Elafonisi
A low sandy islet about 1.5 km long sits roughly 150 m off the beach, and a shallow channel lets you wade across to its dunes. Cars stop at a guarded barrier at the end of the paved road, and the dunes and cedar stands behind the sand are fenced off.
WhatBeach, ElafonisiCrete
WhenMay to November21° in Nov
Getting there Car Bus
CostPublic shoreFree
AccessProtected area (Natura 2000): no vehicles past the barrier, dunes and cedars fenced off
- 16°J
- 16°F
- 16°M
- 17°A
- 19°M
- 22°J
- 24°J
- 25°A
- 25°S
- 23°O
- 21°N
- 18°D
Expect the sea at about 25 °C in August and 16 °C in January, going by the 1991 to 2020 averages. The swimming season runs from May to November.
Getting in
- Access
- The islet lies about 150 m off the beach across a shallow channel, and people wade across. The sand dunes and juniper stands behind the beach are fenced; signs ask visitors to leave the pink sand where it is.
- Parking
- Cars stop at a guarded barrier at the end of the paved municipal road; no vehicles inside the protected zone
- Public transport
- KTEL Chania-Rethymno has an Elafonisi stop with a summer service from Chania and Kissamos
Cost and facilities
- Entry
- Free, public shore
- Official site
- kissamos.gr
- Facilities
- Lifeguard in seasonRestaurantStep-free accessNaturist area