Ios has some excellent sandy beaches, some of the best in Cyclades. The only downside is that some of the island's beaches have become unaccessible by land (about 15 of the total 35 beaches available), as large pieces of land have been purchased and the fences block the access to the sea. However, it is still possible to reach those beaches, either by boat or by asking permission to pass through their land.

• Mylopotas (West Ios): Mylopotas is the most famous beach of Ios and for good reason, as it offers golden sand and clean sea. It is a wide sandy beach, almost 2 kilometers long, that has everything including umbrellas, sunbeds, beach bar, water sports, shops, taverns and many rooms to let.
• Gialos (West Ios): Gialos is a large beach next to the harbor of Chora with easy access. It has beautiful light colored sand, some tamarisk trees for shade and clean blue water, despite the presence of the island. It is an organized beach with sunbeds, umbrellas, watter sports, shops and some accommodation near by. It does not get very crowded because of the harbor, and because of its size you can easily find a spot that offers some privacy.
• Sapounohoma (West Ios): A beautiful small beach with nice sand, a couple of small pine trees and a little church at its side, that give the beach a distinct style. It is found at the west of Ios, a bit south of Mylopotas beach, and you can only reach it by sea. The beach is quiet with fantastic sand and gorgeous water.
• Pikri Nero (Southwest Ios): A small beach at the southwest of Ios that is only accessible by boat. It is actually a series of three small consecutive beaches in a closed bay with thin pebble and shallow water. The easiest way to get to this beach is by boat from Gialos.
• Kalamos (Southeast Ios): A beach with clean blue water and nice golden sand sheltered in a bay. The beach is quiet long and is perfect for seclusion, as it is difficult to reach.
• Papa (Southeast Ios): This is a completely wind-free small beach situated in an extremely closed and protected bay. The small sandy beach with its clean water offers itself for seclusion but you can only approach it by sea.
• Tris Klisies (Southeast Ios): A relatively small beach in a large protected bay at the southeast edge of Ios, very close to Magganari beach. In order to reach it you will have to leave your car at the end of the dirt road and walk a bit from there, but the solitude, the golden sand and the blue water are worth it.
• Magganari (South Ios): This is actually a series of sandy bays with shallow water at the south side of the island. The enchanting beach has amazing blond sand and crystal water, and it is quiet wide. Some of its parts are organized with sunbeds, umbrellas taverns and rooms to let in close range. It is not as crowded as Mylopotas, but you can hardly call it a beach for seclusion like others on the island. You can easily reach the beach through the asphalt road, but it is not very close to Chora.
• Koumpara (Northwest Ios): This great stretch of sand is located in a protected bay behind the bay of Chora, facing south. It is one of the most popular beaches of Ios because it is easy to reach, it is in a picturesque landscape and it is organized with sunbeds and umbrellas.
• Agia Theodoti (Northeast Ios): A large beach with golden sand and turquoise water at the northeast part of the island. The beach has a north orientation and so the sea is not always calm. Part of it is organized while at points there are tamarisk trees that provide some shade.
• Psathi (East Ios): A beautiful beach in the east for relaxation, favored by surfing fans as it is usually windy with waves. Due to the morphology of the sea floor, the waves of the sea have some impressive coloring. Here there is plenty of space to park your car, while on the left there are two more beaches, usually empty, which nudists prefer.