Elafonissi
A shallow lagoon and pink sand, at the island's south-western tip.
Duration
4 hrs – 6 hrs
Best time
Early morning
Open
Every day
Entry price
Free
Elafonissi is an islet joined to the coast by a sandbar you wade across in a few dozen centimetres of water. The lagoon between the two is shallow, warm and sheltered.
The pink sand comes from crushed foraminifera shell fragments mixed into the pale sand — the colour is patchy and clearer in some places. The site is a Natura 2000 zone: taking sand away is banned and fined, and the dunes are roped off to protect the sea lilies.
Getting there
Seventy-five kilometres south-west of Chania, about two hours on a winding mountain road. A daily bus in season.
What to bring
- Swimsuit
Rules on site
Taking pink sand is banned and fined: this is a protected area. The car park is full by mid-morning in summer, and the access road is narrow and winding.