Kolymbia Beach, sometimes written Kolimbia, is one of the most accessible beaches on Rhodes if you are staying in Kolymbia itself. It is long, easy to reach, and lined by hotels and organised beach areas.

Next to it, at the far end, is White Rock Beach, a smaller, quieter stretch under Tsambika mountain. The two beaches sit side by side but are separated by water so you cannot walk along the sand from one to the other, although you can swim between them.

We have visited both more than once and each has its own atmosphere. Kolymbia Beach has more facilities, watersports and a restaurant overlooking the sea. White Rock Beach feels more tucked away and peaceful, almost hidden at the end of the bay. If you like a beach that has variety, these two are a great combination for dipping in and out of during your holiday.

What Kolymbia Beach Is Like

Kolymbia Beach stretches for around 1km and, depending on where you are standing, it is often broken into named sections on Google Maps by each hotel fronting it.

The atmosphere here is relaxed and holiday focused, with water activities, pedalos to hire, self hire boat stands and sunloungers across much of the shoreline. There is also a restaurant up steps at one end with views out over the water and towards Tsambika mountain.

The sand itself is not soft golden beach powder. It is mainly pebbly and firm underfoot. Water shoes make the experience far more comfortable, although it is possible to walk along the shoreline barefoot, especially at the water’s edge where the stones sit flatter and smoother and there is more sand. We managed short walks without anything on our feet, but for longer time on the main beach then sandals or shoes made life easier.

Kolymbia Beach is convenient, easy for families and has enough activity and nearby facilities to fill a day if you enjoy beach time. They even have pedalos with slides attached!

Even away from summer peak, the sea has always been warm when we visited in October on both trips to Rhodes. We even spotted dolphins once!

What White Rock Beach Is Like

White Rock Beach sits almost at the end of Kolymbia Beach at the foot of Tsambika mountain, but it is separated by some water, so you can either swim to it, or walk around on the road by coming off the beach at the end of Kolymbia Beach and walking around the Atlantica Aegean Blue Hotel to the other side to reach White Rock Beach.

Compared to Kolymbia Beach it is small, calmer and feels more like a hidden pocket of coastline. When we stayed at Atlantica Aegean Blue Hotel, we could reach it directly using our keycard through a gate at the end of the hotel grounds. If you are not staying there, it is also reachable on foot by walking around the road.

Like Kolymbia Beach, White Rock Beach is mostly pebbles so beach shoes are helpful. The advantage here is peace and quiet. Fewer people tend to wander this way and the setting is beautiful, backed by the slope of Tsambika mountain. Sunbeds are available, although there are not as many as on Kolymbia Beach which keeps the atmosphere calmer.

We swam here during our stay, entering the water at the point where Kolymbia and White Rock Beach separate. From the sea you can move between both beaches which was something we loved. The water feels clear and refreshing and it is a great place if you want a quieter swim or somewhere a little tucked away from the busier hotel fronts.

Beach Conditions, Water and Footwear

Both beaches are beautiful to look at but do not expect soft golden sand underfoot. Kolymbia is mainly pebble based with only small strips of barefoot friendly texture close to the tide line. White Rock Beach is similar. Water shoes make everything easier, especially for children and anyone who prefers a comfortable entrance into the sea.

That said, the shoreline is pleasant for barefoot paddling and evening walks when the light drops and the temperature softens. We often walked here before sunset, watching the colour change of the sky with pinky, orange clouds, and the water reflect gold and blue at the same time.

Calm Seas and Boat Hire Experience

Interestingly, the sea was calm almost every time we visited Kolymbia, whether morning or late afternoon, aside from the one day we actually planned a boat hire!

The waves picked up enough that pedalos and small hire boats could not safely operate. Slightly frustrating timing on our part, although understandable for safety.

On most days, the sea was gentle, warm and perfect for swimming. We would love to return and try the pedalos with slides on a calm day, especially as they looked great fun for families!

Access From Where We Stayed

On our 2024 family holiday to Rhodes we stayed at Atlantica Aegean Blue which sits between Kolymbia Beach and White Rock Beach. Being able to reach both beaches directly from our hotel the moment we walked outside was ideal. One gate to Kolymbia, one to White Rock, two different moods depending on what we wanted.

On our second trip to Rhodes in 2025, we stayed at Zen Club Luxury Villas, only a five minute walk to either beach. The advantage of being so close is that we could dip down for a sunrise walk or an evening swim without planning a full day around it. We swam, sat, wandered and moved on. No need for a long commitment or heavy bags of belongings.

Time Spent Here

Although we never dedicated full day beach sessions to either Kolymbia or White Rock Beach, we visited frequently in short, relaxed bursts. We swam, we walked, we watched the sunset, and one evening continued along the shore, passed Kolymbia harbour and ended up climbing Flag Hill to watch the last of the light.

For us, these two beaches became part of the rhythm of our holiday rather than the main destination. They gave us somewhere easy to drop into and unwind.

Final Thoughts

Kolymbia Beach and White Rock Beach are two connected but very different beach experiences. One busy and equipped, the other quieter, small and scenic. If you enjoy pebble beaches, clear warm water and easy access to the sea, they are worth visiting.

If you prefer soft sand, you might prefer Tsambika Beach instead, although Kolymbia and White Rock are ideal for shoreline walks, swims, sunset watching and simple moments outdoors, especially if you are staying in Kolymbia.

You could easily spend a full lazy day sunbathing at either, swim between them from the water or simply use them the way we did, little by little, whenever the day allowed.

More Beaches to Visit in Rhodes

If you are planning a beach hopping holiday in Rhodes, Kolymbia and White Rock Beach are just the beginning. The island has so many contrasting coastlines that it is easy to spend an entire trip exploring the shore. Here are a few to keep in mind:

Tsambika Beach
A long sandy sweep at the foot of Tsambika mountain, on the other side from White Rock Beach. Clear shallow sea, sunbeds, beach bars, inflatable aquapark in season and big open space for children. One of the best beaches we visited for facilities and swimming.

Navarone Bay
Striking turquoise water framed by steep rocky cliffs. A quieter, more remote feel. Best experienced from the sea rather than the sand. Fantastic for snorkelling and swimming off a boat when the water is bright and still.

St Paul’s Bay, Lindos
Small, scenic and sheltered, wrapped in a horseshoe curve. Ideal for calm water swimming and relaxing under the sun. Sunbeds available and cafés nearby. Very popular during the day so early visits are often quieter.