Elafonissi Beach

Located on the south-western coast of the island of Crete, Elafonissi (or Elafonisi) is also called the ‘Caribbean of the Mediterranean‘ for its white beach with pink hues and the turquoise of its warm waters. The main beach is well equipped with facilities for renting sunshades and sunbeds and with several bars, but there are also quiet free beaches.

Directly in front of the beach is the small island of Elafonissi – not to be confused with the island of Elafonissos in the Peloponnese – which, depending on the tides, on some days is connected to the mainland by a narrow tongue of sand, while on others it is a real island that can be reached by walking through knee-deep sea water. There is only free beach on the island and the back part is perhaps the most bucolic and characterised by small bays where peace and tranquillity reign. At the far end of the island is a promontory where one can find a lighthouse and the small chapel of Agia Irini.

Elafonissi is, like Balos, a protected area where loggerhead turtles lay their eggs and where more than a hundred rare plants can be found, including the beautiful sea daffodils that bloom during the summer season. One of the most beautiful moments not to be missed at Elafonissi is sunset, when the sun sets over the waters of the Libyan Sea, offering a panorama of stunning colours.

How to reach Elafonissi

You can reach Elafonissi by ferry from Paleochora or by hire car. Private boats also depart daily from Paleochora to the beach of Elafonissi in less than an hour.

Alternatively, by car if you leave from Kissamos you can choose between two routes: a fast road that, however, goes through the mountainous interior, or a scenic road that runs along the entire west coast of the island.
The first option, a rather narrow and winding road, is the more direct route that passes through Topòlia and Èlos, while the second turns out to be a road with wonderful views, but certainly longer (both in distance and time) than the first.

You can also reach the beach of Elafonissi by car from Palaiochora, but the road to get there also passes through Èlos and will take you just over an hour.

Where to stay in the surroundings

If you decide to stay in Elafonissi, it is best to book well in advance as there is not a lot of accommodation available near the beach. Alternatively, you can choose to find accommodation in the nearby towns of Kissamos or Chania and reach Elafonissi within the day.

Recommended hotels near the beach