Oceanside of Elafonisi island on a day trip to

Day Trip To Elafonisi Island, Crete

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Elafonisi Island is one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece and often noted on lists of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Taking a day trip to this protected nature preserve is a must-do when in Crete. Not only is this area stunningly beautiful, sometimes with tinges of rare, pink sand, you can also walk to the island of Elafonisi from Crete when the water is low…which is super cool!

Oceanside of Elafonisi island on a day trip to


This post covers Elafonisi Island, how to get there, what to expect when you’re here, and a little history (albeit tragic) about this enchanting place.

Elafonisi Island

Elafonisi is an uninhabited island off the southwestern coast of Crete. It’s a protected nature preserve and nature lover’s paradise due to its ecological significance and rich biodiversity.

In addition to its beauty, it’s home to the rare Loggerhead, or Caretta Caretta sea turtle, a small frog (bufo viridis viridis) which is endemic to the island, protected lizards, more than 100 rare plants like sea daffodils and endemic junipers, sand dunes, and more. I also found tiny masses of miniature shells. These teeny tiny shells were a variety of shapes and colors, just like the large ones you usually see, but each was exquisite, and small, less than a quarter of an inch!

Being a protected reserve, there are no buildings, cafes, or sun beds here (except the lighthouse and a small chapel), which makes Elafonisi Island even more enchanting.

The Aegean Sea lies between the beach on the southwest tip of Crete and the island of Elafonisi, but in good weather, it’s shallow enough, and close enough, that you can wade over to it. Walking to a stunning island from an already beautiful one is not something you get to do every day.

What To Expect At Elafonisi Island

As noted above, at low tide, the water between Crete and Elafonisi is usually shallow enough to wade in. I visited in May and the water level was just calf high. As it’s shallow, the water is usually also very warm, making it perfect for families.

In peak season, there will be crowds on the Cretan side of the island, as that’s where the sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent. To escape the crowds, and experience the more remote beauty of this area, you really need to walk across to Elafonisi Island.

When you get to the island, spend some time exploring it. Since it’s a nature preserve, it’s full of beautiful windswept vegetation and the view of the sea is stunning. If you like to walk and explore, you can head to the end of the island where there’s a hill, for a better view of the ocean, and a lighthouse. If you just want to relax, look for a secluded spot on Elafonisi Island to place your towel. The further you walk on the island, the more secluded it becomes.

Often, the sand here has beautiful shades of pink from microorganisms and crushed shells. The mix of pink, beige, and black sand, black rocks, and intensely clear turquoise and blue water, stirring in the gentle waves, is incredibly mesmerizing. I spent a considerable amount of time just watching the colors slowly mix in the lapping waves.

The pink in the sand can be subtle though, so don’t expect a fully pink beach like some places advertise.

Pink Sand on Elafonosi Island

Although the island is protected and only a lighthouse and small chapel are there, there is a basic canteen by the parking area on the edge of Crete. The food at the canteen is pretty basic, so don’t expect too much. It’s also a bit expensive. If you can, it’s best to bring your own food and beverages.

As noted above, there are also sun beds and umbrellas for rent on the edge of Crete, as well as shower facilities and restrooms.

Beautiful colors on a day trip to Elafonisi island.

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How To Get To Elafonisi Island

Part of the beauty of Elafonisi Island is that it’s in a remote part of the island. This means it’s not the easiest to get. Depending on what part of the island you’re on, it will take over an hour each way, which means this is best done as a day trip. But it’s worth it.

Self Drive

Elafonisi is about 45 miles (73 km) from Chania and 84 miles (135 km) from Rethymno. If you have a car, the drive from Chania is about 1.5 hours. From Rethymno, which is a little farther, the drive is about 2.25 hours. If you do decide to drive, there is a decent sized parking lot on the Crete side.

One important note, however, is that some of the roads to get here are dirt roads, which your rental car may not cover driving on. If you plan to rent a car, make sure to talk to them about this (or be super careful).

EU citizens and citizens of the USA do not need an International Drivers Permit (IDP) to drive on Crete (which is great). You just need a copy of your drivers license. Verify with your rental car company in advance if you are coming from a different country and are not sure if you need one.

The minimum age to rent a car in Crete is 21, with 12 months driving experience required. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur an extra surcharge.

Take A Tour

If you want to make a visit to Elafonisi super easy, book a tour. There are several options available. This air conditioned coach provides pickup and return from Chania: Day Trip to Elafonisi Island, and this tour provides pickup and return from Rethymno: Elafonissi Pink Sand Beach Tour. Both are affordable and get great reviews.

There is also one from Heraklion: Elafonisi Beach Day Tour with Pickup. But as this is farther out, this tour will take 13-14 hours.

Crete Public Bus

If you don’t have a car and don’t want to take a tour, you can also use Crete’s organized transportation by bus. There is only one bus from Chania to Elafonisi that runs during peak season. It leaves at 9:01 AM and returns at 4:00 PM. You need to buy a separate ticket each way.

