Vai
A 60-hectare palm forest, guarded by the Forest Service, grows right behind this beach of fine sand and pebbles, 24 km from Sitia. The forest is fenced to keep bathers out, and camping there is banned.
What Beach, VaiCrete
When May to November 25° in Sep
Getting there Car Bus
Cost Public shoreFree
Access Protected palm forest: fenced, no entry to fenced areas, no camping, no fires
- 16°J
- 16°F
- 16°M
- 17°A
- 19°M
- 22°J
- 24°J
- 25°A
- 25°S
- 23°O
- 20°N
- 18°D
Getting in
- Access
- The beach is fine sand with some pebbles and shallow water. The palm forest behind it is fenced off to keep bathers out, and camping and fires are banned.
- Public transport
- KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi buses from Sitia bus station
Cost and facilities
- Entry
- Free, public shore
- Facilities
- Lifeguard in seasonRestaurantStep-free access
Questions about Vai
- How warm is the water at Vai?
- 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 Vai free?
- Yes, it's a public shore with no entry fee.
- How do you get to Vai?
- KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi buses from Sitia bus station.
- What is the water quality at Vai?
- Classified excellent in the 2025 EEA bathing season, per the European Environment Agency.
- Is there a lifeguard at Vai?
- Yes, in the summer season.
- What facilities are there at Vai?
- Restaurant and step-free access.