Elafonisi
ELAFONISI BEACH: A STUNNING NATURAL PARADISE IN CHANIA
Elafonisi Beach, located on the southwestern coast of the Greek island of Crete in Chania, is widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful and unique beaches. This breathtaking natural paradise is characterized by crystal-clear turquoise waters, pink sand shores, and rocky coves set against towering cliffs and hills. Elafonisi Beach has become a must-see destination for people from all over the world due to its remarkable natural beauty and immaculate surroundings.
rare features
Elafonisi Beach is protected within the Natura 2000 environmental network.
On some days, it’s connected to the coastline, and on others, it’s an island where you can easily reach it by walking through the knee-deep water.
With a bit of caution, you can islet-hop with your beach equipment and enjoy your day wherever you like the most.
The beach’s characteristic pink sand is made up of small crushed shells of a microscopic organism called Foraminifera, which gives the sand its pink color.
Elafonisi Beach is particularly unique because of this rare phenomenon, as well as the crystal-clear waters and spectacular environment, which resemble the famous Caribbean coasts.
It also hosts a large variety of over 100 rare plants, like the water lily, and many species of animals.
One of them is the famous karetta-karetta sea turtle that lays its eggs on the shores of the bay. Since it is a protected ecosystem, it is forbidden to cut the blooms of the flora or take away even a small bottle of its pink sand.
name origin
Back in ancient times, the name of the islet was Mousagores. There was a temple that was dedicated to the Olympian God Apollo Mousagetis.
Mousagetis is a combination of the greek words Μούσες (Musses: deities of the arts who calmed with their music marine life, the Gods and humans alike and the waves) and Ηγέτης (leader).
The name Elafonisi literally means “deer island“. It is a weird name since, in Crete, there are no deer (naturally). There are two versions about the origin of the name.
One of them is that the locals used to refer to wild animals (Αγρίμι – Agrimi) using the word “elafi”.
Others claim that the name comes from the pirates. Elafonisi Beach was formerly home to a band of pirates who utilized the adjacent island of Elafonisi as a safe haven.
They used to bury their treasures in the sands of the beach. The treasure, or better, “the loot,” was referred to as Λάφυρα– Lafira, so the locals referred to the area as Loot Island or Lafonisi.
Today, the name Elafonisi still holds a mystery behind it, but if you are lucky, you might find some hidden treasures.
Activities
Elafonisi Beach is located on a short peninsula that juts into the Lybian Sea, forming a shallow lagoon-like area suitable for swimming and snorkeling, and has received a Blue Flag for environmental cleanliness.
Water sports are common as the lagoon widens. Many people exploit the winds of the area to wind surf or kite surf.
However, most of a day at Elafonisi Beach is spent relaxing and admiring the stunning scenery.
Children will enjoy playing and exploring in the tiny lagoon that connects the island to the mainland.
While the organised mainland side of Elafonisi Beach can get busy during the peak season, you can easily find yourself a hidden bay on either side of the bay.
The beach is bordered by rugged cliffs and lush hills, creating a gorgeous setting ideal for photography.
There are also various walking trails that you can use to better explore the area.
The sand extends for some distance along the 1km coastline, with the small church of Agia Irini (Saint Irene) and a lighthouse at the far end of the islet.
Despite its popularity among tourists, Elafonisi Beach has managed to retain its natural beauty and tranquil ambiance, making it the ideal destination to get away from the hurry and bustle of daily life. Visitors can spend their days relaxing on the beach, swimming in the pristine seas, or exploring the nearby hills and cliffs.
the islet
When you arrive at Elafonisi Beach, there is a monument in the parking lot.
It commemorates a tragic event that occurred in Elafonisi on Easter Day in 1824.
The Turks, headed by Ibrahim Pasha, slaughtered 600 women and children, as well as 40 warriors who had fled to Elafonisi in the hope that the Turks would not discover the shallow passage to the islet.
The Turks, on the other hand, managed to discover it because they saw a donkey passing through in search of its master.
It is said that there were in total 850 Cretans seeking refuge on the islet, and that the survivors were sold as slaves.
On the islet, there is a carved stone as a tribute to the fallen and those who were sold.
Strolling around the islet is definitely worth the effort. You can walk for 20 minutes until you reach the lighthouse at the island’s end.
The area is named Agia Irini (Saint Irene) after a lovely church with a panoramic view of the sea. To get there, you must trek through amazing landscapes filled with dunes and picturesque coves.
The current lighthouse in Agia Irini was built prior to the German takeover (1939) and could be seen from 30 miles away. There was a smaller lighthouse built after 1907. This was erected following the sad drowning of the Austrian ship Imperatrix in February 1907. There were 38 deaths among the 140 passengers. Their bodies are buried on the island. The survivors were saved from drowning by the monks of Panagia Chrisoskalitissa monastery (5 kilometers north of Elafonisi), who rushed to help.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN elafonisi
Sunbathing
Swimming
Snorkeling
Wind & Kite Surfing
Scuba diving
Paddling
Enjoy local food, snacks and beverages
Walk on the pink coastline
Go exploring on the little island
How to Get There
You can rent a car or take a bus from Chania to Elafonisi Beach. The trip takes around one and a half hours by car or two and a half hours by bus. When you arrive, there is a parking area where you can park and walk to the beach. The walk takes approximately ten minutes.
By Car:
Starting from Chania, you will have to get to the 090- E65 National Road Chania- Kissamou. Following this road, you will reach Kissamos village, where you need to turn south (left), according to the signs, to Chrisoskalitissa. From there, you will just follow the road Kaloudiana- Chrisoskalitissa until its end, passing through the settlement.
We advise you to use GPS during your travels.
By Bus:
During the summer, there is a KTEL bus that has its final destination in Elafonisi. This bus crosses from the Chrisoskalitissa village.
By taxi:
Of course, there is the choice of getting a taxi or private transport to get you to the monastery. We can’t be sure about the cost of the course.
Conclusion
Elafonisi Beach is a magnificent spot with pink sand, crystal-clear waves, and breathtaking surroundings. Elafonisi Beach provides something for everyone, whether you want to relax or go exploring. It is a spot that you will not want to miss when visiting Chania, Greece, due to its distinct geography, historical and cultural landmarks, and lovely surroundings.
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR AN ENJOYABLE VISIT TO elafonisi BEACH
Previous
Next
Destinations near ELAFONISI
More options for nearby locations to plan your vacations better!
0
September 27, 2018
