Kvariati is a small Black Sea resort village in Adjara, about 15 kilometres south of Batumi and just a couple of kilometres from the Turkish border at Sarpi. The village sits in a natural cove backed by the green slopes of the Lesser Caucasus mountains, which drop steeply to the water. The combination of subtropical vegetation, warm sea, and mountain backdrop gives it a setting that rivals anywhere on the eastern Black Sea coast.
The beach is pebbly, as is typical for this stretch of coast, and the water is clean and calm enough for swimming through most of the summer. Kvariati is also one of the few places in Georgia where you can try scuba diving — a dive centre operates in season, and the underwater visibility is better here than in the murkier waters near Batumi.
Kvariati is much quieter than Batumi and appeals to travellers who want a beach holiday without the nightlife and construction noise. A handful of guesthouses and small restaurants line the waterfront, serving fresh fish and Georgian staples like khachapuri and grilled meat. Marshrutkas (minibuses) run regularly along the coast road to Batumi, making it easy to enjoy the city's restaurants and nightlife while sleeping somewhere more peaceful. A short drive up the coast brings you to Gonio Fortress, one of the best-preserved Roman forts in the Caucasus.