals in Paros or ATV and scooter rentals in Paros for more flexibility.
Who Small Santa Maria Beach works best for
- Couples: Very good if you want a small, organised cove near Naoussa with shallow water and a simple setup for a few hours.
- Families with younger children: The shallow entry, soft sand and compact size make it easy to keep an eye on kids.
- Non-drivers based in Naoussa: Close enough to reach by short transfer or seasonal bus, without needing to cross the whole island.
- Comfort over wildness: A good match if you prefer sunbeds, umbrellas and a beach bar to wild, empty coves.
It is less ideal if you want a very quiet, untouched beach, or if crowds in a small space bother you. For that, consider Laggeri, Molos Beach, Makria Miti or other softer spots in the best beaches in Paros collection.
Example easy days that start or end at Small Santa Maria Beach
- Naoussa and Small Santa Maria combo: Morning coffee and a stroll in Naoussa, then a few hours swimming at Small Santa Maria Beach, and back to the harbour for sunset and dinner.
- North-east coast loop: Start at Kolymbithres, continue to Santa Maria Beach, then finish the afternoon in the more compact cove of Small Santa Maria before heading back to Naoussa.
- Family day from Naoussa: Short transfer or drive to Small Santa Maria for shallow water and sand play, afternoon rest at your hotel, then an early evening walk and ice cream in Naoussa.
- Windy day option: When meltemi is strong, swap more exposed beaches for the Santa Maria / Small Santa Maria area, then book one of the nearby boat tours in Paros or an experience in Paros for the following day.
All of these plans pair nicely with ideas from the things to do in Paros guide and the best beaches in Paros page, so you can mix relaxed cove days with more active ones.
What locals notice & love about Small Santa Maria Beach
- Natural pool feeling: The cove shape makes the water feel like a shallow, protected pool on calm days.
- Shelter from wind: It is often noticeably calmer here than at more exposed north and north-east beaches, which you will see if you compare it with other spots from the Paros beaches list.
- Soft sand & shallow water: Great for relaxed floating and for children who prefer to stay close to shore.
- Easy Naoussa combo: You can have a simple beach day here and still be back in Naoussa in a few minutes for bars, shops and dinner.
- Comfort without chaos: Sunbeds, umbrellas and a taverna on hand, but not a huge, overwhelming party beach.
- Late afternoon light: As crowds thin out, the cove feels more intimate again and the light over Naoussa Bay is beautiful.
Small Santa Maria Beach, Paros: FAQs
Is Small Santa Maria different from Santa Maria Beach?
Yes. Small Santa Maria Beach is a separate, smaller cove near the main Santa Maria Beach area. It has a more compact feel and often slightly fewer people, although in July and August it can still be very busy.
Is Small Santa Maria Beach good for children?
Very much. The sand is soft and the water is shallow for quite a distance, which makes it popular for families with younger kids, as long as you are comfortable with an organised, busy cove in peak season.
Can I walk to Small Santa Maria Beach from Naoussa?
It is technically possible for strong walkers, but most visitors prefer to use a car, scooter, taxi or private transfer from Naoussa, since the roads are not designed as a scenic walking route.
Is the beach organised with sunbeds and umbrellas?
Yes, Small Santa Maria Beach usually has rows of sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, plus at least one beach bar or taverna. It is not a wild, unorganised bay.
Do I need to reserve sunbeds in advance?
In July and August, it is wise to arrive early, or check with your accommodation or the beach business if they accept reservations. Outside peak season, you usually find something without a problem.
Is Small Santa Maria a good choice on windy meltemi days?
Often yes. The cove is relatively well protected from north wind, so it is a common backup plan when other north or north-east beaches are rough.
Can I reach Small Santa Maria by bus?
In summer, some buses from Naoussa serve the Santa Maria area, but timetables change. Even if a bus gets you close, you may need to walk the final stretch, so many visitors prefer a car, scooter or private transfer in Paros.
Is there parking at Small Santa Maria Beach?
There is some limited parking near the beach and along the access roads. In high season, it fills quickly in the middle of the day, so early arrival is your friend.
Are there water sports at Small Santa Maria?
The main focus is swimming and relaxing. For more intense water sports, people usually look at nearby beaches like Santa Maria Beach or other north and east coast spots.
Is Small Santa Maria suitable if I prefer quiet, wild beaches?
Not really. It is more of an organised comfort cove. If you want something wilder or more spacious, consider Laggeri, Molos, Tripiti Beach or Makria Miti.
What To Do Next:
Once you know how Small Santa Maria Beach fits your style, plug it into the rest of your Paros planning like this:
- Compare Small Santa Maria with other north coast beaches such as Santa Maria Beach, Kolymbithres and Monastiri Beach in the full best beaches in Paros guide.
- Read the Naoussa, Paros village guide to plan where to stroll, drink and eat after a beach day in Naoussa Bay.
- Browse boat tours in Paros if you want to mix cove days with time on the water around Paros, Antiparos and nearby islets.
- Check experiences in Paros for things like Greek cooking classes, pottery workshops or an FPV drone adventure to balance your beach time.
- Use where to stay in Paros and the Paros villages guide if you are deciding between a base in Naoussa, the Parikia side or calmer south and east-coast villages.
- Plan logistics with car rentals in Paros, ATV and scooter rentals or private transfers in Paros so reaching Small Santa Maria and nearby coves stays simple.
- Add at least one wider day trip from Paros so you can alternate between Naoussa Bay beach days and island-hopping or Blue Lagoon-style excursions.