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.
What Beach, ElafonisiCrete
When May to November 25° in Sep
Getting there Car Bus
Cost Public shoreFree
Access Protected 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
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
- Facilities
- Lifeguard in seasonRestaurantStep-free accessNaturist area
Questions about Elafonisi
- How warm is the water at Elafonisi?
- The sea is typically 25 °C in August and 16 °C in January, averaged over 1991 to 2020. The swimming season runs from May to November.
- Is Elafonisi free?
- Yes, it's a public shore with no entry fee.
- How do you get to Elafonisi?
- KTEL Chania-Rethymno has an Elafonisi stop with a summer service from Chania and Kissamos. Parking: cars stop at a guarded barrier at the end of the paved municipal road; no vehicles inside the protected zone.
- What is the water quality at Elafonisi?
- Classified excellent in the 2025 EEA bathing season, per the European Environment Agency.
- Is there a lifeguard at Elafonisi?
- Yes, in the summer season.
- What facilities are there at Elafonisi?
- Restaurant, step-free access and naturist area.
- What else is near Elafonisi?
- Falassarna (25 km).