Elafonisi
Pink Tinted Sand Beach And Islet Joined By A Wadeable Shallow Bar, A Natura 2000 Protected Area; The Pink Comes From Crushed Foraminifera Shells · Elafonisi, Crete
Elafonisi is the beach at the south-west tip of Crete where a shallow lagoon and sandbar join the mainland to a small islet, so visitors can wade across through warm, clear water. It is famous for the pink tint in its sand, which comes from the crushed shells of tiny sea organisms called foraminifera, and for water that shades from pale turquoise to deep blue. The islet is a Natura 2000 protected area of dunes, junipers and sea lilies, with a small lighthouse and a memorial to the refugees killed there in 1824. The shallows make it a favourite with families, while quieter coves on the islet and the juniper beach of Kedrodasos along the coast reward walkers. It sits about 75 km from Chania, past gorges and chestnut villages, so the drive is part of the day. The honest caveats: the pink is faint and patchy, strongest at the waterline and in photos rather than in person; in July and August the main beach is packed with coaches from late morning; and cars can no longer enter the protected zone, so park outside early.
South-west tip of Crete, about 75 km from Chania; road via Kissamos or via Topolia gorge; paid parking outside the protected zone, Elafonisi, Crete, Greece
Open-air beach, open all year with no entry fee. Facilities - sunbeds, canteens, toilets and showers - work roughly May to October and mostly close in winter. Cars are no longer allowed into the protected zone; paid parking outside it costs roughly EUR 5 a day (confirm) and fills by about 10:00 in summer. The drive from Chania takes about 1.5-2 hours via Kissamos and the Topolia gorge or via the west coast road; a KTEL bus from Chania and a seasonal boat from Paleochora have run in summer - confirm. Nothing needs booking except tours and summer rooms nearby.