If you’re coming from Rethymno, you need to take the bus to Chania first. The bus from Rethymno to Chania is listed as 75 minutes, so you will need to take either the 6 AM or 7 AM bus to Chania.

You can buy tickets online at the KTEL bus website, or at the bus station. They can help,you with any questions, but don’t forget to buy the return bus ticket!

The cost as of summer 2023 was 10 Euro each way to and from Chania. The cost is a little higher from Rethymno. Note that the buses only run during peak season.

The water walkway between create and Elafonisi island on a day trip to
Elafonisi Island

The image above shows the top of the island of Crete in the foreground and Elafonisi island in the background.

The Tragic History Of Elafonisi Island

Sadly, Elafonisi island has a tragic history. Hundreds of Cretans were killed here in 1824, during the Greek War of Independence. Making it even worse, they were families, so included men, women and children. They were waiting for a boat to escape to another island, but discovered and killed. Heartbreaking.

There was also a shipwreck near the island in 1907. 38 people died trying to reach the shore. They are buried here with a cross that commemorates their lives.

Oceanside of Elafonisi island on a day trip to

Where To Stay On Crete

Chania and Rethymno both make excellent cities to use as a base when exploring Crete. I stayed in both and found each to be lovely for different reasons. Chania feels a little more upscale, and is closer to the day trip sites of Samaria Gorge, Balos Bay, and Elafonisi Island, while Rethymno offers more old world charm. Rethymno is also closer to Knossos Palace, whihch is another amazing site of Crete. Although I liked them both, if I had to pick one, I would pick Chania for its location.

I’ve noted several options below in each city that gets good reviews, looks charming, and are within walking distance of the port and main sites.

Where To Stay In Chania

Budget

  • Cocoon City Hostel is where I stayed in Chania. Close to Mitropoleos Square. A little removed from the Old Venetian Harbor, it’s a 10-minute walk away. It’s also a 5-minute walk to the central bus station. There’s a shared kitchen and I found the staff to be very polite and helpful. They offer dorms and private rooms with a shared bath. 

Affordable 

  • Located a short walk to the Old Venetian Harbor, Agave Suites offers cozy suites with balconies. It’s also close to Koum Kapi and Nea Chora Beach.

Moderate

  • Emeli Suites is located a short walk to the Old Venetian Harbor. It’s also a 3-minute walk from Koum Kapi Beach, and 1.2 miles from Nea Chora Beach. The units offer a terrace or balcony with a city view and has a unit with a jacuzzi.

Splurge

  • Located on the edge of the Old Venetian Harbor, Riviera Suites is a 5-star hotel offering suites with amazing sea views. It’s close to Koum Kapi and Nea Chora Beaches and gets great reviews for location, view, and staff.
  • Located east of the Old Venetian Harbor, a few steps from Nea Chora Beach, the Chania Flair Deluxe Boutique Hotel – Adults Only provides accommodations with a shared lounge and a terrace, a fitness center, restaurant, and bar, as well as a sauna and a hot tub. 
  • Set on the Old Venetian Harbor with views of the port and lighthouse, Domus Renier Boutique Hotel – Historic Hotels Worldwide is in a renovated historic mansion where the Reniers, one of Venice’s leading noble families, once lived. Some suites offer sea views and jacuzzis. 

Where To Stay In Rethymno

Budget

  • Studio Lefaki, centrally located in the old city of Rethymno, offers self-catered studios with kitchenettes that open out to a communal terrace 

Affordable

  • Archontissa House in the Old Town, located a 14-minute walk from Rethymno Beach, gets very high reviews. Each charming unit has a terrace with city views, and a kitchen.  

Moderate

  • AC Homes Alice is a traditionally built split-level home with stone walls and beam ceilings offers self-catering accommodations in Old Town Rethymno. There is also a hot tub on the rooftop terrace overlooking the town.

Splurge

  • Anne Apartment, is a 14-minute walk from the Rethymno Beach, at the Venetian Port of Rethymno. It offers 2 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and balcony with views of the port. 
Balos Bay, Crete

Want More Of Greece?

Mainland Greece

Corfu Island

Crete Island

Ios Island

Kefalonia Island

Milos Island

Naxos Island

Paros Island

Santorini Island

Zakynthos Island

Other

For an overview of all the best places in Greece, as well as how to get around, safety, tips, and more, see my Greece Travel Guide.

Stunning Oia in Santorini Travel Guide
Oia, Santorini

Safe Travels!

Julie

Hello! I resigned from a corporate career in product development to explore the world. Although my goal was to travel for a year, 8 years later, I’ve been honored to have explored more than 60 gorgeous countries and met some unbelievably amazing people. Our world truly is a beautiful place! Follow me into the gorgeous unknown by subscribing below. You’ll receive details on fabulous destinations, comprehensive travel guides, travel tips and tidbits, and information on travel trends, like experiential, sustainable, and transformational travel. Where is your next gorgeous unknown? Julie

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