Elafonissi Shore

Elafonissi is situated at the most southwestern tip of Crete, 76km to the west of Chania. It features a unique oblong shape that often becomes bisected by water, creating the illusion of two separate islands.

Elafonissi is a protected zone under the “Natura 2000” program. The island is home to sand dunes filled with sand lilies and junipers (resembling cedar trees). It serves as a nest for the threatened Caretta-Caretta turtles and several uncommon species, and it’s highly prohibited to remove any wildlife from the location.

The beach area creates an exotic vibe with its white sands and turquoise waters, evoking images of the Caribbean. It’s located on both ends of the peninsula and in many sections, the sand adopts a pinkish hue due to the abundance of fragmented seashells.