NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

A small heaven on earth

On the East side of Andros, north of the cosmopolitan Chora, lies a rare and protected wetland. Covering an area of about 18 acres, it is bordered by a river which flows down from the hill sides around Vourkoti village and ends its journey at Ahla beach. In this magical place where the river meets the sea we have created ONAR.

Nine traditional insular cottages, spread through the lush greenery, compose a small settlement in nature. A heaven on earth, where huge plane trees, crystal waters and wild flora meet - a unique landscape for the standards of Cyclades able to amaze even the most demanding nature fans.

The beach

Ahla beach is among the most beautiful beaches in Greece: fine, white pebbles and countless shells transformed into thin grains of sand, trees and enchanting blue waters – where river Ahla meets the Aegean Sea. Sheltered by a small bay created there, the sea remains calm even in the strongest of the winds.

The gully

Ahla river, one of the three rivers of Andros with constant flow, gushes from the hill sides of Vourkoti village and empties into the Aegean Sea. It forms thereby a verdant gully with cascades each ending in a small lake (called by the locals “vathra”) underneath the enormous, perennial plane trees. Many of the small lakes are suitable for swimming, a really unforgetable experience!

The fauna

The more patient visitor will have the chance to discover a place full of unique creatures. River crabs, eels, turtles, hares, partridges, rare migratory birds and colorful dragonflies live on the wetlands of Ahla.

The forest of plane trees

A forest of countless, enormous plane trees dominates the wetlands of Ahla – a rare phenomenon on a Cycladic island. The beach is only 350 meters away from the houses. It is a fascinating walk through the plane trees!