Elafonisi Crete

holiday report and Elafonisi Crete map

Elafonissi beach Crete

ELAFONISI, also called ELAFONISOS, is a remote and isolated beach and offshore islet on the south-west coast of Crete about 43km south of Kasteli Kissamos and 76km from Chania.
The near pristine beach of golden sand bars and beautiful rock formations at Elafonisi was once one of the secret paradise beaches of Crete.
It was 'discovered' in the years before 2000 and is now firmly on the tourist circuit as a 'must see' beach for day trippers. Daily bus tours arrive from Chania and boat trippers roll in from Paleochora.
As a result you will hardly find Elafonisi the remote paradise it once was. Now there are sunbeds, cantinas and other tourist trappings, most notably rubbish.
Day trippers by road usually pass through the breathtaking Topolia Gorge and the mountain villages of Topolia, Elos, Kefali and Vathi.
Elafonisi beach is white sand and the waters often take on a pinkish hue from the coral growing there - now protected by an EU environmental programme. The sheer variety of beaches make for one Elafonisi's biggest attractions, from wide open spaces to rock pools and hidden coves.
To escape the crowds it is worth wading out across the lagoon to the islet and heading south until the crowds thin out and you find a secluded cove to yourself.
The crossing is about 800 metres and easy to follow, although not if the weather is unsettled or the seas not calm as the current can be quite strong.
There is a small plaque on the islet summit at Elafonisi in memory of the 600 women and children slaughtered by the Turks who found them hiding there in 1824.