Private Tour at Elafonisi Beach

Private Tour at Elafonisi Beach

Elafonisi is located 76km west of Chania and 5km south of Chrysoskalitisa Monastery, in the southwesternmost tip of Crete. Elafonisi is an oblong peninsula, which often breaks in two parts by water giving the impression of being a separate island. Elafonisi is a Natura 2000 protected area. The island is full of sand dunes with sea daffodils and jupiners. The endangered loggerhead sea turtle and several more rare animals and plants find shelter on the island; it is strictly forbidden to remove any plants, animals, shells and sand from the area. Exotic beaches with pinkish sand have taken this particular color from millions of crushed shells. Near the breaking point of the peninsula, the sea water does not exceed 1m in depth, creating a small lagoon, ideal for children. You can easily cross the lagoon in order to reach the opposite site of the peninsula, while carrying your staff with you, because the water is very shallow there.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Chrisoskalitissa Monastery, Moni Chrisoskalitissis, Crete 230 53 Greece

The monastery of Panagia Chrisoskalitissa is located 72km south of Chania, very close to the magnificent lagoon of Elafonissi. It reminds of a fortress, perched on a 35m high rock with boundless sea views. The name of the monastery means Our Lady Gold-stepped in Greek. This is taken after one step out of 98, which, according to tradition, was gold. It is said that only those who really believe in god can still see it. However, another version says that the golden stair was sold by the Patriarchate to solve the economic problems of the monastery during the Turkish Era. The temple has two aisles dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the Holy Trinity. The exact date of the establishment of the monastery is unknown. Near Chrisoskalitissa there was the monastery of St. Nicholas, which operated during the Turkish Period. On the beach, next to the monastery, a small fishing village of the Middle Minoan period has been found.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Elafonissi Beach, Elafonissi, Crete Greece

Elafonisi is located in the southwestern most tip of Crete. It is an oblong peninsula, which often breaks in two parts by water giving the impression of being a separate island. Exotic beaches with white sand and turquoise water, are formed on either sides of the peninsula. The sand is pinkish in many places, taking its color from millions of crushed shells. Near the breaking point of the peninsula, the sea water does not exceed 1m in depth, creating a small lagoon. You can easily cross the lagoon in order to reach the opposite site of the peninsula, while carrying your staff with you, because the water is very shallow there. At the tip of the peninsula there is the island which is a mile long, ending in a rocky outcrop and weird, freestanding towers of rock formed by wind and water. Elafonisi is a Natura 2000 protected area home to more than 100 rare plants and a great shelter for rare loggerhead sea turtles.

Duration: 4 hours