Whether you have traveled to Crete or not, you have surely heard of Elafonissi. White sand, turquoise waters, pink hues and endless blue is the landscape that one beholds when visiting this islet.
Elafonissi and its unique beauty
Elafonissi is actually an island, separated from the southwest coast of Crete, by a shallow, warm lagoon and a sandbar that is submerged in about one meter of water at most during high tide. It is located 76km southwest of the city of Chania. Its name means “island of deer”, but in reality, you will not see any deer there but a heavenly landscape of endless white sand, sand dunes and crystal clear waters. It is safe for swimming and snorkeling and has been awarded a Blue Flag for environmental cleanliness.
Due to the special beauty of the place, Elafonissi is protected by the Natura 2000 Network, as it has over 100 rare plants, such as the summer-flowering sea daffodils that look like white cups and bloom in autumn. In addition, loggerhead turtles and several dune animals nest here. Because of the thousands of colored crushed shells found on the sand, in many places, the beach is fringed with pink coral sand which, combined with the blue waters, creates a majestic scenery that will leave you breathless.
Its mainland side is organized with umbrellas, sunbeds, and loungers. This part of the beach is always very busy, so get there early, if you want to find an umbrella. However, if you prefer a more relaxed and calm day at sea, the beaches on the other side of the island are less crowded.
The wreck of the Imperatrix
In February 1907, the steamship Imperatrix, traveling to India, sank and 38 people out of 140 lost their lives. The monks from the monastery of Chrysoskalitissa, together with the few inhabitants of the area, threw themselves into the raging waves and managed to save some castaways. The Imperatrix still lies on the seabed in front of the island’s cliffs and due to its wreck, a lighthouse was built on top of a hill on the island, which was eventually destroyed in World War II.
When to visit
The best time to visit Elafonissi is at the beginning or end of summer, avoiding the hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., especially at weekends. In the surrounding area there are few rooms to stay and some taverns to have lunch.
