GREN

Elafonisi

Chania · Crete
IconicSandShallow water
🅿️ Parking🚿 Shower🚻 Toilets

Amenities from OpenStreetMap — they may have changed and the list is not exhaustive.

💧 Bathing water quality: excellent (official assessment by the Greek Ministry of Environment, 2025 — monitoring point “Elafonisi”, 58 m from the beach)

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Live from Open-Meteo
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✓ Manually calibrated shoreline

The orientation of the shore and the shelter of the bay were checked one by one on the map for every beach — they are not derived automatically.

Elafonisi in Chania is a famous beach with pink sand and shallow, crystal-clear waters. The shallow lagoon allows walking to the islet, offering a unique experience. Sheltered from the wind, the sea is usually calm, ideal for families. The natural beauty of the landscape makes it one of the most popular beaches in Crete.

Wind & waves: when to go

Real shoreline from OpenStreetMap at a fixed scale so the diagrams are comparable with one another — the dot marks the beach.

The beach faces south. With northerly winds the air flows offshore and the water near the shore stays flat; with southerly winds the sea builds up waves onto the beach. The shape of the coastline offers partial shelter, cutting down part of the swell.

🌅 Sunset over the sea: September–March

The shore faces south (200°), so from September to March the sun sets within its field of view, over the water. In the remaining seasons the sunset falls further to the side, over land.

An estimate based on the orientation of the shore — a headland or island opposite may hide the horizon.

Frequently asked questions

Is Elafonisi beach suitable for children?

Yes — the water deepens gradually, making it one of the better choices for small children.

When is the sea calm at Elafonisi?

On days with northerly (offshore) winds or no wind at all. Check the live score on Beach Radar before you go — it updates all day.

Is Elafonisi an organized beach?

No — it is an unspoiled beach with no facilities, so bring water and shade with you.

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Nearby beaches in Crete

BalosChaniaFalasarnaChaniaPreveliRethymnoPlakiasRethymno

If you like Elafonisi, try…

Simos (Elafonisos)Elafonisosalso shallow and iconic, also faces southKedrodasosChaniaalso iconic and sandy, also faces southFrangokastelloChaniaalso shallow and sandy, also faces southTsampikaRhodesalso shallow and iconic, equally sheltered

Coordinates: 35.271, 23.541 · Shore faces: 200° (south) · Area: Chania, Crete · Shore type: Sand

Data: Open-Meteo · Mapping: OpenStreetMap · Page last updated: 2026-08-15