Your guide to visiting Elafonisi, Crete’s gorgeous pink-sand beach

From craggy mountains to dreamy beaches, Greece's largest island Crete boasts a magnificent collection of natural attractions worth adding to any Greece itinerary, though there’s a particular standout for those looking for the perfect place to suntan—a rare pink sand beach. Here’s the lowdown on Elafonisi’s pink sand beach and why you should check it out.

Elafonisi Beach is located on the southwestern coast of Crete in Chania prefecture. The beach is named for the island it faces. The island of Elafonisi is just 650 feet away from the beach across a shallow bay of crystal clear turquoise water that doesn’t get any higher than waist level at its deepest—you can easily wade across the lagoon to get to the island, which is mostly covered in sand dunes with a small Agia Irini Church on its western end.

While pink sand beaches are rare, Elafonisi Beach isn’t the only pink sand beach in Crete. Balos Lagoon in the northwestern Kissamos region is also another popular option.

The unusual pink sand of Elafonisi Beach is the result of bright red pigments in the crushed microorganisms of the local waters mixing with the originally white sand grains on shore. Most of Elafonisi Beach consists of white sand—this pink coloration is best seen along the waterline. The intensity of pink depends on factors like the weather and tide.

Elafonisi Beach used to be much pinker, but because visitors have been stealing its uniquely colored sand for souvenirs over the years, this pink beach is now a pale shadow of its original color. Today, Elafonisi is a nature reserve and its sand and other flora and fauna are protected—the island is a favorite breeding ground of loggerhead sea turtles also known as caretta caretta.

Elafonisi Beach has been featured in many lists of top beaches around the world in recent years, making it a popular destination for anyone looking to enjoy a beach getaway, especially in the warm summer months. The shallow water in the bay makes Elafonisi Beach a popular choice for families with young children.

Visitors can rent sunbeds and umbrellas to lounge—there is no natural shade in this area so bring your own tents or a large hat in case the loungers are fully booked. There are lifeguards monitoring the area and paid shower facilities. There’s ample free parking a short walk away from the beach.

You can find a handful of beach bars offering food and drinks, but prices can be high so we recommend packing your own food—make sure not to leave any litter behind. There are some small shops along the road leading up to the beach if you need any last-minute beach items.

There are no sunbeds or facilities located on Elafonisi Island itself as it’s a protected zone; camping is not allowed either. The island is more secluded in comparison and also where you can find a nudist beach—just don’t forget sunblock and a good hat.

Those looking for more activity can check out the watersports on offer at Elafonisi Beach—windsurfing, kite surfing, standup paddleboarding and kayaking are some options available here.

By car: Elafonisi Beach is located about 46 miles from Chania Town–the drive should take about 1.5-2 hours, but many of the routes leading to Elafonisi involve narrow roads through the mountains like Topolia Gorge. It’s definitely scenic, but can be stressful, especially if you have to deal with all the other tourists jamming up those roads. Budget more time if you’re driving during peak season, and avoid these roads at night as there aren’t many safety barriers and street lighting.

By bus: You can also take a direct bus from Chania Town bus station. The journey by bus takes about 2 hours. KTEL Chanion has a daily bus that leaves Chania at 9 a.m. and Elafonisi at 4 p.m. during summer and costs $10. Some tour companies may operate private buses that go to Elafonisi Beach as well.

By organized tour: Elafonisi Beach is in a rather remote corner of Crete, so take the opportunity to see the other sights in the area without having to worry about bus schedules or precarious roads. This full-day tour from Chania stops at the church of Agia Sophia in Topolia Gorge, while this other full-day tour takes you to Vouves and Falassarna as well.

By boat: You can take a boat to Elafonisi Beach from Palaiochora in the south of Crete during the summer season. The journey typically takes about 1 hour, with the boat leaving Palaiochora at 9 a.m. and Elafonisi at 5 p.m. There are private boat transfers as well, but be prepared to pay more.

During the summer months, you have to go early to beat the traffic along the narrow mountain roads and bag yourself a sun lounger as this beach is an extremely popular destination. Aim to reach in the morning if possible—you may want to consider staying overnight around this area to beat the crowds and enjoy the place after the daytrippers have left.

Peak season for Elafonisi is in summer—June, July and August are particularly crowded. Consider visiting in May or September to enjoy the beach without too many tourists.

Check the weather before you go—Elafonisi can get very windy, which may be great for some water sports, but is not a good combination with the fine white sand for sunbathing. We recommend skipping the beach if the winds are too strong.

Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis Family is a short 5-minute walk to the entrance of Elafonisi Beach. This modern hotel is popular for its restaurant serving fresh seafood.

Glykeria Hotel in Chrysoskalitissa is a 10-minute drive away from Elafonisi Beach. This family-run hotel is located close to the Chrisoskalitissa Monastery and its coastal location offers some excellent sea views of the Libyan Sea.

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